Merry Christmas!

Today is the day after Christmas. Normally, it would be a hectic day of shopping, sales, and leftover Christmas dinner. But as I am in Japan, it has turned out quite differently. I have just returned from a wonderful visit to the churches and missionaries in Niigata, a city 2 hours north by bullet train. I met wonderful people who made me feel so at home this Christmas, even though I was geographically so far away.

My first host family spoke very little English and lived an hour out in the country. They had a very traditional-style Japanese house, which in the winter means that it is very, very cold. Japanese homes don't have central heating, so it is only heated a room at a time with kerosene, gas, or electric portable heaters. I did have the most unusual over sized airbag filled with warm air in my bed to warm it up for me before I went to bed. It was the warmest and best I've slept all winter! They took me around and showed me off to all of their family and we took pictures with everyone; and then left straight away to the next place. It was really funny. So now I have lots of pictures of people I don't know. I had a sweet potato for lunch that day too, and don't ask me why, but my host family the next night knew all about it and asked about it. Japanese people talk a lot about food, I'm learning... not unlike me!

The next family I stayed with was in town. I was so embarrassed at first, because I kept misunderstanding the things they'd say to me in English. "I'm a pastor- maker." Huh? I didn't know quite how to respond to this information- why was he telling me this? How do you make pastors? But then I found out he actually said "pasta-maker". ahhhh..... Then, I heard him say, "I teach pastries." Oh really? I'd love to learn! I began telling him of my pastry making stories, and got the oddest look. What he actually said was "I teach history." Wow- we were all able to have a good laugh. They called me "okashi no hito" which means "odd, or funny person". But from then on, the laughing rarely stopped and we all had a great time. They took me to a famous hot spring and I bathed Japanese style, I ate pasta with squid-ink sauce, had sukiyaki for the first time which is by far the best Japanese food I've had yet, had a jazz jam session with piano, guitar, and saxophone, watched kung-fu movies, and spent a lot of time at the church at services and special Christmas events. I met many wonderful Christians and a former VYM missionary who has lived in Japan for around 30 years and is married to a mochi farmer. I felt a but of pressure because I was constantly being introduced as "the teacher who may move here in April". We'll see what happens. In any case, it was a wonderful Christmas. Maybe I couldn't be with my physical family, but I was with many wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ.

Christmas day we had a big dinner at Betsy, another former Ver's house. There were many foreigners and Japanese people there. Some christian, some not. It was a wonderful and non-threatening opportunity to share about the meaning of the Christmas season to us through song and conversation. I have so much more to write and pictures to share, but I'm off again to a Christmas party and then will be leaving for our missionary family Christmas retreat soon too! I hope you all had a Merry Christmas! God's Blessings!

Meiji Shrine

Although on break now, it has been a busy last few days. A huge and exciting answer to prayer- I met a Japanese man, Taishi, who is a new Christian (for about three years) and teaches Japanese (among other subjects) to students preparing for High School entrance exams. I have been praying for a friend to help me study Japanese and he is a very good and patient teacher. Oshie te, kudasai! (teach me, please!) We met in Shibuya yesterday and walked to Harajuku where we visited the Meiji Shrine. I learned so much; not only about the Japanese language, but about the culture too, and converting to and living as a Christian here for a native Japanese person.

It seems so obvious to me now, but I finally have learned the difference between a temple and a shrine. It is really very simple: a shrine is to Shintoism as a temple is to Buddhism. Since the Buddhist religion doesn't make any absolute claims, when it was introduced to the region it was integrated into the already existing Shinto religion, rather than replacing it. The top picture is the innermost building in the shrine. Where I was standing when I took the picture was the closest anyone could get without being of the clergy. It is in this place that people burn incense, swing their arms and clap their hands, and insert money into a wooden box with wooden dowels over the top. All this for a blessing. A person can also purchase a wooden plaque and write their prayer on it, submit it to the clergy, and for a price they too will pray for you. The third picture whose how the many plaques are placed for the year, on a wooden frame surrounding a sacred tree.

The second picture is of the washing place people enter first before entering the temple. (I was not made to wash before entering as it is not my belief.) There, people cleanse their face, hands, and mouth. It reminded me greatly of a similar cleansing site just outside of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. Sin is a difficult concept in this culture, but reflecting upon it now, it is interesting to note how many religions have some sort of belief in the need for cleansing. Here, it begs the question: cleansing from what? Maybe this is a place to begin a conversation about sin.

