Seasons

In the two years that I've spent in Japan, I haven't gone a 6 month stretch without some major change occurring. I came back from a time of visiting friends and family and giving presentations to supporters in the states to find that these next six months would be following suit. God was so gracious in His timing to allow for a time of worship, prayer, and fellowship through a prayer retreat at the end of August. It was then end of the time of ministry in Niigata for my roommate and the time of beginning of ministry and transition for the new missionary and English teacher, James, who arrived just a week ago. Endings and beginnings always seem to be back to back, if not overlapping. Such waves of emotion accompany it all! The image of God as a rock and a fortress has been especially meaningful to me through these times.

Yesterday was a full day, and I specifically remember praying at the beginning of it, thanking God for all the opportunities, interactions, and joys He had planned for it. I met Cindy for lunch and from there went and ran a few errands. Upon returning to my house, many church members showed up to help James move furniture that had been stored in my garage into his new apartment. From there I met a friend, a woman who I met at the train station randomly one night out in Sanjo. She'd invited me to make a guest appearance on a radio show her and her friend host. She picked me up and we discussed the script over dinner. A friend of hers showed up and when he heard I was a missionary he gave me an earful about how Japanese people aren't religious anymore- not since WWII. "They don't even think about religion.... we don't like to talk about deep things... I can't remember the last time I had a serious conversation like this," were among his sentiments.

The broadcast went okay and I was quite relieved when I learned that we were pre-taping the interview, and that it would later be edited and aired, and that we could rerecord should the need arise. Because it was all in Japanese, I was quite relieved to hear this. I was able to share about my experience teaching in Japan, techniques I use in classes, and share about the English opportunities we offer at Nozomi Lutheran Church!

From there we went to an Italian Restaurant that host an open-mic night on the first Monday of the month. I was blown away by how many foreigners I saw in one place! I don't even know how to describe the feeling there, other than to say that foreigners can feel very lonely here- and the often come to Japan because they are running from something back home. I got the feeling that everyone was scoping out and sizing up everyone else, identifying them as potential friend or hook-up, competition, or insignificant. I felt so uncomfortable, but I know that God wanted me there in that place, at that time. As I was walking through the crowd, my eyes briefly made contact with a young woman and we smiled and greeted each other and I kept walking. After I was away, I had this strong urge to talk to her- but I wasn't sure why. I followed up on the urge, but it wasn't so hard because she'd made her way over to my direction and we had a more formal introduction. At this point- I have to just say that sometimes I am amazed at how much complete strangers or people I've just met will share with me. She shared about just having heard people were gossiping and saying unkind things about her. We talked a little about it, and she thanked me, saying she felt better already. She then asked if I was a christian because I'd told her I worked at a church. I said yes and asked her if she was looking for a church. She responded by saying that she was, that she felt like she'd lost God, and wanted to find him. She shared a bit of her story about having grown up in the church, but like many people who leave their faith when they grow up, she was turned off by the way scripture was being interpreted and lived out by those around her. But she's open, and searching. We had a nice conversation in the midst of all the noise.

I feel like God moves things in seasons- from one to the next. Just last week Cindy, James, and I were talking about starting up small groups with the young people God's been bringing in- we left it at "let's pray about it". What does God have planned??? I don't know, but I am confident He's leading us somewhere and I am overjoyed to be on board and for the opportunity to be used for His kingdom!