This is going to be short and to the point--and not sweet, according to Cindy, who sees the look on my face...
The prayer relay at Fukushima church starts in about 12 hours. The church building is set up, various resources have been placed strategically throughout the building, and care has been put into creating a space for peace and worship. However, several things still are sending off red alarms in my head.
First, the church members have not been excited about this. They haven't fought it (it was the pastor's idea), but they have definitely not been happy about it. Only one church member actually signed up to pray--most of the praying people are from a church that we've been partnering with across town.
It was only this morning that we learned that a negative teaching on prayer had previously circulated through the congregation.
I'm seething. Seething, I tell you. I get so angry when the truth is twisted, and lies are put in its place. It's no wonder why people aren't excited about praying.
The second reason why I'm seething is because I have spent several hours today looking for worship music, prayer resources, etc. Do you know that you cannot find a Japanese translation of the Bible even on biblegateway.com? I knew that, but for some reason it still shocks me. This is one of the most technologically advanced, economically-engaged countries in the world...but the resources they have for believers and churches are so limited I vary between wanting to cry and wanting to yell. Again, it's no wonder why people aren't excited... I know there is worship music...I know there are more than half-translated German hymns to sing...I know there is more than...this. The seething comes from watching people plod along, burdened with a religion instead of being freed by God's love. I know it happens in America too...sigh.
Something that has come up again and again in our discussions with the pastor over the last 12 hours is the word "fear." I have never lived in poverty--been protected from it, maybe? But I wonder now if poverty causes one to be fearful of abundance and push it away.
Maybe that is the root prayer request. Please pray that no amount of fear, negativity, miscommunication, pride, stress...anything!...would get in the way of God's abundant love...which just so happens to cast out all fear. :) Yay for God's promises...
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Prayer Relay
For as crazy as working with people is sometimes, I really like what it teaches me about prayer. I've been struck so many times since coming here of the difference I see again between my faith and prayer life here versus at school. Now, I really enjoyed and grew through my years at Concordia, St. Paul, so I'm not saying that my faith life was just pushed to the side...but I could push it to the side if I so desired. Tests, papers, jobs...with almost everything that I did, I could expect that if I put in a certain amount of work, I would reap a certain reward---whether that reward would be a good grade, a paycheck, etc. It feels quite different here, working with people. Cindy and I have had hours of discussion just trying to understand each other--and we speak English! Then there are all the added dynamics of ministry and faith and life in Japanese. Before every single class that I teach, I find myself praying that my students come in with open hearts and minds--because no matter how well I've planned the lesson, a bad mood or harbored bitterness or fear can really ruin it!
So many things outside my control...(which reminds me, the subject of control is a topic for another posting...)
But the cool thing is that because of my lack of control, I am reminded often of my lack and God's abundance, my sin and His life, my sickness and His healing, my small goals and His overarching, good plans... And I find that so often, I'm poised, pushing to keep a door closed that I think will only lead to pain...only to find God opening the door and bringing blessing through sorrow, life through death, faithfulness in all His promises...
Starting tomorrow (Sunday here) after church, we're going to be taking turns praying at Fukushima Izumi Church for 24 hours...just one day of having people pray. My students are intrigued at the thought of a prayer relay--they know what a relay race is, and it is funny that the same thing can be a form of prayer! Want to join us? It's a good time of intentionally focusing on the fact that we are not in control, and we need God's guidance and the Holy Spirit's blessing...
More to come... :)
So many things outside my control...(which reminds me, the subject of control is a topic for another posting...)
But the cool thing is that because of my lack of control, I am reminded often of my lack and God's abundance, my sin and His life, my sickness and His healing, my small goals and His overarching, good plans... And I find that so often, I'm poised, pushing to keep a door closed that I think will only lead to pain...only to find God opening the door and bringing blessing through sorrow, life through death, faithfulness in all His promises...
Starting tomorrow (Sunday here) after church, we're going to be taking turns praying at Fukushima Izumi Church for 24 hours...just one day of having people pray. My students are intrigued at the thought of a prayer relay--they know what a relay race is, and it is funny that the same thing can be a form of prayer! Want to join us? It's a good time of intentionally focusing on the fact that we are not in control, and we need God's guidance and the Holy Spirit's blessing...
