Konnichiblog

2 Amazing Things to Report

2009-10-20T02:50:00.000-07:00

Greetings! My life has changed in many ways since I got back from the states- accessibility to the Internet and time being one of them. I wanted to write today about two things that I'm praising God for recently.

The first is a student, in first grade. He's always been one of my wildest children and the least likely to pay attention, and then last spring, my site partner Cindy witnessed him sitting in meditative positions, as if doing yoga. As summer came, be began acting stranger and stranger, until he couldn't make it through a class without crying hysterically. One week he came in completely in a trance, and was non responsive to absolutely everything I said and did, his eyes unable to focus on anything. Cindy's nephews were here that week visiting from China, and one of the boys, not much older than my student, came and sat next to him and prayed for him. The other students were clearly frightened by his markedly strange behavior. This particular week though, it was only one other student, so I scrapped the lesson plan of colors and shapes and opened up a children's Bible and did my best to give a bilingual account of the English story. It was only during this time during the class- especially at the point in the story where I spoke of Jesus' death and resurrection that he spoke up and became responsive. From that week on, I began to play worship music in the background during every class- and a miracle happened! From the first class he was better, and he has continued to stay focused to the point that he is accelerating beyond the other students in the class and is now the top student. I shared this news with his mother this last week and even got him to show off his skills in front of her. She was absolutely amazed!!!! "But what about before... he was always crying and hysterical!" I told her about the worship music, and how it calmed her son. She was speechless other than to hug her son and tell him how happy it made her. I continue to learn and grow in my Christian walk... may it always be so! I've always heard how powerful prayer is, and experienced it at times too- but worship... there is so much more going on here than first meets the eye. I have a lot of learning to do about it. But what an amazing thing that simply the power of God's word sung in worship could do such things in my little English class. Please pray that this family will one day join in true hearts of worship with such music and with a body of believers!

The second thing happened just today. I've been thinking about my last months here- how to spend them, and where to invest time and energy. I've spoken with others about this too, and we all agree that there would be nothing worse than for us to leave without having shared the gospel clearly with every person we know, and giving them the chance to respond- one way or another (that part's all God's work!). So I decided to waste no time, and I shared a book in one class today, Heaven is a Wonderful Place. It is a children's story, using simple words and pictures, and it gives such a beautiful explanation of the Gospel and what we have to look forward to- Heaven!!! After reading it, a student commented on one of the final pages (a paraphrase in kids-ese of 1 Cor. 13) by saying that just last week she had felt very angry, and so she opened her Bible to that passage (because it'd come up in class a few weeks earlier) and read it. She felt so much better afterward, calmer, more in control.

God is so amazing! I feel so blessed to be able to watch the way He is using His word to open people's hearts to His message of love, forgiveness, and salvation for all!

Seasons

2009-09-07T20:55:00.000-07:00

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!

Sexual Harassment

2009-07-15T04:56:00.000-07:00

Just sitting down to dinner now after a full day at the kindergarten in Sanjo. It was a bit of a rough day, but there were also many blessings in the midst of it. The one incident today that sticks out most in my mind happened when I had just arrived at the station in Sanjo. I exited the bathroom at the same time as a group of young men and as I was walking a little ahead of them and could hear them talking. I realized they were calling out; trying to get my attention. They were saying something over and over- and I soon realized it was in English- it was the "f" word. I turned around and made eye contact with one of them. "F*ck you," he said in a very matter-of-fact tone. I continued walking forward and when I got to the train gate, I said sternly in Japanese, "Stop! You're really rude!" as I swiped my train pass. I could hear them mocking me as I walked out of the station. I cried a few tears behind my sunglasses- frustrated over the incident, frustrated over other situations of similar natures that I've encountered in my time living here, and tired of standing out and all of the negative things associated with it. Their words made me feel dirty and defiled.

But as I was walking to the kindergarten I was struck by the power of the truth that God loves these young men- and that as God does weep along-side us when we are hurting, how much more must He grieve for them because they don't know Him; they don't know His love; they are living so contrary to the way He intended them to live and the purposes He created them for as He knit them together in their mothers' wombs. Created in God's image and with the law written on their hearts, their fallen state has calloused over the revelation of that truth. Only in Christ can it be removed. It reminded me of another conversation I had recently with a Japanese teacher who is openly seeking God. She was relating to me the story of a student who kept asking her why things were bad- like murder, suicide, and stealing. Though she was certain these things were wrong, she was frustrated over her inability to articulate why. "It's not just because the school handbook says things are wrong that they are wrong; but I just don't know why." (This lead into a really good conversation, but it's too much to share in this blog.)

Romans 10:14-15 says, "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

"Ahhh.... that's right. I'm actually here for these people," came the revelation. Rather than wanting to run from them, my frustrations, and this country I remembered that all of these things are why I'm here- why God brought me here. He's called me to be the light of the world, shining like starts holding out the word of truth, the salt of the earth, the fragrance of Christ- the aroma of death to those perishing and the aroma of life to those who are being saved, an ambassador for Christ and a minister of reconciliation, all things to all people, a foot-washer, a fisherman, a sower, more than a conqueror, transformed and not conformed, and He's called me His-own (among other things :) )

From this change of heart God enabled me to pray in genuineness and sincerity, "Father, forgive them. They don't know what they are doing. Make yourself known to them, and who they were created to be in You."

Silence is Golden???

2009-06-10T22:48:00.000-07:00

This last week has been interesting in light of my last blog post. The theme for this month is "family" in our English classes, and in talking with my students about how love and communication occur in Japanese families, they quoted to me the old adage, "Silence is golden". So it's not just in the church here, but an attitude and approach to life.

Saturday night I attended a modern dance performance in which a friend is apprenticing. True to form, it was very modern- but another word I used to describe it to my friend was "dark". The third and final dance was my friends favorite, so I was looking forward to seeing it. But after watching it I began to wonder why. It was a story of a man, a silent figure, who went around choking, suffocating, and imprisoning the people around him. The people he controlled eventually stopped struggling and gave in and began to act in similar ways to the other dancers on stage. There was a woman in a pink shirt who throughout the dance, maintained a posture of fear, trembling, shaking violently in place, in some sort of trance. She'd come out of it from time to time, and tried to show another frightened dancer a view of something outside of that scary world, but in the end, in one such moment, the play ended when the girl in pink stabbed the frightened girl while she was looking to the outside. The girl in pink then stopped shaking and adapted a new composure all together. She calmly walked off stage, turning a stage light off as she did. Whatever evil or fear or force she'd been struggling with throughout the dance had clearly won her over. All the while, throughout the performance, a hooded man in black sat with his back to us. He never stirred or moved, but clearly had an important role in what was happening.

So I asked my friend why it was her favorite- it seemed so dark to me. But for this 23 year old Japanese Christian girl, it was something she could relate to. She said that she often feels the emotions the dancers portrayed- gripped with fear, wanting to scream, but nothing comes out. It was a bit of culture shock for me to realize that the Japanese people in the audience with me liked it not for its darkness, but because it expressed what they are feeling inside. Silence. It can be deafening, and as the dance portrayed, is torturous, agonizing, and hopeless, and certainly not golden.

Many things I have observed or wondered about in this culture- things that the church struggles against and things that people live enslaved to- things I haven't been able to put words to- were illustrated and reinforced through the medium of dance; those struggles and more.

My Most Recent "Mountain-top Experience"

2009-06-02T03:50:00.000-07:00

In addition to being Pentecost, Sunday was also "The Global Day of Prayer". Originating from a church in South Africa, people from every country of the world on this day every year pray for the people of the world http://www.globaldayofprayer.com/strategy.php. So I found myself on the top of a mountain on Sunday with three other American missionaries, the church president, and an unbaptized believer who has only recently been attending church. As we climbed the mountain, it seemed to be that the higher we ascended, the less of the valley below we could see. Once on top, we were enshrouded in a cloud and could see almost nothing of the view below. We began to pray together the "Prayer for the World" from the prayer guide, and as we did, the clouds seemed to evaporate around us and lift themselves up off the other mountain range off in the distance. By the time we had finished reading the prayer, we could see beyond the distant mountain range, all the way to the Sea of Japan. The silhouette of Sado Island was also visible, and everything was cast in a pale orange light. Cindy and I were pulling out so many good metaphors for faith from the experience!

After that, we broke off and began to pray individually and read passages of scripture. I wandered off to a higher area away from the view-point, to a view of the other side of the mountain. As I was praying, I saw a Japanese man sitting under a shelter at the top of the mountain (as it was a rainy day) and I decided to pray for him too. A little later I ran into him again at a different overlook. He asked me if we were reading poems. I said no, that we were praying and reading from our Bibles. He told me that he prayed too, but that he wasn't religious. I told him I'd heard similar sentiments uttered by other Japanese people. I then asked him if he thought prayer worked. This launched us into a very interesting conversation about God and prayer, human weakness and limitation, and our need for God.

He then told me that he worked with people who were Christian. I was surprised to hear this as less than 1% of the population here is Christian. I asked him if they were Japanese. He said yes, and that he knew they often talked to each other about their faith, and that they would admit to being christian, but that they never talked to him about their faith. I didn't know how to reply to him. Here is this young man whose open to and interested in hearing about Christianity, and the Christians who are in his life won't talk to him about Jesus. I felt like my heart dropped to my feet. This is by no means an uncommon attitude and belief held by many- if not the majority- of the church here. This same stronghold dates back to the time of the first missionary to land on the shores of Japan, Francis Xavier, a Jesuit priest in the mid 16th century. There is even a book written about that time called, "Silence" by Shusako Endo. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silence_(novel)

It just compels you all the more to pray for both the church here to wake up and be the light of the world, the city on the hill, and the salt of the earth that Christ has redeemed them and enabled them to be. It also causes me to pray Matthew 9:37-38 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

Coincidences and Confirmation

2009-05-27T19:14:00.000-07:00

This week at our church we've been participating in the "10 days of prayer" leading up to the global day of prayer, which is Pentecost. We've been meeting for an hour of prayer every morning with church members from 6-7 am and in the evening for a "joy hour" or in Japanese "yorokobi ji kan" in which we pray, worship, share ways we see God working, write our own psalms, spend time in silence listening, etc. There's a booklet that goes with it- and I took an English copy to my neighbor, whose an American. We've been talking a bit about faith from time to time when we see each other, and it has been in the last two months, I learned recently, that he has felt a strong desire and hunger for God's word and christian community. He's searching for God's purpose in his life. There's a pastor in the states whose been mentoring him, and recommending books for him to read, and chatting over skype. So on my way to the Bus stop Saturday, I stopped by his house to drop it off. He thanked me, and I left.

