Cultural Baggage

St. Louis, MO -- And so I went to the store by myself today. Let's see... actually, 5 stores. In 3 of them, I left not having bought anything. All this took me about 4 hours.

But I did get most of the stuff on the list that I've been making on a post-it note for the last several days. Granted, there wasn't a whole lot on that list, but... still.

I've been home for a little over a week now. When I came home, the screen door was on the wrong side. My dad changed it I don't know how long ago. But I'm almost getting the hang of opening the door from the right side.

The kitchen is way different... My (Mike's) room is different... and the living room and dining room are different from the last time I lived here. It was different when I came back, if I remember right.

Oh, the title is credited to Jose, Emily's husband, who would often tease me that I didn't know how to respond because I had so many cultures influencing me... When I was at their house, we had some Indian food (obviously) and it included rice. My first reaction was: where are my chopsticks? Second reaction: Ok, then where's my fork? Third reaction: Oh, this is India! We eat with our hands. You might have been amused to watch my facial expressions with this train of thought.

So, I've been praying during this transition (because, it still is)... for, well, everything. For what's going on here, what's going on back in Mexico, what's going on in Japan, and for getting there... I've been praying for God's guidance, timing, open doors and direction.

I'm really excited for Japan. It's an incredible country, with an interesting history behind of it of Christianity, and there are a million people (well, a bit more than that) who don't know Jesus or have ever even heard of Him. I'm also excited because, well, what I want to do is work with youth. I was gonna say "target them", but that just kinda sounded... weird. So.

But the Japanese youth are needing and searching for something new and satisfying. We know that the only thing that truly satisfies is our Savior-- we were created to know Him, and when we do and have relationship with Him, we are doing what is our purpose, and things are better, not easier, but well-- they fit.

So, anyhow, I'm hoping to show you a video soon, if I don't have the opportunity very soon, I hope to then post it up here. Every time I see it, it stirs up a passion within me. But, it explains in a couple of minutes who I'll be working with and about the Japanese people. It's really good! Anyhow, I'm pretty excited. Japan! For such a small country, it's full of so much opportunity!

Well, if you guys could be praying for me as I wait on God and begin this whole process, and as I get back into the groove of being in the States. It takes awhile to get accustomed.