And I think too, that people here outwardly don't appear to have faith in much of anything; but "god" is really "that to which we look to for help in times of need". With such a definition at hand, there are many gods here. People may not attend the shrine or temple regularly, but it is where they go when they face a trial or have a particular need. And then there's money, success, fashion, you name it! How all of these gods pale in comparison to the One True God who gives us the gift of life, now and eternally, at no cost to us- and a great cost to Him... His Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Please continue to pray that such wondrous love will be known here in Japan by many more!

Speech Day

Friday was our big Speech Day! It was the culmination of all we learned the first half of language school. We wrote, memorized and shared our speeches with our fellow classmates, friends, supervisors, Japanese pastors, and parishioners. It was a bit intimidating to be publicly speaking Japanese in front of so many Japanese people, but it was a lot of fun and, as is custom in Japan, we had a party afterwards and ate a lot of great food! I can't believe we are halfway through language school and how much information we've covered. I feel pretty good about my ability to use the grammar that I've learned, but the vast amount of vocabulary is definitely my "Goliath" right now.

I am so glad to be studying language now and for the place it will play in enabling me to build relationships with Japanese people. And although we are currently "on break", there are ample opportunities for study and practice; our home stays in Niigata, for instance. And also then many Christmas gatherings and parties with both language schools and churches.

We went to one such Christmas party last night with a church young adult group (called youth group) and I met a young woman who is excited about being baptized next week. Her husband is looking for a new job where he will not have to work so many hours (the work expectations are very different in Japan) so that he can spend more time with his wife. In this culture, a husbands workload puts a considerable amount of strain on marital relationships and families. It is not at all uncommon for children to only see their fathers on the weekend. I met one man on the train who said he sees his children about one weekend a month. The families are not "broken" in the sense of divorce as we know it in the states, but the time families have together appears the same. That's why what this man, Sugi, had said struck me so strongly. It is his wife, Lisa, who is to be baptized. What a powerful witness this young couple is to the people around them- both inside and outside of the church.

Blessing Upon Blessing!

Wow! It has been so busy since my last post. I flew home for two family weddings and was also blessed to meet the newest member of our family- my niece Kira! Both weddings were beautiful and I really enjoyed the opportunity to see a lot of my extended family; especially as I don't know when I will next see them. The time flew by, but God was so good through it all. A few stories to share:

On the morning of my flight, I prayed for a good flight and to sit next to someone who spoke Japanese who would help me practice (since I was missing a whole week of class). When I got on the plane, I met a very nice Japanese woman. She shared her sushi with me and we got to talking. I told her what I was doing in Japan, and that I worked at a church. She replied that she went to church, which is a considerable thing as less than 1% of the population here is Christian. As our conversation continued, I found out that she's not only christian, but a Lutheran! I was able to have a very interesting and edifying conversation about what it is like to be a christian in Japan, when and why she decided to convert to Christianity and be baptized; all the while practicing each others' languages! When we de-planed in Seattle, she asked me to meet her in the baggage claim, where she gave me a parallel New Testament- Japanese and English side by side. I was so touched to receive this gift, and so grateful to God that He hears the smallest, most insignificant of our prayers and does wonders! He truly does bless us beyond all that we can ask or imagine (Eph. 3:19-20).

I was also amazed to see the other week at a church I visited all of the children who were there without parents. It reminds me of all Christ had to say about "the least of these". One small girl, whose 9, comes faithfully ever week. A nice man in the congregation who owns a curry shop sits next to her and helps her through the service. He helps her find the hymns; he shows her the psalm and collect; he's a father to her. It brings tears to my eyes to see this kind of longing on the girl's part, and satisfaction of that longing through the man. Other children simply wanted to get away from home for whatever reason, so they went to the church (which has become a safe and familiar place as they take language class there during the week). It was a helpful reminder that often we don't need to create ministry opportunities, but that God brings them to us. I see the beginnings, the planting, the yearning and hunger of a culture and a people group encountering the gospel. I am excited for all that God has in store!

