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| Just a quick entry, not that anyone is reading anymore but that's fine.
Got about 4 days left and its been a hectic trip.
I did get to spend an entire day with Doug Whittet and family, of OMF International.
Currently spending time with the masons.
Missed Kawarada san today because some high level Chinese delegate was coming to Osaka City and the cops were everywhere, which I think made it not worth it for Kawarada to be out at his corner. So it was a bit sad but I did speak with one of the folks at the Big Issue office and left omiage for him and Noguchi san.
Found out my editor friend at the office is now in the Tokyo office, which is why my new Big Issue Vendor friend, Yoshida san, knew of her. Yoshida san is a very likeable guy and I'll have a picture of him later. He is in Shinjuku.
Well, back for more later! | | |
| It seems so weird to blog here, especially since Xanga is basically the pits now, both in design/usability and traffic.
But, since I haven't mixed this blog into my website, AND since my Japan hiatus is about to end, I am blogging.
There is so much going on in my life right now. The busyness, oh the busyness.
I am just at the beginnings of being able to move to a state of Japan-trip in my heart. Even the busyness of what omiage I need to bring and shoring up plans for lodging and schedules to meet with people have been much to think about, as it always is.
My mind is finally making more room for this trip and what might happen. Its exciting and I really can't wait to get there.
So at this time, I covet your prayers.
Here's what I can think of today:
1. That since this particular trip will be part business for me and part mission, things will work themselves out.
Both are important to me but I want to make sure the missional part stays wide open for God to work through this trip.
2. I haven't seen Kawaharada san in over a year and I'm hoping to be able to get in contact with him through Big Issue Japan. Also hoping he is well.
3. I no longer know how I can assist Big Issue and have a sense that they really don't need my help because every time I learn new news about them, I'm impressed how forward thinking and sufficient they are. They are amazing people, the folks in the Osaka office. So I guess I am looking for guidance in the area of serving Kawaharada san, Noguchi san (if he remembers me), and Big Issue in the future.
4. My health and Ingrid's health. I have been plagued with allergies during this season, pretty bad. Still have chest congestion and my sinus infection is just starting to look like it's going away for good, after about 2 months. Please pray for that and also for good physical strength and stamina as we hustle up, down, and around the train stations.
5. That my Japanese skills (what little I have) will kick in and that I can communicate well. I haven't had time to study at all.
6. That I will be able to spend quality time with all the people I know in Japan. Especially with "all" the SIBC folks, Junko and her new husband, and Daisuke and his new fiancee, and Pastor Doug Whittet.
7. That God would provide opportunity to reach out to someone new and that I can glean more about serving Japanese nationals both here and in Japan.
Thanks for your prayers!
The countdown begins! | | |
| I have beaten down my valley fever!
Went to the doctor this week and was pronounced done with this dreaded disease.
Thank you to all who have prayed for me and wished me recovery. I have been blessed by you!
Now, on to Japan. I am tentatively planning to go in May for two weeks.
Yataa!!! | | |
| Well, my year away from Japan is about to end. I really didn't get to rest but it did make my heart anxious to get back to Japan. Looking at the first quarter of 2008 for maybe a two week trip.
Merry Christmas everyone! | | |
| Well, it took me long enough but here's a summary of my recent trip to
Japan. It was my 4th trip since June of 2003. I went with
two great brothers, Greg and James, and I am ever thankful for their
company. I was going to go on my own but in the end, I'm so glad
they had open schedules to join me. It certainly made the trip
more fun and was meaningful for all, on the minsitry end and for our
friendships.
I'm still mulling over whether to move this entire blog to my website
or not. For those of you who have my website URL, you've already
seen the video from this trip. If you don't have it and would
like it, you can leave me your info. and I'll get it to you. I'm
looking into getting video posted on this site but haven't found a site
that will do it in a format and size I'd like.
James and Greg, at Narita Airport station, awaiting our
train to Tokyo Station.
We spent our first night in Tokyo and
then off to Osaka the next day. Because there are no more direct
flights from LAX to Kansai International, we flew into Tokyo, rather
than lengthening our trip on the US side via San Francisco.
This is a bummer for going to Osaka directly and costs more but it does
open up the opportunity to visit Junko and Daisuke in Yokohama, and to
see Pastor Doug Whittet in Ichikawa.
As usual, in Osaka, we stay at the International Youth Hostel in Hagoromo, which is not very far from Sakai, where SIBC is.
As SIBC's new church site wasn't ready for service yet, they rented a
crafts room at the hostel's conference center, which in a way made the
three of us the hosts. It was a perfect opportunity for SIBC
to bill what could have been a low turnout Sunday into one that people
actually came out to, despite the rain predictions, because Epic folks
were going to be part of the service.I was able to share part of my
testimony.