More to come... :)
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Living Water
Cindy told me emphatically over lunch that she needed to read me a quote from Brother Yun's book Living Water...and I thought it was so good that I should share it with you guys too! :)
"God has long been turning contaminated water into living water. Before Elijah was taken to heaven in a whirlwind, Elisha asked for a double portion of his spirit. The very first miracle that Elisha performed occurred after the men of Jericho said to him, "Look, our Lord, this town is well situated, as you can see, but the water is bad and the land is unproductive" (2 Kings 2:19). Is this an accurate description of your own life, or your church? Is the water also bad and the land unproductive? If so, don't lose hope, because we serve a God who can intervene and transform your life. Elisha instructed the men to bring a new bowl with some salt in it. He threw salt into the town's spring and declared, "This is what the Lord says: 'I have healed this water. Never again will it cause death or make the land unproductive.' And the water has remained wholesome to this day, according to the word Elisha had spoken" (2 Kings 2:21-22). When Jesus Christ changes you, not only will streams of living water flow from within, but that fresh blessing results in the surrounding land becoming productive" (127-128).
I just spent a couple hours with Nomura-sensei, driving through the countryside to an orphanage where we hope to rebuild connections and offer help. As we drove through lush gardens, orchards, and rice fields, I was reminded of the promise of life and hope that God gives... Working in the church in Japan is not different than working in communities all over the world. People fight. There is pain. Some of the arguments and darkness that other church members dwell on seem ridiculously needless and selfish. Many times, I find the arguments and selfishness coming out of my own heart. I struggle with when to yell and when to love--for myself, as a sinner, and for others.
So often the water that comes out of us is nasty, acid...bringing death instead of life. But Jesus promises streams of living water...life...the church where I am working is called "Fukushima Izumi Lutheran Church," and "izumi" in Japanese means a spring of water...I pray that for all of us here, we continue to be healed daily from the destructive effects of our infected water, and that God would "salt" us and cleanse us, so that living water really would pour forth in this place...
"God has long been turning contaminated water into living water. Before Elijah was taken to heaven in a whirlwind, Elisha asked for a double portion of his spirit. The very first miracle that Elisha performed occurred after the men of Jericho said to him, "Look, our Lord, this town is well situated, as you can see, but the water is bad and the land is unproductive" (2 Kings 2:19). Is this an accurate description of your own life, or your church? Is the water also bad and the land unproductive? If so, don't lose hope, because we serve a God who can intervene and transform your life. Elisha instructed the men to bring a new bowl with some salt in it. He threw salt into the town's spring and declared, "This is what the Lord says: 'I have healed this water. Never again will it cause death or make the land unproductive.' And the water has remained wholesome to this day, according to the word Elisha had spoken" (2 Kings 2:21-22). When Jesus Christ changes you, not only will streams of living water flow from within, but that fresh blessing results in the surrounding land becoming productive" (127-128).
I just spent a couple hours with Nomura-sensei, driving through the countryside to an orphanage where we hope to rebuild connections and offer help. As we drove through lush gardens, orchards, and rice fields, I was reminded of the promise of life and hope that God gives... Working in the church in Japan is not different than working in communities all over the world. People fight. There is pain. Some of the arguments and darkness that other church members dwell on seem ridiculously needless and selfish. Many times, I find the arguments and selfishness coming out of my own heart. I struggle with when to yell and when to love--for myself, as a sinner, and for others.
So often the water that comes out of us is nasty, acid...bringing death instead of life. But Jesus promises streams of living water...life...the church where I am working is called "Fukushima Izumi Lutheran Church," and "izumi" in Japanese means a spring of water...I pray that for all of us here, we continue to be healed daily from the destructive effects of our infected water, and that God would "salt" us and cleanse us, so that living water really would pour forth in this place...
Rest
I think I'd forgotten just how much energy it takes to move to a new country...
Yesterday was the first day that I didn't have to go to church. Monday is our normal "day off," because we teach Tuesday through Saturday and have church stuff Sunday, but the last few weeks have been anything but normal. There have been times of rest and plenty of open parts of the day, but yesterday was our first full day off since I arrived, and I think I was counting down to it all week before hand.
Yesterday was lovely...lovely! Talked to Eric, Miah, and Dad and went and wandered until I found an electronics store (where I also randomly found the shampoo I like to use here--does that sound strange to anyone else?:)) and a pair of flip-flops, since the staples in my previous pair were no longer working (I have tried my hand at shoe repairs of many kinds over the years--doesn't seem to be my calling :)). Cindy and I studied Japanese and watched a movie in the evening. "Normal" things--family things. So much of rest, for me, involves the people that I rest with.
So after such a good day of rest, I'm slightly dismayed to find myself dragging again this evening, wishing that I was settled enough to have a safe place and safe people around me. Not that Cindy and the Nomura's aren't safe--not that at all! They are such huge blessings!!! But there is still the tired, slightly achy feeling of missing people and being engulfed in new things...feelings I wish I could just push aside and forget about until I'm over them and re-acclimated. As I've sat here for the last half hour, the words to Third Day's "Cry Out to Jesus" song came into my head:
There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary,
And love for the broken heart.
