Don't Order This One

Tokyo, Japan -- So, I should probably be in bed now... but as I've been putting off those important things on my to-do list for the last several days, I finally get fed up with myself and decided to get them all done. And I will regret it in a few hours.That's life.

SO, I am very happy that I got this project done that's been on my list for about 2 weeks. I haven't been procrastinating... Ok, well, I have been. But I've been waiting for inspiration. And I got it tonight (kinda had to pull it out of me... but it was there).

Anyway, I also want to Mister Donut's to have some coffee and "be by myself" (I know, I'm in Tokyo) and just at least try to process the last few days. I haven't even started with the trip in general.There have been a MILLION lines of thought going through my head, and as someone wisely suggested, a good cup of coffee (well...), a notebook, and bar stool at a thin table in low lighting definitely helped.

I've spent a good part of this trip trying to be silent, sometimes lost in my own observations... often contemplating and waiting.

A few days ago I got to hang out with Fumiko, which I think I wrote about. Yesterday I hung out with Naomi. Well, in the morning I had a meeting with Susan from Chi Alpha Ministries here in Tokyo to find out more about what's going on, get to know her, and see what God's doing. It was a good conversation and I really enjoyed talking to her-- she was very helpful!

In the afternoon, I went to Ueno by train (an hour and a transfer away) to meet Naomi, who I had met in Nara. We went to the Ueno Art Museum (I love those places) and saw some amazing things. Then we walked for a long time. Had some dinner at market style restaurant and then had Starbucks and got to know her a lot better. So, I was pretty excited about it! I sat there and thought-- yup, this is what it's about.

And today we went to a fish market with Izumi and Christine-- which was pretty cool. We ate at this sushi place and I had Uni. It went in my mouth and came right back out. In haste. Sea urchin-- it's the grossest thing I have EVER eaten in my ENTIRE life. Horrid.

Also got to see a few different apartments and what it would be like to live there. OH. Took a bike to one of them. Bikes and small spaces are, I repeat, not a good idea. This time my wreck did more damage to my ego. I think I'll leave it there.

And that brings me back to coffee and then a late night on the project.

Tomorrow's my last day in Japan, and I head back for Meki-shko (I've tried to repeat how they call Mexico here...)... and I'm sad to go. But I'm praying that I come back soon. As it is, there is a lot of change coming up in the next few months, but I feel like I'm just really getting into the swing of things here.

OH- and, I'm pretty excited about this-- I could kinda follow a conversation today that Christine and Izumi were having... Well, I'd catch several words and could kinda piece it together. That was pretty exciting. Of course, there were other times that I had absolutely no idea what was going on. But, that's not the point. Woo-hoo! Japanese!

Alright, my yawns are getting pretty big now. Tomorrow I have a meeting and some last minute errands to run. And maybe coming up are some inventions that are... well... maybe not my favorite here. And of course- things I'll miss. So, stay tuned.

Furrowed-Brow Day

Tokyo, Japan -- So I woke up in a not so great mood... I think maybe just having a lot on my mind lately. You know it's one of those times when you wake up and before you can really blink a few times, your mind is already flooded.

It's not to say it was a bad day, it was a decent day actually. Maybe it was the shock from last night. I got shocked in the shower turning the water faucet off. Like seriously-- there was a current running through and it shook the junk out of me. So, maybe that was it.It got off to a rough start... burned my hand on the toaster oven, I think a spider or something bit me at night, and just random little things... but we did have a nice breakfast with all the people who are working here and then I went to hang out with Fumiko to get to know her better.

