Friday, October 24, 2008
Comments
I just changed the settings to allow anyone to comment on my blogs. I didn't realize the setting was on only registered blog users. So feel free to leave a comment. I'm sorry if you already tried, but didn't want to sign up for a blog. Thanks!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
A Good Day
Monday of this week I had an extremely productive day. I did absolutely nothing! Ha! Well, to be truthful I didn't do nothing and it was actually quite productive because I prepared for my classes for this week, but I didn't leave the Arita's house at all. It was my first real day off...and I needed it! The previous days that were meant to be my days off the church members had taken me sightseeing to different places, which is nice but doesn't give me a true break to relax. So I started the week out rested and feeling more ready for this week's classes.
Yesterday (Tuesday) was a day that encouraged me. In my first class at Kobuchi church there were eight women who came. The church members brought a few of their friends. So it's great to have more people attend, though it does make it a little bit more difficult to teach and give everyone an equal chance to talk. But at least they are there and I can have a chance to share my life with them.
In my afternoon class with women at Sudo Sensei's house in Yamazaki, I had a good experience. Only two women could make the class yesterday and I think the Lord was leading in that to create a more open and intimate atmosphere. One of the women is actually also a Christian and has been for forty years, her name is Kyoko. The other is not a Christian and is named Sumiko. Though I had something planned as a lesson, conversation started in Japanese between them and Sudo Sensei and his wife who stay for the class as well. I'm not entirely sure where or how it started but from the beginning until the end of the class we were talking about religion. It was mentioned that most Japanese are not very religious anymore. Sumiko asked me what I thought about Shintoism and Buddhism since I studied them while I was in Japan for a semester during college. I told her that to me those religions were very complicated. There are so many gods. They agreed that it was even complicated for Japanese themselves. Sumiko said that old Japan was a farming country and so the farmers prayed to the gods of rain and sun and ground, etc. So that is why there are so many gods. I wondered if since there are less farmers and so much technology that the Japanese don't necessarily have a need to pray to all these different gods anymore and that is why so many are no longer religious.
Sumiko then explained a little more to me about how more people are turning back to the Shinto and Buddhist traditions recently and how it is becoming again like before World War II. (After the war the Japanese people were greatly influenced by the American/Western presence which caused a turning from old Japanese traditions for Western ways and a somewhat greater openness to Christianity.) I asked her why she thought people were turning back to the ways before the war and she said it was mainly because the people enjoy the festivities. The activites give the people a good feeling in their hearts. Then Sudo Sensei mentioned that the people don't understand or believe what the festivities mean in terms of religious significance, but go just to find some enjoyment. So as you can see, just like all people, the Japanese are looking for ways to be refreshed; refreshed in their hearts and minds and even spiritually though they may not realize it.
Later in the hour I asked what Sumiko believed about God. She first told me that she didn't have a religion, but that her father had taught her that God was in her heart. So he told her that when she is in a hard time she should pray to the God in her heart and that makes her calm. Then she continued on to say that she also prays to her parents. She has a picture of her parents that she prays to each morning and each evening. She also lights a candle and seeing the flame makes her feel calm. So she said this was her religion.
[Praying to and for the ancestors is a common Japanese custom and is part of the Shinto/Buddhist religion. There is a holiday in September for visiting the graves of family members that have passed away. The younger, living generation is supposed to take care of the graves of their ancestors and pray for/to them. It is their duty to support the previous generations to get into paradise. This is one of the reasons why being a Christian in Japan is hard. The parents worry that their children won't take care of them after they die, because as you know Christianity doesn't support this kind of idea.]
After learning about what Sumiko believes about God I then asked the Christian woman to tell us what she believes about God. She shared that she believes in Christ, but unfortunately, she had a harder time explaining exactly what it was she believes. When Sudo Sensei helped to prompt her to share some of her testimony, Kyoko said that her mother was a Christian and she respected her mother's lifestyle as a Christian so that is why she believed in Christ. (And her mother is actually turning 101 years young this month!)
[Respecting your parents is also traditionally a very important value in Japan (and perhaps in Asia in general). It is particularly a strong value for the older generation and though I think perhaps that some of the younger generation is getting away from it in some ways, it is still a prevalent value for all. The one junior high boy student I have told me he wants to be a fireman like his dad because he respects his father. So you can imagine why praying to and taking care of the graves of parents is so important. Just to share a thought---Japan also has one of the highest life expectancies. This makes you think a little more about the command to "Honor your father and your mother and so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you." Think about it.]
To end the class I decided to ask if I could pray and everyone agreed. Before I prayed I asked the two women what I could pray for them. I knew asking Sumiko this question might put me in a kind of sticky situation, but I knew God would guide me with wisdom. She asked that I would pray that her parents would be in paradise. I wasn't sure what I'd do about that, but I simply agreed and started praying. I thanked God for everyone there and prayed for the health of Kyoko's husband who is in the hospital. And I thanked God for Sumiko's love for her parents and said some kind of vague thing about giving protection, not mentioning to who exactly. God knows what to do with a prayer request like that. And that was that. Short, sweet, and simple.
When I finished praying and looked up, I noticed that Sumiko had started to quietly cry as I was praying. Well, everyone noticed of course. She was obviously touched. Just to explain something about her personality, Sumiko is a very gentle, proper, soft spoken, but also a well-spoken kind of woman as far as I have gotten a chance to see who she is. It was clear the way she talked of her father and her parents and her family (when she showed a family picture she had brought), and then also asked for that prayer, that she cares very very much for her family.
