Happy New Year

We welcomed 2009 in a relatively tranquil fashion. For the next few days after Christmas, we simply went on strike and stayed at home to hibernate. We did not get to meet a lot of people too. The last week of the year before new year's day is a national holiday, so most Japanese would return to their hometowns to celebrate.

On new year's eve, we were invited to Y&TK's home for dinner. We had tempura and soba (traditional dishes for the new year) and watched the annual Kouhaku variety program on TV where J-pop and Enka singers perform. This is how Japanese households generally spend their new year's eve every year.

This year, Nakama Yukie & Nakai Masahiro hosted the popular Kouhaku program. You would definitely recognize them if you are fans of Gokusen (TV series) and SMAP (J-pop group).

Today we will be having a nabe-kai (much like a steamboat party) together with the Ikebukuro HC. There will be Tokorozawa HC on Sunday and an OMF prayer meeting on Monday. Things are starting to get back into gear again. Please pray for renewed vigor and zeal in our work as we move forward into the new year.

We wish you a blessed and abundant new year!