Just for fun...and unfailing things

A couple weeks ago a bunch of us went to a Sunday afternoon organ concert after church, because the performer had special ties to our church. I had to chuckle to myself as "all us girls" double-checked our hair, redid our makeup, and smoothed our skirts or dresses. Some things just don't change, no matter what the culture. :)

And, speaking of things that don't change over culture, here is my "sentimental" song for the week: "Love Never Fails" by Brandon Heath. I'm not sure why, but it's been a good week to have the reminder that God is Love, and that He doesn't fail. There have been a lot of instances of grace this week--some that I and others have received willingly, and other instances not-so-willingly. It's funny how offensive the "love never fails" thought can be--because as humans, we definitely fail, and so to be faced with something unfailing somehow points out our guilt and shame even more clearly. If we get past the offense though, I think most of us come to the realization that we're desperate for love that is unfailing--no matter the culture. Yay for a reality of being held secure by the love of our Father-King.

To the general "you" :)

If you would have been walking by Koriyama church yesterday, you would have seen 5 rambunctious children, ages 6 to 1, and two English teachers crawling around on the floor. You probably would have heard shrieks of joy, several gales of laughter, and some bouts of tears when the younger ones couldn't keep up with their older siblings. If you'd looked close, you would have seen the perfectly-developed and well-rehearsed pout on the 1-year-old, when her siblings came from English class with candy and she was standing empty-mouthed. You also probably would have seen the group of mothers, chatting together amidst the bedlam as if they were old friends.

If you would have stood outside and pondered the scene for awhile, you might have found yourself wondering what the women were talking about so enthusiastically, while the English teachers and kids were creating such a playful scene.

Sometimes I find it inexpressibly sad that you're not here, that you can't see or partake in the craziness, and, during moments like yesterday, I find my heart full with both joy and sorrow as I was able to participate again in a beautiful conversation about the Bible. My poor writing on the computer can't quite communicate the eagerness with which my Thursday mothers ask me questions about Bible study, or the funny discussions that come up, or the connections they make to their lives which are beautiful.

Noah, Abraham, Adam and Eve, God's plan, faith, human sin, God's goodness...these all come up in a conversation of two languages and many children's playful noises. :) It is so...real...and maybe because of that, it is such a blessing.

A new family joined the evening Bible study last night--primarily because the other mothers' talk about the Bible all through the afternoon English class. :) Was it crazy, with everyone coming in at different times? Did children run around in circles? Of course. :) But when the mothers start to talk about Abram's very-inconsistent faith and compare it to their own hearts...when they start asking Sensei questions in Japanese because they can't help but want to know the answers...when they ask for next-week's homework and gladly receive five chapters of reading...

...that is when I wish you guys could be here, and see how God pursues people, and know--beyond the shadow of a doubt--that we have, with us, a loving God, and many people who are hungry for Him.

The honest questions...

A rather explosive Bible study this afternoon has left me pondering faith for the last few hours. Surrounded by people with different faiths, different cultural systems, and different values, I'm always tempted to "agree to disagree" rather than speak truth clearly. But today in Bible study students were asking me about Christ's second coming, faith, prayer, etc., and it was one of those moments when it is impossible to say anything without offending anyone or being untruthful. Those moments always make me fall into pensive thinking for awhile, because these are the honest questions that run through my head, the questions I need to have answered:

- Why do I believe in the God of the Bible? Is it because of my upbringing, my culture, warm and fuzzy feelings in my past experience, a miracle I saw, or my own interpretation of truth?

- Why do I believe that there is only one way to God? And can I say with truth that the one way is Jesus? If that is the truth, can I say that it is more important than harmony, family, success, friendships, or even my own life?

In today's discussion on prayer, we ended up talking about the Japanese customs of going to temples and shrines to pray...I don't know if you guys have ever experienced moments when you must stammer out, "But you guys are wrong..." and can only back it up with a weak, "The Bible tells me so," but I experience those moments regularly. I hate telling people that they are believing a lie--a dangerous lie, because they are giving themselves to powers of darkness. I hate to make it seem like somehow I have the "right way," while their way is wrong. But I also can't just say that everything is ok--can't say that worshiping stone and tree and wishing for good luck somehow can be reconciled with the truth of the Scriptures.