Just before she got ready to leave, Sumiko told me that she respected my parents because she would not have been able to let her 24 year old daughter go so far away. I told her that, yes, my parents want me with them, but that they trust God to keep me safe.
Later, at dinner Sudo Sensei told me that when he took Sumiko to the elevator she told him that even though she didn't know what I was saying in my prayer she was just really grateful and glad that someone else prayed for her parents. It was something special to her. So I didn't need to worry about her hearing what I prayed because I wasn't even sure what to pray at that moment, but the important thing was that I did pray on her behalf. I don't know how God is going to show her the truth of His Son, but I know that right now she is experiencing love.
Yesterday (Tuesday) was a day that encouraged me. In my first class at Kobuchi church there were eight women who came. The church members brought a few of their friends. So it's great to have more people attend, though it does make it a little bit more difficult to teach and give everyone an equal chance to talk. But at least they are there and I can have a chance to share my life with them.
In my afternoon class with women at Sudo Sensei's house in Yamazaki, I had a good experience. Only two women could make the class yesterday and I think the Lord was leading in that to create a more open and intimate atmosphere. One of the women is actually also a Christian and has been for forty years, her name is Kyoko. The other is not a Christian and is named Sumiko. Though I had something planned as a lesson, conversation started in Japanese between them and Sudo Sensei and his wife who stay for the class as well. I'm not entirely sure where or how it started but from the beginning until the end of the class we were talking about religion. It was mentioned that most Japanese are not very religious anymore. Sumiko asked me what I thought about Shintoism and Buddhism since I studied them while I was in Japan for a semester during college. I told her that to me those religions were very complicated. There are so many gods. They agreed that it was even complicated for Japanese themselves. Sumiko said that old Japan was a farming country and so the farmers prayed to the gods of rain and sun and ground, etc. So that is why there are so many gods. I wondered if since there are less farmers and so much technology that the Japanese don't necessarily have a need to pray to all these different gods anymore and that is why so many are no longer religious.
Sumiko then explained a little more to me about how more people are turning back to the Shinto and Buddhist traditions recently and how it is becoming again like before World War II. (After the war the Japanese people were greatly influenced by the American/Western presence which caused a turning from old Japanese traditions for Western ways and a somewhat greater openness to Christianity.) I asked her why she thought people were turning back to the ways before the war and she said it was mainly because the people enjoy the festivities. The activites give the people a good feeling in their hearts. Then Sudo Sensei mentioned that the people don't understand or believe what the festivities mean in terms of religious significance, but go just to find some enjoyment. So as you can see, just like all people, the Japanese are looking for ways to be refreshed; refreshed in their hearts and minds and even spiritually though they may not realize it.
Later in the hour I asked what Sumiko believed about God. She first told me that she didn't have a religion, but that her father had taught her that God was in her heart. So he told her that when she is in a hard time she should pray to the God in her heart and that makes her calm. Then she continued on to say that she also prays to her parents. She has a picture of her parents that she prays to each morning and each evening. She also lights a candle and seeing the flame makes her feel calm. So she said this was her religion.
[Praying to and for the ancestors is a common Japanese custom and is part of the Shinto/Buddhist religion. There is a holiday in September for visiting the graves of family members that have passed away. The younger, living generation is supposed to take care of the graves of their ancestors and pray for/to them. It is their duty to support the previous generations to get into paradise. This is one of the reasons why being a Christian in Japan is hard. The parents worry that their children won't take care of them after they die, because as you know Christianity doesn't support this kind of idea.]
After learning about what Sumiko believes about God I then asked the Christian woman to tell us what she believes about God. She shared that she believes in Christ, but unfortunately, she had a harder time explaining exactly what it was she believes. When Sudo Sensei helped to prompt her to share some of her testimony, Kyoko said that her mother was a Christian and she respected her mother's lifestyle as a Christian so that is why she believed in Christ. (And her mother is actually turning 101 years young this month!)
[Respecting your parents is also traditionally a very important value in Japan (and perhaps in Asia in general). It is particularly a strong value for the older generation and though I think perhaps that some of the younger generation is getting away from it in some ways, it is still a prevalent value for all. The one junior high boy student I have told me he wants to be a fireman like his dad because he respects his father. So you can imagine why praying to and taking care of the graves of parents is so important. Just to share a thought---Japan also has one of the highest life expectancies. This makes you think a little more about the command to "Honor your father and your mother and so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you." Think about it.]
To end the class I decided to ask if I could pray and everyone agreed. Before I prayed I asked the two women what I could pray for them. I knew asking Sumiko this question might put me in a kind of sticky situation, but I knew God would guide me with wisdom. She asked that I would pray that her parents would be in paradise. I wasn't sure what I'd do about that, but I simply agreed and started praying. I thanked God for everyone there and prayed for the health of Kyoko's husband who is in the hospital. And I thanked God for Sumiko's love for her parents and said some kind of vague thing about giving protection, not mentioning to who exactly. God knows what to do with a prayer request like that. And that was that. Short, sweet, and simple.
When I finished praying and looked up, I noticed that Sumiko had started to quietly cry as I was praying. Well, everyone noticed of course. She was obviously touched. Just to explain something about her personality, Sumiko is a very gentle, proper, soft spoken, but also a well-spoken kind of woman as far as I have gotten a chance to see who she is. It was clear the way she talked of her father and her parents and her family (when she showed a family picture she had brought), and then also asked for that prayer, that she cares very very much for her family.
