Two Knights in Japan

We're back to two Knights in Japan rather than three. Our sister Knight has returned to the U.S., expected to land in about an hour! Saying "goodbye" this time was much different from the last time I said "goodbye" to a sister. Last January I escorted my Katie back to the airport after her visit. It had been 5 months since I had seen her when we left in August, but we were saying "goodbye" this time for 7 months, the longest we've ever been apart. Needless to say, it was really difficult. But this time, we were saying "goodbye" for only 4 weeks. About the usual frequency of visits back in college, no big deal!

So Doug escorted Kim back to the airport yesterday, just taking our turn in the giant game of egg (Kim) toss that we started five weeks ago. We can't believe the time as passed so quickly. We will have left ARI and visited Korea and made it home by the time five weeks passes again.

But before I talk about the future, let me tell you about Kim's last week on the farm! It was a four day week after our trip to Nikko and it rained a lot. But we did manage to ride our bikes to Karaoke one night! Doug and Kim rocked "I try" by Macy Gray! 

Doug and Soren took a trip down to the river one afternoon.

We threshed our wheat!

We also had a "beat the heat" farm party where we all crowded into Ban-san's living room wearing the color blue to share a meal together. It was rather hot in there...but fun.

Looking ahead:

21 days at ARI, 9 days in Korea, home August 13 (one month from now). It's really just the most incredible thing to think that we've been here almost a year. There is a lot we want to share and reflect on here, but we also want to stay present, so stay tuned for some wrap-up thoughts and also to hear our plans for our return home. 

For now:

We have 3 weeks of farming, fellowship, food, and fa-doodling to attend to!

Thanks for everything,

Doug and Jenny

Butchering and Traveling

New chicks arrived on the farm and stole Jenny's heart away.

We had some fun one afternoon harvesting a fruit behind the kitchen. Biwa in Japanese. Some are calling it a loquat. Whatever you call them, they're delicious.

The participants went away for three days for a study tour. They visited local farms and learned how some farmers are making use of pig manure to provide gas for their stove and nutrients for their vegetables. So it was very quiet on the ARI campus. Kim was able to join us in the kitchen for a few days during breakfast and supper cooking. 

With so many Americans here at ARI, we decided to keep the 4th of July traditions. Fried things, fireworks, and fire-roasted smores! In talking with everyone we soon found out that there are many different traditions for the 4th and some Americans do not celebrate much at all. Jenny fried fish and potatoes for lunch and served it alongside a fresh coleslaw!

Kim was also able to assist in chicken butchering. I'll let her tell you about that and then we'll finish up with some pictures from our trip to Nikko. 

Kim's take on chicken butchering: 

Monday, as I was walking to morning stretches with Doug and Jenny I found out it was butchering day. Doug asked if I would like to join and I immediately said, "No." 

I thought about it for the first half of the morning and when it came time for our farm work meeting I decided to join the butchering. I feel like I came to ARI not only to visit Doug and Jenny, but to see what life is like at ARI and how it works. Butchering chickens is a part of the cycle that makes ARI work, and I felt like I needed to experience it. I was very nervous for the work, but it was not bad at all. Just hard work. I am really glad that I was able to be a part of it.

Just yesterday as Jenny, Kim, and I were walking around, the sun came out! Our bodies were  slightly shocked so we had to cool off by a creek. The skies have been blanketed in grey clouds all week. We've had rain showers daily. Now we are beginning to move into the real heat of the summer, when sweating is a round the clock activity. 

Last September, Jenny and I traveled to a mountain town called Nikko. We thought it was a very beautiful place so we decided to take a couple of days off and explore the area some more with Kim. Mainly we just walked and wandered through the moss covered pathways, forested mountains, and blue rolling creeks. 

Wheat Babies and Some Photos

Knight Field

I'll cut straight to the exciting news, we harvested our wheat! Last November, we planted garlic and wheat. And just like us, they somehow survived the cold winter and have really grown these past few months. Here's a before and after shot and many in between. Like rice, we just grab a hand full of stalks, cut with a sickle, then tie the wheat in bunches to dry. In a few weeks we should be able to grind it up and have flour! We are really excited to make garlic bread with our new-borned babies.

