Did you know that Japanese people like to celebrate often? June is the beginning of matsuri (festival) time in Japan. There are many local matsuris in Japan since nearly every neighborhood has its own. There is a matsuri in our neighborhood and early every June we hear the sound of drums and flute music. An important part of the celebration is a parade. The local kids get to participate too.  This year, when I heard the drum and music, I got a shot of a few kids in the parade going down our street. The kids get to pull the taiko (drum) on a decorated cart with the help of some adults. The decorated cart is called a dashi and there were two kids inside it. For about two days, they have special booths with food and drink in the community center parking lot and side street.

            June is also the month when ~22 Soshin students are preparing for their Australia summer exchange program. Lee Ann is responsible for their language preparation. So, she has a total of 10 sessions with the girls coaching them on travel language and culture. They each prepare a scrapbook for introducing themselves to others. Lee Ann coaches them on their dialogue. The Australian home-stay parents appreciate the hard work the girls do to prepare, “good on ya, mate!”

            We have good news to share. Thank you to many people who responded to our request for donations through the International Ministries (IM) Matching Gift Opportunity. Sixteen partners responded and we have been overwhelmed by God's generosity through your gifts! This resulted in our average monthly giving for the past 12 months to be over 100% of our goal (including regular gifts)! It is our first time to be over 100%! PTL!

Currently, we are at ~92% of our pledged support goal, so we are working to add more partners who will regularly support our ministry in Japan. So, Gordon is returning to Seattle two weeks early to meet with current and potential partners. Gordon arrives July 14^th then departs with his family to Philadelphia for a 10-day IM conference for missionaries. Then, everyone returns on August 8, to be at JBC on the 9^th for a joint service. We depart for Japan on Aug. 29^th. However, Naomi and Miki will return earlier on Aug. 20^th. If you are interested in meeting with us, please contact Gordon or Lee Ann.

With Love and Thanks,

Gordon (and Lee Ann) Hwang