We had our monthly English Cafe Night last night and had around 40 people attend!! This event has turned into a great way to use the cafe space and develop friendships! We even had 7 students join us from the new University next to CBI! We are excited to people to develop relationships with these students and start visiting the campus more often!
Recently, I have also been able to spend more time with my Japanese friends which is also helping to improve my Japanese! Rob and I also just celebrated our 3rd Anniversary on May 30th! We spend our anniversary at a onsen and enjoyed much needed rest and exquisite food. My friend’s mother works at an onsen outside of downtown Nagoya and was able to help us make reservations there. We were able to relax for one night in the onsen which was tucked inside the mountains. We were both surprised to find how much we missed seeing trees and greenery. Living in the city has made us both appreciate nature much more than ever:)
We had our second English Cafe night and it was great! We had a smaller group this time, but it allowed us to have more intimate conversations with people. I had two games ready to go just in case, but it’s amazing to see what coffee can do to keep things lively. Rob was behind the counter all night making cappuccinos and smoothies.
Can you read the menu;) It is in one of the three ways to write in Japanese.
Last week’s To Do List
1. Work a full day in the cafe…check!
2. Learn how to make latte art…check!
3. Hike Mount Fuji
Just kidding! I actually was able to visit great friends in Shizuoka and get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city for a couple days. I enjoyed every minute of looking at this breath taking view. Did you know this is the tallest mountain in Japan and can be seen from Tokyo on a clear day.
We officially opened the cafe on April 21st! A lot of the people who stopped by the cafe were our friends, but we also had some people from the neighborhood stop by to check us out. It was a beautiful day and we felt God’s blessings in so many ways.
Jeremiah 32:41 is our theme verse for the Heart and Soul Cafe. We have already seen God’s gracious hand bring people inside the cafe to have heartfelt and meaningful conversations about God’s love for them. ”I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, with all my heart and my soul”
As you can see the progress from day one, God has been extremely faithful from the arrival of the furniture to bringing our first customers to the cafe. I don’t want to hide the fact that starting a cafe from scratch is very difficult, but without God’s help I don’t think we would have made it past the brainstorming stages. Reminds me that “with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26.
This week will be our first week staffing the cafe. I am excited and nervous at the same time. I hope to improve my latte art skills in a hurry in order to impress our customers. Check out our おいしい menu!
Rob practicing how to make some Guatemala drip coffee. :)
We recently took a trip to the historic city of Kyoto before the cafe opens on April 21st and we start to get busy! We were able to see real life Geisha and visit the famous imperial palace.
We also had a great time trying new foods in the markets as well (mostly Rob)!
Please be praying for us as we start the new coffee ministry. We are excited to share coffee and have a space for more meaningful conversations with people we meet through the cafe. We are so excited to see God at work here in Nagoya!
Rob steaming his first cup of milk for some delicious cappuccinos.
