With the Cherry Blossoms, Setsu comes.

Hi everyone!

This time, it’s Daisuke from Atlanta writing.

Lately, we’ve been having these “yellow winds” blowing through here.

Yep… the wind literally turns yellow from pollen.
(;゚д゚)…(;゚д゚)…(;゚д゚)…
Turn on the windshield wipers and—boom—pollen everywhere!!
It’s a rough season if you have allergies. Hope it settles down soon.

Spring is here!
Sa-ku-ra♪ Sa-ku-ra♪

…that’s about as far as I can sing ^^;

Anyway, the other day—
on a quick half-day whirlwind visit—
Secchan (Shimizu from JCFN) dropped into Atlanta!

She had a layover on a business trip and spent about half a day here.

But guess what…
the airport was in total chaos at the time. It was even all over the news in the U.S.—
security lines were so long they stretched outside the terminal building.

At that moment, domestic flights out of Atlanta had
wait times of up to SIX hours. Complete madness.

And yet, despite all that,
Secchan showed up with the biggest, brightest smile.

On the way to the house,
she kept reacting to one thing over and over:

“The cherry blossoms are AMAZING 🌸!!”

Apparently, there aren’t many in California.

But here in Georgia, we’ve got tons of cherry blossom trees.

Honestly, I might see them more often here
than I did when I was living in Japan…

Seeing her get so excited, snapping photos and enjoying the moment,
just made me feel warm and happy too.

I’m really glad she could find joy
in our everyday neighborhood scenery—nothing fancy, just ordinary streets.

The kids joined in too, sticking close to Secchan for a few snapshots!
It was a short visit, but such a fun and heartwarming time.

Anyway, I say this every time, but…
maybe next time I’ll finally write about ramen 👍

Event Info Useful for Returnees April, 2026

◎Southern Kanto Small Groups (Japan)
Yokohama plus SG: Every Tuesday 20:00 (female only, online)
Nagomi House Ogikubo SG: 2 Saturdays per month (in person, female only)
Ochami SG (Ochanomizu): Every Wednesday 19:00 at Ochanomizu.
Joy Toko (Tokorozawa): 2 Fridays or Saturdays per month (in person)
Hibarigaoka related SG: Every 2nd Saturday (in person)
If you are interested in joining, please contact us.
Contact: smallgroup@jcfn.org

◎Re-Conn: Returnee Afternoon Tea (Japan, Chiba)
Time: Saturday, March 7th 14:30〜17:00
Location: OMF Japan Office Building, First-floor Hall (1-16-14 Shinden, Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture)
https://www.re-conn.jp/
More events such as Christmas party and Bible study are organized by Re-Conn. Please check the website for the details.

◎JCFN Japan Online Prayer Meeting V.OCHAHOP〜 (Japan, online)
Time: Saturday, April 11th 10:00〜11:00 am
Zoom link

◎Re-Conn: Returnee Cafe (Japan, Tokyo)
Time: Saturday, March 14th 14:30〜17:00
Location: Double O Cross Church (OO+) Kichijoji G Bldg B1 (1-6-27 Higashi-cho, Kichijoji, Musashino-shi, Tokyo)
https://www.re-conn.jp/
More events such as Christmas party and Bible study are organized by Re-Conn. Please check the website for the details.

◎INSPA Prayer Meeting (Japan, online)
April 12th (Sunday) 20:00~ (2nd Sunday of every month)
On Zoom
*Let’s remember and pray for the Returnees Ministry, INSPA, and the returnees in the Tokai region.
*The prayer meeting is open to anyone who has participated in INSPA in the past, or who lives or is from the Tokai area.
*Contact JCFN office at: nihon@jcfn.org

◎Tsu-Na-Gu (Japan, online and in-person, Chugoku area)
Gathering for 20s returnees in Chugoku area
Online: Friday, 3rd & 17th of April, from 20:30-
in-person: Saturday, April 11th 19:00-
Contact JCFN office at: nihon@jcfn.org

◎Inspa Game Party (Aichi, Japan)
Wednesday 29 April 2026 (public holiday)
1.30 pm – 4.00 pm
venve:Kanayama Christ Church
2-1-3 Kanayama, Naka Ward, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture 460-0022
Let’s all enjoy playing a variety of board & card games together!
We will also have short messages, a time for sharing, and a coffee break!
Last-minute visit are very welcome! We look forward to seeing you there!
Facebook Group Link
Instagram Link
Contact: Facebook or inspire-union@hotmail.co.jp

◎⛰️GRC Hiking Club – Spring Hiking Event (Japan)
Greetings from the GRC Hiking Club.
We would like to invite you to our spring hiking event. In this beautiful season of fresh greenery, why not take a relaxing walk in nature and refresh yourself? Beginners are very welcome.
・Date: May 4 (Holiday) / Rain date: May 6 (Substitute holiday)
・Location: A mountain in Kanagawa, Kamakura, or Chiba (the exact destination will be decided after participants are confirmed).
・Level: Beginners are welcome if you have basic hiking gear and reasonable fitness.
・Capacity: Up to 15 participants
Returnees, church seekers, and friends are all warmly welcome. Please feel free to invite others to join.
Let’s enjoy the mountain scenery together and share a wonderful time of fellowship
As the weather will become hotter after this season, there will be a break after this event, and the next hiking plan is expected to be in the fall. We hope you can join us this time.
📩 Registration / Inquiries: joyfulemiko@yahoo.co.jp (GRC Hiking Club – Kijima)

◎WINGS Youth Ministry (North America, CA)
 (It is California time)
1) WINGS: First Saturday of every month at 5:00 PM
・Date & Time: April 4, 5pm – 8:30pm
・Location: RISE OC Church(3198-B Airport Loop Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626)
2) Weekly Online Devotion Every Monday at 8:00 PM.
3) Weekly Online Bible Study Every Thursday at 5:00 PM (West Coast Time).
・ All programs are bilingual youth ministries! Junior high and high school students, come join us!
・ Instagram: @goyouthwings
・ Contact: goyouthla@gmail.com

◎APU Friday (North America, CA)
・Southern CA, at Azusa Pacific University
・Friday at 7 pm, Dates for Friday of this semester. (4/10, 4/24, 5/1, 5 / 8, 5/15)
https://www.instagram.com/friday_jo/
Games, meals, heartwarming worship and sharing! Come together with your not-yet Christian friends!

◎JXJ (North America, WA)
ISI House in Seattle
・Time: Every third Saturday of the month, April 18st 4:30-8:00 pm
https://www.instagram.com/jxjseattle/
Games, meals, heartwarming worship and sharing! Come together with your not-yet Christian friends!

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