Then, on Monday, I was having a day like no other- everything was happening in perfect time- the trains I'd get on getting me to the next train or place just on time, catching the right bus at the right time to get to the seminary just in time, not knowing where to go- but arriving at precisely the moment when Dr. Sack arrived and hearing him yell my name across the quad, meeting our director on the way to Starbucks just as he was about to get lost and go the wrong way, making it to the christian bookstore to buy my bilingual bible (I can't get them in Niigata) in time before closing and there happened to be a subway sandwich shop next door (silly, I know, but its the only place you can get a turkey sandwhich in this counrty! I think God spoils me!!!) These are all small things- but they show the significance of what happened next. I returned to Niigata by Shinkansen. I decided to take the train home from the station, and saw that that too- was just on time. I ran quickly down the stairs to catch the train, and made it to the platform just in time to see the doors closing and the train pulling away. "What??? God, this is not consistent with how this day's been going!" I thought. But then, I thought again. "Maybe God wants me to take the bus- it is a shorter walk from the bus stop to my house than the train station, and my bag is heavy." So I went outside to the bus stop, and, sure enough, the bus that goes along my route home was just pulling in. But, to my surprise, there also was my neighbor!!! Whoa! OK, God definitely wanted me to take the bus. We had a great conversation all the way home about faith and community and a book he's reading now called, "The Shack." I'm not sure what God's intention is in all of the relationships he brings into my life, but I know He has a purpose in them and I pray I'll be his instrument of light and love in them. We are currently praying about starting an English worship service. Maybe there's a connection... :)

For more information about the 10 Days of prayer at our church, check out the website!
http://sites.google.com/site/nozomiprayer/

Chocolate Chip Cookies

2009-05-02T05:19:00.000-07:00

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!

Elated Hearts <3

2009-04-21T03:03:00.000-07:00

I'd like to share a quick story of a joy I had from my adult beginner class. This year, every month in English class, we will spend a little time talking about some cultural aspect of the United States. This month I chose to focus on Easter, because it fell in April this year. Last week I read the story from a children's Bible in English, and this week I played for them a recording from when I sang in Christus Chorus at Concordia St. Paul of "I Know that My Redeemer Lives". They loved it- and described the sound as "calming", "tender", "hopeful", and one student even looked up from her dictionary and said, "My heart feels... 'elated'!" We talked about what "redeemer" means, and why it was that Jesus had to redeem us, and Easter as being a celebration of Christ victory over sin and death, and the hope we can have in faith of eternal life.

I played also for them Schutz' "I Am the Resurrection". We read John 11:25 in Japanese too, after I showed them the words in English. They loved this one too, and one student said, "Our teacher before taught us sometimes too about the Bible, but I didn't believe it then; but now I am beginning to understand." Little by little, what a joy it is to see the seeds of faith God is planting in hearts as he relentlessly pursues the lost! Thanks for your continued prayers!

Hunger and the Gift of Confession

2009-04-17T21:22:00.000-07:00

I'm so back-blogged because I haven't had Internet or time in the last month- but so many things have happened and there is so much to thank and praise God for, as well as things to pray about. So stay tuned, I'll try little by little to fill you all in.

Two stories- The first is about a student who just joined my Tuesday class from a different class. Every month this year, we'll focus for part of the class on a different American cultural theme. Because Easter was in April this year, I thought it'd be a great way to bring the story into the classroom every week. This last Tuesday, this particular student was so curious and had so many questions, we spent over half of the 90 minute class on the topic and she asked if she could take the illustrated Arch Book on Holy Week home with her. I of course told her yes, but somehow in the shuffle after class she left without it. Yesterday she was back at the church for something, and was sure to stop by the office and asked again to borrow it! Not only was I happy to see her to give it to her (I felt a bit disappointed when I saw she'd left without it), but it brought me such joy to see that she had come back and made a point to seek it out herself. She's hungry, not unlike many others God is bringing through the doors.

The second story is about me- or rather, how my self-centered worse half got the best of me; and how God's grace covers and restores the messes I make. I was at the kindergarten in Sanjo, and one of the teachers informed me that there was an observer coming to the last class to meet me. Currently the class has no students, as it was created for students transferring from another school who the next week decided to quit. The class had already gone out on the flier, so nothing could be done. It's not bad to have another class, but the truth was that all I could think about was my 2 hour commute each way, the long day that it was already, and how if this student wanted to join the class that currently had no students, I'd have to stay an hour later every week, and get home an hour later, and be even more exhausted. I let my feelings of frustration show to the teacher, and from that point on, something in our relationship changed. She was frustrated with me- rightly so- because I was only seeing the situation as it effected me. And I was complaining about it too. There was an iciness between us, masked by the Japanese formalities of politeness. So while we were still operating on a surface level of kindness and formality, I could also feel distance and coldness between us.

As the day went on, God began to change my heart and show me that I was focusing too much on myself. I'd committed to teaching the class, regardless of who enrolled. Our interactions continued to be strained. I wanted to talk to her about it, and to apologize for my bad attitude, but I worried my Japanese wouldn't be good enough to communicate this and that she wouldn't understand my apology because coming out and admitting directly that you were in the wrong is a very foreign thing in the culture.

I decided to do it anyway; and I think I witnessed a miracle. I could tell that she was really uncertain of how to respond to my admission at first, but a look of relief came over her face, and she smiled and we began talking about other things and laughing together. The coldness was instantly gone, the strain between us lifted. And there was authenticity. Ive witnessed a lot of unspoken bad feelings between people that are masked in formalities, and this situation caused me to wonder what unresolved conflicts may lay between those people. Holding grudges and being unwilling to forgive does nasty things to a person's heart. And hard as it is, its one of the reasons God tells us to do it. I felt such joy after the conversation- the same joy I feel after sharing the Gospel with someone who has a receiving heart in hearing it. Like faith- confession, forgiveness, and restoration are also miracles and gifts from God!

Upcoming Baptisms!

2009-03-16T00:24:00.000-07:00

I was surprised to learn in Church yesterday that there would be three baptisms on Nomura Sensei's last Sunday before he moves to Fukushima to pastor a church there. I knew that a young woman who had been coming for a little while and attended the weekly seekers class was to be baptized, but I didn't know who the other two people were; but I should have guessed and when I heard Nomura Sensei announce that one of the people to be baptized was a boy, I immediately suspected that it was a kind new friend I'd made and her son.

About two months ago, this woman's son began attending a kids English class at the church. He had attended a christian kindergarten a few years back, and it was there that he learned to pray before meals and began to learn about a loving God, and his Son Jesus who was sent into the world to die for our sins. His mother shared with me that she had received a Bible as a gift from the teachers of the kindergarten, and that's when her interest in Christianity began. She told me one day over a curry lunch that her son (who is quite energetic for his age) used to be so much worse, especially following a rough time in both of their lives just after her divorce. She had had a lot of stresses in her life at that time, and a friend of a friend who was Christian offered to pray for her. She was so moved by the power of that prayer! She felt peace, and knew that there was something to prayer and to this God that they had just prayed to!

So when she enrolled her son in the English school at the church, she asked about coming to worship as well. She has been at every service since then, with her son, and two weeks ago started bringing her sister as well. She has been so open about her curiosity and desire to learn about the Bible, who Jesus is, and prayer. When Haidee's internship Supervisor Phil was here last week from Concordia St. Paul, she even shared with an entire room of Christians freely about how God had thus far touched her life, even though she stated she wasn't a christian yet. A church member who sometimes hosts the Saturday prayer group, after hearing her desire to learn more about prayer, invited her to the next gathering, which was this last Saturday. She came, and it was there that she shared that her son told her he wanted to become a Christian- her prayer request that day was for guidance in what to do. So we prayed- and sure enough, that night, she decided they would both be baptized together! What a blessing it has been to see this woman's journey of faith lived out so publicly in front of other students who are seeking. I pray that she'll be able to be bold in sharing her faith after she is baptized as it continues to grow, and that God will use her and her story to draw many others to himself through the loving community of the church I feel so blessed to serve with here!

Dog Training

2009-02-03T03:41:00.000-08:00

This is a funny true story- no joke! Recently my upper elementary class has been giving me a bit of a tough time in the classroom. They have a few things working against them... the class is on Friday evening, and they've been in school all week. My class is the last thing between them and a bit of rest and freedom for the weekend. They are also at the age where they are becoming very busy in other activities, and may or may not continue studying next year for this reason. Also, their bodies are changing like crazy, and one boy student likes one of the girl students. And from what we remember of Jr. High, can you guess how he shows it? He teases her mercilessly, calls her stupid, laughs at her when she tries to speak in English- all in an attempt to get her to notice him! (I'm certainly glad be be through this stage!)

So, due to the difficulty of teaching this class, I took the advice site partner and roommate Haidee, who shared the story of a class that was ten times worse, and how she was able to modify their behavior using techniques she learned in dog training. So I tried it- I held candy in my hands while I taught and kept them guessing as to when I would reinforce their positive behavior with candy... and so they behaved beautifully the whole class. I am still somewhat in shock- they were like different kids! So I guess the moral really is to "treat em' like dogs!" and then they'll behave and you can teach. Oh, the things I'm learning here! : )

"Shinji Nasai!" Believe!

2009-02-03T03:08:00.001-08:00

I love it when God gives us glimpses into the way He's working in the lives of others- especially those who aren't Christian yet. I was blessed with such a glimpse this last Thursday when I went to teach at the kindergarten in Kamo. As I've mentioned in previous blogs, none of the teachers there are Christian, but they are all interested in Christianity and as it is a Lutheran kindergarten, they teach Christian songs and lead meal prayers. They are also studying Luther's Small Catechism once a month with Nomura Sensei (the pastor in Niigata City). I attend chapel there on Thursdays after I finish teaching, where the principle(who is Christian) usually gives a small message about some theme from the Bible.

This last week, the principle was absent, and so one of the teachers gave the talk instead. She told the story of Peter walking out to Jesus on the lake in such an animated way I half expected to see the children spring up from their chairs and join Peter in walking out on the Lake to Jesus. Her message was simple and powerful: "Shinji nasai!" Believe! Don't worry about the wind and the waves; but have faith in the one who made them and has power over them. I was struck by this verb being given in the command form, coming from a woman who has yet to publicly profess her faith in Christ. God is certainly working!

It makes me think of 1 Corinthians 12:3, "Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, 'Jesus is accursed'; and no one can say 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit." I'm so grateful for these glimpses- to see ways God is answering the prayer, "your kingdom come," here in Japan.

