Productivity

Tokyo, Japan -- It's been a productive couple of days, full of new experiences... one of them being going to the sushi place with a few new people and the newbies here- Ben-san and Joe-san.

So, everything I tried I liked-- the eel was the best though. Also had tuna and squid. The squid wasn't bad, except that you're supposed to eat it all in one bite, and it was a really big bite and that makes me gag (having a lot in my mouth)... and since it was chewy... but, like I said, it wasn't bad.

I'll leave the other kinds for another go another day. By that time I was pretty full.

Today I went to Yokohama to visit a Vineyard church plant here. The pastors were really nice-- a Japanese guy married to a lady from Colorado and 3 kids who are really sweet and innocent seeming. There was translation, which is always nice, at least for me. Afterward we walked to go out to eat and I talked to the pastor- Kaz- about what they're doing, what works there, doesn't work, advantages of being a "gaijin" (foreigner), about their own history... it was a nice time.

Afterward-- I had gone with Ben- I said I wanted to stop by a Buddhist temple-- to observe and to pray as well. It was a beautiful place, and smoke filled the air from the incense, and inside they were doing prayers. The chanting was loud and with drums beating and I was just really impressed (I hope you get the right meaning I want to use) at the sight. Impacted maybe is a better word. But the prayer was good (ours, that is). Anyway, I don't think I'll forget that particular experience, nor the feeling of being there... nor the sounds, the smells... and the overall picture of it. I think it just gave me a picture of blindness (which sounds rather like an oxymoron)... but it did. Hope and trust in something which they made themselves. Yet, I do have the life and peace that they're looking for.

Selah.

In a very non-sacrilege way.

Anyway, got my Japan Rail Pass exchanged... which was an experiment in cross-language communication. He talked in Japanese and I stared blankly at him. Then I talked in English and he stared back blankly at me. But eventually we got it (one word conversations are incredibly useful) and I got my tickets for Kyoto and back (I think at least)...And then came back for the bi-lingual service here... that was pretty good as well, but I was so tired. I enjoyed the teaching, and some of it I had even shared with my dad from a quiet time I had had earlier in the week, which was cool.

Afterward met Fumiko, which was pretty cool. She speaks great English and is very nice-- as well as Miyuki, who is also a sweet lady.Tonight I got everything ready for the trip tomorrow to Kyoto, which I'm pretty excited about. I had been a little nervous, but I don't think I am anymore... I have a brief sketch of what I have to do to get there and with that I'm content. I'll wing the rest. It'll be a great time for me to be alone, be with God, see Japan's history and the rich culture that they have, and just wait.

I also had a good talk with Tim about Japanese history... we compared Brazil and Mexico and laughed a lot. It was over all a nice evening.I'm excited. And tired.

So, having finished all I set out to do today, I'm getting to bed.