There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are;
Cry out to Jesus.
I'm so glad that He's patient with my cries! :)
Yesterday was the first day that I didn't have to go to church. Monday is our normal "day off," because we teach Tuesday through Saturday and have church stuff Sunday, but the last few weeks have been anything but normal. There have been times of rest and plenty of open parts of the day, but yesterday was our first full day off since I arrived, and I think I was counting down to it all week before hand.
Yesterday was lovely...lovely! Talked to Eric, Miah, and Dad and went and wandered until I found an electronics store (where I also randomly found the shampoo I like to use here--does that sound strange to anyone else?:)) and a pair of flip-flops, since the staples in my previous pair were no longer working (I have tried my hand at shoe repairs of many kinds over the years--doesn't seem to be my calling :)). Cindy and I studied Japanese and watched a movie in the evening. "Normal" things--family things. So much of rest, for me, involves the people that I rest with.
So after such a good day of rest, I'm slightly dismayed to find myself dragging again this evening, wishing that I was settled enough to have a safe place and safe people around me. Not that Cindy and the Nomura's aren't safe--not that at all! They are such huge blessings!!! But there is still the tired, slightly achy feeling of missing people and being engulfed in new things...feelings I wish I could just push aside and forget about until I'm over them and re-acclimated. As I've sat here for the last half hour, the words to Third Day's "Cry Out to Jesus" song came into my head:
There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary,
And love for the broken heart.
There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are;
Cry out to Jesus.
I'm so glad that He's patient with my cries! :)
Saturday, July 24, 2010
BBQ: Take 2
Highlights from Fukushima's BBQ Party:
- Meeting neighbors!
- Rambunctious children! Several of whom are not yet students, but who are talking about joining the school...
- Chatting mothers!
- Overhearing a conversation between two young boys: "Hey, are you going to come to Sunday school at the church this Sunday?" "Hmmm...I'm not sure. You?" I love hearing people who aren't Christian yet inviting each other to church. :)
- Meeting an older gentleman who is a handbell instructor for the city--who teaches handbells both to groups that have traveled around the world and as a volunteer.
- Overhearing the church member who came to help us casually chatting with neighbors and inviting them to eat and hang out with us...and then later seeing her good-naturedly smack one of the boys, whom she apparently knew...creating that all-around family-like atmosphere.
In other good news and highlights: two new students today promised to come back next Tuesday for Bible study!
This week has been...so good!! The kids' ministry seminar that happened Monday somehow feels like a lifetime ago though...this morning I woke up and thought about running, but decided that I felt like I'd been run over by a truck. Cindy said earlier, "I wonder if I'm ever really going to wake up and feel alive today...?" It is definitely time to sleep...more later!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
BBQ: Take One
I'm sitting in front of my fan in front of my window, trying to catch any small breeze or cool air that might be around me...Fukushima is WARM! Confession: I get incredibly grouchy and whiny when I'm hot and sticky all the time. Cindy can attest to such things...the poor girl! Seriously, whenever I have to remind myself that I have a sinful nature (which is seldom forget-able anyway! :)), I just need to sit in our very-warm apartment for awhile...sigh. Cindy laughs at me, because I talk about winter and Christmas and cold air a lot.
Even though summer is ridiculously warm, it also brings great opportunities that don't come at other times of the year. It's fairly customary to have summer BBQs in Japan (which do NOT include hamburgers, hotdog buns, or s'mores...), and each English school I've worked at in Japan has celebrated the beginning of summer vacation with some sort of BBQ party. Today we had our first such gathering at Koriyama church, which is in a city a little over an hour from where I live. First gatherings are kind of difficult, because you never know who or what to expect, but here were some highlights:
- Momo-chan, a chubby, friendly, little girl under two years old still, toddled around in the midst of everything. She is comfortable enough with me to grab hold of my legs and then lift up her arms, indicating that she wants to be picked up, and she bravely mingled with people and played with us throughout the evening.
- Two boys who had never come to the school before came as friends of some other students. They were only 5 years old, and at first they wouldn't come into the church building or talk to anyone because they were so shy. We brought the food to them in the parking lot area, talked a little, and played some games, and by the end of the night they were playing a running game that somehow included whirling full-speed into my arms. They ran in and out of the church as they needed and grabbed whatever food they wanted, with the former fears forgotten.
