What to say??

We have lived here in Hondo City Japan for 4 years and it is time to go. New experiences and challenges await but saying goodbye is necessary before getting on with things.

When we came here 4 years ago we knew nothing of Hondo and Amakusa, survival Japanese, and a few tidbits about Japan. On those three counts, and so many more, we leave richer and blessed. Blessed by students who let us teach them and who taught us. Blessed by nature who revealed herself in all her glory here. Blessed by people who welcomed us, befriended us, and who will stay with us forever. Blessed by God who watched over us and showed us his grace.

The last few weeks were a fitting close to our time here. Of course there was the stress of things to get done and myriads of details to process and act on. But I'm not talking about that.

I'm talking about the blue water, playful dolphins, rainy season clouds, and decadently colorful sunrises and sunsets that sent us off.

I'm talking about the spirit of Japan that we experienced one last time at summer festivals with people of all ages, dressed in traditional garb dancing to taiko drums and the song of the sea.

But most of all I'm talking about the friends who said good-bye. Many of them invited us to have one last get together. It was wonderful to enjoy their company one last time. Friends invited us out for delicious food, on their boat for dolphin watching, and over to their houses for their home made specialties. Lots of them gave us wonderful presents. But better than the presents were the words and expressions of thanks than many people shared with us. They were truly appreciated.

For now we leave, but we will come back someday and to all those who made our stay so special; a heartfelt thank-you. We will never forget you.