Unconventional Teaching

2009-01-20T04:36:00.000-08:00

I was so surprised today by the progress I witnessed in my university students. I have watched an unbelievable transformation this semester. I remember the first class, when I had them up and mingling, how they all huddled in the back corner together, practically whispering. And then, on the odd chance that someone might understand them, they put their head into the text book while they whispered to insure that no one would ever hear them speaking English! You can imagine my amazement at the site today, when I looked up and suddenly realized my students were using body language and many weren't even holding their text books! The room was so noisy during the conversation times that I had to shout out to be heard to lead them into the next thing. "OK!" has become my token, round-em'-in phrase, and today I heard a student mimicking me in this- it made me smile : ) .

The approach to education and classroom management is vastly different in Japan than what I experienced as a student in the U.S. Here, students are taught to memorize information from text books and lectures given by professors. When they study, they simply read a book or section over and over and over. Those of you who know me can see what a stretch it would be for me to teach in such a way- and it just doesn't work for the subject matter of English conversation. So I am, what you might call, an "unconventional" teacher in this culture- playing games, music, encouraging my students to assume false identities of famous persons and engage one another in hypothetical dialogues! At first, it felt like I was teaching people how to be creative, then we worked on learning to enjoy ourselves, and now, finally, comes my end goal- to see the students grow in their own personal confidence and ability to use English in daily conversational situations. One student, who always sits stone-faced, actually smiled twice today!

It is a blessing to see students breaking the mold and experiencing a non-Japanese style of learning- and enjoying it! When I think about the obstacles to Christianity within this culture, such as conformity and anti-individualism, I feel hopeful in seeing these young people living outside of the cultural expectations- and I pray it will help them to live outside of them in other realms one day- like faith. Please join me in praying for them, that this freedom will carry over into other areas of their lives, and that they will find the freedom they need to seek truth and that in doing so, God will make himself known to them.

Change

2009-01-15T00:26:00.000-08:00

Whoever said change was a bad thing? Some people vehemently argue it is a good thing. While these two thoughts remain largely subjective to a given situation or one's experience, the characteristic of change that is utterly dependable is its inevitability. It seems we always have to be on the lookout for it; because the moment we become comfortable in the present is the moment it sweeps us away or breaks on the horizon. I suppose to clarify I should say that the above all refers to "macro-change", while we know that there is also a thing called "micro-change" that is occurring in such fluidity all around us that we hardly take notice of its presence.

I feel that in the last few years of my life, really since I finished my undergraduate classes, I have been living in a state of constant, streaming "macro-change". I write about it today because it seems to be happening in such large proportion, or is getting ready to. Missionaries finishing their service and new ones coming and beginning teaching; sites are growing and shrinking; pastors are coming and going from places (all these things will be officially announced at the end of February); our status as volunteer missionaries has changed to employee (meaning more fundraising, but also the possibility of taking my first call here); changes in weather and my learning to adapt to and live in a cold environment without the comfortable amenities I'm used to; changes in the VYM community (we have a couple who just got engaged : ) ); changes back home in the lives of my friends and family that I'm not able to experience with them; and since coming to this country, there have been a lot of changes in me.

It seems like, in the midst of uncertainty, the temptation to trust in myself always emerges. It is the temptation to worry over what I have no control of. Sometimes it appears as the temptation to try to control the change in a way that looks right to me, or is beneficial in the way I desire. Sometimes it manifests itself as fear or insecurity. The other response to uncertainty one can have is of faith and trust. It is in this response that I find myself humbled, depending less on my own wisdom and knowledge and more on guidence from God.

And so it is in all times of change; we find ourselves faced with the choice of looking to ourselves or looking to God. We can pull away or draw nearer to our God. We can worry or have faith. We can depend on ourselves and our weakness, or we can depend on the One who is mighty and made the world and everything in it. We can think of ourselves and how these changes will personally effect us, or we can think of His kingdom and see how He can be glorified and revealed through the changes. I know I've learned these things before, and I know, no doubt, that I'll come to places in the future where I need to be reminded of them, again and again. I thank God for His grace and patience in teaching me these things.

In Recent Events

2008-12-19T20:52:00.000-08:00

In my newsletter from this last month, I requested prayer God to bless the opportunities that Christmas brings to share its true meaning and joy with people. Goodness- has God been answering these prayers! In my classes yesterday and today I witnessed wonderful things!

In my 5th grade class, we opened the doors on an advent calendar, revelaing a picture and a corresponding verse from the Bible. I taught the students how to find the verse, and we read it in both English and Japanese. One student, Daiki, who often comes early and reads the Japanese Manga Bible, could not put the Christmas story down- he was just devouring it! He came to the church's kids event last weekend too- and was captivated throughout the pastor's message.

In a private lesson this morning with a middle-aged woman, we got to talking about Christmas and what she liked about it. She said it was a time of joy and happiness, but that the "heart" of Christmas in Japan and America are different. This lead into a conversation about hope- and the gift of love and forgiveness through the Christ child. She said for Japanese people, New Years is a time of hope too- they even have parties, called Bonenkais, in which they seek to forget the bad from the past year, and hope for or look forward to the good. They do this by consuming large amounts of alcohol! (One university student told me he has five bonenkais this year to attend!) My student then spoke about hope for the future- how she, every year, has many hopes that she, by her own power and strength, sets out to accomplish. At the end of the year, every year, though, she always feels disappointed in her inability to accomplish or change things. This lead into a conversation about the source of hope- in Japan at New Years, people put their hope in themselves and their own abilities. In the church at Christmas, we put our hope outside of ourselves because we know we fail- but there is one, God, who doesn't. Instead he comes to our aid, serving us and saving us from sin and our hopelessness.

And then, walking home from worship last night with my friend Yuko, we had a wonderful conversation about Christmas, and the difference between its meaning to Japanese people and to westerners/christians. I sent her, earlier this week, the page number of the Christmas story so she could read it in her new Bible. She was so excited to read it for the first time! She expressed how much she was looking forward to her first christmas attending church. Somehow this led to the the topic of other important celebrations in the church- and I got to tell her about Easter for the first time too! And, she said again, "I can't wait to celebrate Easter in Church this next year for the first time too!"

OK- one more story. Last week I had a long conversation with a grandmother whose daughter wanted to study English but couldn't because of her young son. (In Japan, babysitters are almost unheard of.) As a high school and college student both, I worked part time at early childhood centers, and loved it! So, in talking with this woman, an idea sprouted- creating a class for mothers and their young children- an English play group of sorts. Research has shown the value of early exposure in langauge ability and development, and so many of these moms are itching to get out of the house and interact with other people. It's all just been in the idea stage this last week- but God seems to be taking the lead and the phones have suddenly been ringing off the hook with people who are interested in just such a class. Though its the last week of class for the semester- observers just keep walking in the doors, wanting to join the English school! Today a woman called wanting to join the English Bible study. What a reminder- we may be gearing up for vacation, but God's sure not!

Especially at this time of year, it can feel difficult being away from family. But I am so thankful that though I can't be with my own family, God is blessing the ministry here and has given me many brothers and sisters in Christ with whom I can celebrate His gift in Christ and the ways He is working here and now among us in the hearts of people.

The Motions

2008-12-17T21:54:00.000-08:00

I had such an interesting experience today. One of the two kindergartens where I teach has no Christian teachers there, though it is a "Lutheran Kindergarten". The kindergartens were started by the churches in the area a number of years ago, but in recent years at this kindergarten, the need for staffing has led to hiring people who aren't Christian, and after a while, because there are so few Christians, the staff is now completely non-christian. The kindergarten is still connected to a church in the area, maybe a 20 minute drive away, by a man who serves as a sort of lay minister/Chaplin of the kindergarten. Every week when I teach there I attend the morning chapel with the kids, led by this older Japanese Christian gentleman. He leads the children in prayers, gives a message, and singing with the help of the teachers.

Today this man was absent, and tomorrow is the kindergarten's big Christmas family event. I watched today as these teachers led a rehearsal of the next day's worship with the children. None of them are Christian, not the teachers, not the students, and not the parents or families coming. So why are they having worship? Externally everything looked right- the acolyte bowed in all the right places, the standing and sitting, the sermonizing; they even practiced taking the offering. And, true to tradition and in fulfillment of western-Christianity stereotypes, they ended in candlelight, singing "Silent Night". But my heart was just heavy as I watched people go through the outward actions of something that has so much meaning for me. But what I witnessed instead was worship coming not from a thankful, believing heart, but rather following a prescribed pattern carried out for the sake of duty and tradition. Duty and tradition are not bad in and of themselves, but when it comes to worship, I believe without faith they are meaningless to those involved. The absence of God's presence was acute in that place.

The religion of Japan, being a blend of Shinto and Buddhism, is something that is followed by many in as far as prescriptions, rituals, and requirements, but if you ask a Japanese person whether or not they actually believe it, many will say "no" while others will stare at you blankly wondering what that has to do with anything. Religion often then is something that is culturally ingrained, rather than something that contains a genuine faith to which a person subscribes. So it's not so much of a stretch to see how, from their perspective, it is entirely possible to go through the motions of Christian worship without entering into worship.

I know I've asked before, but please pray for this site and these teachers- and also for the Christian leadership of these kindergartens, that they would discern God's leading in their ministry and bear fruit.

In the Last 5 Days

2008-11-25T01:08:00.000-08:00

Friday I met a friend whose really seeking for dinner, and she came for the first time to worship with us in the evening. I continue to be amazed as I watch the way the pastor I serve with can take a Biblical text and find meaning in it that speaks specifically to the needs of an individual. Wow- I hope to learn a lot from this man- in whatever time it is that I have to learn from him. I gave this friend a Bible too- though not the translation she'd been talking about getting (she wants a Bilingual one), we have copies of the NT in Japanese that she was thrilled to receive, and, eyes wide upon receiving it, she told me she would treasure it! She stayed long after worship ended, enjoying community too.

Saturday we met with a group of students and Nomura Sensei and went caroling to church members and students homes. I can't even explain what a joy it was to bring the joy of Christmas to people through music- right into their homes. It's such a personal and intentional way of sharing the joy of Christ's birth with people. Going to the church members homes, though it seems small, was a wonderful opportunity to bring those two groups together, in a spirit of joy and hospitality.

On Sunday I was reminded of the importance of doing ministry with others, and the places and things we can do together with others that we couldn't do alone. This is true not only in terms of quantity and quality, but also in the kinds of relationships we are able to have with people and in enabling one another to live above reproach. We helped a friend in performing a new piece of music, then proceeded to dinner and karaoke. At dinner, my friend who I gave the Bible to was there, and when asked if she was Christian, she proceeded to tell the other woman at the table, "Not yet," and then went into the whole story of how she became interested in Christianity and found the church, etc. I of course, saw it as her sharing the story of how God was drawing her to himself, but she's just not quite there to see it as that yet. Praying she will soon...