I spoke mainly of my
health issues and how it has given me a different perspective on my
serving in Japan, and also shared about all the other people I now
visit in Japan, besides SIBC. It was a chance to introduce social
justice ministry to many by sharing about Kawaharada san and The Big
Issue Japan Magazine. Noji here translating for me.
Greg was able to use his wonderful talent as a singer, musician, and composer and shared his original music.
James did a devotional that directly related to "change" and how God presents us with new things.
He also related back to how Epic has moved many times in the last few years.
SIBC's new space being finished.
Michael and the guys, dreaming big about what God might be doing and the new possibilities of being at this new address.
While we were all bummed that we couldn't be there to celebrate SIBC's
first service in their new space, we were thankful for the opportunity
to help Michael move their furniture and boxes out of the storage
area. The space wasn't ready until about 8:30 PM and we worked
very quickly as we had to be back at the hostel by 11:00 and were
leaving the next morning.
We were thankful that we had so many folks at Epic, friends, and family praying for our
trip. Just like many trips before, the weather forcast was for
bad weather, but the rain turned out to not be a factor. Only one
evening did it come down on us, and it really wasn't that hard.
The forcast was to have every major day for us ruined by lots of
rain. Looks like someone took care of that. 90% of the trip
required no hat, hood, or umbrella.
Kawaharada san and The Big Issue Japan
I was again fortunate to be able to have lunch with Kawaharada
san. I visited The Big Issue Japan office and was told he now has
a pay as you go cell phone. I was encouraged by that because it
meant that he was a little bit better off than the last time I was with
him. I also discovered that his real last name is Kawaharada
rather than Kawarada, which is the way it was spelled in the original
articel I first learned of him. I think because the
pronounciation is almost the same for both, The Big Issue folks never
corrected me.
I was really unclear if I would see Kawaharada san or if I would be
able to meet with Sano san of Big Issue because I wasn't able to
contact the office before getting there. Seems that the email to
the office had changed since last year. I wasn't able to contact
Kawaharada's phone for two days, with my Osaka time running out.
I tried him one last time and was able to get through. I think
the office folks told him I was in town and was going to call him, so
he put some money on his phone account and it was reactivated.
Timing is everything. It tickled me that one of the things
Kawarada san talked about, during lunch, was the difficulty he sometimes had at his
new job, which is delivering meals at a hospital. His difficulty
was keeping track of people who had Western, European, and Japanese
meals. Isn't that the kind of banter people always have when
getting together? We talk about work, right? But those that
don't have jobs cannot do this seamingly insignificant thing. We
take it for granted, don't we?
As the timing didn't seem right to discuss my big brother idea for the
vendors with the magazine staff, I decided before leaving that I'd like
to add another one of the vendors to my own buddy list. While
visiting the magazine office, I was invited to watch a video on a
concert that the magazine participated in a few days before. It
was a concert put on by a known j-pop group, which also had vendors come on stage playing things like pots and
pans. When Sano san offered to give magazines to James and Greg,
I mentioned that we'd like to have the sale credited to a vendor.
Sano san said there was a vendor in the the office and out came Noguchi
san. I look forward to my next trip so I can visit him too.
The group was playing in New York the following week and Noguchi, as
well as other vendors, was invited to go. Big Issue also started
a social networking computer station at the office so the vendors could
keep in contact with each other. Those people there are great and
on top of it.
Kawarada san
Noguchi san at The Big Issue Japan Office
R and R
One of the biggest benefits to staying at the youth hostel is the big onsen (hot spring bath) they have.
We L.A. folk are just not used to all that walking! Its not just
that. If you've ever gone to Japan, you know that you have to
walk up and down stairs at each and every station, up and down stairs
to each platform to board your train. As usual, I had lots of
Omiage (gifts) to bring to Japan. 1 and 1/2 suitcases full of
care package items for missionaries, and goodies for friends on the
Tokyo side and Osaka side. On the second day, right when we were
arriving at the youth hostel, I felt my forearm muscle give out and my
right knee was sore, and my feet were swolen. Actually my feet
were swolen for the entire trip. Weird and painful.
If you are questioning the gift giving, that's a completely different conversaion to have. Its necessary, period.
Greg was looking to have one night at an authentic Ryokan (Japanese
style inn). I am a firm believer that fun on mission is a good
thing and it proved to be the thing that got me, physically, through
the trip.
It was at the halfway point of our trip and I was able to soak in real
hot springs and even a massage, that took away my back pain for the
rest of the trip.
Having a huge dinner at the Ryokan.
On to Yokohama and back to Tokyo
After searching high and low for lockers large enough to hold all our
luggage, we met up with Junko, Daisuke, and Daisuke's family at
Yokohama Station. The plan for the day- visit Kamakura and then
Raumen Museum in Yokohama. Yes, there is a ramen museum.
