Oh my.

Well. Japan has gotten off to a very, very rough start. I can't say much at the moment, but please know that I've been very sweetly adopted by the wonderful missionaries of Ube Christar church. Wes, Susan, Chuck, and Jan have all made me feel like part of the family since day one, and I am now comfortably one of the family. I'm currently staying with Wes, Susan, their darling children, and two of the Canadian visitors, and we seem to be happy bunch. I cannot even begin to describe my gratitude at being saved from the situation I've found myself in. I'll be free to talk about it more later, but let's just say it's been a weird ride.

Something good happened today. Oooh, something really, really good! An exact answer to prayer; in fact, it's like God is up in heaven grinning ear to ear over this one. And I know it's all because I have so many wonderful people praying for me. I'm not going to say anymore until things become a bit more final and contracts are signed, but things are looking up! Tomorrow I venture into Hiroshima for the first time and am I ever psyched about it! I've always wanted to go! Technically, this is a "business" trip, but I'll get to squeeze in some sight-seeing too. Yay!

Hopefully, by the end of this week, I'll be able to give you the full details of everything that's been going on-- so tune in! In the meantime, please enjoy this pictures of my adventures in Yamaguchi prefecture, even if they're less exciting than last time...


Delicious taiyaki (a.k.a. fish-shaped waffles filled with custard or anko)


This are all pictures of Ube's May 5th Matsuri (festival). There was a wedding taking place at the shrine and many people were wearing traditional costumes, as well as masks and markings of the kitsune (a fox and popular character in Japanese folklore.)








There was also a lot of dancing from local dance groups in fashionably-challenged costumes. Some people got their jazz hands goin' on.


This is St. Paul's Cathedral, a wedding chapel that's tied to an extravagant (and kind of gaudy) wedding hall. Note the creepy stone angels (which look a lot like the villains in the series 3 episode of Doctor Who, Blink).


One of them is picking her nose.


The other is voguing.


Though tiny in comparison, the Doctor mocks them both...


...as well as the cherub.


JC and Mary were also there, and I was pleased to see them.

All right, I'm off to figure out the Hiroshima details tomorrow. The Doctor will be my only companion for this adventure, as everyone else in the house has classes or church coffee house to prepare for. I'll post again soon with more details!