Here is our latest newsletter. I hope it finds you well. We miss you all and are praying for you. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.
May mercy, peace and love be multiplied to you,
The Irwins
It Began in Texas
A Quick Update
God is alive and well, and so are we.
Weather wise, it is not as hot as Paris, Texas, although the added humidity does bring it close most days. It’s a little oppressive and miserable out (those are technical terms, check out the amusing scale that WeatherSpark uses for humidity below)
Continue reading “A Quick Update”Newsletter #1
Furoshiki Family Newsletter #1 Japan Adventures! April 2, 2020
It has been more than 2 months since we arrived here in Japan. It has been a flurry of activities. Each week and each day with its own challenges and adjustments. I praise God for his timing on getting us here. Any later and we may have been delayed some time due to the coronavirus.
Continue reading “Newsletter #1”Knitting to Fund raise!
Hello! It’s the wife and mother of the family! I’m Kara, and I am typically keeping my hands busy knitting. I am going to use this skill of mine to help raise money for our journey.
Continue reading “Knitting to Fund raise!”Lords of Water Deep/Lord of Living Water
The high school Bible study is starting back up tomorrow, after a summer long break, and I’m super excited!
Firstly, we are going to play one of my favorite board games, Lords of Water Deep. I like it so much it is going to go to Japan with us, even though it may be a bit heavy with lots of cards, wooden blocks and counters.
Secondly, it’s a new semester and I have two new students and two returning students (although one technically graduated high school, but I think it will be OK). With much sadness, one of the first high schoolers God placed in my life will not be in attendance. He has moved to his dads in Oklahoma and his presence at the table will be sorely missed.
A board game, to tell people about Jesus, I hear you ask. Yes, of course! This will come as no real shock if you know the Irwin’s, we are kind of nerds… OK, we are really nerds, and God, through His grace and mercy, place other young searching nerds in my path to disciple (to share life with, to encourage, to laugh with, to break bread with).
Continue reading “Lords of Water Deep/Lord of Living Water”Paris Texas a Podcast & an Interview
My good buddy, Broadway, interviewed me a few months ago. It was super fun, I don’t get to sit down with him a lot, but I enjoy it every time. He and I bonded over several years, he graciously helping me with my building project, and we created a college ministry group that was help in the building project, we’ve shot a few little movies together, we have dressed up and made some fun pictures together, and many fun memories. He is your all around cool guy.
Check out the interview here: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/anchor-podcasts/paris-texas/e/61805792
His facebook page is here: https://www.facebook.com/IamBroadway.me/
A Brief Guide to Dō (道)
I am reading a new book, The Japanese Mind: Understanding Contemporary Japanese Culture, by Osamu Ikeno, which goes through many traditional cultural concepts that has been very enlightening. As a source book in my research of Japan, I like it because it is written by Japanese communication major, college students, so fairly creditable. One of the chapter’s is on Dō (道), which I would like to expound on for a small series of posts.
Dō (道) is roughly translated as “way”, “the Way to be followed”, or “a code of behavior and doctrine”.
Continue reading “A Brief Guide to Dō (道)”Making a Monthly Donation
This is a basic instruction on how you can support us on our mission to Japan.
Our church uses Tith.ly for donations. So you are making a tax deductible contribution through Calvary Chapel. Start by clicking on this link: https://get.tithe.ly/download-tithely-app
Continue reading “Making a Monthly Donation”The Ramen Shop Parable
I’ve already had a few comments about the length of my posts, and honestly I already felt as if I were long winded.
I am also learning about the Japanese culture and how they prefer shorter, more parable like ideas to think about on their own.
Continue reading “The Ramen Shop Parable”Presenting to Calvary
On June 16, 2019, I was able to present to my home church, Calvary Chapel Paris. Below are the slides I am referencing in this presentation, there is a slide of a butsudan and a slide of several examples furoshiki that I refer to that is not listed here because I did not seek permission to use them, just google those terms for examples.
Here is what this looks like:
Furoshiki Family 