If anyone is in need of some Hot weather, I know just the place to go! The first week of being In Japan it was still the rainy season so it was cloudy everyday and rained everyday, well lets just say that rainy season is now over! How do I know that you ask? Well we spent the day in Kyoto yesterday with +35 weather and 80% Humidity, for those of you that have never experienced such a thing let me tell you what that feels like.... Your whole body is sticky, and sweat runs down every where. It feels like you peed your pants all day and your hair looks like a giant frizz ball. Then all day you pray that where ever your going to spend the night will have AC, well some do and some don't! When they don't, you have a shower and start the whole sweating process over again as soon as you turn off the shower taps. And if they do you book it to your room with AC in hope that you won't be completely sweaty by the time you get to bed!:) It's really not that bad!!!
Everything makes up for the heat though. The last couple of days we have spent time with some amazing people. We have done ESL classes, shared our testimonies, done drimes and took part in a black gospel choir. Which was so amazing!! I want to stress it again, there are very few Christians in Japan, but the one's that are, are legit! And I love it.
I still don't understand why everyone loves white people so much and why they want to be like us so bad. When walking down the street, Gary & Judson will randomly get asked if they can have pictures with them. Because there white tall and from Canada! We get treated with serious respect every where we go. Gary and I are staying at a little church in Amagasaki for a couple days now and the rest of the team is with Host homes and the shower us with food and gifts where ever we go. The fridge in this little church can not hold any more food and still everyday some body comes and puts more in there. All of this makes me think, what has happened to the Canadian/American culture!? I mean we're nice, but nothing compared to this!:)
Today and tomorrow are pretty packed for us. Today we have 2 English classes and a party in the evening. At the party we sing and do drimes and play games with the community people. These are really good out reach programs because 90% of the people that come are not Christian. Like last night at the gospel choir, there was about 30 people and max 7 where Christians. Tomorrow we have to perform in 2 church services, 9 and 9:45 and then have lunch and games with the youth and families. I love these opportunities to share Jesus with people that don't know him yet.
At our time in Kyoto yesterday I was really saddened by the Shrines. There was so many people there worshipping Buddha; an empty clay idol. They burnt incense, said prayers, banged on the bell and when they left they all looked just as empty as when they came. Earnest prayers are needed for Japan.
I should get going as I still need to have breakfast and spend time with Jesus before our group gets here.
Sending love,
Until next time:)
Friday, July 16, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Crazy Travels
Today was intense.
This morning we finished Japan Orientation had lunch, (Tofu with rice ect. Which made me sick and there for sat on the toilet for couple hours). Then we left Toyota city for Osaka. Getting to Osaka was quite something! I don’t remember how many trains we took, tons!!! We even did an hour on a bullet train, which I really enjoyed until I got sick again and had to do everything in my power not to throw up everywhere. Gary has been to Japan before and he was always talking about how they cram people into the trains, I always thought he was over exaggerating, but I got to experience that today. Japanese culture is funny that way, they are all about personal space until you get on a train. We made one stop and I thought, ok, there is no way we can fit any more people on here, then we made 2 more stops and people kept coming on. Everyone is nose to nose, butt to butt and shoulder to shoulder. We were so tired, hot and sweaty by that point that all of us girls got tired giggles. So picture this, a train packed full of Japanese people not saying one word and then a clan of Canadian/American girls giggling hysterically. Let’s just say we got a couple looks. But the harder we had to laugh. When we finally got to Osaka we had McDonalds for supper,, after 2 days of rice ect. It was kind of nice. I liked mine but the others weren’t too impressed. After supper we walked to the seminary which is going to be our main lodging place while we are here. In Nagoya, where we came from they have a really nice air conditioned guest house for the missionaries. We had already been told that Osaka’s wasn’t as nice but you just never know until you get there. We were greeted with no AC and dorm rooms where one can walk in and back out. (Small single beds which means even Gary and I get separate rooms....he he!) And I’m going to use Gary’s description for the rest as mine wouldn’t be appropriate. He smiles at me and says, “Yep, this place has seen better days, a little gloomy wouldn’t you say?” That’s when I just smile and nod, and ask God to remind me why he sent us to Osaka.
It wasn’t until we went on the bullet train today that I saw the beauty of Japan. I LOVE the country, yes there is actually some places where there is no buildings ect. And it’s beautiful! Rice fields with mountains in the back ground, all so green, absolutely stunning! I was so grateful for God to open my eyes to his beauty in Japan.