Monday there was a one-day seminar at the church. Many people came from surrounding churches, and even a few students who aren't christian came. I was quite surprised to see many of the teachers from both mine and Haidees' kindergartens who aren't christian in attendance. The topic was, from what I gathered from others, about different aspects of your life (faith, physical, mental, emotional) and the source of our value- that is, from God. We are valuable not because of what we can do or even what we are, but rather because of whose we are! We are Gods'; we belong to Him, He made us, and paid a steep price in redeeming us! As God and His love are unchangeable and unshakable, so our value, derived from His disposition toward us, is also unchangeable and unshakable! What a thing to find comfort and hope in!

And today, Tuesday, I got to talking to another foreigner who also teaches English at the University. Somehow in our conversation we got onto the subject of church. He said that in England he'd attended the Church of England, but here, he thought all there were were Catholic churches, which he tried attending, but it didn't quite feel right- he didn't feel people were really meaning what they were saying and doing. (I'm not writing here to support or discredit his perspective, merely regurgitating what he said.) He seemed really excited to learn that there was a Lutheran church in the area, and said he wanted to come and see what it was like. What was perhaps the most interesting thing in this whole conversation, was that he said that when he hadn't felt anything in the Catholic churches, he decided to instead go to the local famous shrine. He said that there he felt something, "spiritual" (my word based on his impression), which is a really interesting observation! There is something spiritual there- a presence- but it is not of God! It's amazing that he recognizes it there. and so along with praying for him and that he comes to church, I'm also praying that God will help him to discern between the different kinds of spiritual presences he's sensing- and that he'll choose to dwell in the presence of God's light rather than the darkness on places like Hakusan shrine.

Jaa... it's so helpful to record these things and to remember them. In the midst of all this, yesterday for a time, I was struggling again serious self-doubt as to the value and effectiveness of my ministry here. Those thoughts are obviously not coming from God! And while God continues to assure me of His calling me here and the value He sees (in contrast to the world), I am still so thankful that God gives us tangible things to see and point back to- and, if I can exercise my "Lutheran" lingo here- tangible, our baptism points us to who we are and whose we are, the Lord's Supper points us to what He's done for us and assures us of our forgiveness, and having the privilege now and again to see how God is working and using us assures us that He hears and is answering our prayers- to be used by Him and bring glory to Him in proclaiming the one true hope and love to those He seeks to draw to Himself!

Fall Colors at Kamoyama Park

2008-11-21T21:16:00.000-08:00

A little back blogged

2008-11-20T16:41:00.000-08:00

So I'm a little back blogged as of late- but that is not to say things have not been happening, it seems to be quite the opposite. So I'll do my best to give a brief summary.

The last week of October was fall retreat for the VYM program in Tokyo. I along with another missionary and friend, Jenae, had the opportunity to plan and coordinate the retreat in conjunction with the director and assistant director who worked on the business side of things. The theme was "In His Hands" and we spent a lot of time worshiping, praying, and learning together in community over the course of the week. We even got away to a retreat center for the weekend near Mt. Fuji which we had great weather for and spectacular fall colors!

Then we jumped right back into classes and ministry in Niigata. I had the opportunity to attend the once a year, customary children's blessing that the churches have in coincidence with the custom of the native religion here. The churches offer it to families in lu of the pagan blessing, but for many non-christian families, I think it becomes in addition to. The blessing was held at the supporting church of the kindergarten I work at on Wednesdays in Sanjo (around 50 miles south of Niigata City). It was another good chance to connect with the families of the school and to meet the church members for the first time. In the past, the church in Sanjo has had a VYM missionary and English school as well, but it closed about two years ago to the sudden surprise and angst of the church members and there are still a lot of hurt feelings. Rather than go into all the nitty-gritty details of conflict that we know every church experiences in some way, I'll just ask for prayer for this church and the members there and the outreach of the kindergarten to the children and their families.

The next weekend was coffee house, and in the spirit of Thanksgiving we had a pie tasting event to which 30 people attended and polished off most of the 10 pies that had been prepared! I even made a chocolate pudding pie with a graham cracker crust- the graham crackers I made from scratch because, well, this is Japan and they're not so readily available. It was delicious! I had no idea you could actually make graham crackers- and they were so much better than what comes from the box!!! The second part of the coffee house was in preparation for advent- we decorated! It was wonderful to see such an intergenerational event (kids as young as 5, Jr. High-college students, young adults, middle agers, and retirees) where everyone worked together and people that normally wouldn't interact with certain people or age-groups thrown into it and loving it all! By far the best part of the coffee house was the after time- when the stragglers were just hanging out, talking, listening to a student play his guitar, eating pie straight from the pan armed with forks! The people who stuck around are the ones who have needs for relationships and interests at varying levels in Christianity. Yuko was there, the woman with whom I've been emailing back and forth youtube links to worship music, and Bible verses that she reads along with her prayers every night that she started doing after last month's coffee house. A student of Haidees, the guitar player, has a growing interest in the Gospel and has been attending regularly the Friday evening worship times, Saturday English Bible class, Thursdays Christmas choir, and volunteering with Haidee and Nomura Sensei (our pastor) playing music at nursing homes. He's really gotten into playing worship music for Friday's worship and at the nursing homes, and at coffee house, when we were all sitting around, it was him who insisted that people couldn't go until they'd sung "Who and I" and seen the following youtube link, which you, the reader, should definitely watch! http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=FVJqRLU3J0I At the end of the night, Yuko and another young woman who, because of life circumstances is really seeking God, both are planning to attend for the first time the Friday evening worship- tonight! I'm so thankful for these girls and the place to which God has brought them and the openness with which I can share with them about the gospel and their eagerness to hear!

The next day was Sunday, and the church hosted an organ concert that was just packed! There were around 100 people there! Pretty amazing for a church that usually has about 25-30 for weekly worship. The church targeted families with small children especially by offering part of the concert with familiar music to the kids, and then providing child care for the second half. It maybe doesn't sound or seem so extraordinary in our culture, but here, most concert fliers will say things like, "no children under 6" or "no children!". The church, in doing this, was able to send a different message to their community about the value and place of children! Many of our students came to, which was really good as well!

That speeds us up to this week! I'm working on getting a newsletter out soon- and will be posting another entry here again soon to! I hope and pray that you are well, wherever you find yourself, and if not well, then that you are finding comfort and joy in the knowledge that you are "In His Hands"!

Last Saturday's Coffee House

2008-10-24T07:11:00.000-07:00

This week has flown by way too fast, but I can't let another day slip away without sharing about the amazing ways God is moving here- most recently seen at our once-monthly free English coffee house.

A woman came who is a huge switchfoot fan and has traveled to the US three times to see them play. It was because of her interest in their music that she became interested in Christianity and looked Nozomi Lutheran Church up on the internet and came to the Bible class a few weeks back. The theme was 'patience' and afterward, we got to talking about life, and I asked her if she was married and she said no, but that she wanted to be and really wanted to be a mother- but that she hadn't met the right person. So- being the nosy person you know me to be- I asked her if she'd dated much in the past, and she said yes, and her eyes began to well with tears as she told me it still hurts- that she can still remember one man in particular really well. So I started to tell her about God's love, and how we can take to him our hurts, our brokenness, and I referred to the song we'd used that night- everlasting God- and told her she could pray- that God could bring her hope- that he made her, that he knows her, and that he sees her hurt and wants to bring her healing- that he loved her and sent his son who gave his life for her- she was crying even more- and told me that from that night- she'd pray every night before bed. At first I thought she said she prays every night before bed- but she clarified that "from tonight" she will begin to pray every night before bed!!!!!!!

And there was a woman her age who is a church member, also not married, who was telling her all about where in Niigata she could get a good Bible that she'd be able to read and understand. This church member's faith has just been coming alive too- and God keeps putting her in places where he uses her in amazing ways!

There also was a man who came, Canadian, who teaches English in the area. He told Nomura Sensei at the beginning that he grew up in the catholic church, but that he's not christian. For the coffee house Haidee taught a song- "Everlasting God"- and we broke up into groups to talk about it. He was in my group and sat back with his arms crossed and asked me sceptically if these
Japanese people would even be able to grasp the concepts in the song. I said we'd try!

We talked a bit about it, then sang it- at the end, he said to me- "Wow- that's a great song! I love the guitar. The catholic church uses the organ and I hate the organ." He stayed around for worship after coffee house, and although he didn't want to sing, I gave him the words so he could read along if he wanted. After worship, he said that he feels like he should find a church, and he'd like to come here! Would you just look at the way God melted the ice around his heart!!!!

God's opening doors, bringing people, and touching them with His love through His word and the christian community here. It is such a blessing to watch and be a part of. I thank you for your prayers and ask you to continue to pray for Japan, especially for the people God is bringing as they are, having expressed interest in Christianity, in a vulnerable place in their new interest/faith. It is my hope and prayer that God would use you where you are to proclaim the gospel to those living in darkness, and I pray God would give you eyes to see and celebrate the ways He's moving and working! Blessings friends!

I can't stop praising God for this day!

