Dinner Guest

Praise the Lord. Last night we were privileged to have Mr. Shiraki (she-rah-key) over for dinner. The girls made pizza which was delicious! I think Shiraki san thought so too because he loaded up on pizza! Oh, I forgot to mention... he's single. So, that pretty much explains his appetite! We had a nice time and as you can see below, he and the boys got to play a little bit, too.






Mr. Shiraki works at the local Homac, which is the name of a home center/hardware store. We have known him for about 2 years (since being in Shibetsu). He has been a great help to us at the store as we have ordered and purchased various things for the building renovation. We are truly thankful for people who show us foreigners kindness and are helpful. We have invited him to church and to the Christmas meeting both years but he hasn't come. So, we are glad he could come for time with the family. Often times here in Japan this is how making a difference in someone's life all begins! Please pray that he will come to know the Lord as his Savior!

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"This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

Church Renovations - lights

I forgot to mention a week or so ago that I got the light fixtures put up in the church genkan (entryway). Here's a look:



















Next it is time to mud, tape, and paint the drywall. Then flooring and trim and we should be getting that finished look! ...at least in this area! Ha!
But!!! (sigh!) I can't start on that today. I need to do day three of the marathon snow removal!! Day one: 3rd floor roof snow. Day two: 2nd floor (office) roof snow. (Thanks Victoria. She was on the roof shoveling, too!) Day three (today): Clean up the ground around the building from all the snow that was shoveled off!! Get those shovels and the snowblower ready! He I come. Yahoo!

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Roof snow removal

Yesterday I did some needed snow removal on the roof.
This is the over the second story of the church enterance:






The next picture is over the third floor. We live on the third floor. Blowing snow ends up curling over the sides of the building and it builds up over time to be quite dangerous if it all fell at once on someone. So, I cut it off the side little by little:






Next pic: Where's the roof? It's there under all that snow! We have a concave style roof with a drain gutter in the center. The snow builds up in it til it's full then most of the snow blows off the roof. But when the snow starts to build up higher than the roofs edge then it need some attention!





Today I need to go at it again to complete the job! Whew!! That stuff can wear a person out!
AND! The job is not done until the shoveled off snow is cleaned up from three stories below!!! I am glad this is the first time (and maybe last time) of doing this for this winter!

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Prayer request

The family and I are going out for a little bit today with a couple Japanese. Please pray for them, they need to get saved.

Thanks,
Bro. Alan

Looking out my office window after devotions. The road needs the snowblower truck still. ;)



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"Office" Work

I'm working inside today on "office" work at my desk. It is beautiful outside. So sunny and bright. It is very pretty on the snow. But! This inside work must get done. Onward!!



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Church Renovations - Stairs Ceiling

Okay. Did it. I got the ceiling tiles done above the church stairs. Praise the Lord... one more thing done... one thing less to do!!













Bro. Alan

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Church Renovations - Entryway Ceiling

Well, recently I finished the ceiling tile in the church genkan (entryway).






Hopefully, today I can finish the ceiling tiles at the top of the church stairs (just before the auditorium). Ladder here I come!
We have light fixtures on order for these two areas. We should be able to get them and put them up next week. Let there be light!

Bro. Alan

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