Price Family at IHOP-KC: dancing in the orient T/J

FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 2010 …..7am TT

Quick Sketch:

Intense Dance Rehearsal
Bus Trip back to Tainan—great discussions; sleep, laughter
Team assists Living Water church dancers for their youth retreat dance
Adults join the Chens’ for Japanese food

Trip Diary:

Dear Friends and Family,

“Not much to share today…” These were my typed words as I sat down to the computer late yesterday afternoon. But that changed.

The day began with our routine team connection over breakfast, then onto an intense dance rehearsal…gearing up for our first full performance in Yokohama Sat. at 2pm TT. Several conference attendees watched. One was a 9yo Thai missionary gal named Hannah Staton, who hung around most of the morning. Wed.night she gave the conference attendees an incredible worship dance using Thai style, choreographed in her quiet time. Realizing her hunger for dance, her mother has her in ballet, but also Thai dance classes. As the other dance students are taught to meditate and pray/dance to their Thai gods in class, little Hannah has requested that she be allowed to attend the classes, but that she will pray and dance to Jesus. It is precious. A little “Daniel.” Pray for she and her family, including Caleb her younger brother (who was fascinated with dance as well and was Kenon’s shadow during dance seminars) They are returning to Thailand. (see pic)

The 3 hr. bus trip back to Tainan was uneventful. The team had great discussions, lots of laughter. Some caught up on sleep. I connected more with Claire, the recent widow of Wenwei. She and her son Isaac sat in front of me in the bus ride. She homeschools in the morning and teaches TESL as an afternoon job for support. She nurtures a grateful heart. I think of other single moms who are veteran warriors—Catherine Leatherman, Fran Golden, Marnie Sutton. I expect to see Claire again on a future trip to IHOP.

While Yutaka, Grandma Nobuko, and Sue were invited out for some authentic Japanese food , the teens mingled with the Living Water youth at “Bus 7 Café” then gathered upstairs, to assist their leaders in their church youth who are preparing a lengthy hip-hop dance for their annual Tainan Youth 4-day “Spirit “ Days.

Hip-hop is a favorite in Taiwan. The team watched and cheered them on, then were asked to help the 20-25 Living Water youth to perfect their hip-hop skills. One thing led to another. They were asked to show “some of their stuff”, so the team chose a few hip-hop, modern pieces—including Man of Sorrows. At that point the hiphop guys went with our guys to work on some moves; our girls worked with their youth on modern dance moves. Soon after that it turned into a party time—big circles with everyone cheering each other on as they attempted their improv wild dance moves. Lots of cheering and laughter. The team left after 10pm with soaked with sweaty attire, but with full hearts and lots of new friends. How apropos to end our time in Taiwan with a party!

Today is our travel day leaving the hotel at 8am and arriving hopefully at our evening destination (near Yokohama, Japan) by 9-10pm. Please pray for—