I can't believe I ate crab

This actually happened last month, but it's definitely noteworthy. My entire life I have had a strong dislike for fish or seafood of any kind. I have had to eat it of course, but it's always been hard. And then I moved to Japan. Surely the irony is not lost on anyone, right? It's not been that bad actually. Rarely have I been in a situation where there was no other choice. Before I go any further let me explain about 'souvenirs' in Japan.
Basically, whenever you go on vacation you are expected to bring back what is called an 'omiyage' (a souvenir) for nearly everyone you know, or at least people you see on a regular basis.
So a few weeks ago the pastor of one of our churches returns from Hokkaido (famous for its seafood) with a TON of crab. The delivery truck pulls up to the church and out comes a cooler nearly the size of one of my suitcases. We take it inside and open it up and there before my eyes are about ten whole crabs, along with their smell. All day the students used every adjective they could find to describe their excitement about this gift (and Japanese people get REALLY excited about gifts). It was hilarious. There I was, having to eat crab twice in one day and having to smell it from 10am until 8:30pm. 'National Crab Day' as my friend Joni called it. Certainly a day remember. Life is funny. :-)


(Top row, left to right: Ben Bailey, me, and Keito. Bottom row, left to right: Haruna and Maichi)

On a more serious note, please pray for Keito, Haruna and Maichi. They are all in high school and attend one of my English classes on Monday evenings. We have lots of fun together. Keito is a Christian but has very few Christian friends his age. Haruna and Maichi will be coming to my house this week for dinner and I'm really looking forward to it. Haruna has expressed serious interest in studying the Bible, but she is moving to Canada as an exchange student at the end of July. Pray for some fruitful times with her before she leaves. Maichi will be here and I'm excited about what could happen in her life this year. Pray, pray, pray.