Our team is still getting over Jet leg, which means that some are grumpier then others by the end of the day. It’s challenging as a leader to stay positive and encourage them, but God continues to be faithful as he points out the positive to us and keeps us going.
My favourite moments of the day were to hear the hearts of the long term missionaries here and how their heart aches for the people of Japan. I am still in awe. As we were eating lunch this gentleman came to the church and handed out the most amazing pieces of art to all 11 of us, which he had done for us this morning. I can’t explain what they look like, I’ll try to take a picture and post it eventually. But I felt so loved and moved by this man’s gesture..... I will remember that moment forever.
Tomorrow morning we meet with all the different leaders of the churches to finalize plans for the next couple weeks. Looking forward to it. Until next time.
This morning we finished Japan Orientation had lunch, (Tofu with rice ect. Which made me sick and there for sat on the toilet for couple hours). Then we left Toyota city for Osaka. Getting to Osaka was quite something! I don’t remember how many trains we took, tons!!! We even did an hour on a bullet train, which I really enjoyed until I got sick again and had to do everything in my power not to throw up everywhere. Gary has been to Japan before and he was always talking about how they cram people into the trains, I always thought he was over exaggerating, but I got to experience that today. Japanese culture is funny that way, they are all about personal space until you get on a train. We made one stop and I thought, ok, there is no way we can fit any more people on here, then we made 2 more stops and people kept coming on. Everyone is nose to nose, butt to butt and shoulder to shoulder. We were so tired, hot and sweaty by that point that all of us girls got tired giggles. So picture this, a train packed full of Japanese people not saying one word and then a clan of Canadian/American girls giggling hysterically. Let’s just say we got a couple looks. But the harder we had to laugh. When we finally got to Osaka we had McDonalds for supper,, after 2 days of rice ect. It was kind of nice. I liked mine but the others weren’t too impressed. After supper we walked to the seminary which is going to be our main lodging place while we are here. In Nagoya, where we came from they have a really nice air conditioned guest house for the missionaries. We had already been told that Osaka’s wasn’t as nice but you just never know until you get there. We were greeted with no AC and dorm rooms where one can walk in and back out. (Small single beds which means even Gary and I get separate rooms....he he!) And I’m going to use Gary’s description for the rest as mine wouldn’t be appropriate. He smiles at me and says, “Yep, this place has seen better days, a little gloomy wouldn’t you say?” That’s when I just smile and nod, and ask God to remind me why he sent us to Osaka.
It wasn’t until we went on the bullet train today that I saw the beauty of Japan. I LOVE the country, yes there is actually some places where there is no buildings ect. And it’s beautiful! Rice fields with mountains in the back ground, all so green, absolutely stunning! I was so grateful for God to open my eyes to his beauty in Japan.
Our team is still getting over Jet leg, which means that some are grumpier then others by the end of the day. It’s challenging as a leader to stay positive and encourage them, but God continues to be faithful as he points out the positive to us and keeps us going.
My favourite moments of the day were to hear the hearts of the long term missionaries here and how their heart aches for the people of Japan. I am still in awe. As we were eating lunch this gentleman came to the church and handed out the most amazing pieces of art to all 11 of us, which he had done for us this morning. I can’t explain what they look like, I’ll try to take a picture and post it eventually. But I felt so loved and moved by this man’s gesture..... I will remember that moment forever.
Tomorrow morning we meet with all the different leaders of the churches to finalize plans for the next couple weeks. Looking forward to it. Until next time.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
We made it!
After 24 hours of traveling and a straight 14 hours in a plane, we finally arrived and so did all our luggage! Praise God!
We were all so exhausted by the time we got to our host church. I had kankles for the first time in my life, walking on my feet hurt so bad, they looked like bubbles. I guess that`s what you get for only getting up twice on a 14 hour plane ride.
After not sleeping for what felt like 3 days, we got to sleep on the floor...:) And have a COLD shower.... Doesn`t all that sound so good! Anything was good to us at that point! We are thankful and feel blessed.
Everything feels so cluttered here; everywhere you look there are houses or cars. And the inside of the houses are so low and small... Everything in the house where ever you look is small, like salt shakers, cups ect. Gary said he could have finished the whole peanut butter jar on his one piece of toast, but we get to share that with our team of 11. Gary`s head also hits the door frames when walking through. I feel claustrophobic.
We go to church in 20 min. So I should get going. After church we have lunch with church members and then orientation, finishing the day with a supper with local youth. Apparently it`s a 2 hour supper where we will eat things we have never eaten before! YAY!
It was so good to connect with Jesus this morning and just be reminded of why we are here and wait to see how he will work through us.
