We've only just begun...

We are excited about our call to the Japan Fukuoka Mission. Our primary assignment is to work as military missionaries on the Okinawa military installations. On October 5^th we will begin 10 days of orientation and training at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah. After that we will be on our way to Japan for 23 months. We look upon this experience as a great privilege and blessing.

We’ve been learning about Okinawa from the internet and from correspondence with the missionary couple we are replacing . We have also exchanged emails with our Mission President and others who have offered a warm welcome, encouragement and much helpful information.

Some of what we have learned might also be of interest to you:

* Okinawa is located in the Pacific Ocean, south of mainland Japan between Japan and Taiwan, nearly 1,000 miles from Tokyo.

* Okinawans drive on the left side of the road.

* The average annual temperature is 72 degrees F. Even during the winter, the temperature averages 61 and never dips below 50.

* Since Okinawa is in "Typhoon Alley," high winds and rain can descend upon the island between July and November.

* Because of its geographical location, Okinawa has been influenced by many cultures. The most prominent of those are Japanese, Chinese and American. Subsequently, Okinawa has developed its own unique history and culture.

* The primary influence on Okinawan life comes from mainland Japan, since the island is Japan's 47th prefecture [sort of like a state or territory]. Okinawan business, fashion and social behavior are similar to Japanese.

* Okinawans have intertwined the cultures of the Chinese and Japanese into their own, producing a multitude of colorful holidays and festivals.

* The most prominent custom on Okinawa is bowing. Bowing is an Okinawan greeting having the same meaning as shaking hands in America. The deeper the bow, the greater the respect.

* Okinawa's population is estimated at about 1.3 million people. The U.S. population in Okinawa approaches 80,000. Nearly 30,000 are active-duty military people from all four branches of the armed forces. Fourteen-hundred Department of Defense civilians, 700 DoD Dependents Schools teachers and staff, and almost 25,000 U.S. family members make up the military community.

You can see why we are so anxious to begin our mission. We are told this is a very busy assignment and that our personal time will be at a premium. Please forgive us if we are not able to communicate directing with each of you or always answer your correspondence. We will do our best to keep you up to date on our experiences and adventures through this blog. Remember that we miss you, and that you will be in our thoughts and in our prayers.