(suh-POHR-oh) – This month has a long week of holidays here in Japan called Golden Week. During this time Japanese plan trips away or have friends come to visit. Here in Hokkaido, it’s also the sakura season, and parks are filled with people enjoying the cherry blossom trees and warmer temperatures. Many schools will take days off during this week, and churches plan outings for their young people. The Hokkaido team has some of their children attending Japanese schools and will be off at the same time as the rest of the Japanese students. Inviting friends over to play together or having families to join for a meal or even planning an outing to a nearby park will be a few ways that our team members will be able to spend quality time with both fellow believers or not-yet-believing friends during this week. Join us in praying for God-ordained opportunities for more Japanese to personally see the love and joy of Christian families. Ask the Father to open hearts and minds as missionaries share about the brevity of life evidenced by the short blooming season of the cherry blossom trees and how the Creator God has wonderful plans for each one who welcomes Jesus into their hearts.