- Two of the five mothers present had just moved into the area, and it was fun to see the mothers talking to each other. Everybody (it seems to me, at least) wants a safe place or a place to belong (in some capacity), and it was cool to see the mothers chatting and looking for that friendship amongst each other and us.
Having just come off of the kid's ministry seminar earlier in the week, my brain is full of ideas and thoughts for the future...but for now, I just want to sit and think about the people for awhile and pray for them. Each person is dear, is loved, is known by a heavenly Father...and He knows way better than I do what they need.
Tomorrow is a BBQ in Fukushima! Craziness...more updates and pictures later (once I learn how to correctly upload pics and organize them within the blog :))...
Even though summer is ridiculously warm, it also brings great opportunities that don't come at other times of the year. It's fairly customary to have summer BBQs in Japan (which do NOT include hamburgers, hotdog buns, or s'mores...), and each English school I've worked at in Japan has celebrated the beginning of summer vacation with some sort of BBQ party. Today we had our first such gathering at Koriyama church, which is in a city a little over an hour from where I live. First gatherings are kind of difficult, because you never know who or what to expect, but here were some highlights:
- Momo-chan, a chubby, friendly, little girl under two years old still, toddled around in the midst of everything. She is comfortable enough with me to grab hold of my legs and then lift up her arms, indicating that she wants to be picked up, and she bravely mingled with people and played with us throughout the evening.
- Two boys who had never come to the school before came as friends of some other students. They were only 5 years old, and at first they wouldn't come into the church building or talk to anyone because they were so shy. We brought the food to them in the parking lot area, talked a little, and played some games, and by the end of the night they were playing a running game that somehow included whirling full-speed into my arms. They ran in and out of the church as they needed and grabbed whatever food they wanted, with the former fears forgotten.
- Two of the five mothers present had just moved into the area, and it was fun to see the mothers talking to each other. Everybody (it seems to me, at least) wants a safe place or a place to belong (in some capacity), and it was cool to see the mothers chatting and looking for that friendship amongst each other and us.
Having just come off of the kid's ministry seminar earlier in the week, my brain is full of ideas and thoughts for the future...but for now, I just want to sit and think about the people for awhile and pray for them. Each person is dear, is loved, is known by a heavenly Father...and He knows way better than I do what they need.
Tomorrow is a BBQ in Fukushima! Craziness...more updates and pictures later (once I learn how to correctly upload pics and organize them within the blog :))...
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Some quick nature pics
Finally, some Fukushima pictures! I'll try to add more of actual people, classes, etc., now that I can upload them! These are all pictures taken near our apartment along my jogging route--one is from our balcony of our nearby volcano! :)
Monday, July 19, 2010
Gu-cha Gu-cha
Ok, so I think I said the words above (in the title) multiple times today while rubbing my stomach or patting my head...but after my second straight day of intense Japanese meetings, lectures, games, songs, and the like, I'm not confident in anything related to language! :) Be forewarned as you begin to read this post! :)
Today Sensei, Cindy, and I went to Horai Church for a kid's ministry seminar. I was expecting a very Japanese-style lecture, but we were told at opening worship last night to wear clothes we could run around in...so we came this morning with a little trepidation and a lot of curiosity. It was priceless--priceless--wonderful--amazing--etc. etc. etc. !!!!! Just a tidbit--so, we spent half the morning running relay races together. Picture two tall Americans, a bunch of high school boys, and older church people all running back and forth across a small room, laughing hysterically. It was beautiful. :)
But let me back up a bit. I've wanted to do dance and drama ministry for Japanese children for awhile now, because dance and music are so much more a part of their lives, and it's such a good way to communicate. There have only been two problems thus far: I don't know any Japanese Christian music written for children, and I don't know how to dance (my ability to choreograph things is very limited)...
When Sensei told Cindy and I that we should all go to this Japanese children's ministry seminar, I didn't expect in my wildest dreams that I would spend an entire morning dancing to children's songs. But yes, I definitely got to learn multiple children's songs and dance to them. Nor did I expect, this morning, that I would learn new games to play with children, how to speak to Japanese children about faith and other important matters, how to pray with and for them, and more...oh...seriously, do you guys ever just find yourselves in a moment when a former dream is unfolding before your eyes and you just have to look upward and smile?! Today was one of those days.