Just before she got ready to leave, Sumiko told me that she respected my parents because she would not have been able to let her 24 year old daughter go so far away. I told her that, yes, my parents want me with them, but that they trust God to keep me safe.
Later, at dinner Sudo Sensei told me that when he took Sumiko to the elevator she told him that even though she didn't know what I was saying in my prayer she was just really grateful and glad that someone else prayed for her parents. It was something special to her. So I didn't need to worry about her hearing what I prayed because I wasn't even sure what to pray at that moment, but the important thing was that I did pray on her behalf. I don't know how God is going to show her the truth of His Son, but I know that right now she is experiencing love.
Koto
Mrs. Arita likes to play the traditional Japanese instrument called the koto. She had a concert last Saturday at the Sagamihara city hall. She practiced a lot each day and I wish I could have gone to the concert to see her play, but I had classes to give that day. She did not play alone, but in an orchestra of Japanese traditional instruments. Since I couldn't make it, Mrs. Arita gave me my own personal concert the morning before the performance. She is wearing a kimono and I was told the concert was beautiful. But Mrs. Arita is glad her performance is finally finished and not be so busy practicing.
Hakone
Last Friday Abe Sensei (who is the pastor of the church in Sagamihara) and his wife Keiko took me to a beautiful and popular spot to go see in Japan, called Hakone. Their two year old grandson came along too. Aiden is adorable and loves to talk, in both Japanese and English because his father is American.
Hakone is a beautiful natural area of mountains that are actually volcanoes. Don't worry, they aren't erupting. But they are still active. Japan is full of volcanic activity and there are hot springs all over. Hakone is one of the famous places for hot springs.
It is popular here to eat a hard boiled egg that has been boiled in the hot springs. So the shell ends up black, but it is a normal egg inside. They think this makes the egg healthier.
From this area you can see Mount Fuji on a good, clear day. If you look closely in some of the following pictures you can see the very top of Mount Fuji hovering above the rest of the mountains within the clouds, it is covered in snow. Where we were it was 1000 km (or miles?) and Mount Fuji is at 3000 km above sea level.
There is also a beautiful lake, of which I forget the name. We sailed across it on a nice Viking-looking boat.
After the day of sightseeing, Abe Sensei and Keiko took me to their house for dinner. Their house is also the building for the church. It is located in a more rural, quiet area outside Tokyo. Next to their house there is a small chestnut orchard. I talked with Abe Sensei about what his vision is for his church. His son Tomoyuki will finish from Seminary in May and with return to Tokyo with his wife to work with his father. They are interested in starting a church near one of the train stations that is close to where a few universities are. So their are many students in that area that they wish to minister to. Abe Sensei also hopes to buy the chestnut orchard next to his house and build a larger church there someday.
It has been really encouraging to hear from each pastor about their desire for their churches to grow and to see more people come to the saving knowledge of Christ.
Monday, October 20, 2008
A little insight into the Japanese mentality
I have had several chances to chat with Masuda Sensei since I've been here. A week ago from last Thursday he gave me a quick tour of the Ochanomizu Bible Institute (established in 1990). It is located in downtown Tokyo and he is the president of the institute.
Each time I've talked with Masuda Sensei, he has been very eager to share with me about the Japanese mentality, in general and in regards to religion. He has had a lot of experience working with people of other cultures; he studied and lived in Pennsylvania for several years and has worked with international organizations. It seems obvious to me that he is very interested in the sociological and psychological tendencies of his own culture (which, of course, is important as he discerns the most effective ways to reach his own people with the gospel). I told him that he talks about the Japanese as though he isn't one and he got a good laugh at that. Then he responded by saying that by living in a different culture you learn a lot about your own. Understandable. In fact, he even mentioned this week that he acts somewhat as a bridge between the American/western culture and the Japanese/eastern culture. It is a privilege for him to do this for God's glory.
So I thought I'd just share some things that I took note of from my times with Masuda Sensei, and also Sudo Sensei, the Aritas, and Abe Sensei as well:
-Japanese tend to be very reserved. They tend to avoid and ignore eye contact if they aren't acquainted with a person, for example walking on the street or in the subway. Compared to other cultures they seem very serious. Even simply compared to other Asian cultures. Chinese and Korean tend to be much more open and friendly. Historically, the Japanese have been closed to the world. They only opened their harbors and trade to other countries 150 years ago. That's when they discovered they were far behind in technology. (They are also extremely polite and respectful, which makes any kind of service in Japan smooth and easy.)
-While the country itself is very wealthy, there are a lot of people who have mental/psychological disorders (such as depression). Materialism is huge. You could say they are rich materially and extremely poor in their hearts and minds. Bullying in schools, alcohol and drug use, and pornography are big social problems.
-Masuda mentioned that as far as he knows there are estimates of 100 million Christians in China which is just a fraction of their total population of 1.3 billion. Compare that to the population of Japan (127 million) and it seems a shame that the Christian population is so small.
-If you know anything about psychology you might have heard of what's called the inferiority and superiority complexes. It could be said that Japanese society is suffering from both.
-Because of the war in Iraq and perhaps other situations, there is a subtle blame on Christianity for the violence.
-English conversation classes have been helpful in spreading the gospel, but this has decreased in recent years. Japanese people aren't quite as eager or interested in learning English as they used to be. Many of the church members became Christians through English classes, including Sudo Sensei.
