Building Community

Fall has definitely arrived here in Kawasaki. The weather is finally cooling off, and it's a welcome change. We no longer need to use the A/C everyday! Mason and Kaili are doing well back in school. Kaili is coming out of her shell and making more friends, and Mason's Japanese skills are coming along. They both just joined a local soccer team that practices at the park right near our home. This is a great opportunity to not only get out of the house and have some fun and exercise, but also meet kids and families that live nearby. We are praying for ways to build community and put down roots here in our new neighborhood.

Jeff is continuing full-time, in-person language studies at the moment. But with Malia's due date drawing nearer (early December), Jeff will be scaling back in November to a part-time, online language class in order to be at home to prepare and help out. Malia continues to self-study and is doing great. Praise God that she and baby are healthy and doing well. While it very well could still be the case in December that Jeff will not be able to attend the delivery due to COVID restrictions, a positive sign is that Japan fully opened its borders to tourists this week. In the ever-cautious Japan, only time will tell if that means the healthcare system might begin to loosen some restrictions as well. In any case, this means family and friends will be able to visit Japan!

Praise:

• Praise God that Japan's borders have fully opened to tourists, which will allow family and friends to visit!

• Thanks to God for providing a soccer team for Mason and Kaili.

• Praise God for continued health of Malia and baby.

• We're thankful that we now have our van at our home and can freely drive around! Jeff is getting used to driving on the left.

• Praise God for serving opportunities for Sunday morning service at our church, Denen Grace.

Prayer:

• Please continue to pray for the rest of Malia's pregnancy and for a healthy delivery in December in Japan. Jeff still likely will not be allowed to accompany Malia for the birth, but we pray that things will change by the time it's time to deliver.

• Please pray for Jeff's mom, who has had some health challenges come up in the last month. Please pray for recovery and regaining of strength so she can return home from the rehab facility where she is currently residing.

• Later this month we have a mission-wide business meeting, as well as a Cross Project fall team retreat. Please pray for good teamwork, fellowship, and planning for the ministry ahead.

• Please pray for continued connections and conversations with our neighbors and community.

• Please continue to pray for our whole family's language learning. Jeff and Malia have a language assessment with the Cross Project leadership team later this month to discuss ongoing plans.

Gathering to worship the Lord with teammates // Riding to school on the train

Soccer practice for Mason and Kaili's new team // Sunday morning service at Denen

Tea time with the girls

We would love to hear from you, whether it be to share your prayer requests or to simply catch up. Please know that we think of you and pray for you often.

Thanks and blessings,

The Walkers

Jeff, Malia, Mason & Kaili