After 3 weeks in Singapore, we got back to Japan on 23rd December.
With slow tired steps and heavy bags under our eyes, we approached our apartment...
#Apartment block still standing: good.
#Car still there: good.
#No break-in : good...
But just in front of our door, in a puddle of collected rain water, is a drenched piece of notice left by the Yamato Delivery.
Somebody has tried to send us something for Christmas in our absence! Scrutinizing the dirty piece of notice, we realised it was Hiromi, our dance teacher friend from Aomori.
In the letter box too, is another notice left by the Post Office.
Somebody else also tried to send us something.
Have the parcels been returned to their senders?
The next morning, on Christmas eve, the doorbell rang.
It must be the Asahi Newspaper man whom Stanley has just rung.
No, it's the postman.
"I came yesterday too..."He said, holding out a paperbag.
"I am so sorry! We have been away till yesterday!" Stanley apologized and signed for the parcel. The postman must have been coming everyday for the past week trying to deliver the paperbag.
Inside the bag is a box of the most delicious looking Japanese chocolate in European style. The youngest daughter of the Yamashita family, who have showered us with love over the years, sent it.
I sent the family an email thanking them for the gift while Stanley emailed to Hiromi to apologize for not being able to recieve her parcel.
"Pingpong" went the doorbell again after half an hour.
Our normally quiet flat seemed full of visitors.
This time it was our neighbour Mrs Abe with her children.
"Merry Christmas! Please accept some peanut butter for Christmas! And thank you for the potatoes you shared with us, they were delicious."
She beamed and held out a little paper bag. Her little boy laughing and peeping from her back.
This is the first time she has called at our door and we are delighted.
We chatted and gave her boy some Santa chocolate.
"Pingpong!" went our door bell the 3rd time.
"Ah, Asahi papers!" Stanley got up.
But no, it is the Yamato Delivery.
Hiromi must have called them after receiving our email and they have come at once.
As Stanley accepted the box from the delivery man, the rich fragrance from the box told him there were apples inside.
Huge, red, juicy famous Aomori apples.
"Pingpong" went the doorbell for the 4th time.
This time it really was the Asahi Newspaper man coming to deliver a copy of complimentary newspaper.
"Thank you!" Stanley thanked the newspaper man.
Even our newspaper can be counted as a Christmas gift!
What a blessed Christmas filled with love!
All but one of those who have sent us gifts or called at our door today still don't know our God of love, may they too come to know the love, peace and happiness of God 100% !