I don't know how this will all tie together, or where it will lead. But God obviously doesn't forget dreams or passions, and the Holy Spirit knows what's next...I'll just wait and see...and while I wait, maybe I'll dance. Or get a bunch of kids together to rub their heads and pat their stomachs, saying "gucha-gucha" while we do it! :)
Today Sensei, Cindy, and I went to Horai Church for a kid's ministry seminar. I was expecting a very Japanese-style lecture, but we were told at opening worship last night to wear clothes we could run around in...so we came this morning with a little trepidation and a lot of curiosity. It was priceless--priceless--wonderful--amazing--etc. etc. etc. !!!!! Just a tidbit--so, we spent half the morning running relay races together. Picture two tall Americans, a bunch of high school boys, and older church people all running back and forth across a small room, laughing hysterically. It was beautiful. :)
But let me back up a bit. I've wanted to do dance and drama ministry for Japanese children for awhile now, because dance and music are so much more a part of their lives, and it's such a good way to communicate. There have only been two problems thus far: I don't know any Japanese Christian music written for children, and I don't know how to dance (my ability to choreograph things is very limited)...
When Sensei told Cindy and I that we should all go to this Japanese children's ministry seminar, I didn't expect in my wildest dreams that I would spend an entire morning dancing to children's songs. But yes, I definitely got to learn multiple children's songs and dance to them. Nor did I expect, this morning, that I would learn new games to play with children, how to speak to Japanese children about faith and other important matters, how to pray with and for them, and more...oh...seriously, do you guys ever just find yourselves in a moment when a former dream is unfolding before your eyes and you just have to look upward and smile?! Today was one of those days.
I don't know how this will all tie together, or where it will lead. But God obviously doesn't forget dreams or passions, and the Holy Spirit knows what's next...I'll just wait and see...and while I wait, maybe I'll dance. Or get a bunch of kids together to rub their heads and pat their stomachs, saying "gucha-gucha" while we do it! :)
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Open doors and windows
Coming into a new site is a little weird, because there are no "regulars." At the other schools where I have taught, there has always been at least one or two families that one could count on to attend events, support the school, etc. Here at the Fukushima and Koriyama schools, we just don't really know who will show up where and when--even for class!
While that drives me crazy sometimes (I really like being orderly--especially when I'm trying to be academic and a good teacher!), it's also been really fun to watch God open doors in the neighborhood and city for new connections with new people.
Fun example:
There are two cheap restaurants with drink bars (free refills, basically, on many kinds of drinks) not far from our apartment, and these are the types of restaurants where junior high and high school students hang out. When Cindy and I walk into anywhere together, people immediately know we are present--two tall Americans speaking English to each other is hard to miss...not to mention the fact that Cindy is usually brandishing umbrellas and I've been wearing a pair of bright-yellow shoes...I often wonder if we scandalize all those around us :)--and the students take note of our presence. We say hi to people wherever we go and have had a lot of random conversations. Tonight we actually had a group of students come up to our table and say, "We saw you guys the other night! Are you English teachers? Where are you from?" The conversation ended with us passing out fliers, exchanging cell phone info, and laughing.
While this might not seem like such a big deal, it is a huge deal in terms of making connections! Japanese students are very loyal to their class or club, and they'll often do things together. In terms of spreading the gospel, students are much more likely to take God at His word and promise rather than view Christianity as a foreign religion from the outset. Many younger students have told me that they don't believe in the older gods of Buddhism and Shintoism, because they have seen that their prayers at the temple don't make a difference.
We have a true, real, living God--bigger and crazier than I could ever imagine. I could not claim Him as mine, but I've been promised that He has claimed me...and that is grace. How I pray that these students would be claimed by Him as well...not drawn into a foreign religion, but learning about the real God naturally, in their groups of friends and social networks as they get unlimited refills from their local restaurant and hang out spot... :)
I also pray for eyes to see the open doors and windows that God keeps placing in our paths, as we walk with yellow shoes, scary umbrellas, and the Holy Spirit to guide our steps... :)
While that drives me crazy sometimes (I really like being orderly--especially when I'm trying to be academic and a good teacher!), it's also been really fun to watch God open doors in the neighborhood and city for new connections with new people.
Fun example:
There are two cheap restaurants with drink bars (free refills, basically, on many kinds of drinks) not far from our apartment, and these are the types of restaurants where junior high and high school students hang out. When Cindy and I walk into anywhere together, people immediately know we are present--two tall Americans speaking English to each other is hard to miss...not to mention the fact that Cindy is usually brandishing umbrellas and I've been wearing a pair of bright-yellow shoes...I often wonder if we scandalize all those around us :)--and the students take note of our presence. We say hi to people wherever we go and have had a lot of random conversations. Tonight we actually had a group of students come up to our table and say, "We saw you guys the other night! Are you English teachers? Where are you from?" The conversation ended with us passing out fliers, exchanging cell phone info, and laughing.