-There has been a recent resurge of Shinto/Buddhist festivities and return to those patterns of belief. The Japanese are searching for some spiritual fulfillment. But also with this comes certain wrong ethical and moral practices.
-Japanese young people don't seem to take to discipline, in particular those who grew up in Christian homes. Much of the younger generation wander from the things they were taught about Christ and following him.
-The Japanese people, especially men, are tired. They work so hard to be successful and to gain material things and wear themselves down in the process.
-The suicide rate in Japan is one of the highest in the world (30,000 a year). Many suicides are done by jumping off the platform in front of an oncoming train. I was told that sometimes they plan extra time in travel to get somewhere if they have an important appointment to keep. This is in case there are delays from accidents in the subway system. You never know who might commit suicide or where. Every day someone commits suicide in the subways of Tokyo.
I apologize for ending this blog with such a dismal piece of information. But here are the facts. There are so many in the country trying so hard to achieve something and enjoy life, but they are killing themselves doing it. And so many don't even really know about Christianity even though it is a civilized country very connected to the world. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.
Pastor Masuda sends his warm greeting to Boyertown E.C. Church.
Each time I've talked with Masuda Sensei, he has been very eager to share with me about the Japanese mentality, in general and in regards to religion. He has had a lot of experience working with people of other cultures; he studied and lived in Pennsylvania for several years and has worked with international organizations. It seems obvious to me that he is very interested in the sociological and psychological tendencies of his own culture (which, of course, is important as he discerns the most effective ways to reach his own people with the gospel). I told him that he talks about the Japanese as though he isn't one and he got a good laugh at that. Then he responded by saying that by living in a different culture you learn a lot about your own. Understandable. In fact, he even mentioned this week that he acts somewhat as a bridge between the American/western culture and the Japanese/eastern culture. It is a privilege for him to do this for God's glory.
So I thought I'd just share some things that I took note of from my times with Masuda Sensei, and also Sudo Sensei, the Aritas, and Abe Sensei as well:
-Japanese tend to be very reserved. They tend to avoid and ignore eye contact if they aren't acquainted with a person, for example walking on the street or in the subway. Compared to other cultures they seem very serious. Even simply compared to other Asian cultures. Chinese and Korean tend to be much more open and friendly. Historically, the Japanese have been closed to the world. They only opened their harbors and trade to other countries 150 years ago. That's when they discovered they were far behind in technology. (They are also extremely polite and respectful, which makes any kind of service in Japan smooth and easy.)
-While the country itself is very wealthy, there are a lot of people who have mental/psychological disorders (such as depression). Materialism is huge. You could say they are rich materially and extremely poor in their hearts and minds. Bullying in schools, alcohol and drug use, and pornography are big social problems.
-Masuda mentioned that as far as he knows there are estimates of 100 million Christians in China which is just a fraction of their total population of 1.3 billion. Compare that to the population of Japan (127 million) and it seems a shame that the Christian population is so small.
-If you know anything about psychology you might have heard of what's called the inferiority and superiority complexes. It could be said that Japanese society is suffering from both.
-Because of the war in Iraq and perhaps other situations, there is a subtle blame on Christianity for the violence.
-English conversation classes have been helpful in spreading the gospel, but this has decreased in recent years. Japanese people aren't quite as eager or interested in learning English as they used to be. Many of the church members became Christians through English classes, including Sudo Sensei.
-There has been a recent resurge of Shinto/Buddhist festivities and return to those patterns of belief. The Japanese are searching for some spiritual fulfillment. But also with this comes certain wrong ethical and moral practices.
-Japanese young people don't seem to take to discipline, in particular those who grew up in Christian homes. Much of the younger generation wander from the things they were taught about Christ and following him.
-The Japanese people, especially men, are tired. They work so hard to be successful and to gain material things and wear themselves down in the process.
-The suicide rate in Japan is one of the highest in the world (30,000 a year). Many suicides are done by jumping off the platform in front of an oncoming train. I was told that sometimes they plan extra time in travel to get somewhere if they have an important appointment to keep. This is in case there are delays from accidents in the subway system. You never know who might commit suicide or where. Every day someone commits suicide in the subways of Tokyo.
I apologize for ending this blog with such a dismal piece of information. But here are the facts. There are so many in the country trying so hard to achieve something and enjoy life, but they are killing themselves doing it. And so many don't even really know about Christianity even though it is a civilized country very connected to the world. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.
Pastor Masuda sends his warm greeting to Boyertown E.C. Church.
A saying from Japan: "There are four things Japanese people fear: earthquake, thunder, fire,
and father."
and father."
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Prayer Request Update
To keep the Prayer Requests up to date I am simply going to add on to what I've already started. This seems like a good idea to me for now until I think of something better perhaps. I'll put the new prayer requests in bold and italics.
-My younger sister Melissa has decided to get married next month on November 7th. The man who she will be marrying has been in some trouble with the law recently and the whole situation is just a rush to be married. They will then live with Sean's parents and work I assume. It is not something my family thinks is a good thing, but all we can do is support her in the right ways because she is going to do whatever she wants. Please ask for God to intervene in whatever way He knows is best for her.
-I have been feeling really exhausted a lot. You could say that it is normal for being in a different cultures where my mind and body are under stress I'm not used to, but I have been experiencing lack of energy even before I came to Japan. Please ask the Lord to keep me energized to have motivation and strength to complete my classes with joy.
