Especially with the extreme heat and humidity this year, it seems we have to force ourselves out of the one air-conditioned room to brave the blast of melting heat and damp air. We have found evening bike rides and early morning walks get us some well needed fresh air and outdoor scenery.
Another of my coping mechanisms is sipping iced tea and reading good books, usually in front of a fan. Our latest healthy favorite cold drink is herbal raspberry tea sweetened with honey. Even though we brought some with us in our suitcases, I have found it in Japan at specialty food shops.
Along with recommending the tea, I will recommend these two books that I just finished. You will find a combination of scholastic history along with heart-challenging missionary sacrifice. They are both set in the era of World War II and the amazing experiences of missionary kids separated from their parents in a Japanese internment camp in China. The famous Eric Liddell of Chariots of Fire is a friend and fellow prison mate to these authors. The book In Japan the Crickets Cry especially is an easy read with engrossing story after story, including a heartfelt glimpse into Japanese culture and missions after the war.
So whether you are thriving this summer, or just surviving, sit down in front of that fan, grab a tall cold drink and get lost in a brilliant book with me.