While this might not seem like such a big deal, it is a huge deal in terms of making connections! Japanese students are very loyal to their class or club, and they'll often do things together. In terms of spreading the gospel, students are much more likely to take God at His word and promise rather than view Christianity as a foreign religion from the outset. Many younger students have told me that they don't believe in the older gods of Buddhism and Shintoism, because they have seen that their prayers at the temple don't make a difference.
We have a true, real, living God--bigger and crazier than I could ever imagine. I could not claim Him as mine, but I've been promised that He has claimed me...and that is grace. How I pray that these students would be claimed by Him as well...not drawn into a foreign religion, but learning about the real God naturally, in their groups of friends and social networks as they get unlimited refills from their local restaurant and hang out spot... :)
I also pray for eyes to see the open doors and windows that God keeps placing in our paths, as we walk with yellow shoes, scary umbrellas, and the Holy Spirit to guide our steps... :)
Monday, July 12, 2010
Highs and Lows and Yells and Laughter
The last week has held so many emotions! Throughout the week, I've sat through 4 different Japanese lectures, multiple prayer meetings, a couple of business meetings, etc., and each one has reminded me that over my year back in the States I lost a lot of the Japanese language. It's been tough to feel behind, or as if I'm not living up to the expectations of the church members or students here. Most Japanese people that I've gotten to know have a pretty set idea of what an American should look like, and their image is generally of a loud, confident, boisterous American. When I move into a new situation, I am anything but loud and confident, and usually after a couple of days people start whispering, "Is she ok?" "Do you think she's just shy?" etc. etc. So most of the yelling or struggles of the last week revolved around real or imagined expectations and images of who I should be as an American and as a church worker.
Last time I was in Japan, this period of frustration over what felt like unrealistic expectations involving my personality lasted a long time. Thankfully, throughout the week God gave great conversations with Cindy, Victor, the Nomura's, a church member, and other new friends. Slowly but surely, the Japanese is coming back. There have been times of music, times of prayer, poetry readings to annoy Cindy in the evenings :), and even pillow fights full of laughter, which probably entertain our neighbors. The elementary school and junior high kids in our area all know Cindy by her cheerful, loud conversations with them, and they giggle and talk to us when they meet us. A couple of high-school girls came to the Music Cafe event on Saturday, and by the end they seemed very comfortable with the church members and Cindy, Victor, and I.
The reality is that every time I change cultures or move from place to place, there is a time of struggle and silence...but old friends and new friends along the way bring light for the travels. Even the heaviness of being new and confused and incompetent can be chased away and lifted by prayer and laughter...such a blessing!
Last time I was in Japan, this period of frustration over what felt like unrealistic expectations involving my personality lasted a long time. Thankfully, throughout the week God gave great conversations with Cindy, Victor, the Nomura's, a church member, and other new friends. Slowly but surely, the Japanese is coming back. There have been times of music, times of prayer, poetry readings to annoy Cindy in the evenings :), and even pillow fights full of laughter, which probably entertain our neighbors. The elementary school and junior high kids in our area all know Cindy by her cheerful, loud conversations with them, and they giggle and talk to us when they meet us. A couple of high-school girls came to the Music Cafe event on Saturday, and by the end they seemed very comfortable with the church members and Cindy, Victor, and I.
The reality is that every time I change cultures or move from place to place, there is a time of struggle and silence...but old friends and new friends along the way bring light for the travels. Even the heaviness of being new and confused and incompetent can be chased away and lifted by prayer and laughter...such a blessing!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Pursued
The last few days have involved a lot of intense conversation regarding classes, students, textbooks, and all-around teachery-type things. I love the details, the plans, batting around themes and topics and assignments and projects...it also has helped to make me feel more like a part of things here. (Which reminds me--this is my first official week in Fukushima! I arrived about this time last Wednesday night! Time goes so quickly...)
Anyway, because of textbook conversations, Cindy and I decided to run to the bookstore to check out their selection of English textbooks and scan the options for new kid's curriculum. Upon arriving in the bookstore, we made a beeline for the textbooks and ended up literally claiming the entire area. In a very rude way, we settled down on the floor with all of our bags around us and commenced pulling books off the shelves left and right... :) Anyway, into the midst of our chaotic textbook searching walked three very adorable ladies who were obviously also looking for textbooks...after apologizing profusely for getting in their way, we ended up scanning textbooks together for awhile and then introducing ourselves. When the ladies learned that we were English teachers at Fukushima church, they were really excited, and Cindy told them about all of our upcoming events, etc., and invited them to stop by the church or call sometime.