-Pray that the Holy Spirit in me would lead in creating a spirit of peace and hope in my classes (Masuda Sensei informed me this week that this may be my greatest role, to prepare the groundwork for my students to be more open to spiritual things)
-Pray for Sudo Sensei`s health, energy, English comprehension, and communication/openness between the two of us ( he is the assistant pastor of Kyodo church under Masuda Sensei and he is somewhat of my manager; the one most responsible for me and who I am working most closely with)
-Healing to Masuda Sensei`s back--I forget exactly the medical condition but he has a lot of back pain
-Pray for Emiko (the girl playing the piano in a picture on a previous blog) Pray for our friendship and how we will work together. She is 25 and studied psychology, which I found interesting since that is what I majored in. She has been working at a daycare, but the month of October is vacation for her. She is worried about what she should do next after this month; if she should continue working at the daycare or if God wants her to do something else. She will be helping me with all the classes that are located at the Kyodo church this month. I think she will be a big help to me, not to mention just a good companion my age. She is very friendly and fun to be around and is concerned with my emotional wellbeing. She knows the stresses of being in a different culture. I`m really grateful that she is so willing to help me and I can see she has a faith she is eager to share with others.
-Pray that I will teach effectively in all my classes; being creative with topics and activities but also with how I might encourage deeper conversations particularly with the adult classes
-Pray for a special blessing on the Aritas (Teiichi, Mieko, Yoko) who have opened their home to me (the Aritas told me their concern for Yoko because she is not at all serious in her faith and needs our prayers)
-This may seem a bit strange, but I am having a hard time figuring out how important it is for me to learn and use some Japanese. I would love to learn how to speak Japanese. I know they love to hear me speak it (the little I do know), but most of the people around me can speak some English and want to learn more--whether or not we are in class. So finding a balance seems to be a challenge right now.
The following are a list of the students I have for each class. Students don't necessarily attend each week so on a normal basis the class sizes aren't as large as they might seem to be. Please pray for them by name and ask our Father to softened their hearts toward spirituality and His Son. Remember that the prayers of a righteous man are powerful and effective, and also that our Heavenly Father loves to give us what we ask for in His name! This will be updated as time goes on and more people may come, Lord willing.
Tuesday Women's class at Kobuchi, 10-11am:
Hiroko
Keiko
Yuko
Masako (Christian)
Kikuko (Christian)
Yoko
Takako (Christian)
Tomoko
Tsutayo
Tuesday Women's class at Yamazaki, 2-3pm:
Hiroko
Aya
Kyoko
Sumiko (her husband is in the hospital)
Akiko
Tuesday Kid's class at Yamazaki, 4:15-5pm (all boys):
Nozomu (Sudo Sensei's son)
Yuuya (orhpan, lives with grandmother)
Souta
Reo
Kakeru
Ryuuhei
Junpei
Shiima
Sakuya
Michiya
Tomoki
Masaki
Wednesday Women's class at Kyodo, 2-3pm (Mother Goose Choir group):
Ito
Kyoko
Junko
Nobuko
Atsuko
Sayoko (not a part of the choir; handicapped)
Wednesday Junior High girls class at Kobuchi, 5-6pm:
Misaki
Ana
Aya
Thursday Women's class at Kyodo, 10:30-11:30am:
Keiko
Naoko (Christian)
Keiko
Thursday Women's class at Kyodo, 4-5pm (Green Choir):
Teruko
Keiko
Hiroko
Sachiko
Itsuko
Mitsuko
Saturday Children's class at Kyodo, 11-12am:
Kase (5)
Manae (2)
Kokoa (1)
Rua (3)
Yoko (mother)
Tenma (9)
Akirah (6)
Ginga (1)
Mikiko (mother)
Kairi (10; first time to church)
Saturday Adult class at Kyodo, 1-2pm:
Rumiko (wife)
Toshi (husband)
Fumiyo Hayata (Christian; woman)
Ai (Christian; woman)
Minoru (deacon of church; man)
Saturday Junior High boys class at Kobuchi, 4-5pm:
Yuta
Sunday Junior High Sunday School class at Kyodo, 9:15-10:15am (where I lead bible lessons):
Ai (not sure if she is Christian)
Mariko (not a Christian yet)
Taro (He is getting baptized this month!)
Sunday Adult class of Kyodo church members, 1:30-2:30pm:
Yuoko Furuya (wife) PR: wants her friend Youko to come to English class
Takao Furuya (husband)
Emiko Furuya (daughter) PR: her health, and that her friend Mari comes to English class
Shigemi Shimazaki (wife)
Takashi Shimazaki (husband)
Minoru Takeuchi
Fumiyo Hayata
Reiko Ebine- PR: her friend Yoshiko has a bad cold
Ayako- PR: wants non-christian mother to come to English class
Keiko- PR: her daughter Mariko to pass college entrance exams
Sudo Sensei- PR: that out of my students there will be at least a few that come to worship by the end of the three months I am here
-My younger sister Melissa has decided to get married next month on November 7th. The man who she will be marrying has been in some trouble with the law recently and the whole situation is just a rush to be married. They will then live with Sean's parents and work I assume. It is not something my family thinks is a good thing, but all we can do is support her in the right ways because she is going to do whatever she wants. Please ask for God to intervene in whatever way He knows is best for her.
-I have been feeling really exhausted a lot. You could say that it is normal for being in a different cultures where my mind and body are under stress I'm not used to, but I have been experiencing lack of energy even before I came to Japan. Please ask the Lord to keep me energized to have motivation and strength to complete my classes with joy.
