GT 2007 Update 9

We had our FINAL RALLY last night!!
After traveling back from Higashikurume, by train, five teams gathered for brunch and prep for the final rally.
There was so much excitement and anticipation in the air as the GT team ran through the program.
There were worship songs, in which Kaitlyn played bass, David played guitar and Nell vocals.
Two testimonies, one in English and one from the Japanese side of GT team.
Three skits, one of which was the fabulous Lakeside team!!!
A message by a Hi-BA staff from the Japanese side.
And more worship songs etc. It was going to be jammed packed!
The rally didn’t start til 2:30 but kids were arriving as early as 2 pm to participate. The entire second floor was overflowing with kids.
Every chair was taken up and many GT members had to give up their chairs or were already standing along the wall.
The A/C was running on high to keep the place somewhat cooler than the outside humid air.
Meanwhile downstairs no the first floor, two groups had gathered, one English speaking and one Japanese speaking to pray for the rally. Prayer would continue throughout the entire rally time as many would come and go to join in prayer.

OK GT TIME!!!!!!
The rally starts with music blaring and kids singing praise songs to God. What an experience!
They played a game similar to “Simon Saids” and gave away a “Hello Kitty”gift. (Hello Kitty is very, very, very popular here)
After the program was complete, the time of fellowship started. This has got to be the most challenging part for the kids, as they gather in small circles and talk to each other. The obstacles are many. Language is one, so there needs to be an interpreter. The high schoolers are shy and reserved, thus an on going conversation is often difficult. The subject matter is often of the message so that alone may cause the high schooler to not participate in conversation. And of course, each GT member has to overcome his/her own fears that they may have to participate fully in this vital fellowship time.

After an hour of fellowship, we spent the next half hour trying to get them to leave!! They continued to gather in the building, in the stairway, in the hallway and onto the street. The street was entirely blocked off with students!!

Then back upstairs with GT team for debriefing. This was a time of reflection and to wrap up the entire experience.
GT team started taking pictures, exchanging numbers, hugging and then the tears….
Yeah…..it was sad to say goodbye to everyone. These kids have spent a lot of time together these past two weeks and its difficult to say goodbye because we well know that we may never see them again. I would love to bring them all home with me, but I cant.
The goodbyes took over an hour which extended out into the street and train stop.
Some kids said that they would meet up with the “Chicago” team sometime Monday morning to say goodbye again.

We spent the night in Sonoko’s home, which is right above her church.
Mrs. Ishikawa was a gracious host and had the futons laid out and food prepared. We went to bed, well at least some of us did. The next morning, we participated in their Sunday School class and worship service. The Lakeside Team sang songs and David shared his testimony in SS while Nell shared hers in service. The Ishikawa’s prepared lunch for us and we packed and made our way by train to the Suzuki’s for the evening. The kids are tired and wanted a rest day instead of a shopping day. That’s ok with me.
We are now here at the Suzuki’s and we will have dinner with them. David is with his obachan for the day and he will join us later this evening. David was wise and is wearing his man purse that his obachan gave him =).

We leave Japan tomorrow.

This will be my last GT letter, it has been a pleasure to communicate with you all.
Thank you for partnering with us, praying for us and supporting us all!!!