Chocolate Chip Cookies

Whoever said "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach" was on to something. I started the day off with a run, and then rolled up my sleeves and whipped up a batch of chocolate chip cookies. Every Saturday I attend a prayer group; and, as with most gatherings of church people, there is always food. I usually don't have time to bake- but made a point of it this week as I have a short holiday from teaching. Anyway, the batch made so many that I put them in many containers and went about distributing them to neighbors as well.

Prior to today, I haven't really been able to have good conversations with the older men in the congregation- I think they just don't know what to do with me. One man in particular, who works closely with the English school, won't even make eye contact with me when I say hello and only talks to me when its absolutely necessary, but always interrupts whatever conversation I'm in the middle of with another church member to do so. But today was different. Today he ate my cookies! The transformation was like the stuff of fairy tales! He smiled, laughed, was warm and genuine- all quite suddenly. Now I know you may be suspicious of the ingredients I used in trying to formulate a reason for this change- but I can assure you that I used only FDA approved products (I can't actually back this claim as I'm living in Japan and can't read food labels!)

Anyway, in meeting with this group, I continue to see God's presence and work in the lives of these individuals- and I'm so thankful for it. As my language ability increases and I can understand more of the conversations around me, I am increasingly touched in my own faith by the stories of these people and one woman, in particular's, ability to take life situations and struggles back to scripture and reveal God's design or desire in each circumstance.

Also today I met up with a woman I originally met at the train station a few weeks ago on my way back from teaching at the kindergarten in Sanjo. She is a vocalist, and asked if I'd be willing to help her with her pronunciation of the English songs she's hoping to record this summer. She had her 5 year old son with her, who was less than bashful and initiated the initial greeting with me in English! She turns out to be somewhat famous in this area, singing at jazz clubs and local events, as well as traveling to Tokyo. I don't know how I meet these people sometimes, but trust that God has his reasons and intentions in bringing me into relationships with the people that he does. At the end of the night, she invited me to come and be a guest on a radio program she's involved with- IN JAPANESE!!!!! I was flattered to be asked, but my goodness, speaking Japanese on the radio for lots and lots of people to hear is pretty intimidating- but I think I'm up for the challenge! Back to the cookies- I sent her home with some for her son who was sad not to be able to join us because, well, he's 5 and we were having a meeting. I could tell she was surprised, but also that the gift was well received. Cookies- such a simple thing. But with only one batch, relationships were changed, love was communicated, and stomachs were satisfied!