-Pray that the Holy Spirit in me would lead in creating a spirit of peace and hope in my classes (Masuda Sensei informed me this week that this may be my greatest role, to prepare the groundwork for my students to be more open to spiritual things)
-Pray for Sudo Sensei`s health, energy, English comprehension, and communication/openness between the two of us ( he is the assistant pastor of Kyodo church under Masuda Sensei and he is somewhat of my manager; the one most responsible for me and who I am working most closely with)
-Healing to Masuda Sensei`s back--I forget exactly the medical condition but he has a lot of back pain
-Pray for Emiko (the girl playing the piano in a picture on a previous blog) Pray for our friendship and how we will work together. She is 25 and studied psychology, which I found interesting since that is what I majored in. She has been working at a daycare, but the month of October is vacation for her. She is worried about what she should do next after this month; if she should continue working at the daycare or if God wants her to do something else. She will be helping me with all the classes that are located at the Kyodo church this month. I think she will be a big help to me, not to mention just a good companion my age. She is very friendly and fun to be around and is concerned with my emotional wellbeing. She knows the stresses of being in a different culture. I`m really grateful that she is so willing to help me and I can see she has a faith she is eager to share with others.
-Pray that I will teach effectively in all my classes; being creative with topics and activities but also with how I might encourage deeper conversations particularly with the adult classes
-Pray for a special blessing on the Aritas (Teiichi, Mieko, Yoko) who have opened their home to me (the Aritas told me their concern for Yoko because she is not at all serious in her faith and needs our prayers)
-This may seem a bit strange, but I am having a hard time figuring out how important it is for me to learn and use some Japanese. I would love to learn how to speak Japanese. I know they love to hear me speak it (the little I do know), but most of the people around me can speak some English and want to learn more--whether or not we are in class. So finding a balance seems to be a challenge right now.
The following are a list of the students I have for each class. Students don't necessarily attend each week so on a normal basis the class sizes aren't as large as they might seem to be. Please pray for them by name and ask our Father to softened their hearts toward spirituality and His Son. Remember that the prayers of a righteous man are powerful and effective, and also that our Heavenly Father loves to give us what we ask for in His name! This will be updated as time goes on and more people may come, Lord willing.
Tuesday Women's class at Kobuchi, 10-11am:
Hiroko
Keiko
Yuko
Masako (Christian)
Kikuko (Christian)
Yoko
Takako (Christian)
Tomoko
Tsutayo
Tuesday Women's class at Yamazaki, 2-3pm:
Hiroko
Aya
Kyoko
Sumiko (her husband is in the hospital)
Akiko
Tuesday Kid's class at Yamazaki, 4:15-5pm (all boys):
Nozomu (Sudo Sensei's son)
Yuuya (orhpan, lives with grandmother)
Souta
Reo
Kakeru
Ryuuhei
Junpei
Shiima
Sakuya
Michiya
Tomoki
Masaki
Wednesday Women's class at Kyodo, 2-3pm (Mother Goose Choir group):
Ito
Kyoko
Junko
Nobuko
Atsuko
Sayoko (not a part of the choir; handicapped)
Wednesday Junior High girls class at Kobuchi, 5-6pm:
Misaki
Ana
Aya
Thursday Women's class at Kyodo, 10:30-11:30am:
Keiko
Naoko (Christian)
Keiko
Thursday Women's class at Kyodo, 4-5pm (Green Choir):
Teruko
Keiko
Hiroko
Sachiko
Itsuko
Mitsuko
Saturday Children's class at Kyodo, 11-12am:
Kase (5)
Manae (2)
Kokoa (1)
Rua (3)
Yoko (mother)
Tenma (9)
Akirah (6)
Ginga (1)
Mikiko (mother)
Kairi (10; first time to church)
Saturday Adult class at Kyodo, 1-2pm:
Rumiko (wife)
Toshi (husband)
Fumiyo Hayata (Christian; woman)
Ai (Christian; woman)
Minoru (deacon of church; man)
Saturday Junior High boys class at Kobuchi, 4-5pm:
Yuta
Sunday Junior High Sunday School class at Kyodo, 9:15-10:15am (where I lead bible lessons):
Ai (not sure if she is Christian)
Mariko (not a Christian yet)
Taro (He is getting baptized this month!)
Sunday Adult class of Kyodo church members, 1:30-2:30pm:
Yuoko Furuya (wife) PR: wants her friend Youko to come to English class
Takao Furuya (husband)
Emiko Furuya (daughter) PR: her health, and that her friend Mari comes to English class
Shigemi Shimazaki (wife)
Takashi Shimazaki (husband)
Minoru Takeuchi
Fumiyo Hayata
Reiko Ebine- PR: her friend Yoshiko has a bad cold
Ayako- PR: wants non-christian mother to come to English class
Keiko- PR: her daughter Mariko to pass college entrance exams
Sudo Sensei- PR: that out of my students there will be at least a few that come to worship by the end of the three months I am here
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Holiday at Kamakura and Enoshima
This past Monday was a holiday in Japan. It was Health Day or Sports Day, some such thing as that where schools will have special sports festivals. The holiday was started after the Olypmics were held in Tokyo in the 1960s, as I've been told. But maybe you shouldn't quote me on it (or anything I write in this blog about things unknown to me!) Most of the people simply take a day of rest or take a day trip somewhere.