2008-10-08T05:45:00.000-07:00

I just had the most incredible day! Incredible! Amazing! Did I mention incredible?!?!?! After staying up waaaaaaaay later than I should have, I prayed before bed that as God multiplied loaves and fish, that He'd multiply my hours of sleep! I also prayed that I'd wake up before my alarm and that it wouldn't be difficult to get up. So this morning I woke up 7 minutes before my alarm was set to go off, and was able just to lay in bed and peacefully enjoy a cool breeze and take a moment to collect myself. Then I got ready and when I normally do my devotions, Haidee appeared with her computer and we started listening to worship music and talking about the crazy good things God does both in the Bible and in our lives! I actually left the house early, and caught the train which ended up being slowly filled by a hiking club- each stop brought more on the train- it was really funny- they were all so cute in their hats with their towels around their necks and their walking sticks (hiking is a quite serious endeavor here : ) ). I was much less prepared than usual to teach, but I really just wanted to pray and read this story of a missionary's work in China rather than worry about the day. When I got to the kindergarten, the kids were on a field trip, pulling sweet potatoes. So I didn't have to teach those classes today and instead got to go and dig in the dirt with 30 kindergartners! It was a good chance to connect with student parents as well. At lunch the kids were trying really hard to use every English word with me that they knew, and then they started singing, alternating between "ABC" and "Jesus Loves Me" in both English and Japanese. So we talked about Jesus and how much He loved them over lunch! Then, my women's class went well and one of my student's daughters who just turned a year and is normally afraid of the strange-looking foreigner, not only did she let me play with her, but I had her laughing her with the funniest, deep-belly laugh I've ever heard out of a child that young! In my private lesson with my student, Aiko, God opened the door for an amazing conversation about Christianity! She asked if I ever felt homesick, and I replied that while I do miss my family at times, I find that family love with my church family here. She really seemed to want to talk about the church. She recounted the time she travelled to Italy, and how at first she felt very uncomfortable because of all the big churches and christian things, but after 3 days she felt really comfortable and at peace. She was also privileged to see Davinci's "Last Supper" with 3 other people, in a room that is normally packed. She said it made it much more personal, like she was face to face almost with Christ, and her heart throbbed and ached. She wept. Although she couldn't understand it fully, she sensed the power and importance of what that painting conveyed. God had opened the door for me to share about that night, how Jesus was later betrayed and crucified. She said she'd seen paintings of that too- and this opened up dialogue further. Somehow we got to talking about Jesus' power from God, and how he used it not to exercise over people and bring about his own prosperity in conquering nations and such, but He used His power in love- to heal people, to give sight to the blind, to make the lame walk, and when I told her of how He raised the dead, her eyes got wide! And then it all came back full swing- when I shared that it's this same love that I have in Christ and experience with my church family! God is really stirring in this young woman's heart, and I am so thankful that He brought her to study English with me, and that He would choose to use me in such a way! My kids classes after that were such a joy, and then, as if all of the above wasn't enough, on my train ride home, a familiar-looking young woman sat down across from me. She asked if I spoke Japanese, and I responded that I spoke a little. Then, she began conversing with me in great English. She told me she'd seen me that morning at the train station, and that she'd wanted to talk to me, but that she was in a hurry and didn't have time. That's why she looked familiar to me! And then she expressed her excitement at seeing me again this evening, taking the same train back as her to Niigata Station. She said she was here for business and actually splits her time between Niigata and a prefecture north of here, half and half, but that she doesn't have any friends here. We of course exchanged contact information and I told her I'd be happy to be her friend. She then leaned over and asked about what I was reading, which happened to be the story of the missionary in China whose work was in the walled city with drug addicts and dealers, prostitutes, and gamblers. I shared with her how this woman gave up everything she had to share God's love with these people and about how through God's power and love people were healed of drug addictions, people's lives were turned around, and people and families found healing, joy and hope. The name of the book is "Chasing the Dragon" and I explained to her how that is slang for using opium/heroin. I connected the word "chasing" with drug addictions, and how addicts are always looking for their next fix. She responded by saying that the title had a double meaning- that the people were chasing the dragon while the missionary was chasing it too- not to use it, but to free people from it! Her response convinced me that what I'd said had definitely been understood! We parted ways, but I'm praying for her and looking forward to meeting with her soon. On my walk home I prayed for both her, Wakako, and Aiko, for God to continue to open their hearts and create faith, and that He'd use me and give me the right words at the right time. When I got home, Haidee was here (which is unusual, I normally don't see her Wednesdays) and so, after a day like that, what else could I do but worship! Poor Haidee was in a hurry to get back to church when I got home, but she gladly gave in to my request, and even though she's gone now to church, I'm still here and haven't been able to stop singing and listening to worship music.

Do you think I'm crazy? I kinda do right now! I have no logical explanation for any of this- but that's exactly what faith is! So I'm thankful, filled with Joy, and all the more convinced that this is what it is that God created me to do! I'm so excited for tomorrow!

Japan's New Prime Minister

2008-09-28T16:24:00.000-07:00

In the news this last week, a new prime minister was chosen and assumed office. His name is Taro Aso and he is a catholic! This fact astounds me considering less than 1% of the population in the whole country is christian. In the research I have done on Japan, and I shared with some of you through my presentation or conversations this last summer, having a christian in the seat of national leadership in this country that likens itself to conformity was a prayer and desire of the first missionaries that came to this country back in 1549. The influence of the government on the people in this day in age is somewhat different, but I still do believe this to be an event of some potential and significance for those laboring here and for those in other places of the world who are praying for our efforts! Aso assumes office at a time of political instability after his predecessor, Yasou Fukuda, abruptly resigned after serving only a year in office. From a class I taught on Friday, I gathered from the students that there is a growing climate of distrust of the government throughout the country. Many people feel change is needed; that since WWII the countries power and politics have been centralized, mainly in Tokyo, and that that power needs to be distributed throughout Japan so that people in their areas have more say in what happens to them directly. I'm not sure as to which issues this would effect most, but the struggle and desire for a new structure reminded me of in the states, how we have both a state and national government. Anyway, there are many people who are waiting and watching; some of them are waiting for this man to fail, other just simply don't know. It is a tremendous opportunity on a national scale for the people of Japan to see a different side of Christianity and is a great avenue through which God can work wonders! Please join me in praying for this man- for his service in this position of power, for his influence on the people, for the way in which he models and testifies to his christian faith, and for all of the ways God can and wants to work through him.

Praying for the Kindergartens

2008-09-24T04:00:00.000-07:00

Today I met for the first time a private lesson student who came to observe my women's class in Sanjo. There didn't seem to be anything out of the ordinary about meeting this young woman, but upon reflecting back on my day, I found myself thanking God for her- and the people like her who I've met since I came here; people who are genuine, honest, who have really struggles and pains and aren't afraid to be real about them. It's something I can connect with and a place I can begin to pray for her. I spend so much time at these kindergartens, in Kamo and Sanjo, even though I don't live there and am only there one day a week. At both places I have all this time in the middle where I can't do anything- no work, no studying, nothing- except play and enjoy the company of the children and teachers. I've struggled with this a bit at times, not because I don't love kids and playing and the teachers, but because I feel so pressed for time in other areas of my life- places I want to be doing ministry. But as I've been praying about it and continuing to spend time in these places, I am begining to wonder if the time isn't just play time (that I am getting a lot of enjoyment out of, but feel guilty for when there's so much else to be done), but if there are, in fact, ways and places where God is opening the doors to connect the children of these kindergartens with the local churches- and if I can be a part of that! I teach and regularly interact with around 70 children a week- that's 70 families that can be touched , are waiting to be touched, by the love of Christ!!! So for now, I'm praying. From my experience (which sadly, isn't such a long resume) I have seen that the best ministry opportunities are doors that God's opened, opportunities He's brought to us. So rather than write out and propose a 12 step program to integrate the families from the kindergarten into the church- I'm opting to go the less defined route, by praying- and am inviting people to join me. More and more recently, I have been running into and having the opportunity to chat with these parents myself, getting to know them and enjoying working with their children- I even have a parent of a kindergarten boy who has joined my women's afternoon class with whom I have regular contact! I don't know what any of these things will lead to- how or if God can and if He will use them, but I'm praying, and in eyes of faith and trust, I am looking forward to seeing Him move! There's nothing like watching God change the hearts and lives of people! I pray you are experiencing that joy where you are as well!

Open House- Open Hearts!

2008-09-21T05:47:00.000-07:00

Yikes! I can't say enough it seems... I've been meaning to write a blog entry for some time- to share all that is happening, but then something else happens, and then something else!!! Today was amazing! Haidee and I hosted an open house for our students from the English school and for the church members to get together and see the new place we live. There was so much prep to do- I must have cleaned and finished unpacking for close to seven hours yesterday, and Haidee stayed up half the night Friday making brownies, breads, and cookies, but it was all so much more than worth it in the end! We had so many people here- we couldn't all fit in our large living room and people had to go to other parts of the house to find a place to be! But in the midst of all the closeness, of all the baked goods and sembe (rice crackers), of a house full of people of all ages and walks of life- God did something amazing! People, formerly strangers, connected, relationships bloomed. Church members connected with students who aren't christian (yet) and the way people gravitated towards each other in conversation can only be credited to God; I mean right down to who was talking to who, and where! And who else was sitting close by to over hear and connect too! Many of my former students from Shirone came and it was so wonderful to see them again and although they are farther away physically, I felt so blessed that the relationships don't have to end- but that it may actually, through having to be more intentional and interacting outside of a classroom context, provide a easier and more fruitful place to share of Christ love! One student who has expressed interest in commuting to study with me or one of the other teachers at Nozomi sat next to a student in the class she wants to observe next Tuesday. Well, the women really really hit it off, and I think it's a great fit and a wonderful place for her to fit in and I am praying for the seeds that have yet to be planted in this guarded woman's heart.

I feel too as though things with my social calendar are really going to start filling up soon! A young Japanese woman I'd met once or twice before came after I emailed her on her cell phone an invitation. She has such a kind and gentle heart, but she is really hurting and lonely. We really hit it off and I was surprised to learn how close she live and works to me! And although she's not a christian yet, she was open enough to pray with us and sing during a worship time we had at the end of the open house. She has had contact with other Christians before, and it is those seeds planted before to which I attribute this openness. It reminds me of the passage in 1 Corinthians where Paul is adjuring the Christians to be careful in how they build upon the foundation laid by another- that each man ought to be careful how he builds. We never really know what place or stage in the working of the miracle of faith in a person's life in which God calls us to enter, but in love and faithfulness and according to His leading we tender and care for what is there in the hopes of what is to come! So please pray for Ms. K.

I also met another girl who has no connection with the church itself, but she has a friend who is connected. She heard from this friend about the open house and decided to come with her- and then ended up staying 2 hours after her friend left!!! We had such a good conversation- she told me of her time in the US two years ago when she was an exchange student in Delaware. She told me of how much she missed the states and we reminisced together for a while, and then she really opened up and shared what a difficult time it has been for her readjusting to the Japanese school system and culture. She said her favorite thing in school in the states was writing essays! This was a strange thing to hear- and would not have been my first guess- but upon further conversation, I deduced that it was because it was an entirely different and new way of thinking. In Japanese schools, students copy what the teacher writes on the board and memorize it. I attribute this ingrained technique of learning to the Kanji system of writing in which there is no other way to learn the thousands of characters needed to function as an adult other than memorization. But in the US, she had to formulate an opinion and support it in her essays! She said at first it was so strange because she didn't have one- she didn't care! Whatever everyone else was thinking was fine with her (also very Japanese). But now that this other way of thinking and existing (no school uniforms, no cram school after a full day of school, no nightmarish tests that determine the future of the rest of your life!!!) she is really struggling. I was so happy to meet her and connect with her and I am really praying about the things God may do and the ways He may work in this relationship!

In another corner of the room was a church member, a single woman, who before was living in the drudgery of daily life, who is almost suddenly realizing her gifts and potential ways she can be used in ministry. She has just been coming alive! She met and talked with an English school student who is in her 30s and single like her- and they found out they work across the street from each other- and now they are planning lunch dates! It was such a blessing to see this blossoming Christian woman connecting with a woman who is hurting and has many walls up- but God is using Kyoko to penetrate them!!! There are so many other examples.... that I know of- and so many more things that happened that were unseen!!! Yikes- God's not just raining blessings- He's pouring them down!