There's also a curry museum but that will have to be for another trip.
It's always great to visit Junko, to see if she's doing O.K., to hear what she's up to and to get a read on Japan.
She is also invaluable to translate, especially with Daisuke.
With Daisuke, its always just about spending time together.
Building and keeping the friendship. I don't know if or when
Daisuke may come to better know Christ, but I have learned that it is
the relatationship that's key. It is my hope that his friendship with
a Christian will leave him open for when God swoops in to capture his
heart.
Prior to leaving for Japan, I recorded and edited videos for Daisuke, Junko, and SIBC.
Each video had people from Epic saying hello and wishing each of them well.
Greg said that he could see how appreciative Daisuke's family was that we would do these things.
We spent a day with them and when we parted ways at the station that
evening, Daisuke's new girlfriend, Yuko, was trying very hard to hold
back tears. That was quite precious to me.
It was also amazing how Daisuke's mother paid for all of us and for everything we did that day (train fare included).
I think she still feels that Japanese obligation to host us, after we treated Daisuke on his trip out here.
I found out that she works in a toll booth so this day cost her big time.
Left to Right- Shige (Kumi's boyfriend), Kumi (Daisuke's sister), Daisuke's mom, Daisuke
Bottom row- me, Yuko (Daisuke's girlfriend)
James, Junko, and Greg
Me and Daisuke outside a soba house in Kamakura. We were told
that Kamakura was famous for two things. The Big Buddha statue
and Soba noodles.
Daisuke's family thought it would be cool to see a major tourist spot, which is the big statue of Buddha.
I remember on my first trip to Japan, we were trying to be keen to the
Spirit leading us to or away from temples and such. Junko and I
both agreed that there is much to gain from Daisuke's family seeing us
Christians be open to seeing something that is part of their culture,
rather than doing the "I'm a Christian so I can't or won't go see that
statue." I can't really expect them to be open to my God, without
some give on my part. Daisuke and his family have always waited
for me to pray before our meals, which means he's spoken to them about
our Christian faith and rituals. Please pray for them, they are
special.
On the way to the big Buddha
Raumen Museum
is a place where you sample different ramen from different regions of
Japan and learn about the history of ramen. It is made to look
like an old Japanese town. Not a whole lot of pictures of the ramen, I was too busy eating.
Leaving Yokohama Station, Daisuke, Junko, and Yuko
Meeting with Pastor Doug Whittet of OMF.
Greg and I was able to barely wake up for our 7 AM breakfast with
Doug, the day after our all day time with Daisuke and Junko. Doug is one of those pastors that is amazingly
pastoral. I was hoping to offer him encouragement and prayer but
in the end, as usual, I am the beneficiary of true encouraement and
prayer. He prayed some amazing things over Greg and I. This
man has God's ear for sure. Missionaries in Japan are so amazing.
Me (with very bad hat head), Pastor Doug, and Greg.
Wolfgang, me, and Doug
I was also able to do some testing via Skype video with Carey, who was back in Cali.
OMF has a wireless signal and so I was able to move a camera around with my laptop.
The signal was also fun to use on the airplane ride back. We are
hoping to set up a signal where we can have live connection with SIBC's
service some time.
Well, those are just a few pictures of what we did in Japan. Its
funny that while you are serving, you don't really have much time to
take pictures, so most of my pictures are always of leisure time.
People always look at the pictures and say, "What did you do out there
besides eat and shop?"
I always question the effectiveness of what I actually do accomplish on these short term trips.
I am getting more and more confident that what little I do
matters. The encouragement needed by missionaries, the contact
with a fellow church, and the keeping of friendships seem to go a long
way.
I've learned that many things is Japan, ministry-wise, takes a great
amount of patience. I think there's a balance between the
Japaneseness that many missionaries have adopted and our Americanness,
which says "lets change things now." All these trips are
basically keeping me from saving money for any kind of retirement or
emergency fund but, for now, I cannot seem to see those things as more
important. Plus, God continues to bless me by giving me my daily
bread. In the end, I just hope that I am representing Jesus well
when I'm there, and that more followers of Christ go to Japan. It
is not a third world country but it is a country that is in no less
need of God's love and nurturing.
My prayer requests are:
- for SIBC to continue to grow and to see the amazing things God will bring as a result of them moving.
- for the Pastor Michael Mason's family, their constant adjustments living in Japan and their mission support
- for continued support for Kawaharada san
- for a future friendship to start with Noguchi san and other vendors
- for more partnering with The Big Issue Japan magazine
- for Daisuke and his family to have many opportunities to experience Christ
- for Pastor Doug Whittet's family, their well being and encouragement
This trip ranked up there with my best ever.
Thanks for all who visit this site and offer encouragement to me.
I'll blog more about Japan as things come to mind.
rick
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