Until next time.
We were all so exhausted by the time we got to our host church. I had kankles for the first time in my life, walking on my feet hurt so bad, they looked like bubbles. I guess that`s what you get for only getting up twice on a 14 hour plane ride.
After not sleeping for what felt like 3 days, we got to sleep on the floor...:) And have a COLD shower.... Doesn`t all that sound so good! Anything was good to us at that point! We are thankful and feel blessed.
Everything feels so cluttered here; everywhere you look there are houses or cars. And the inside of the houses are so low and small... Everything in the house where ever you look is small, like salt shakers, cups ect. Gary said he could have finished the whole peanut butter jar on his one piece of toast, but we get to share that with our team of 11. Gary`s head also hits the door frames when walking through. I feel claustrophobic.
We go to church in 20 min. So I should get going. After church we have lunch with church members and then orientation, finishing the day with a supper with local youth. Apparently it`s a 2 hour supper where we will eat things we have never eaten before! YAY!
It was so good to connect with Jesus this morning and just be reminded of why we are here and wait to see how he will work through us.
Until next time.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Flight leaves at 11 am
Hey,
Thanks for walking with us at Orientation. We are exhausted but so ready to leave for Japan tomorrow.
Please pray for:
Safety
Smooth flights
Group unity
Energy
LOVE
Thank you.
I can't think straight, if I could I would write more... So I will save that for when we get to Japan and we have had some sleep.
Until next time, :)
Thanks for walking with us at Orientation. We are exhausted but so ready to leave for Japan tomorrow.
Please pray for:
Safety
Smooth flights
Group unity
Energy
LOVE
Thank you.
I can't think straight, if I could I would write more... So I will save that for when we get to Japan and we have had some sleep.
Until next time, :)
Monday, July 5, 2010
Oh so much to learn!
Hey,
I haven't been able to write in a couple days and it's because they have kept us hopping!!! We go from 7:30am to 11-11:30pm. With sessions, team time, drama training, worship and prayer. There are times in the day where we are just exhausted, thats when we sneak in 10 min naps to keep us going.
It's been sooooo good though. We have learned new ways to listen to God and how to spend time with him. How to work together as a team and make the most of it.
We have 3 days before we leave Winnipeg for Japan and we are all very excited.
Please pray for strength and energy as we try to absord everything in the next couple days.
Until next time!:)
I haven't been able to write in a couple days and it's because they have kept us hopping!!! We go from 7:30am to 11-11:30pm. With sessions, team time, drama training, worship and prayer. There are times in the day where we are just exhausted, thats when we sneak in 10 min naps to keep us going.
It's been sooooo good though. We have learned new ways to listen to God and how to spend time with him. How to work together as a team and make the most of it.
We have 3 days before we leave Winnipeg for Japan and we are all very excited.
Please pray for strength and energy as we try to absord everything in the next couple days.
Until next time!:)
Friday, July 2, 2010
July 2, The whole crew has arrived!
Hey,
It's is so hot and humid here, I feel God is totally preparing us for the weather he has waiting for us in Japan.
Yesterday was an intense day of worship and prayer. It was great to just re-focus and get to know all the leaders at a deeper level. We all got to spend some time together before the rest of the groups got here and just prepare and train for the leaders responsibilities.
One of the things from yesterday that I will take with me is a vision one of the leaders got about me and Jesus. It came to him very clearly the picture of Jesus and me walking around a tree hand in hand.... How beautiful is that!? It was interpreted that Jesus in longing to spend time with me and that he doesn't want me to venture out but to stay close to him and just rest in him. So so meaningful to me!
No, we did not forget to celebrate Canada day yesterday, at the end of the day all the leaders piled into a huge van and we all went to Altona for fire works. They were amazing, but very hard to enjoy as the mosquitoes devoured us until we gave up and went and sat in the van.
Today has been exciting as Gary and I got to go to the airport to pick up the rest of our group! We LOVE them! We have 3 girls and 1 boy, all precious gifts from God for us to share our summer with. We have only spent the afternoon together and already we feel like we have known each other forever!
Thank you to all of you for journeying with us,
Until next time :)
It's is so hot and humid here, I feel God is totally preparing us for the weather he has waiting for us in Japan.
Yesterday was an intense day of worship and prayer. It was great to just re-focus and get to know all the leaders at a deeper level. We all got to spend some time together before the rest of the groups got here and just prepare and train for the leaders responsibilities.