The last two weeks since I've been back have flown by! I had a test the week I got back over material I had missed, and got my highest score yet... Ironic! Speech day is tomorrow; and I will be delivering a 6 minute speech all in Japanese- the culmination of all I've learned in the first half of language school. The following week Carol and I will head up to Niigata (which is more rural) and have our "home stays" in which we will observe and participate in two different traditional Japanese homes. This will end just before Christmas, so we will celebrate with the other missionaries who live and serve up there. Hopefully we'll be having a white Christmas as well!

Well, that's all for now. More to come later. I am a bit frustrated about complications in sending out my newsletter; but be assured, it is coming soon! God's Blessings on all of your Christmas preparations and travels!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Well, today is Thanksgiving. Since it is an American holiday, today wasn't much different than any other day, except that family and friends were on my mind a bit more than usual; wondering what football game is on and whose ahead, missing the smells that fill a house from a roaring fire and delicious food, and catching up on all the details of everyones' lives. But, I certainly did not go hungry tonight and I think that it helps that I am flying back to the states for two weddings next week. Carol and I dined on wonderful Indian Curry; her- vegetable (of course as she is a vegetarian) and me- pumpkin chicken! I am feeling so wonderfully full. They have the most wonderful nan here too. Our Indian waiter even gave us mango lycee to drink, on the house! Tomorrow is a national holiday in Japan, Labor Day. So Carol and I are heading out to have the traditional Thanksgiving meal with another missionary family we met here. (This is not to say that I am not eagerly anticipating Thanksgiving leftovers from both sides of the family!!!!) So have a wonderful, blessed Thanksgiving everyone. Much love, Lindsey.

Thanksgiving Dinner and Prayer Walk

This past weekend was very, very busy. Isogashi desu! Friday morning Carol and I rushed to LLI (a building shared by the NRK headquarters, a Japanese Lutheran congregation, an international congregation, and both English and Japanese Language schools where I am currently studing.) to help with the preperations for the Thanksgiving Dinner that would be later that night. The dinner is one of many examples of events that seek to link the students from the language school with members of the church and to share the gospel. Ovens are hard to come by in Japan, but Carol and I are lucky enough to have a small one. So that morning I carried our oven to the train station, on the train, and then to center. it made the hour long commute at rush hour a little more interesting! Dinner turned out really well; we had turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoe delight, cranberries, gravy, and so on. It was so good- but funny to watch the children go through the line. They were so afraid to try our american food- all they wanted was salad, bread, and turkey! After the meal though, we took them to a classroom and fed them tons of sugar and taught them how to make gramcracker sweet houses. (Just like Ginger bread houses, but with gramcracker walls.) There were over 50 people at the event (which is huge for a Japanese church), many of them unchurched students who brought their whole family!

The next day, we gathered back at LLI (also called Center) for a prayer walk with some of the other VYM missionaries at 10 am. And then, for the next 6 and a half hours we worshiped, read scripture together, and prayed for the churches that gather there, for the VYM program, for the NRK staff (equivilent to the Missouri-Synod in Japan), for a suicide counseling phone center that works out of the building, and many other things. And all I can say is that it was PURE JOY! The time flew by, and I kept thinking to myself, "why don't we do this more?" There are just so many things in life that cause us anxiety and seem so out of our control. And we spend so much time worrying about them, talking to other people about them in frustration, and expressing that frustration in other places in our life, only to hurt those we love. None of these things are constructive. But prayer is. You can't do anything, you helpless; but there's someone who can. The God who made us and loves us longs to hear our prayers- and no worry or anxiety is beyond His reach.

Thank you all so much for your prayers! Please continue to pray, and please, let me know how I can be praying for you! I love you all; and you are in my prayers! Happy Thanksgiving- I'll see many of you soon!

Shukufuku

In Japan, it is said that you are born a Shinto, married a Christian, and die a Buddhist. Here, the connection between doctrine and belief have been severed, and all that is done in the name of "religion" is motivated almost entirely out of a sense of tradition and duty. Parents take their children at the age of 3, 5, and 7 for a traditional blessing for good health and long life at a Shinto temple. Then, marriages typically occur in Christian churches. (I'm not sure how this tradition began, but I would guess it has something to do with the early christian presence of both the Jesuits and Orthodox missionaries that date back to the 16th century. That presence has all but diminished now, as less than 1% of the population is Christian.) And then, after death, the Japanese follow the Buddhist practices for burial and such.

