The Gonnermans to Japan

There is an election this Sunday, which means the politicians are using microphones and loudspeakers while driving around. They do it to share who they are and why "we" should vote for them. There are also boards like this all over town. For a society that values peace, quiet, and consideration for others, the whole campaigning system does not seem to fit 🤔🗾.

In a country where 0.3% (377,100 people) claim to be Evangelical Christian, an estimated 1.2% (1.5 million people) are hikikomori, people who "withdraw from society, spending all or almost all of their time isolated at home." No single person or team can defeat these statistics.

This is why we are thankful our job is not to spread Christianity here in Japan. Instead we get to take a small part in God's work in the lives of people to make His name known and glorified through the good news of Jesus Christ.

Japan says 1.5m people are living as recluses after Covid Fifth of hikikomori cases among working-age people attributed to pressures unleashed by pandemic

We enjoyed the few cherry blossom trees outside our old apartment, but now we are close to this long path. We are thankful for the new apartment and location God provided!

Janae and Josiah are enroute to Seattle. Please pray for their flight to Japan and luggage after the flight delays this morning.

Happy Thanksgiving! We are thankful for time with friends and family.

This week we are at Faith Baptist Bible College's missions conference. Exciting to see young men and women excited to serve God.

A precious package arrived from Japan containing school memories for Aila. We prepared the envelope before leaving Japan, which required using many stamps. Have you ever seen a package with more stamps on it?

Thankful for God's protection last night! On our way back from sharing with First Baptist Church in Bloomfield, IA, a group of deer ran out in front of our van 🦌🦌. Thankfully they did not stop in the road, and God kept us safe.

Thank you for your prayers!

Quick Update: After a number of issues, God faithfully got us to the US for our year-long Home Assignment. We transitioned to our home-base in Ankeny, IA and are looking forward to start visiting churches in a few weeks!

Thank you for your prayers.

Our neighborhood has all sorts of little lizard friends scurrying around outside. Our kids haven't caught one yet, but some of the neighborhood kids are carrying lizards around.🦎

Not exactly the Midwest weather advisory we are familiar with: "The Tokyo region is in a weather condition where severe gusts such as tornadoes are likely to occur. Please pay attention to the appearance of the sky. If there are signs that cumulonimbus clouds are approaching, such as lightning or sudden changes in wind, try to ensure safety by moving inside a sturdy building. Beware of lightning strikes, hailstorms, and sudden heavy rains."

We found out about the advisory after the rain went through. We may or may not have already been outside watching it. 😅

Perspective changes everything. From one point of view, we had a pushy salesman come to the door today. From a different perspective, we had free Japanese practice 😁.

We can learn a lot by looking out our windows. I did not expect to learn by watching an elderly women climb her stairs, though.
http://www.thegonnermans.com/main-page/stairs

Stairs You know in the cartoons when a character’s jaw falls to the floor in shock? I am sure that happened to me as I gazed out our back window one day. I had noticed an elderly lady arrive home. The...

Three years ago, we arrived in Japan. Only through the grace of God have we made it this far, and we wouldn't have it any other way. Thank you for your prayers and support!

A giant squid statue may or may not increase tourism, but it will make the city famous. 🤷‍♂️😅

It also reminds us to make sure we are using our time and resources wisely.

Covid: Japan town builds giant squid statue with relief money Noto, which is known for its flying squid, hopes the giant statue will draw back tourists.

10 years ago today, Japan experienced three horrible disasters. Between the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear power plant, life for many changed forever .

The stories in this article are heart wrenching to read, but we praise God that there is power to heal through Jesus Christ. https://japantoday.com/category/national/special-report-ten-years-on-grief-never-subsides-for-some-survivors-of-japan%27s-tsunami?

10 years on, grief hasn't subsided for some survivors of tsunami "Migaku-san, I've left your dirty gloves and your holey shoes by the door. I'm worried you'll kick up a fuss when you return and ask where I put your shoes, so I've left them by the door without polishing them." -- Letter from Sachiko Kumagai to her husband after he…

Google translate has helped us greatly while in Japan, but then other times...

"Required Documents[for immigration]> Rebirth Food Certificate (for all households including children), Hibiki is a three-way taxpayer Certificate of employment of dependents who have reached the end of their careers Certificate of tax payment Certificate of love, If you go to the Niroko's soldiers, the three of the victims of the stalemate trunk (if any), and the tax change, write down your business policy. Laugh (Ko-no-Rokukyu Pod * --Shinsho Eto) * Please apply for 6 Sport. (* Required documents, etc. should be sent to the Tenshikan. The residence card will be issued by the Neck Management Bureau. "

Not sure where to get the three victims of the stalemate trunk, but thankfully they accepted our application anyway 🤷‍♂️.