I had a permanent resident status in U.S.A. and carried a green card at that time. Although I could sponsor Yuka to obtain a permanent resident visa, it would take at least five to six years because I was a Japanese citizen. Also, while she was applying for the visa, she would not be permitted to enter U.S.A. She would have to stay in Japan about six years. It would mean six years of separation for my family.

Our attorney suggested for me to become an American citizen. If I become the American, she will be able to obtain the green card faster. To apply for naturalization, however, I had to live in U.S.A. for five years. Since I obtained my green card on October 1995, finally, I was able to apply in July of last year and naturalized in this September.

Also, the attorney suggested for Yuka to obtain a student visa while I was waiting for my naturalization. She obtained the student visa in August of last year with a help of K.C.C. International Counselor, and presently is a student at the Kauai Community College, studying Early Childhood Education. Because of my naturalization, she can now stay in Hawaii by changing a status from student to permanent residence. Our next interview at the I.N.S. will be January of next year. We expected that she could obtain a green card at the next interview. However, the I.N.S. officer told us that it would take more time because of the tragedy of September. FBI is now checking all the backgrounds of applicants. They do not know how long it will take to check the backgrounds.

In any rate, my family and I would like to extend our deepest appreciation and gratitude to all of you for your kindness, help, encouragement, and so forth. We received financial supports, monetary gifts, kinds’ words, and so forth from members, ministers, and friends. Because of your full supports, I believe we could stay in Hawaii and continue my ministry in Hawaii Kyodan with my family members. Thank you very much.

As I recalled this year, we had immigration problems. However, we had lots of enjoyments with our daughter, Mai. She was always center of our lives. She was born at the beginning of this year. And she will welcome the 1^st year anniversary very soon. My wife and I enjoyed seeing my daughter’s growing very much.

Whenever I had meetings and conventions on the neighbor islands, I brought my wife and daughter with me. She was a very busy baby this year. Wherever we visited, even on this island, we always brought a camera and a video to take our daughter. I often see my daughter’s pictures and videos on my free time with Yuka. It is one of my enjoyments.

Some of my friends tell me that you look like "Oya-baka", in Japanese, which means "too much doting parents." Whatever others tell me, I love my daughter very much. I guess if you have a child or a grandchild, you may feel same way. Don’t you think so?

Since her birth, my daughter never asked me to take care of her. Because I am her parent and she is my child, I take care of her unconditionally. She has always my love. When I carry my daughter, she is embraced by me and trusts me with no doubt and hesitation. Whenever I extend my both arms to her, she comes to me and is embraced by me unconditionally. In the same way, my Oya-sama, Amida Buddha is always taking care of me unconditionally. Because Amida Buddha is my real parent and I am the Buddha’s child. I never asked him to take care of me. However, my Oya-sama always worries about me and embraces me in his great compassionate minds and hearts. Whenever I carry my daughter, she always makes me to realize Amida Buddha’s embrace. I, too, am always embraced by Oya-sama’s love and compassion. I am truly grateful for this realization and Amida Buddha’s Compassionate Activity. Let us realize wonderful virtue of our Oya-sama, Amida Buddha and reflect upon ourselves through his compassionate activity.

    "Shakyamuni and Amida are our father and our mother,

Namo-Amidabutsu