Anyway, the blessing for the children always happens in the month of November; in Japanese it is called shukufuku. The Christian churches here have taken this cultural practice and brought it into the church so that Christians, rather than taking their children to a Shinto temple to be blessed, can have their children prayed over and blessed by their Christian pastor. Children of all ages are invited to come and all received a special cross necklace to wear in remembrance of the event. This last Sunday was the day the church in Yokohama we attended selected for the blessing, so we were able to witness it and meet the children too! The church hosted a large barbecue following the service and I ate BBQ squid for the first time (among many other new foods!). We spent a lot of time talking to the Christians at the church there over a meal (which is the best place to meet and greet people!) and I met a man, Taro, who was particularly passionate and excited about his faith and zealous for sharing the gospel with the people in his country, Japan. There is something about meeting someone, a fellow christian... I am having difficulty putting it into words, but I think that it is because we are one in Christ, and even though we hadn't met before, their exists between us this.... I can't put it into words.... ummm... deep connection and a joy and passion that we share! I cherish it here in Japan all the more, as it is so rare, and will never view church (the physical gathering of the body of Christ to receive His body) the same again! I'm am hoping to connect him with the newly reformed "youth group" (in Japan, youth are people under 40).

Please pray for this group and these gatherings, as I see God really working in the lives of the people in this group and their unique potential, gifts, and desire to reach out to people who don't know Christ. The christian church in Japan can be a sticky thing... with tradition and elders held in such high respects, change is slow, if it happens at all. It seems the declining church membership has often made people fearful and caused them to turn inward in survival mode. It is very difficult to be a christian in this culture that indoctrinates conformity from a young age. They want to share their faith, but they don't know how and there are many cultural barriers. So please pray for the Christians here, for increasing strength and growth in their faith and for guidance in how to proceed in ministry here.

Jabberloop

I had such a great time tonight! I have a tesuto (or test) ashita (tomorrow) but I don't want to study until I've written all about it! Carol and I went to listen to Jazz like usual on Wednesday nights, and the band was amazing (Jabberloop was the name- I hope we can hear them again)! Carol took video and I'll be sure to post a link later. So re ka ra, we headed off to Starbucks to study (there are 4 in our area, our favorite is the one that is on the second floor of a building and overlooks the train tracks. At night, it has a great atmosphere with all of the city and train lights gleaming through the windows.) We were sitting in two plush green chairs when two Japanese girls sat down at the table next to us. Icchan and Rika. We got to chatting with them (mostly in Japanese!!!) and learned quite a bit... they are nurses in Kawasaki, they both have boyfriends who they don't really think are attractive, they love karaoke and go to a place only a few blocks from where we live! They really want to practice speaking English, and we want to practice speaking Japanese! All Japanese people study English in Jr. high and High School (if they go) but the classes are taught by Japanese teachers, and so they only learn to read and write in English, not to speak the language. They are often intimidated and nervous about speaking English. I'm so excited to see the application of what I'm learning, and it helped me so much more to hear and practice the language in a real life setting. They made us promise to email- which of course we will! I can't wait to meet for coffee again- or maybe karaoke! They were in awe at the length of my fingers and legs and we all had quite a laugh about the size of our noses compared to theirs.

As I think about the mission strategy here- to build relationships in which to share Christ and connect people to other nationals who are Christian- I am so grateful for the intense language study that is included in our orientation. I feel overwhelmed often in class and like I'm drowning in new vocabulary, but the rewards that come from the relationships that can be built are worth all of the frustration and challenges that I face. Pray for my relationships here; that they would be living bridges that would connect people to the God who made them, loves them, and gave His life to redeem them. And please keep praying for me and my ability to remember all of this vocabulary! There are so so so so so so so so so so so many words- every day!!!!

