The same ... but different

Some things are different ...

:: a new elementary school which opened April 6th, two blocks from my apartment (the foundation was not even laid when I left last July) ::

:: a new coin laundry and 7-11 across the 4-lane road from my apartment ::

:: the 7-11 near the ice-cream shop moved across the street (!) ::

:: the grass parking lot is now usable again near our team's center ::



But some things are the same ...

:: red tape at city hall ::

:: NO teeth showing in official photos ::

:: cars beep when backing up ::

:: speed limits on most roads never exceed 50 kilometers per hour ::

:: the tofu restaurant is delicious!!! ::

:: you can't repay Japanese hospitality ::

:: lives continue to be changed by the gospel ::