A good crowd from East Sutherland congregations gathered in Golspie Free Church on 10th May to hear Mairi Nakahashi from Dingwall speak on life in Japan as the wife of a pastor in Kinomoto. Mairi gave a very positive account of the witness of the church, against a background of many difficulties. Although Japanese society is secular, the underlying ethos is overwhelmingly Buddhist/Shinto, and traditional practices continue "because things have always been done this way". The culture of hard work and duty affects the church - as an example, the minister is allowed only one free weekend per year. Mairi finds fulfilment in her family of six and in teaching English to adults and to children. In these classes it is possible, although not easy, to introduce the Bible by way of language study. She finds the value of prayer support incalculable.