Monkey Crossing

This last week was spent in business meetings, devotion, worship, prayer, and general retreating with the whole VYM community both here in Tokyo, and then for the weekend at a retreat center in Chiba. It was such a blessing to gather with the whole group of missionaries, to hear first hand all of the stories of the different happenings at their sites and where and how God is working. I get more and more anxious to be through with orientation and into a site when I hear these things. But I learned too that Japan is known as a "Missionary Graveyard"; that it "chews them up and spits them out." My heart is so saddened to hear this, but it drives me to my knees more in prayer for the other missionaries here, for perserverence and steadfastness in my own faith, and for the people here who are living in darkness. Please continue to hold us all up in your prayers too!

On the drive back from the retreat center, I saw for the first time in my life a monkey crossing sign. Yellow, diamond, it resembled a "children playing" sign, except there was a large primate in the middle of it. We were definitely outside of the city! This weekend too, there were other monkey happenings, but it was actually the birth of a gibbon in Idaho!!! My ottoto (little brother) welcomed his beautiful red-headed, brown-eyed daughter into the world! I am even more anxious to get home and meet this beautiful baby in a few weeks time! God is so good- I feel so blessed that it worked out for me to be going home for Sarah's wedding so soon after the birth of this baby. Kira Nadine.

Small World in a Large City!

Tokyo has an extensive train system. It was really intimidating the first time I saw it, but after a month I am feeling pretty comfortable with it and my Japanese is enough that I can ask for help to get where I'm going, need be. Carol and I have about an hour commute, each way, everyday with one transfer at Akihabara. Well, it so happens that we heard of a short cut- if we would take the orange line, transfer at Tokyo station to blue, and then transfer at Akihabara as usual. So we decided to find out one day how much faster it was by each taking a different route leaving Kawasaki station at the same time. I took the slow way, so you can imagine my surprise when I stood up on the train at Akihabara to transfer and was suddenly face-to-face with Carol!!! What are the odds- of all the trains (a new one comes every 3-5 minutes), and of all of the cars on the trains, that we'd be on the same one, headed for the same exit! We didn't see each other before because it was so crowded. So much for a short cut!

Also, I learned yesterday that a former VYM missionary here, Heidi, who married a Japanese pastor, is from Antigo, where my spectacular friend Elizabeth (newly engaged!!!) lives. Not only that, but Heidi's father was also Elizabeth's 8th grade teacher and they attended the same church growing up. What a small world!

I was also so blessed this week to receive notice from the Northwest district that they have decided to give me a $1000 grant toward my $14,000 of needed support. Praise God! What a test of faith this support raising is; I have been blessed so much more than financially through it- it is hard to explain. I think that it blesses me so much an encourages my faith and purpose here to know that people are not only thinking of me, but actively seeking to make it possible for me to stay here and continue in this work.

This last weekend was also my first typhoon! It happened while I was at a church in Sugimami, helping out with their kid's day (outreach event that links children from the language school and their parents to the church families to build relationships and share Christ's love). He were pelted with rain for hours and the winds were so strong- they blew the rain everywhere, in all directions; I didn't know which way to hold by umbrella to keep the water away. The following day though was so beautiful and clear... and warm (probably in the upper 70s). And I got my first glimpse of Mt. Fuji too! It was so beautiful; surrounded by blue mountain peeks, it rose above them in a tall and majestic white cone. It is world renowned for being an almost perfectly shaped volcanic mountain dome, although it is inactive now.

I also was blessed with the opportunity to write the Bible study for kid's day. The theme was Luke 15- the lost and found parables. It was wonderful to be able to write and help lead a Bible study again- I really miss it! I'm really looking forward to doing it again once I'm placed at my church site and teaching English. It was a unique challenge to have the added challenge of communicating a message to people of a different culture and altogether different mindset. I've learned so much already- but know I've so much more to learn in order to share my faith in a helpful and effective way. But most important in all of this, is my reliance upon the Spirit and trust in His work in conversion and the kindling of faith.

Approaching One Month!

Wow! This upcoming Friday will make the one-month anniversary of my moving to Japan! I can't get over how much has happenend. Our language class had its first test Friday over grammer and verbs. Saturday, Carol and I randomly decided to join in with some friends and run a 10K "Run for the Cure" not having done much training- but it was still great. It was so interesting because I feel I hardly ever see people run here and so it was no surprise to see at the race starting line mostly foreigners. We ran 2 laps around the Emperor's Emperial Palace, which was surrounded by lush trees and deep moat-like sections of river inhabited by cranes and the occassional swan.