Walking home from the bookstore, Cindy and I were exclaiming over how God brings people together at random moments...when suddenly we realized we were being pursued. The same three ladies called to us from a parking lot near the church--they had decided to immediately come and check out the school! They came in, met Sensei, and chatted for a few minutes, asking about some of the classes.
Moments like that make me laugh and praise and wonder at God all at the same time. I firmly believe that nothing happens by chance, and it is so cool to pray for connections and watch God immediately plunk three ladies into our laps! It reminds me that God is pursuing people, reaching out to them, wanting them to accept His truth and forgiveness and love... My work here is nothing compared to His Spirit's work, and His orchestration of all the meetings, conversations, and random textbook buying sprees...
A good reminder that God's work didn't end at the cross. His victory is in place, yes, but His love and pursuit of people continues...until that final heavenly home, where all nations gather in praise of the Lamb.
Anyway, because of textbook conversations, Cindy and I decided to run to the bookstore to check out their selection of English textbooks and scan the options for new kid's curriculum. Upon arriving in the bookstore, we made a beeline for the textbooks and ended up literally claiming the entire area. In a very rude way, we settled down on the floor with all of our bags around us and commenced pulling books off the shelves left and right... :) Anyway, into the midst of our chaotic textbook searching walked three very adorable ladies who were obviously also looking for textbooks...after apologizing profusely for getting in their way, we ended up scanning textbooks together for awhile and then introducing ourselves. When the ladies learned that we were English teachers at Fukushima church, they were really excited, and Cindy told them about all of our upcoming events, etc., and invited them to stop by the church or call sometime.
Walking home from the bookstore, Cindy and I were exclaiming over how God brings people together at random moments...when suddenly we realized we were being pursued. The same three ladies called to us from a parking lot near the church--they had decided to immediately come and check out the school! They came in, met Sensei, and chatted for a few minutes, asking about some of the classes.
Moments like that make me laugh and praise and wonder at God all at the same time. I firmly believe that nothing happens by chance, and it is so cool to pray for connections and watch God immediately plunk three ladies into our laps! It reminds me that God is pursuing people, reaching out to them, wanting them to accept His truth and forgiveness and love... My work here is nothing compared to His Spirit's work, and His orchestration of all the meetings, conversations, and random textbook buying sprees...
A good reminder that God's work didn't end at the cross. His victory is in place, yes, but His love and pursuit of people continues...until that final heavenly home, where all nations gather in praise of the Lamb.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Strong Tower
So, the pictures have been withheld because my laptop is not reading my camera...not sure what that's about, but when I try to move the pics from my camera to my laptop, I'm unable to do it as of right now... We've been dealing with random internet bugs and such things for the last couple of days, so technology is just getting a wrinkled nose from me at the moment. Seriously--Japan is one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world!...and we still often seem to *waste* so much time working out bugs and gliches and the like...ah, well.
Anyway... :) It was not my goal in this post to simply yell about technology. :)
This morning at church was my installation as an outreach worker here in Fukushima. I was ready for it to be slightly intense, because new people and tons of Japanese is bound to be a little overwhelming, after being gone for a year, but it was really a blessed morning. Saturday (yesterday), Cindy, Victor, Pr. Nomura, and I all spent quite a bit of time just singing praise songs and praying, and I think all of us came into our Sunday morning worship more refreshed because of it. I appreciate Sensei (Japanese for pastor) SO much...his sermon was all about mission and sharing the good news, but he used the verses from Luke where Jesus sent out the 72 disciples to remind us all that we are sent out, but we return again and again to God in prayer as we go. We are never to go outside of His presence--indeed, we cannot leave His presence--and we do not go as those who are homeless or impoverished. We go and share the Gospel as people who have a safe place, a strong tower, a heavenly home, a grace-filled Savior, a powerful Lord...
I love being on the front-lines and SEEING the reality of each of those things. Every day since I've come here, I miss some people back in America. Every day, I feel tired, or incompetent, or confused, or stressed in some way... Every day I sin... But maybe because of all of those obvious weaknesses and failures, God's power and mercy is so crystal-clear. Because of the darkness and fear so often felt and portrayed in this country, God's light and perfect love (which casts out fear) stand out in stark contrast to what is "normal." How often in America do we settle into lives that we can handle, control, manipulate, and feel successful in? And how often does our own ability and comfort shadow and hide God's daily miracles and gifts?
