Familiar Surroundings

We are moving back to familiar surroundings! We have moved back into our own house, where we'll stay until we know when Japan's borders will open. Due to surges in COVID cases, especially the delta variant, Japan's current state of emergency (its fourth) has been extended to at least August 31. Only about a quarter of the Japanese population has been fully vaccinated during the slow rollout, but the numbers continue to grow. The Tokyo Olympics concluded on August 8, and the Paralympics will run from August 24 through September 5. So we continue to wait until the entry ban will be lifted so we can move to Japan. Our teammates in Japan are planning for a possible move for us in September or October if allowed. In any case, we are happy to have a place to call "home" again for our remaining time in the States!

Praise:

• We are almost fully supported! We are thankful a new supporter and an increased commitment from another supporter, which leaves us with only $15/month of our monthly budget left to raise.

• Praise God for answering our prayer for continued housing while we await our move to Japan--our own house! This month, we have moved back to our house. Thank you to our friends and family who are helping us temporarily furnish our house as well, as we gave away or sold most of our furniture.

• We had a great time meeting with our Cross Project teammates via Zoom in late July. This is our church-planting team in Kanagawa, with members both in Japan and the U.S. (either on home assignment, or appointees like us). We're excited to join them in person soon!

• We also praise God for continued connections with individuals and churches. We're also so thankful for our current ministry partners who have continued to support us during this whole journey. For this we are incredibly blessed.

Other Updates:

• While no longer a regular, Jeff continues to work per diem for his pharmacy job, where these days he has been working a couple days per week on average.

• Malia got the chance to go on a very reasonably-priced, last-minute cruise to Alaska with her mom, who is a travel planner. They returned this past weekend. They saw many bears, birds, glaciers, and whales, and had a wonderful, relaxing time. Jeff stayed home with the kids, where Grandpa was a BIG help.

• Mason has been having a great time playing baseball this summer, which is his first team sport since the pandemic began. He is also gearing up to start soccer in the fall.

• Kaili got the opportunity to participate in a weeklong "mermaid ballet camp." She had a blast dancing and doing crafts!

Prayer:

• Please continue to pray for God's provident timing with regards to the opening of Japan's borders. Please pray for us to be appreciative of the time we have here in the States and to use it wisely.

• Please pray for COVID cases to come down in Japan, for wisdom for the Japanese government on how to handle the situation, for adequate vaccine supply and for administration to go smoothly, and for the entry ban to be lifted.

• We also request prayer for continued connections with potential partners in ministry. We are so thankful for referrals!

Malia embarking on her cruise to Alaska with a view of Seattle // Taking in a Seattle Mariners baseball game at T-Mobile Park // Mason getting ready to bat on his baseball team // Kaili after finishing a week of mermaid ballet camp

We would love to hear from you, whether it be to share your prayer requests or to schedule a Zoom meeting so we can catch up and share more details of our plans with you. Please know that we think of you and pray for you often.

Thanks and blessings,

The Walkers

Jeff, Malia, Mason & Kaili