One last story- so cool- although I was mostly an observer to it all- it is such a testimony to how the body of Christ works together, functions together, to bring people to faith in Him- and parts of it He just plain does all by himself. There are two Jr. High girls; one is a student of the English school, the other is her friend. The two had been coming together to the free English events, like coffee house, and around April or May found themselves back in Cindy's apartment after one such coffee house. Atsushi was there, a good friend and recently baptized Christian, and he was sharing, in Japanese, all about his new faith with these two girls. While it was clear at the time that they enjoyed themselves, there was no other outward sign that anything was happening. They continued to attend English events, and they both attended our open house today. It was here, today, that Cindy was having a conversation with them and they kept saying things like, "now that we believe..." and Cindy thought at first she'd misheard, but when it kept happening, she clarified, "in God? Jesus?" they answered, "Yes!" and shared the story of how they'd thought a lot about what Atsushi had said, and they'd picked up some paper with a christian message on it. When they decided they believed after reading this paper, they began to pray about things in their life that came up- and God kept answering them!!! They were amazed!!! They began to become more and more convinced in their new faith- this was just two weeks ago! Their faith is so new and they haven't even talked to a pastor or been baptized or even to a church service!!! They just love Jesus and are hungry to know and experience more of what life can be like living in freedom, loving and trusting in the one true God! Praise God!

So much more to tell- but it'll have to wait for another post or I'm going to fall asleep at my computer! Thanks for all your prayers- they are a big part of what is happening here too!

Beginning Again

2008-09-09T02:10:00.000-07:00

This past week was the first week of the new semester- "new" being the key word. I live in a new house, in a new city, with a new roommate, using new forms of transportation (bike, train, and foot everywhere- no car), new English school, new classes, new church and pastor I'm working with, a new site partner, and exciting new places to go running (forest trail, beach path, riverside path... I love it!). Teaching at the kindergartens wasn't new to me, but it was a wonderful reminder of why I love what I'm doing- I love their smiles, their laughs, the way they speak to me in Japanese thinking I can understand what they are saying (sometimes I can :) ), I love the energy they have, I love hearing them sing "Jesus loves me", jumping, laughing , and playing together. My other classes have been wonderful too- seeing many familiar faces, and some new; catching up on each others lives and sharing tasty souvenirs coming from all parts of the world!

A few posts ago, I alluded to the crossroads that the congregation I was working with had come to. I don't know how to diplomatically say this, but the congregation decided to close the English school at Shirone Lutheran Church. When the proposal was brought up by the pastor, the church council members were very upset, and upon more conversation and voting, voted 6 to 2 to keep it open, but because it was the pastor's idea and desire they decided to follow him rather than create friction within the small congregation. If it were simply a matter of the church feeling God's leading in a different direction of ministry, that would be one thing- but the pastor's motives were coming out of pride and an unwillingness to submit to the authority over him regarding a significant offense he'd committed toward the missionaries and ultimately the church. We tired in so many different ways to talk, to try to work things out, for reconciliation, but he was unwilling to admit to any guilt on his part, and only became more defensive. The form of his defensiveness made the environment increasingly hostile, and it was decided that it was unsafe and unhealthy for the missionaries to remain living or teaching in Shirone. So the English school was closed suddenly, 6 months before the end of the school year, and Haidee and I were moved to the other church in Niigata Prefecture that has a VYM program- Nozomi Lutheran Church. Here I feel so incredible blessed to be working along-side two other American missionaries, a wonderfully gifted, mission-minded pastor, and a congregation of people with many passions and gifts for ministry. I am very excited to see where God takes things- there are so many potienial ways and opportunities through which we can do ministry here!

I will definitely admit that it has been a bit of a bumpy road- and that at times, I've felt the temptation of despair- but I've learned a lot about prayer, perspective, and the crosses that God is calling us to bear and the unseen purposes He has for them. In the midst of the situation, I realized that there were two ways I could choose to look at what was going on around me; through eyes that see the material, physical, and actual happenings of the situation, or, through eyes of faith. The first fed into the temptation to despair, fear, and give up. The second though- was firmly rooted in the realization that this all began with prayer. We began to be more intentional and purposeful about prayer- specifically for the church and for unity. My site partner Haidee every started a 40 day Blessing email to her supporters who joined us in praying powerful prayers of forgiveness, love, unity, and freedom for the churches and members here in Niigata. The more we prayed, the "worse" things appeared to be. And the "worse" things appeared, the more we prayed. I cannot tell you how many times, how many ways, and in all of the places that God brought just the right word, person, or event into the picture to provide for the exact situation or need- long before we knew they were needed. (What a faithful God we have!) It soon became evident that God, like a gardener in a vineyard, was pruning His church in order to make it fruitful. It sounds like such a easy and lovely image, but it involves cutting, breaking, and the use of sharp and painful instruments. But in the end it is good- it brings forth more fruit, healthy fruit, through which many more seedlings and fruit may then come forth. But it can be hard and uncomfortable to watch and be involved in the pain of it all.

I had no idea that God would use me in the ways that he did, and for what purposes I was being used- in many ways I still don't. But I came to the realization that when I "offer myself up as a living sacrifice" (Rom. 12:1) that I don't have a say in how this sacrifice will then be used. It's up to the maker. It's up to God, and I have said I'm willing and I am- I just don't know for what! But all the same, it has been a humbling experience to not be used in this situation by the gifts I feel are more "desirable" or "admirable", but in other ways; parts of myself I don't like to share or don't want others to know are there. God takes them and uses them all! He redeems them all! He heals them all! He works for good in all (Rom. 8:28)!

So although I am not physically in the situation, I continue to pray for the congregation and the pastor, and I ask that those of you who are reading this do the same. I am not sorry for a minute and have no regrets about the way in which I have been used here thus far and continuing in ministry here. I have a deep love for the people I meet and those with whom I see on a regular basis. Little by little, as my Japanese improves, I see new doors opening, new relationships forming, and new potential depths in existing ones. I can't wait to see all that God has in store! Truly, thank you for keeping me and the ministry with which I am serving in your prayers.

A Whirlwind Tour

2008-08-31T04:36:00.000-07:00

I've finally landed after a whirlwind tour of the states. What a time I had! the timing for things was so perfect, and was once again, a great reminder how everything- right down to the smallest detail- is in God's hands.

I was able to get back to the states in enough time to stand up in my friend, Elizabeth's wedding.

After, I had a few extra days with nowhere to go- and Elizabeth needed a copilot on a cross-country road trip from Chicago to LA.

I missed being able to fly standby back to Chicago, but was able (with the help of a friend) to catch a plane that day at a decent price, and made it to FT. Wayne in time to stand up in another college friend, Angie's, wedding.

I was able to see all of the people at my internship site, and got in just as the pastor was returning from his annual airforce tour.

Headed from there to the UP where I spent almost a week with my mother's side of the family and was in town for both my aunt's and my grandmother's birthdays. My cousins were in town too that weekend from DC because one of their cousins got married that weekend as well. I got to meet my cousin Ingrid's new husband, John, for the first time (who, by the way, is a professional chef and made us a meal entirely on a grill, salad and everything- amazing!!!)

Next stop was Spokane/Coeur d'Alene. My cousin Sarah's husband is currently deployed, so I was lucky enough to have her as a shopping companion as I scurried around trying to buy everything I needed for the next year or possibly longer that I can't buy here in Japan (shoes, pants, shampoo, deoderant, floride toothpaste...)

My brother Seth is starting at the U of I this fall, and though he moved down to Moscow, he came back for part of the week and no longer had his job obligations since he was in transition and we had so much more time to spend together.

Both my parents were able to take a day off so we could have more time together. We had some beautiful weather that allowed for a lot of good play time as well!

I was really blessed by the time I had to share with three congregations as well- my home church, my internship church, and the church my grandpa served at upon returning from serving on the mission field in Tanzania until the time of his retirement 12 years later. Many more people signed on to support me in prayer and financially- and I was especially surprised and blessed to hear that my grandparent's church has been and will continue to pray for me, by name, in all of their services every week! If there is one thing I have learned in the last 5 months, it is that the prayers of God's people are powerful, effective, and builds the church as a body and as individuals. During these visits, I began to understand more fully the benefit for churches as well as the missionaries when we can meet together and share about all that God is doing in our various locations. I just can't say enough how encouraged I was by it all, and I am so thankful I had the opportunity to do so.

Hmmm.... so much more I want to write, but that's all for now because I am feeling so sleepy.

During my tour through the states, I touched ground in the following states:
1. Idaho
2. Washington
3. California
4. Nevada
5. Arizonia
6. Colorado
7. Iowa
8. Illinois
9. Wisconsin
10. Indiana
11. Michigan
12. Nebraska

All in less than a month! It was wonderful, after being away for so long, to be able to see so much of the country, but I am really glad to not be living out of a suitcase anymore! : ) But I think I may still be trying to recover while gearing up for all of the new things starting this week! Thanks so much for keeping me in your prayers!

When all you can do is pray...

2008-06-28T22:15:00.000-07:00

Being a pretty independent and spirited person, when I see a problem, my first thought is what I can do to fix it. I try to size it up, look into the possible causes and the roots of those causes. I think about the resources availible and all of the different possible solutions and the outcome they'd have. Then I weigh them against each other and decide how to act.
But it is so different here. I feel helpless and powerless in even begining my usual process because I lack understanding of the culutre, but there is something more to it too, something that is unseen and cannot find expression in words. The spiritual climate here is so different. There are temples everwhere. Almost everyone has a family shrine in their home that they light insences to, leave food for, and pray at every morning. Although many people say that these practices for them are out of tradition rather than belief, the fact remains that they are still worshiping at these pagan altars.
I see a culture living in bondage. They are tired and down-trodden, trying to live up to the unrealistically high expectations placed upon them by their culture. The only sourse of validation and identity for people is found in how well they operate within the cultures framework. Many inside the church seem in bondage to it still.
Recently, the site at which I am serving has found itself a a sort of crossroads. It has been really interesting to see all of the things that have been happening leading up to where they find themselves now. Today they had an important meeting which may effect my service here, but more important is the effect it will have on the church members themselves, the relationship within the members of the body, and the vision of the ministry of the church itself and how it will be that they will act in serving that vision.
At this point I don't know what to hope for, what possible outcome to even pray for- I have no idea even where to begin. I find comfort in praying the words of Christ, "thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." There really is nothing in this situation that I can do. But rather than feeling helpless in my lack of control or options, I feel free. I think I give myself too much credit in terms of what I can do and I am so thankful for this humbling experience God is giving me to remind me of where the answers and solutions to life and ministry predicaments come from. Because ultimately, it's God's church, not ours. It's God's ministry, not ours.
Please join me in praying.

