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.