Friday we were privilaged enough to be invited to the Blanke's house. Rev. Blanke teaches at the Lutheran seminary here and was so knowledgable about the history of Christianity and lutheranism in Japan. I had no idea how much and for how long the church has been persecuted here. (I'd like to share more later, as I am still researching the topic myself.) He and his wife served us lunch as well. I just can't get over all of the wonderful people that God is bringing into my life here and all of the support I have here. I'm so touched to hear about all that God is doing through these people and the heart they have for Japan.

I've also experienced 2 earthquakes since I've been here- they've both been small, but still, it is a rather erie feeling. Everyday I find myself picking up more and more of the words I hear all around me and I can't wait for the day when I am able to understand these conversations more fully and even join in.

There are daily reminders of the hopelessness the Japanese people face here. Quite ofter, our train will just stop for 20 minutes on our way home. Everytime this happens, I shudder, because it is often the result of some hopeless person who jumped in front of the train to end their own life. The faith that people have here seems to be more out of tradition than anything, and so with no real belief or hope in any sort of after-life, the present life gains tremendous importance- things like wealth, power, social-status, attractiveness. And when people fail or are fired from thier jobs, families often never hear from them again. They either go missing and join the homeless population living along the riverbanks, or they jump in front of a train. My heart just aches for these people. Many are without hope and so desperately in need of it. And sadly, due to religious fanatics releasing poisonous gas on a train a few years back, people are quite sceptical of all forms of religion- especially Christianity. So I'd like to ask you again to join with me in praying for the following:

Please pray for my roommate Carol's health, for sustained energy and focus in language school, for the people of Japan and for their salvation, for the funding for foreign missions (mine and others), and for those we've all left back home.

Geshia Dance

The last few weeks have been very full and cultural. In high school, I remember reading Memoirs of a Geshia and was privilaged enough last weekend to attend a festival of traditional Japanese dances. (We knew one of the dancers so we were able so sneak in back stage.) It was so beautiful and it brought back to life for me all of the descriptions I have read of the geshia dance and the deliberate and delicate movement of the kimono. She danced with fans, umbrellas, and a westeria flower attached to a long rod. Every movement is so intentional, and every glimpse of the chrimson underlayer and wrist and neck line meant to entice male entertainees, traditionally.

I've been spending a lot of my commute time either studying Japanese or reading Shogun. It has been a fascinating read in view of my own current cultural transition. Although things are very different now in Japan, I believe that learning about the historical culture of the Japanese people has been very insightful into understanding today's cultural from an anthropological perspective. The influence of tradition, duty, honor, success, and even gender roles from ancient times can be observed in the central beliefs an values of the culture today. However, as Japan becomes increasingly westernized, especially through the younger generations, it is anticipated that there will be many changes in cultural expectations and values. All in all, it makes it a very interesting time to be living in Japan and a very interesting time to be doing ministry here. There is such a need here for the Gospel (not to be confused with westernization or an imposition of cultural norms); the Gospel of hope, salvation, unconditional love, forgiveness, and eternal life. Please pray for Japan!

Kawasaki Jazz Night

Carol and I had a great time last night listening to a great jazz trio at the Citedelle and eating crepes! Here are some great photos from the night- all in Kawasaki!

Famous for Potatoes!!!

I can't believe it's been almost a week since I've been here. It is interesting to note that when you are in a foreign culture and understand so little and are seeing so many new things that time seems to slow down a bit; or at least that has been my experience. I have met A LOT of new people in the last week and am pretty sure that my ability to recall foreign names has a lot of room for improvement. But alas, you have to start somewhere. I am amazed too at how many people here know about Idaho! Sadly, it's not known for what I love about it (beautiful mountains, crisp mountain air, the cool blue of Lake Coeur d'Alene) but for the potatoes. I am told by Japanese here that they are world famous!!!

I have learned a lot of new things about the culture this last week. I am finding it helpful in every learning to ask the questions: So what? Will this have any effect on the way in which I seek to share the gospel? How? For instance, garbage and dust are synonymous. This immediately made me think of Genesis 1 when God formed Adam out of the dust (garbage?) of the earth. There are obvious obstacles here. Not obstacles, rather, challenges!