Sorry, now I'm preaching. It was so lovely though, to see Sensei, with tears in his eyes, remind the people of Fukushima church that God is their Strong Tower so that they can confidently speak of His love. Preach on, Sensei, preach on! :)
Anyway... :) It was not my goal in this post to simply yell about technology. :)
This morning at church was my installation as an outreach worker here in Fukushima. I was ready for it to be slightly intense, because new people and tons of Japanese is bound to be a little overwhelming, after being gone for a year, but it was really a blessed morning. Saturday (yesterday), Cindy, Victor, Pr. Nomura, and I all spent quite a bit of time just singing praise songs and praying, and I think all of us came into our Sunday morning worship more refreshed because of it. I appreciate Sensei (Japanese for pastor) SO much...his sermon was all about mission and sharing the good news, but he used the verses from Luke where Jesus sent out the 72 disciples to remind us all that we are sent out, but we return again and again to God in prayer as we go. We are never to go outside of His presence--indeed, we cannot leave His presence--and we do not go as those who are homeless or impoverished. We go and share the Gospel as people who have a safe place, a strong tower, a heavenly home, a grace-filled Savior, a powerful Lord...
I love being on the front-lines and SEEING the reality of each of those things. Every day since I've come here, I miss some people back in America. Every day, I feel tired, or incompetent, or confused, or stressed in some way... Every day I sin... But maybe because of all of those obvious weaknesses and failures, God's power and mercy is so crystal-clear. Because of the darkness and fear so often felt and portrayed in this country, God's light and perfect love (which casts out fear) stand out in stark contrast to what is "normal." How often in America do we settle into lives that we can handle, control, manipulate, and feel successful in? And how often does our own ability and comfort shadow and hide God's daily miracles and gifts?
Sorry, now I'm preaching. It was so lovely though, to see Sensei, with tears in his eyes, remind the people of Fukushima church that God is their Strong Tower so that they can confidently speak of His love. Preach on, Sensei, preach on! :)
Friday, July 2, 2010
30 hours of travel later... :)
Hi from Fukushima! I've been meaning to sit down and type this out right after I arrived but have been so sleepy...thankfully, not sleeping during travel has allowed me to not be so jet-lagged here. :) For those of you who regularly fly across America, let me tell you: 3 airplanes and 2 trains makes for a long trip! For those of you who regularly fly around the world, well...I don't know how you do it! :) Thanks so much to all of you who were praying for safe travel!
Since arriving in Fukushima, I have spent time with Cindy (my American coworker) and the Nomura's (the Japanese pastor and his wife) getting acclimated, completing official paperwork, meeting students, and talking about current and future ministries. Fukushima is beautiful--a perfect mix of city and country, for me! On Thursday Cindy and I took a train to the nearby city of Koriyama, where we work at a small church and English school, and I was open-mouthed as the train slowly wound its way around the base of the mountains, displaying green gardens, orchards, and forests. I was told that there is still a little snow on the higher mountaintops too! Pictures will be posted soon! :)
Because the English schools here have just been opened, there are only about 30 students. It is really different from the previous time I was in Japan, when 3 of us teaching had full schedules and over 100 students. However, it is also exciting to be in this place with time for new opportunities, and we've already started chatting about possible children's ministry, drama clubs, and other ways to get out in the community. Along with that, there's also been a lot of talk regarding prayer and worship with the Christians here...but that is maybe for another posting later.
Another former missionary from the states is visiting for the whole month of July, so it's fun to have him here to pray, brainstorm, and help as well...tonight we have a small ministry team meeting to get everybody on the same page, and I'm hoping to take some video to upload here, so you can see everyone's faces and hear some introductions!
Jaa, pictures and more to come, ne! :)
Since arriving in Fukushima, I have spent time with Cindy (my American coworker) and the Nomura's (the Japanese pastor and his wife) getting acclimated, completing official paperwork, meeting students, and talking about current and future ministries. Fukushima is beautiful--a perfect mix of city and country, for me! On Thursday Cindy and I took a train to the nearby city of Koriyama, where we work at a small church and English school, and I was open-mouthed as the train slowly wound its way around the base of the mountains, displaying green gardens, orchards, and forests. I was told that there is still a little snow on the higher mountaintops too! Pictures will be posted soon! :)
Because the English schools here have just been opened, there are only about 30 students. It is really different from the previous time I was in Japan, when 3 of us teaching had full schedules and over 100 students. However, it is also exciting to be in this place with time for new opportunities, and we've already started chatting about possible children's ministry, drama clubs, and other ways to get out in the community. Along with that, there's also been a lot of talk regarding prayer and worship with the Christians here...but that is maybe for another posting later.
Another former missionary from the states is visiting for the whole month of July, so it's fun to have him here to pray, brainstorm, and help as well...tonight we have a small ministry team meeting to get everybody on the same page, and I'm hoping to take some video to upload here, so you can see everyone's faces and hear some introductions!
Jaa, pictures and more to come, ne! :)
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