A hike at the historical Buddhist temples of Kamakura was organized by one of the Kyodo church elders. It was a perfect day for some sightseeing, and a walk in the beautiful autumn gardens. Flowers are a treasure to the Japanese. One of their valued cultural customs along with tea ceremony, is flower arrangement. They often point out and name flowers with such a sense of pride and affection. I have learned that there are at least two things that the majority of Japanese people have a knowledge of more than most Americans I know: the names of flowers and the names of fish. Maybe it's just me, but I can hardly ever answer when they ask me for the English names of flowers and fish.
Of course, Christians don't participate in Buddhist activity, but it is still a famous national park for all Japanese. I even asked if some of the temples were still used and they told me that, no, most of the area is only maintained for sightseeing
(Random Japanese Fact #2: It's kind of a rule to give the peace sign when taking pictures in Japan. I suppose it's more popular with the young people, but I know older women do it too. They think it is so cute to do this. The word for cute is kawaii and you could hear this a million times a day because anything can be cute and if it is it's worth announcing!)
After lunch Arita Sensei took me to the shore, a place called Enoshima. It was too cool to swim of course, but it was a busy place and quite beautiful.
A hike at the historical Buddhist temples of Kamakura was organized by one of the Kyodo church elders. It was a perfect day for some sightseeing, and a walk in the beautiful autumn gardens. Flowers are a treasure to the Japanese. One of their valued cultural customs along with tea ceremony, is flower arrangement. They often point out and name flowers with such a sense of pride and affection. I have learned that there are at least two things that the majority of Japanese people have a knowledge of more than most Americans I know: the names of flowers and the names of fish. Maybe it's just me, but I can hardly ever answer when they ask me for the English names of flowers and fish.
Of course, Christians don't participate in Buddhist activity, but it is still a famous national park for all Japanese. I even asked if some of the temples were still used and they told me that, no, most of the area is only maintained for sightseeing
(Random Japanese Fact #2: It's kind of a rule to give the peace sign when taking pictures in Japan. I suppose it's more popular with the young people, but I know older women do it too. They think it is so cute to do this. The word for cute is kawaii and you could hear this a million times a day because anything can be cute and if it is it's worth announcing!)After lunch Arita Sensei took me to the shore, a place called Enoshima. It was too cool to swim of course, but it was a busy place and quite beautiful.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Prayer Requests
After just over a week I am beginning to get a better grasp of what my role is here and what is expected of me. Upon good request I have made up a list of prayer requests that are a little more specific to what I believe God wants to do with me while I`m here:
-Pray that the Holy Spirit in me would lead in creating a spirit of peace and hope in my classes (Masuda Sensei informed me this week that this may be my greatest role, to prepare the groundwork for my students to be more open to spiritual things)
-Pray for Sudo Sensei`s health, energy, English comprehension, and communication/openness between the two of us ( he is the assistant pastor of Kyodo church under Masuda Sensei and he is somewhat of my manager; the one most responsible for me and who I am working most closely with)
-Healing to Masuda Sensei`s back--I forget exactly the medical condition but he has a lot of back pain
-Pray for Emiko (the girl playing the piano in a picture on a previous blog) Pray for our friendship and how we will work together. She is 25 and studied psychology, which I found interesting since that is what I majored in. She has been working at a daycare, but the month of October is vacation for her. She is worried about what she should do next after this month; if she should continue working at the daycare or if God wants her to do something else. She will be helping me with all the classes that are located at the Kyodo church this month. I think she will be a big help to me, not to mention just a good companion my age. She is very friendly and fun to be around and is concerned with my emotional wellbeing. She knows the stresses of being in a different culture. I`m really grateful that she is so willing to help me and I can see she has a faith she is eager to share with others.
-Pray that I will teach effectively in all my classes; being creative with topics and activities but also with how I might encourage deeper conversations particularly with the adult classes
-Pray for a special blessing on the Aritas (Teiichi, Mieko, Yoko) who have opened their home to me (the Aritas told me their concern for Yoko because she is not at all serious in her faith and needs our prayers)
-This may seem a bit strange, but I am having a hard time figuring out how important it is for me to learn and use some Japanese. I would love to learn how to speak Japanese. I know they love to hear me speak it (the little I do know), but most of the people around me can speak some English and want to learn more--whether or not we are in class. So finding a balance seems to be a challenge right now.
The following are a list of the students I have for each class. Please pray for them by name and ask our Father to softened their hearts toward spirituality and His Son. Remember that the prayers of a righteous man are powerful and effective, and also that our Heavenly Father loves to give us what we ask for in His name! This will be updated as time goes on and more people may come, Lord willing.
Tuesday Women's class at Kobuchi, 10-11am:
Hiroko (had a fever and couldn`t come this week)
Keiko
Yuko
Masako (Christian)
Kikuko (Christian)
Yoko
Matsuda (Christian)
Tuesday Women's class at Yamazaki, 2-3pm:
Hiroko
Aya
Kyoko
Sumiko (her husband is in the hospital)
Akiko
Tuesday Kid's class at Yamazaki, 4:15-5pm (all boys):
Nozomu (Christian)
Yuuya (orhpan, lives with grandmother)
Souta
Reo
Kakeru
Ryuuhei
Junpei
Shiima
Sakuya
Michiya
Wednesday Women's class at Kyodo, 2-3pm (Mother Goose Choir group):
Ito
Kyoko
Junko
Nobuko
Atsuko
Sayoko (not a part of the choir; handicapped)
Wednesday Junior High girls class at Kobuchi, 5-6pm:
Thursday Women's class at Kyodo, 10:30-11:30am:
Keiko
Naoko (Christian)
Keiko
Thursday Women's class at Kyodo, 4-5pm (Green Choir):
Saturday Children's class at Kyodo, 11-12am:
Saturday Adult class at Kyodo, 1-2pm:
Rumiko (wife)
Toshi (husband)
Fumiyo Hayata (Christian; woman)
Ai (Christian; woman)
Minoru (deacon of church; man)
Saturday Junior High boys class at Kobuchi, 4-5pm:
Yuta
Sunday Junior High Sunday School class at Kyodo, 9:15-10:15am (where I lead bible lessons):
Ai (not sure if she is Christian)
Mariko (not a Christian yet)
Taro (He is getting baptized this month!)