Now you see it!

Now you don't!

Okonomiyaki

A sister visit wouldn't be complete without a bike ride to Dohton Bori, our beloved okonomiyaki restaurant in town. We peaced-out from fish-night at ARI to enjoy the fresh, hot off the hot-plate omelet/pancake creations. Kim was nervous to try the bbq sauce/mayonnaise/dried seaweed/fish flakes combination, but eventually she gave in to the harmonious bbq/mayo duo.

I wanted to share this interesting fish I found doing my kitchen garbage route. It's eyes are on the same side of it's head!!!

Women's Party

All the ARI women gathered Friday night to enjoy snacks and traditional dress. Everyone brought over their traditional clothing and we all played dress-up, it was awesome. People were excited to show others how to dress and wear their own traditional clothing. But nobody seemed interested in wearing the traditional jeans and t-shirt I brought representing America... :(

Volunteer Gathering

We had our monthly volunteer gathering last night. A bunch of folks went and gathered the fixin's for lasagna! Saturday afternoon we piled in the kitchen to create a tomato sauce storm of oishi. Kim and I took on the task of dessert, JAM TARTS by Kim's request. She remembered them from when my mom made them over the holidays. It is basically a miniature pie with jam as the filling. So Kim made strawberry kiwi jam while I tried my hand at some puff pastry. I'd say they turned out pretty pro... The Lasagna too! Afterwards, some of us painted our nails! Who knew I would play dress-up and paint my nails at the age of 23 living on a farm in Japan!

Other farm goings on and photos!

Doug here! My Mom requested to know more about some of our participants here. We have also received many new volunteers lately too. So I took a lot of pictures this week and I'll share them with you all here. Enjoy!

Osamu-san is the director of farm section. Here he is spending time with his favorite farm cat we have named Osamu-chan.

This week my group added some weeds to a compost pile in our vegetable field. Aung from Myanmar is on the left. Martin, a fellow Anglican from Malawi, is raking the pile. Sangita, is supervising. She is from Manipur.

Mitsu is one of the Japanese participants this year. He plays drums in a rock band. His other band members are scattered across Japan. One is a professional bass fisher. One is a professional club DJ. And the third is working a regular office job.

This is Isaku (or Isaac in English). He lives in Yokohama Union Church where his parents are pastors. Jenny met his mother at the women's conference in January.

Kim harvesting mustard on a blue sky day!

These are two new volunteers that have arrived. Alex and Ashlyn were sent by the Global Justice program from the Methodist Church. Ashlyn is from New Orleans so we've got one new member to our Southerners group.

Another Southerner that Jonathan found while he was visiting home in Florida. Daniel comes from Orlando. When he was packing for his stay here, someone suggested he bring work clothes that are light, durable, and easily cleaned. He thought a lab coat would do the trick!

Getrude from Zambia on the left and Andy from Ecuador on the right. Gertrude has injured her back lifting something heavy so she's taking it easy this week. Andy often asks me "Como estas?" because I asked her to help me practice my spanish. 

Martin discussing the work plan with Yohei, another Japanese participant. He is telling us that we need to turn another compost pile!

More Americans! Holding the watering can is Lisa. Behind her is David. To the far right is Hawera. These three are from St. Olaf College. They are doing a two month internship here. 

Mahesh is from Nepal, where he teaches grade school and works for women's rights. 

Very is from Nias island of Indonesia. He laughs after almost everything he says. 

This is Mbuche from Kenya. She is the mother of six daughters. When I say that I'm afraid to have more than two kids, she laughs and encourages me to try for more. 

This is Namako-san. He is a commuting volunteer who lives nearby. He volunteers on the farm once or twice a week. When he is not here, he works as a truck driver.

John from Malawi guiding his group's work in their field at the close of a beautiful day.

Matheus from Brazil, and Getrude. Matheus is tall and white like me! But much skinnier. 

This is Msafiri from Tanzania. I have shared the duty of night patrol with him twice. He is a good partner.

Kim pulling weeds with both fists.

Sangita and I got to harvest the first few blueberries this year!