Today was my first day of language school. It is all in Japanese! For me, this will be a new way to learn a language, and although I felt completely lost a few times, by the end I felt good and the instructor complimented Carol and I at the end of class.

I have felt so blessed to find such a community here! So many brothers and sisters in Christ who share in the same hope and faith in Christ that I profess! God is good; and I am looking forward to walking in the good works he has prepared (Eph. 2:10).

Please pray for my aptitude to learn and retain the Japanese language.

First Impressions

It is so funny- in tring to access this page, all of the links are now in Japanese because the web server changed. So it might be a while before I can figure out again how to do fancy things- so readers, you'll have to settle for mere words!

It was a wonderful flight across the ocean; I sat next to a nice Japanese man named Takashi and he helped me study Hiragana and told me many funny stories about his own culture shock when he moved to the United States. After the flight, I met up with the VYM director and Carol (who flew in that day too and is my housemate) and we made an hour and a half commute to our new home in Kawasaki. (Video tour to come!) The transportation system here is intense, but I am so glad for my experience with the Chicago Transit System.

We spent most of yesterday settling in and unpacked after our luggage arrived. We did some grocery shopping that turned out to be more of grocery guessing- but so far, so good! We have successfully cooked 2 Japanese-style meals!

There are so many interesting things to see here. Our language classes are downtown, very close to the Imperial Palace and the Tokyo Museum of Modern Art. There is a french presence in this neighborood as well, with a private school just down the street. I can hear them now at recess- there is nothing like the sound of children playing, so joyful!

Things here are hot, humid, green, busy, bright, and quite enjoyable. I have met so many nice people and I'm looking forward to the day when I can not only remember how to pronounce their foreign names, but can communicate with them as well!

Oops- today, I met the former English teacher whose last day is today. Earlier I was invited to a sending/birthday celebration; so when I met her, I asked her if the party was for her. She responded that she didn't know about any party and I realized that I had just spoiled the surprise!

Desert Island Game

I've spent a log of time this week packing, or rather preparing to pack. Laundry, shopping, sorting... I've decided that it is very similar to the desert island game where you are only allowed to take a few choice items. I had no idea at the time that this game was actually teaching me a life-skill that I would be needing in the future! Top 3 movies: Braveheart, Season 3 of the Office, and the new James Bond. Music: Vince Geraldi's "Charlie Brown Christmas", Derek Webb's "She must and shall go free", and Miles Davis. I'm still thinking on the others- I'll let you know what I come up with.

What a blessing it has been to have this time to spend with family!!! I threw a bridal shower for my cousin Sarah today with the help of my lovely Aunt Chris and brother's finacee, Jennifer. I feel so blessed to have such wonderful people in my life. God is so good! Tonight the fun continues with Missionary Curry, an old family recipe from my grandparents' time in Africa. Yum!

Hard to believe that I'm leaving for Japan in a little over a week! I'm excited to start this blog as I am an avid journaler. It has been wonderful being able to be back here in North Idaho for these last two months to have some time with my family and to allow for a more laid-back transition from internship in the states to the foreign mission field. God is so good- I see His plan at work everywhere around me! I was initially uncomfortable and hesitant about the whole support raising aspect of missionary service, but it is turning out to be a faith-growing and blessed expereince. I don't want anyone to give because they feel they have to- I want people who give to give because they are keenly aware of and in support of the mission and ministry that their giving will support. It was missionary Jim Elliot who said, "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." I thought about this a lot as I was packing up and giving away most all of the possessions I had accumulated for myself from which to build a home. It turned out to be the most freeing experience of my life. I could look around my little apartment and see in it everything that God had provided for me; and so as I gave it away, I did so with freedom and joy knowing that when I had need of it again God would provide it. And I focused on not what I was losing- but on what I am gaining! This gives me such great joy! All of the things we surround ourselves with in life will perish, or we will. In anycase, their place is temporal and only in this world. But anytime money and resources are put to use in ministry (be it supporting a missionary, giving to a seminary student, or just putting money in the offering plate), we are taking what is temporal and using it in a way that will have a wonderful impact on people's lives and their very souls for all of eternity! And it is because of this strong conviction that I am able to seek support to provide for me to do God's work.

Luke 12:24 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Here's a link: https://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=12047