One of the things from yesterday that I will take with me is a vision one of the leaders got about me and Jesus. It came to him very clearly the picture of Jesus and me walking around a tree hand in hand.... How beautiful is that!? It was interpreted that Jesus in longing to spend time with me and that he doesn't want me to venture out but to stay close to him and just rest in him. So so meaningful to me!
No, we did not forget to celebrate Canada day yesterday, at the end of the day all the leaders piled into a huge van and we all went to Altona for fire works. They were amazing, but very hard to enjoy as the mosquitoes devoured us until we gave up and went and sat in the van.
Today has been exciting as Gary and I got to go to the airport to pick up the rest of our group! We LOVE them! We have 3 girls and 1 boy, all precious gifts from God for us to share our summer with. We have only spent the afternoon together and already we feel like we have known each other forever!
Thank you to all of you for journeying with us,
Until next time :)
Thursday, July 1, 2010
June 30, Gretna Day 1
Hey,
Finally after what felt like 2 months of packing and then 3 days of absolute chaos, we left for Calgary yesterday at 5:15pm. It was so hard for me to leave, the last couple weeks had been so busy that I hadn’t had time to just reflect and breathe, so when all was said and done and we had our suit cases in the car and all our stuffed packed. I stood in our empty house and took a deep breath and the flood gate opened. I bawled! I felt like anything I had ever known was gone.... After a good cry I re-focused on what lay ahead and was reminded that the rewards of what God has planned for us would be far greater then all those material possessions I had just given up. Then the excitement kicked in and we were off!:)
Big Thank you to my sister in law Susie and friend Lisa who drove us. It was good to get some good sleep in before our flight at 6:30 this morning. Since we had to get up at 4:30 to leave for the airport at 5am, we were super tired which meant that we both slept on our flight to Winnipeg.
Once in Winnipeg we were greeted by smiling MBMSIer,,, And the journey of “unfamiliarism” began. We were so thank full that the rest of the leaders we scheduled to arrive at supper and that we had free time in the afternoon, in which we had an awesome nap.
At 6pm we had a delicious bon fire and roasted Hot Dogs, which followed with intro’s.... I already love all the people here. Then worship, which is always my favorite. Spending time with God. We talked about what it is in life that we love more than God, or whether we like or love Jesus, and how we have felt unworthy through this whole process of getting ready for this trip. Both Gary and I felt that we had felt unworthy so many times, of the support from everyone and even felt unworthy that God would choose us. We were reminded of how unworthy Peter felt when Jesus filled the disciples boat with fish and how he fell to Jesus’ knee’s but that they were then told, I have given you enough fish to feed your family for a long time know so come and follow me and be fishers of men! What a picture that is! Everything feels so unfamiliar, but no matter where I go, God is always there and always the same... Oh so comforting!
Until next time
Finally after what felt like 2 months of packing and then 3 days of absolute chaos, we left for Calgary yesterday at 5:15pm. It was so hard for me to leave, the last couple weeks had been so busy that I hadn’t had time to just reflect and breathe, so when all was said and done and we had our suit cases in the car and all our stuffed packed. I stood in our empty house and took a deep breath and the flood gate opened. I bawled! I felt like anything I had ever known was gone.... After a good cry I re-focused on what lay ahead and was reminded that the rewards of what God has planned for us would be far greater then all those material possessions I had just given up. Then the excitement kicked in and we were off!:)
Big Thank you to my sister in law Susie and friend Lisa who drove us. It was good to get some good sleep in before our flight at 6:30 this morning. Since we had to get up at 4:30 to leave for the airport at 5am, we were super tired which meant that we both slept on our flight to Winnipeg.
Once in Winnipeg we were greeted by smiling MBMSIer,,, And the journey of “unfamiliarism” began. We were so thank full that the rest of the leaders we scheduled to arrive at supper and that we had free time in the afternoon, in which we had an awesome nap.
At 6pm we had a delicious bon fire and roasted Hot Dogs, which followed with intro’s.... I already love all the people here. Then worship, which is always my favorite. Spending time with God. We talked about what it is in life that we love more than God, or whether we like or love Jesus, and how we have felt unworthy through this whole process of getting ready for this trip. Both Gary and I felt that we had felt unworthy so many times, of the support from everyone and even felt unworthy that God would choose us. We were reminded of how unworthy Peter felt when Jesus filled the disciples boat with fish and how he fell to Jesus’ knee’s but that they were then told, I have given you enough fish to feed your family for a long time know so come and follow me and be fishers of men! What a picture that is! Everything feels so unfamiliar, but no matter where I go, God is always there and always the same... Oh so comforting!
Until next time
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