Not for the squeamish

This month's blog topics are a bit... shall we say, "unsavory". I don't mean to be unpleasant, it just worked out that way...

Being the only missionary couple on an island with nearly 30 young missionaries has some parallels with the job of dorm parents. We regularly get calls requesting a recipe, help repairing a bicycles or advice on how to treat a sore throat. We counsel, teach and triage, often over the phone. Having no professional training, I rely on the inspiration of the Lord and skills honed over 30 years as a mom.

However, nothing in my experience prepared me for the most recent call for help, what turned out to be an infestation of bedbugs. Bedbugs are tiny, elusive, blood-sucking parasites that live in mattresses and bed linen. They eat nothing but the blood of animals and people. This is no laughing matter. It was not in our apartment, but in the living quarters of two of our young counterparts. In recent days I've read a couple of dozen internet articles and become something of an instant expert on these pesky little critters. I've learned:

1) bedbugs are not a result of being unclean, either in personal hygiene or surroundings. Bedbugs can afflict the affluent as well as the poor, the immaculate and the slovenly.
2) bedbugs are very difficult to get ride of!!! They can travel home with you in a variety of ways. Individuals who work or visit in people's homes are at higher risk of bringing home these little demons.

FACT: Missionaries visit in people's homes! I'm happy to report that the problem appears to be resolved.

April highlights: We enjoyed a beautiful Easter and inspired General Conference, and participated in numerous opportunities to teach and to serve. After much time spent in preparation, Phil filed our income tax. We also found a little time to relax.

This lighthouse overlooks the East China Sea.

West coast shore of Okinawa.

The Zakimi Castle ruins, first constructed in the early 15th century.

Culture Corner: Trash disposal
I know it's an odd topic to include in a "cultural" discussion, but trash disposal is part of life. Japan is a small country with a large population. Disposing and recycling of household trash is a major enterprise. Every household has a copy of this chart. Residents must separate trash and put it out for pick up on the appropriate day.


Refuse is divided into seven categories. It must be placed in specially marked bags sold in local markets. You actually pay for trash removal by purchasing these bags. It's a pretty ingenious and fair system; the more trash you have, the more bags you must buy and use.

This snapshot, taken at a recycling center, shows enormous bags filled with milk jugs and other plastic food containers. That's a full size dumpster on the left; the pile is larger than a house!

The Flowers of Spring

March has been an especially beautiful month on Okinawa. Flowers bloom everywhere. Even weeds in the alleys are bright with color. While on the north end of the island, we took the opportunity to drive through a tropical forest and stop at the Azalea Gardens. It was a gray day, but the flowers were amazing.

Purple morning glories twine around trees making it appear the trees themselves bloom with these trumpet shaped flowers.
Nearly every home, yard, business and field is rich with flowers this time of year.

We find ourselves busier every week. This month we took orientation classes to volunteer at Camp Lester Naval Hospital. Additionally, we have more frequent opportunities to teach and to support the work of our younger counterparts. It's hard to decline any opportunity to serve, but we can spread ourselves only so thin.

Speaking of thin -- or, more accurately, the opposite of thin -- we have both gained weight in the five months we've been here. We exercise too little, eat on the run, and spend long hours in our van traversing this island. I'm setting a new goal to take better care of my health and fitness. We'll see if Phil joins me in this commitment. ;-)

One recent activity was furnishing an apartment for two sister missionaries who arrived in our area just today. Opening a new apartment means outfitting it with everything from kitchen utensils, table and chairs, lamps, desks and study space, sleeping quarters [see Culture Corner below], refrigerator, washer and compact Japanese stove (which resembles a camp stove). This means we went shopping -- yea!

My experience as a bargain hunter has come in handy. We scouted out thrift stores (known here as Recycle Shops), 100 Yen Stores (like a Dollar Store only much better!), hardware and general merchandise stores. Additionally, members of the church contributed basic household goods.

On a sad note, Phil's father passed away last week in McAllen, Texas. We pay tribute to his honorable heritage. We appreciate Phil's sister and brother for their tireless support in family matters which allows us to serve far from home with the knowledge that his aged father was well cared for.

Culture Corner - Tatami mats and futons (pronounced foo-tone)
Traditionally in Japan, one sleeps on futons spread on floors of tatami mats. Tatami mats are made of soft woven straw. Japanese futons are flat flexible mattresses about 1-1/2 to 3 inches thick, stuffed with cotton or synthetic batting. They are designed for use on tatami flooring and are typically folded away during the day to allow for flexible use of the room. The average Japanese house is very small by American standards. A sleeping room must serve multiple purposes. The Japanese are masters of space conservation, taking full advantage of every square centimeter.