This summer, together with friends from church, I visited the families of American missionaries who had served many years in Minami-Nagareyama. That is, Otto and Pat who now live in Lewiston, Idaho, and Steve and Sheila who live 3 hours away in Walla Walla, Washington. We visited for only a week but had a chance to renew old friendships and were encouraged to see our friends doing well, still lively as ever.
Pat threw an international reunion party at River City Church, and we had a great time with many people – dearly-missed old friends, exchange students, and others.
Otto, on the other hand, borrowed a huge van from the church so we could enjoy an outing together. He drove us to high ground so we could see an evening skyline of the city.
Steve then came all the way to pick us up from Lewiston. He took us to see the church in Walla Walla where his son was serving as pastor, and we stayed a night with them. Being around these families, blessed with many children and grandchildren, meant we had lively fun times each day.
If you ever get the chance to visit them, I’m sure you will be welcomed as warmly as we were. When I looked up at the wide skies of Idaho which stretch on forever, I came to see how it was that the hearts of these missionaries were so wide as well.
(Y.I., an IBF church member)