Sunday Adult class of Kyodo church members, 1:30-2:30pm:
Yuoko Furuya (wife)
Takao Furuya (husband)
Emiko Furuya (daughter)
Shigemi Shimazaki (wife)
Takashi Shimazaki (husband)
Minoru Takeuchi
Fumiyo Hayata
Reiko Ebine
-Pray that the Holy Spirit in me would lead in creating a spirit of peace and hope in my classes (Masuda Sensei informed me this week that this may be my greatest role, to prepare the groundwork for my students to be more open to spiritual things)
-Pray for Sudo Sensei`s health, energy, English comprehension, and communication/openness between the two of us ( he is the assistant pastor of Kyodo church under Masuda Sensei and he is somewhat of my manager; the one most responsible for me and who I am working most closely with)
-Healing to Masuda Sensei`s back--I forget exactly the medical condition but he has a lot of back pain
-Pray for Emiko (the girl playing the piano in a picture on a previous blog) Pray for our friendship and how we will work together. She is 25 and studied psychology, which I found interesting since that is what I majored in. She has been working at a daycare, but the month of October is vacation for her. She is worried about what she should do next after this month; if she should continue working at the daycare or if God wants her to do something else. She will be helping me with all the classes that are located at the Kyodo church this month. I think she will be a big help to me, not to mention just a good companion my age. She is very friendly and fun to be around and is concerned with my emotional wellbeing. She knows the stresses of being in a different culture. I`m really grateful that she is so willing to help me and I can see she has a faith she is eager to share with others.
-Pray that I will teach effectively in all my classes; being creative with topics and activities but also with how I might encourage deeper conversations particularly with the adult classes
-Pray for a special blessing on the Aritas (Teiichi, Mieko, Yoko) who have opened their home to me (the Aritas told me their concern for Yoko because she is not at all serious in her faith and needs our prayers)
-This may seem a bit strange, but I am having a hard time figuring out how important it is for me to learn and use some Japanese. I would love to learn how to speak Japanese. I know they love to hear me speak it (the little I do know), but most of the people around me can speak some English and want to learn more--whether or not we are in class. So finding a balance seems to be a challenge right now.
The following are a list of the students I have for each class. Please pray for them by name and ask our Father to softened their hearts toward spirituality and His Son. Remember that the prayers of a righteous man are powerful and effective, and also that our Heavenly Father loves to give us what we ask for in His name! This will be updated as time goes on and more people may come, Lord willing.
Tuesday Women's class at Kobuchi, 10-11am:
Hiroko (had a fever and couldn`t come this week)
Keiko
Yuko
Masako (Christian)
Kikuko (Christian)
Yoko
Matsuda (Christian)
Tuesday Women's class at Yamazaki, 2-3pm:
Hiroko
Aya
Kyoko
Sumiko (her husband is in the hospital)
Akiko
Tuesday Kid's class at Yamazaki, 4:15-5pm (all boys):
Nozomu (Christian)
Yuuya (orhpan, lives with grandmother)
Souta
Reo
Kakeru
Ryuuhei
Junpei
Shiima
Sakuya
Michiya
Wednesday Women's class at Kyodo, 2-3pm (Mother Goose Choir group):
Ito
Kyoko
Junko
Nobuko
Atsuko
Sayoko (not a part of the choir; handicapped)
Wednesday Junior High girls class at Kobuchi, 5-6pm:
Thursday Women's class at Kyodo, 10:30-11:30am:
Keiko
Naoko (Christian)
Keiko
Thursday Women's class at Kyodo, 4-5pm (Green Choir):
Saturday Children's class at Kyodo, 11-12am:
Saturday Adult class at Kyodo, 1-2pm:
Rumiko (wife)
Toshi (husband)
Fumiyo Hayata (Christian; woman)
Ai (Christian; woman)
Minoru (deacon of church; man)
Saturday Junior High boys class at Kobuchi, 4-5pm:
Yuta
Sunday Junior High Sunday School class at Kyodo, 9:15-10:15am (where I lead bible lessons):
Ai (not sure if she is Christian)
Mariko (not a Christian yet)
Taro (He is getting baptized this month!)
Sunday Adult class of Kyodo church members, 1:30-2:30pm:
Yuoko Furuya (wife)
Takao Furuya (husband)
Emiko Furuya (daughter)
Shigemi Shimazaki (wife)
Takashi Shimazaki (husband)
Minoru Takeuchi
Fumiyo Hayata
Reiko Ebine
Friday, October 10, 2008
Downtown Tokyo
Sudo Sensei took me downtown to the Tokyo Metropolitan building. These photos were from the top of this building:
12.8 million people compared to New York City which as 8.2 million people.
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