Hear me out on this--I'm not questioning my faith for myself. But when the proclamation of my faith produces pain for others, I have to revisit the question of its truthfulness. (Somehow, because of my American upbringing, I am allowed to separate faith "for myself" and for others. Why/how can I do this? But that's another blog maybe...)

So why do I have faith again? I have to remind myself, to remind myself that it's worth the painful moments of confrontation, worth the broken false harmony, worth the awkward questions and misunderstandings. I have faith because...I'm still breathing. Because every day I run into things bigger than I can understand or fathom, yet they still exist to give me life. Because I know I need a Savior. Because when I pray, God answers. Because history can testify to the Bible and Jesus. Because...it's faith.

Sigh. I wish I always knew the right balance of honest speaking and quiet listening. I wish I always knew words that would both convict and bring life. But these are the moments that remind me I depend on God's truth, and on His forgiveness--moments when John the Baptist's words echo clearly through my head, "He must increase, and I must decrease."

Help, God! I need You to show Yourself in truth and love. Forgive us for our unbelief, and help us to believe.

Naru-Hodo :)

Years ago, in Niigata, my adopted Japanese brother taught me a very useful Japanese phrase: naru-hodo, naru-hodo. The phrase means something like, "Oh, I get it! I get it!"--used at times of dawning realizations, new discoveries, etc. Here are the three most extreme naru-hodo moments of the last week, that I thought I'd share with you all. :)

1. Last Saturday I WASN'T attending a potato celebration. Who knew?! :) We were actually celebrating taro, which are deliciously similar to soft potatoes. :)

2. Teaching language in a foreign country somehow renders one language-less. Or, at least it renders me language-less. What was that word for living naturally again??...oh, sustainability is what I was going for (this is in a discussion of the aluminum company and the toxic sludge in Hungary). And what do we call people who work at fairs? Roadies? Vendors? And what does midway really mean? Sigh. Yes, all of this took place in one class yesterday!

3. My pastor and I work well together as a team. Though this is something I've known for awhile, I was reminded of it again when English Bible study Thursday night was a beautiful mix of two languages, Sensei's historical comments and insights, and my rather incoherent questions. Such a blessing!

Anyway, I'm off to prep for our first event targeting kids here in Fukushima, and I'm excited for this afternoon, the Creation Story, and songs, games, and general craziness. :) Sorry for the week of non-communicative-ness (oy, that's not English, is it? See point number 2 above.:))--I'll sit down and communicate hopefully after the impending bedlam of the afternoon is over! :) Prayers appreciated for the next hours!

Potatoes by the riverside

Sweaty palms, knocking knees, and a heart beating a staccato rhythm in my chest...

Where am I going again?...Should I speak Japanese, or English?...Who's going to be there?...Will I have to give a speech? I should come up with something to say...Oh! I can ask about that lady's daughter, who I met. And I can talk about Fukushima's weather....and maybe we can play games, if the kids are there...Should I have brought more food? Less food? Different food?...Where am I going again?...

I confess that Jesus setting His face resolutely towards Jerusalem went through my mind as I walked to an "Imo (potato) party" by the riverside. Yesterday Sensei received a phone call from the leaders of an after-school program that I started volunteering at, and they requested that I come to their Imo Party and be introduced to their board of parental directors, etc...so, with a quaking heart, many questions, and a bag of sembe (rice crackers?), I made my way this afternoon to the riverside, hoping to find a familiar face and end up in the right group of people! Picture never hearing about 4th of July celebrations, and then being invited to join a 4th of July party--that is kind of how I felt going to celebrate potatoes with new people. :)

In the end, there were plenty of awkward conversations. I fielded questions like, "How long is your Fukushima?" (what exactly is that asking?) and somehow communicated that I'd majored in geology at school (yes, Dr. Trapp probably just fainted at the thought of me majoring in geology). I most likely sat when I was supposed to stand, ate when I was supposed to be not eating, and bowed at many wrong times...but there was also laughter and new friendships, and I got to meet the parents of the kids that I see walking by the church almost every day! There was sun, smiles, and new stories being wound together as we joined in that bit of time.

I pray, and stumble around, and hope that smiles make up for many broken cultural rules. :) And faith gives me courage to celebrate eating potatoes and to recognize that the opportunity is a blessing. :)