Working in World Famous Suizenji Park

Kandie and I were working in Suizenji Park yesterday (picture attached). We learned that Suizenji Park was built in the 1600’s, and took 3 generations of the local ruling family (the Hosagawa’s, still living in Kumamoto) and over 80 years to complete. It mimics the Tokaido road to Edo (Tokyo) including the 54 rest stops on the way from Kyoto. For several centuries local rulers had to travel to Edo every year (and later every two) to pay homage to the Emperor—a way to prevent any challengers to the central rulers. We found the park, the Shrines, the Shinto Priests and Priestesses, and the ‘walk to Edo’ to be fascinating and uniquely impressive. Throughout the day we pushed forward. For example, in one cottage meeting with an impressive young lady, a final-year medical student, we discussed the reasons to join and when. As a result, the young lady is getting baptized tomorrow, rather than continue thinking about the possibility of baptism in about month or two. (Kandie will not go even a little bit slow. She is incredible.) Then, tonight we played basketball with the soon-to-be member along with other members as part of our YSA Sports Night. Love, Keith