A Blessing of a Day!

2008-06-12T02:14:00.001-07:00

God blessed my socks off yesterday, and I wanted to share! It all started with a wonderful and uplifting time in God's word, followed by singing morning prayer acapella out of my hymnal (maybe not such a great sound- but it brought back memories of morning chapel at Concordia!). I went to Sanjo kindergarten as usual, but this week I taught an extra class for parents and children who are looking into enrolling in the school. Before the class started, one of the mothers approached me and began to converse in English (rare here). It turned out that she had lived in California for 6 years before her son was born. She told me that I was the second foreigner she'd seen in Sanjo since she'd moved back 4 years ago!!! We exchanged phone numbers and I am praying that it will be the beginning of a new friendship. My kindergarten students were all really energetic yesterday too- but I had just the game- color tag! My ladies class was the best it'd ever been, and I really felt that God not only gave me more patience with my upper elementary kids, but I felt that I am learning more how to communicate love through discipline. I came home and made dinner, and then had a very interesting conversation with a teacher from the University where I teach Tuesdays. He's a Muslim from Lebanon working on his PhD in the pharmacology program; and teaching Arabic classes on the side for the University. (He's taught me two words in Arabic so far- "sahabo" which means hello, and "shukarn" which means thank you.) Anyway, it has been really interesting to learn about his culture and country, and it seems that the doors are begining to open too for conversations about faith. Last night we talked about the reason for moral living in Christianity as opposed to other religions' established moral standards (in Christianity the motive is always love, so outwardly it can look like the morality of other religions, but it is of a different substance entirely), as well as the authenticity and reliability of the New Testament that the church uses today, and why there are so many different faiths claiming inspiration from the same book (this was actually the topic of my senior thesis in my senior seminar class fall semester of '06). I feel so blessed and am so thankful to be serving in all the places and relationships into which God has called me. Thanks again for your prayers!

A Joyful Day of Teaching!

2008-05-20T16:53:00.000-07:00

I had an amazing day of teaching yesterday! I had the opportunity to share about my faith in both classes. One student, after hearing my devotion last week about how Joy brought me to Japan (the theme this month) didn't want to study the book this week; he wanted to ask me questions. He brought his bible to class and asked about our free english bible class that meets Saturday and more about why I came to Japan. Another student, after hearing my story, said that although she isn't christian and doesn't believe in God, she believes that it is God's will that I am here; that he brought me here. At the university, we talked about superheros and I applied the topic to the lesson material. They're doing short skits next week and I offered extra credit if they dress up! I've been praying for an opportunity to be more involved at the university outside of class, and yesterday I was asked to be a judge in an english speech contest. Such a good day! I have to get off to teaching now!

Would You Go Ahead and Die Already?

2008-05-16T23:22:00.000-07:00

I know it's kind of a morbid title for a blog entry, but it seems to be a reoccurring thought going through my mind as I struggle against my sinful nature in my desire to bring all things captive unto Christ. I hate my sin. I see how it inhibits the spirit's work in my life. I see how it harms my friends and neighbors. When the Bible speaks of our new life in Christ, it does so in a harsh, definitive, and permanent way: death. But the good news is that it is through this dying that Christ gives us new life- we are truly transformed, and something different.

Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me."

Galatians 5:24 "Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."

Colossians 3:3 "for you have died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God."

It is truly in death that we have new life- free from worry, fear, sin, greed, lust, selfishness, and the like. The reason we feel so "dirty" in them, is that we were created in His image- and we weren't meant for them. So every time my sin pops up- I find myself up in arms! "I thought you were dead! What are you doing here?"

Example: Wednesday was what I would call a "bad" day. I was tired from staying up late the night before praying having just worked a really long day. I felt really annoyed. Then, all of my adult students were really late to class, and then stayed a half hour into my lesson planning time before my next class. I kept nodding almost nodding off during a private lesson, and they my upper elementary class was out of control wild. Normally, my first tactic in classroom management is to simply redirect the behavior into something else and to not respond to the bad behavior. I ended up being a strict teacher that day, which I don't like. At the end, around 6 PM, my day turned around 180 degrees; I realized how incredibly self-focused I'd been all day; how any bad day I may ever have is more often than not linked to my attitude and approach to things rather than external factors. On whatever level, conscious or unconscious, I was choosing to have a bad day by choosing a bad attitude. So I repented, and everything changed. Amazing how that works! Then follows Joy! It is impossible to have joy when focusing on yourself first. It really puts every bad day I've ever had in perspective!

This realization was further demonstrated to me yesterday during a devotion time following a class at the English school. the topic for the month is Joy, so I began the devotion by asking the students to reflect upon something that gives them joy; or a time when they've felt joy. One student said when she accomplishes something; another said when she is with her family. But one student said she felt joy when she served other people. And it didn't strike me until this morning when I was walking to church, but that woman's statement is an incredible witness to God's love for us and the truth that we have been created in His image. Christ too found joy in serving; and it is this joy that led Him to the cross. "who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Heb. 12:2) When we lose ourselves, when we die to ourselves in serving the interests of others; we are acting as we were made to- as we were created to. And in this is joy!

It is my prayer for myself and for all of you that "He would increase, and we would decrease." That we would define the joy in our lives less and less by our external circumstances and more and more by God's disposition towards us- who in Christ has forgiven us, called us His own, and has given us eternal life in Him (new life that begins now!). So when you feel the world caving in around you, think on this, and trust in His love and provision for you, and His Joy will be yours!

The Heart of my Japanese Friend

2008-05-04T17:26:00.001-07:00

I am on such a high from an amazing conversation I had yesterday with my Japanese friend. When I first met him, he wanted to get together for language exchange and said he had questions about Christianity even though he was already baptized. So while in orientation we met a few times and then I moved to Niigata. But I am in Tokyo for the weekend now to meet my cousin and his wife who are traveling through this way, and so I had time to meet up with him again. So much has happened and changed in his life since I last saw him. Regarding his questions about Christianity, he has started attending a Japanese service as well as the English service he attends, and had just returned from a short term mission trip to South Africa. I have never seen someone so changed in such a small amount of time by a mission trip. His volunteer work was largely with those who are suffering from AIDS. He volunteered at hospitals where he shared the gospel with people who were on their deathbeds; orphanages full of children who had lost their parents to the AIDS virus, many of whom were HIV positive. He talked about the power of touch among these people; his apprehension at first, but then the power of it and even the role of touch in Jesus' touch in ministry. He spoke of his struggle with theodicy- why God would allow all of these orphans to be born HIV positive... but then he said he realized that if he, as a sinner, could feel so much love for them, then how much more does the God who created them feel compassion and love for them. He's now contemplating quitting his job and moving to Africa to join in this ministry for a year alongside the pastor he met there. I am just blown away by the change in this man and the heart God is giving him for missions and ministry. All of the things he was saying were so counter cultural in Japan- about touch and even volunteering. God is so powerful and although the growth of Christianity is slower here than most countries, it is deep, and within those hearts where Christianity does take root it takes hold and is producing fruit that will last! What a blessing this was to my heart! This all happened two days after I had a conversation with someone about how some people say that Japan is a swamp where the seeds of faith planted may grow, but soon rot. But this couldn't be farther from the truth; its just slower growth than other places in the world. But as such, pray that God brings more laborers and blesses those here in the faith with patience and encouragement as we press on and seek to share the hope of eternal life in Christ.

Internet at Last!

2008-05-01T17:07:00.000-07:00

At last, I have Internet at my apartment and am able to be in communication with the outside world. It wasn't all bad though, and gave me the opportunity to get to know my site partner, Haidee, better as the only place I could check email and such was her apartment. So many things have happened here since my last post, so I'll catch you up in brief:

I have moved to Shirone and begun teaching at 4 different sites!

I am officially driving on the other side of the road (yes, a big answer to prayer came when my driving permit arrived)

Some of the missionaries came up from Tokyo for a house blessing for myself and Cindy, the other new Ver.

Wakabyashi Sensei, after close to 17 years of waiting, studying, etc. was finally ordained on my first Sunday at the church. I felt so blessed to be able to participate in this long anticipated celebration of God's work in his life.

The congregation's president's wife was very suddenly taken ill and in a coma at the age of 55 when her bowl erupted. The whole church prayed, but she never woke up and died a week and a half later. She was not baptized, but had begun to come to church and praise hour events with her husband. This same man lost his father this past January, and his mother was hospitalized with a broken hip the same week his wife died. All of this, after he discovered a new passion in his life for reading the Bible. He's read it through 12 times now in under 4 years; it reminds me a lot of Job, being spiritually attacked because of his faithfulness to God. But many church members attended the wake and God blessed us with many opportunities to share Christ's love! The son has started going to church and the daughter is more open now than ever before. Please pray for this family as they morn this loss and for the love of Christ to be realized in their lives.

I started teaching at Niigata University, and I have only one female student, the rest are males! The classrooms have windows, so when the students were deciding whose class to be in, they looked in and stared at me for a while, then decided to come in. It felt weird, like they were window shopping or something. They are really fun students though, and all very unique.

I got really sick again... this time with a cold that lasted two weeks. I have never had such a bad cold and am realizing that my immune system is not used to these foreign viruses and i have no immunity built up against them. For three full days I completely lost my voice, and the rest of the time I was hoarse and weak with a sore throat and a headache. But I am starting to feel recovered.

I have done some hiking, seen the cherry blossoms, played basketball with some community people, and befriended a young Japanese woman who is struggling with severe depression. God has blessed us with many opportunities to spend time together, and she has opened up and shared a lot of the hurt on her heart. Please pray for her too, that she would continue to seek and ask questions, and that the Holy Spirit would work faith in her life.

I love driving, love the mountains, and am loving (although painful at times) the way God is challenging me and causing me to grow. Thank you all so much for your prayers. Their importance cannot be understated!

More Skit Day Photos

2008-03-19T02:09:00.000-07:00

Skit Day, Site Training, and an Answer to Prayer!

2008-03-18T06:18:00.000-07:00

Whew! What a whirlwind of a month! I was glad I could get my newsletter out, but my blog has been lonely for a bit- so I am sorry to my faithful readers! If you are interested in watching a video of me doing Shodou, the traditional Japanese calligraphy, I've included the link below. The kanji I chose is "Fukkatsu" which means "Resurrection". I retraced one of the strokes, which is a no no. Caught in the act!

