What Is Wrong With This Picture?
There is nothing wrong with this picture.
This is what I see when, after a drive of several hours, I arrive at our cabin at Takayama. Tired from the trip, I lie down, look up at these 90-year-old beams, and RELAX.
Takayama is a summer community for missionaries, founded in the 1880's. It is near Sendai, which is half-way between us and Tokyo.
So, why go all the way to Takayama?
Life is stressful. Missionary life is stressful. Where can we go for a break?
There are a few possibilities for missionaries in Japan, but for us, "Tak" is THE place. We first went in 1988, then again in 1991, and every year after. At first we rented, then, in 1995, things came together miraculously to enable us to buy cabin #14. It is now our oasis.
I have been the business manager for the community since we bought the cabin. Why spend time on THAT?
My "Core Values Statement" is "To pass on the Kingdom of God, intact, to the next generation". We have heard testimonials from a number of past residents to whom Tak was a yearly refuge from the pressures of being a missionary- or a missionary kid. It has meant a lot to many people, and I feel that it is well within the scope of my values statement to spend time ensuring the place will be there for generations of missionary families to come.
And in the meantime, we are really enjoying cabin #14! There is nothing wrong with this picture.
posted by John Elliot | 12:01 AM
7 Comments:
I'm so glad you have a 'place in the sun'. Let day-to-day life go and enjoy!
Thanks! I really need to remember that, as I spend too much of my time thinking about what I have to do next.
It's been way too long since I stayed at Tak. Incidently, I claim the distinction of having convinced the family to give the place a try after my visit to the Byuns the previous year! Remember how your first decade in Japan you and mom didn't want to go to places croweded with other foreigners :)
Daddy dear,
I believe the date was 1994. No matter. Thank you for all the hard work you've put into the place. Tak means so much to us all.
Thanks for the correction, Lee.
All of you feel free to come and help any time. There are some ant's nests, siding to replace, roof to paint.....
Or, just come to relax and alk!
Hey Papa,
I am daughter #2 . . . that correction came from Mare (hence, #3) . . . but she is right . . . I remember because we ordered the new floor boards to come with all the stuff for the church. I wish I could come help with the place, but it looks like that will be impossible for a while longer . . . keep up the good work!
Well, Lee, I'm glad one of us can count at least;-) Sure wish you could be here!
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