Actually April

On our fridge

“I really want to explain this to my family; when I try to tell even my husband about it, he doesn’t really understand.” Her hands dance as she wrestles with careful English and occasional Japanese. She is studying the use of light and dark in therapeutic and medicinal art, as a diagnostic tool for various illnesses. Now she’s wrapping up her final paper and asked for help polishing her English. “Light is fullness and energy; it is what brings life and joy. Darkness - solid matter like food, this table, our coffee mugs - is also needed, to help balance.” Isn’t this already a part of Zen culture, I asked, the balance of light and dark? “No, no; the light in Zen is empty, nothingness. The light I am talking about, that I want to bring to my family - it is bright and energized; it is full of joy!” I was silenced. Here is Love himself, the brightest of all lights, the deepest of all gentle, nurturing darks, finding us in this small coffee shop. Please join me in praying that Etsuko would find the Light, as I meet with her weekly to discuss light, darkness, and truth. 

Chopping wood
with the neighbors

We knew our neighborhood was quiet, calm and settled when we moved in six months ago today! We knew we would make quite a splash, with our three small ones, dog, cat and loud foreign ways. Our reception has been mixed. Our closest friend, just across the kitchen window, is a delightful, energetic retired couple. She marches out at 6 AM in red track suits for morning stretching time in the park. He briskly sweeps the street daily, picking up each fallen petal and leaf with care. She runs over with a bamboo shoot to serve my visiting relatives, with detailed instructions about how to properly cook it. And runs out in the dark, as I see off our evening guests, to chat about the day’s hospital visit. Her 6th grade grandson is dying of brain cancer; she asked us to pray. He had a very close call last weekend, and then made it through, so she told me she believes the prayers are working. Please join us in praying for this sweet family. 

The best part of teaching - one of many best parts - is when you get to see the epiphanies, the internalization, the ownership of new ideas. Last month, Ryan lead senior teachers and students on the annual trip to Northern Thailand. Students are often invited to return, to intern at the training center we visit, and continue helping out in local schools. Two of our graduating women are returning to Northern Thailand! We are so excited to support and encourage them! Would you consider supporting and encouraging these two young women? Please visit their website!

They outnumber us!

Because our supporting network is organic and small, I know and think of each of you as I write each month. Please know how grateful we are for each of your thoughts and prayers. You sustain and encourage us. Thank you. Thank you!