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=510169978515

On March 7th we celebrated the end of language school by performing a skit written and performed by all of the Japanese language students in a joint effort. We tried to tape it, but we found out afterward that there is no sound! But I have many, many pictures! It was titled "Densha (train) Drama" and was the story of love at first site on a busy train in Tokyo. As hard as the love birds try, different events and characters keep coming in between them on the train. There were sumo wrestlers, cowboys, tourists, Harajuku teens, a drink man, and a sleeping man. Finally their stop comes and the girl gets off but the boy is unable to. Thinking she's lost him, she goes to her first day of English class at LLI and lo and behold- he's a student in the class too! "Ya ta!" I hope we can get the tape working because I'd love for you all to see it! Especially where I almost told my love-interest that I am a vegetable!

Site training was really good. I got to meet the congregation, students, and pastor that will all be a big part of my life for the next two years, or as long as God sees fit. The two kindergartens are full of energy and curious, excitable children who were all in awe over my height and hair color. I even caught one little boy trying to touch my hair at lunch every time I turned my head the other way and he thought I wasn't looking. I of course let him, and he was so surprised by the texture! At both sites I teach other classes, and the schedule allows me to stay longer and eat lunch, play with students, and mingle with teachers. Most of the teachers aren't Christian, so it seems to be as much of an opportunity to share the love of Christ with the students as the adults.

This week has been filled with teacher training workshops, and it has been so helpful to have seen the classes I will teach in attending these sessions. I am getting a lot of great answers to questions and innovative ideas for teaching! Today I had a huge answer to prayer... my international driving permit came!!!!! So thank you all for your prayers! That is the fastest I've heard of postage making it across the ocean this way and processing of the application and such! What a great God we have! I have been so blessed lately through His constant and perfect provisions that come just when I need them. It makes me think of the line in the Lord's Prayer, "Give us this day our daily bread". It's everything we need for the day, but still we trust in His love and provision for tomorrow. And everyday I see it, the stronger my faith grows in hope and expectation of all of the tomorrows to come.

"I have set the way of the Lord before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:8-11

I love you all! Please pray for me in this transition and for spiritual protection; and, as always, let me know how I can be praying for you!

Placement is.....

2008-02-08T05:57:00.000-08:00

I learned tonight that I will be spending the next two years living in...... NIIGATA!!! Horray! I'll be teaching at Niigata University, classes at the church, and three kindergarten classes!!! The pastor there actually graduated from Ft. Wayne Seminary- coincedentally enough. More information and photos to come! Until then... take care and God bless!

Shame

2008-02-06T06:08:00.000-08:00

I went to a seminar today on the topic of shame, its role in the Japanese culture, and its effects on ministry and christianity in Japan. I feel as though living abroad has taught me as much about my own culture as it has about Japanese culture. I see now that whereas before I had only one point of refrence in my pursuit to understand the world, living abroad has expanded this understanding immensly. Being such, we discussed today what it means to be living in and trying to minister to people of a shame-based culture. While guilt and shame are often assiciated, the differences are distinct. Simply put, "Guilt" is when you feel sorry for what you've done. "Shame" is when you feel badly about who you are. So deeply rooted in a person, it wraps itself around and even strangles feelings of intrensic value and identity one posesses of oneself. Is it any wonder then, that Japan has one of the highest suicide rates world-wide. The source of this structure is difficult to pinpoint, but can be related to the culture of honor and pride within the code of the Bushido. Sense of personal identiy is also somewhat less defined here, as the tendency seems to lean more toward collectivity and conformity- values which in my American upbringing were often opposed. "Dare to be different" a classroom poster said. You'd never see such a message in a Japanese classroom. (I always feel the need to be careful in making cultural comparisons such as this because I have to remind myself that any judgements I might make are coming from my own subjective experience and not an objective reality; meaning, that the last thing I mean to do here is to criticize another culture.)

Having said all of this, there is much hope to be had in the Gospel for people suffering within such intra-personal prisons. Pastor Oshiba spends much of his paper offering christiological direction in addressing these struggles and the challenges they pose to people and faith. Like in all other afflictions and temptations- our Savior is one who himself is not foreign to these sufferings. "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin." (Hebrews 4:15). Oshiba also suggests Isaiah 53 as a source of comfort and hope for those living in such bondage. So strong is the theme of shame in this culture, and so powerful is its effect on faith, that the students at the Lutheran seminary here spend a good deal examining its role in their own life and faith as well as how to minister to those who suffer under such burdens. "(Christ is) the eternal companion with suffering people, (and He) provides a powerfully healing way to those who suffer shame." To read the text in full, follow the following link: http://www4.big.or.jp/~joshiba/message/george/stm.html

Sumo!

2008-02-03T04:54:00.001-08:00

Here are some photos from the recent sumo match I attended. I was surprised in talking to the people here that most of them have never seen a sumo match in person. I went for a class trip with my Japanese class, and I feel very blessed to have done so. There aren't really any rules, other than to get your opponent out of the circle by whatever means possible. There is no whistle or bell to tell them when to go; instead, the opponents stare eachother down, demonstrate their agility, intimidate each other by throwing salt in the ring, and finally engage on a sudden whim. Enjoy!

Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki

2008-01-21T04:03:00.000-08:00

I was struck by the irony of two events on Sunday. After church on Sunday, I met a member named Nishimoto-san. When I first saw him, I noted that he was elderly, on oxygen, and very short- even for a Japanese man. After the service I sat next to him at what the members call "British tea", where everyone drinks coffee or tea and snacks on various treats. A favorite game that older Japanese people like to play is "guess how old I am". I always do my best to guess low- and I'm usually off by 15 or 20 years- they all look so young here! I found out that Nishimoto-san is 70 years old. He also told me that he was born in Hiroshima. I quickly tried to do the math in my head. He told me that he was 8 years old when the bomb went off, and that he remembers the day well. My heart began to race. I didn't know what to say or to do; other than to listen to him and tell him how sorry I was for his pain. I learned then that although the oxygen was something he'd only been using for the last 5 years, he'd lost his left arm in the explosion and his growth was severely stunted. He hadn't grown since the bomb went off. He told me he'd written an article that had been published in the Lutheran Witness some years ago about his experiences, and so I am trying to track down a copy.

Then later that day, after lunch I wound up in Ueno Park. It is a place where modern meets tradition; boasting various temples, a 5-story pagoda, carnival rides, and even a zoo. But what struck me the most was a monument that was there. It was all in granite. There was a place in the body of the bird that had been hollowed out that held a single flame, concealed in glass. The flame is was captured and saved by a man who traveled in search of his father after the bombs were dropped, finding only the house in ruins and still burning. The flame became for him a sort of symbol of his hatred and anger; but over time it became a symbol of his desire for peace and the eradication of the use, production, and possession of nuclear weapons. The flame was presented at the UN disarmament task force that convened in New York in 1988, and has found it home in Ueno Park ever since.

Prior to coming here, I was very apprehensive about encountering people who harbored negative feelings toward the US for dropping the two atomic bombs at the end of WWII. Some 60 years later, and international relations seem to be much better than before the war. They love American culture here among the younger generation and seek to emulate it in various forms: movies, music, food, etc. But there does exist the convicting and convincing voice of experience among the people here- asking the world to consider the costs that they had to pay and for that the price is enough to stop Nuclear war forever.

New Year Reflections

2008-01-16T01:23:00.000-08:00

Today was the first teacher training seminar of orientation. Langauge class started up again last week too, and I was surprised to see how much I remembered. Studying language here has felt like traveling very slowly up a steep incline. But coming back from break felt like taking two giant steps forward all at once. I think the homestay was a big help to this; and also just having a bit of a mental break for the rigors of new class material everyday and a chance to practice and review the material that has already been covered.

I'm sad to report that I am still sick, and that my lingering cold has turned into a sinus infection. But I am optimistic that now that I know what I'm dealing with, I can treat it accordingly and be rid of it sooner.

Earlier this week, at our Tuesday morning devotion, we spent time reflecting on the last year- all that had happened, all that God had done, etc. From here, we were encouraged to think of a resolution of sorts. It was all done through personal journaling; and through it I learned a lot. I reflected for the first time on the last year as a whole- and I saw many common threads running through it. I saw many big- life altering prayers answered. I saw many moments of doubt on my part, and patient mercy exercised on God's part. I reflected on so many times that God provided things I needed without my even having to ask for them. I saw times I was up against impossible odds, and God always making a way. What a thing hind-sight is for the faith of the present! My whole being, my whole heart, give thanks to God for His goodness. But I also feel a bit like Israel, having just passed through the Red Sea on dry land, making an idol for myself as I needlessly worry about things. Faith and worry are in opposition to each other. They cannot co-exist in the life of a Christian because faith is trust, and who better to trust with one's life than the one who gave it; the who sacrificed the life of His own Son to restore it; and the one who holds eternity in His hands. So my resolution is to spend more time singing songs of thanksgiving and praise in English, because my heart yearns for it.

I was also blessed to discover that the church at which I did my DCE field work broadcasts their 7:45 AM service through Wheaton Bible Colleges radio station- and that it is also broadcast over the internet. So Sunday nights I can get ready for bed and then join them for worship at 10:45 PM my time. Pretty wild! It had been so long since I'd been able to hear a church service in English. How much I've taken for granted in the past!

Tomorrow I have a sight placement meeting with the program director, and I'll officially receive my placement on the 8th of February. I'm presently feeling a bit anxious, wanting to know, and praying for patience.

Fuji-san!

2008-01-06T03:33:00.000-08:00

Not too much has happened since my last post. I spent the New Year Holiday with some friends, attended a cheese party, and hiked Mount Takao. The above picture is the view from the top; it is a picture of the famous Mt. Fuji. The hike was a steep one, but is well visited, has many parts paved, provides shopping and restaurants along the way, and even the occasional vending machine. I'm told all hiking in Japan is not so commercialized.

I've spent the last few days trying to recover from a horrible cold that I can't seem to shake. I can't be out for more than a few hours without becoming very tired, dizzy, and feverish, and so have felt somewhat home-bound as of late. I will begin my second half of language classes Tuesday, so I am hoping to be in tip-top shape by then. It has been a wonderful thing for my brain to have a bit of a rest from the onslaught of vocabulary and grammatical rules, but I am excited to get back into it.

I hope you all are well. Thanks so much for all of the Christmas newsletters, family photos, and updates. You are all my connection with that side of the world.

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-25T22:57:00.000-08:00

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

2007-12-18T21:58:00.000-08:00

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

2007-12-16T21:39:00.001-08:00

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!

2007-12-13T04:45:00.000-08:00

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!!!

2007-11-22T03:26:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-18T01:16:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-14T06:25:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-14T06:00:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-04T23:43:00.000-08:00

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!

2007-10-28T18:09:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-10-22T08:06:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-14T21:32:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-03T20:25:00.000-07:00

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!!!

2007-10-01T23:53:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-27T23:49:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-22T17:19:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-09-16T22:02:00.000-07:00

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