In the August newsletter, I wrote that we were going on a couple's vision retreat to reflect on our busy summer and to build on it for the next one. We have been there.

A little more about the word "retreat": "Re-treat," which is a literal translation of the word "Re-treat" again. The word "retreat" seems to be a military term, meaning "to retreat for a time to get things in order." It reminds me of "a samurai who takes a courageous step back from the front lines and asks God for his next move in prayer and contemplation, while looking at the whole situation from a bird's eye view and unifying his spirit. That's how I see it.

So by no means am I saying, "This year is our 10th wedding anniversary, so let's go to a campground, have a barbecue, eat some delicious food, and party! No, no, really, of course not....

Let's put up a line of defense to prevent any misunderstandings before we proceed.

Looking back on the summer, things I regret, part 1

First and foremost,
Failure to manage the fields.

First, let me start with a very good and very appropriate excuse.

We were able to rent the fields in March when it was almost April.
Moreover, it was jungle fields that had been, well, abandoned in a good way.

It took a lot of time and effort to cut the weeds and cultivate the ground. Moreover, we didn't even own a farm machine, so we had to make do with what machinery we could borrow.

I hope my excuses resonated with you.

But in the meantime, we were also working as an electrician for a living, traveling to Tokyo and Saitama for overnight work, so the weeds grew while we were away from the fields.

In addition, there was a major incident in which a wild boar uprooted and ate all our potatoes.

While we were in the midst of this drama, we were also constantly receiving visitors who were interested in Aquila House (we call our house "Aquila House").
Oh, of course, we are really grateful for the work and the visitors, and I want to make it clear here that we love them all, just so there is no misunderstanding,

In other words, please know that this is a legitimate excuse for my situation, and please listen to me,

I mean, it's,
It's a "failure to manage the fields." (Did I say that twice?).

Let's take a look back at some of the things we are acutely aware of in the field situation at the Couples' Vision Retreat,

• Schedule management

• Energy management.

• Getting the necessary equipment.

• Reviewing how to plan for turning abandoned fields into fields.

• Managing our mentality (impatience, motivation, etc.),

Blind spots and points to reflect on.

In fact, I was imagining the faces of our friends and family members who prayed for us and actually came to our house to help us in the fields, when we would "surprise" them with potatoes and tomatoes harvested at Aquila Farm and they would see our vegetables at their doorstep and weep. But....
Reality does not always work out the way we want it to, and this time we decided to go on a retreat (a courageous retreat). We still managed to catch a few tomatoes and cucumbers, but to be honest, I feel like I lost heart because of the wild boar potato incident. Someday, I want to catch that wild boar and present you all with a bacon potato pie. (Laughs)

But I guess the most important thing is scheduling. Well, I didn't know unless I tried.
So this year, I was able to rent three fields, and even though I'm not very good at it, I'll take it as a good thing that I took on the challenge, and I'll move on to the next.

But, good news, everyone.
One of our three fields is looking good, and the soybeans and peanuts are growing nicely.
If the wild boars don't eat them, I have a feeling we'll be able to harvest them. (YEAH!)
If anyone wants to come and help with the harvest, you are more than welcome.

So, the "Couple Vision Retreat - Looking Back on the Summer - Part 1" was chosen for the management of the fields.

We are now discussing the best possible "Takechie field management system for 2024," and are in the process of formulating a plan for a "reverse food crisis," as there will be too much food due to the abundant harvest from the winter soil preparation.

We will get up when we fall, and improve when we fail.

We had been working as a farmer last year, and we have come to realize that the field is a really good place for ministry, so rather than wondering if it will work or not, we are thinking of it as a ministry that kills two birds with one stone, where vegetables and people can grow healthily, and where we can move forward patiently, steadily, and happily in the gift of nature that God has created. We will continue to do our work with the motto, "Be patient, be steady, be happy, and move forward with joy.

So, thank you for reading this far.
I will update the "Vision Retreat: Looking Back on Summer" series when I can share it with you again.

May your ministry of life be blessed even more!

2023, summer memorandum.