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.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
It was great to talk to you today. I am very excited for your new challenges and adventures.
that's interesting... if we are formed from garbage, that gives some amazing force to the breath of God which is breathed into the garbage... the breath that brings life! that's kind of neat to think about... the very stuff that is considered junk is brought to life by a simple breath! hope japanese-ing is going well! thanks for the address! tell charity hall and carol becker hello from us!
Post a Comment