It was a nice, sunny day and she took me to Asakusa and to Shibuya and Harajuku. Asakusa has a famous temple in Tokyo and we got stopped by every group of the elementary class that was trying to learn English. They gave little origami gifts and now I have enough to fill a suitcase. Anyway-- if you've seen any videos of Tokyo of an intersection that fills with people when the pedestrian light turns green- well, that's in Shibuya. It's a very expensive, very, very modern area. Harajuku has a lot of people dressed up, apparently called cosplay, but there weren't a lot of them around. We were pretty tired after all that walking (and standing a lot on the trains/subways). Oh, and we ate fried eel, shrimp and some other fish and eggplant today with her. It was cool to talk about differences between Japan and America and culture (she's done homestays in the States).So I leave Saturday and I'm pretty bummed about that. I've really enjoyed it here and am now kinda getting into the flow of things. It was a bit of culture shock at first-- though you would think being missionary that you would get over that. But I find I love Japan and her people more and more everyday. Which, obviously, makes leaving seem not fun. I'm still waiting on the Lord to see what He says... I just want to do what He wants.So, we had talked last Sunday about getting an English/Japanese Bible, one that has the hiragana readings above the kanji... which if you don't know what that means, don't worry... just know that it's nicer and easier on the brain. They're pretty expensive so I was kinda waiting on it (about $65 and a bit bulky)... and anyway, tonight I came home from hanging out with Fumiko and there was a gift that had apparently been waiting for me since last night.

Abbie had picked up for me a New Testament like the one I was describing above, with a nice little note. I was sooo blessed-- because it's not as expensive as the one above-- but it still is an expensive gift! I almost wanted to cry, because, well, I felt a bit chillona today (even though I didn't)... but I called her and thanked her so much. What a blessing! And, how cool??

So I've been meditating a bit on Psalm 86:11 that says Teach me Your way, Oh Lord, and I will walk in your truth; Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.Obviously we're always learning from God what are His ways, and that's something that I've been anxious to learn lately. And to learn, you have to have humility and be submitted to the teacher.

But I've been focusing on the divided heart thing. When we have a heart completely subjected to Him, completely committed to Him- we can fear His name. And the fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom... sooo... just think on all that in reverse. So, if our heart is divided, we're not fearing Him properly (I'm hesitant to be strong in my statements), and we can't have wisdom that comes from Him if we have other things we have set before Him.

So, anyway. The verse that came into my mind this morning was Proverbs 3:5-6... which is oft-quoted, but I decided to look it up anyway just to look over it. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (the teaching part of the Lord-- be submitted, obedient, trusting)... In ALL your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. In all your ways-- like the undivided heart thing. Acknowledge Him- when that word is used, I think of the brief paragraph they put at the beginning of a book that acknowledges people who have helped, etc. Not much to be said. But I think here it means a lot more than just acknowledgment. Put Him first in everything you do and your paths will be straight.

Which is what I want and need. I don't really care what happens or where I go or whatever (well, I do, obviously, and I know what I want)... But I guess what I want to say more than anything is that I want to do what He wants. In the end, it's the best plan for me anyhow. So, sometimes it's hard to submit the will and be guided, but that's what I do want.I don't mean to be preachy-- I don't like to be. But it's what I've been thinking about throughout the day and waiting, straining even, to hear an answer. He's not speaking in the way that He usually speaks to me, which I'm sure I need to learn something new... I hear so many "come back to Japan" and that's what I really, really want-- but I have to wait for Him to shoot the starting race gun. And until I hear the crack of the pistol, I can't run.

VBall and a GB Party

Tokyo, Japan -- So, it's been a few full days since I've last written and I hoped to have some stories, and I do... which I'll tell a bit later.

Oh, speaking of which-- my new favorite invention... well.. favorite may not be the word-- but rather- appreciated invention (I found another one that has to do with warmth-- But it doesn't count.) The appreciated invention is the door-touch-opener. They have automatic everything here in Japan, and I'm constantly amazed at the technology they have for everything. But- the door-touch-opener thing is a flat, small rectangular... thing, for lack of better words, that goes on a clear glass door. And when you want to get go in or out, you just barely touch it and it opens the doors. Why is that impressive? Why wouldn't the automatic one be more useful? Because, when it's cold or hot outside, and you have the opposide inside, and you're waiting for someone outside, but you can't see-- well, then it's useful, because you can stand near the door. This came in handy tonight when waiting for the express train while we were in the slightly warmer waiting glass box. Apart from that... well... it was appreciated for a moment.

I kinda like the million vending machines that sell everything... they're pretty convenient.

So, this weekend I gave my testimony at the Brazillian church and then on Sunday at 2 Japanese services and one bilingual services. I had my mom send me "olden day" pics, which the people really liked. A lot of them were touched and they felt more confident, I guess, to talk with me afterward. The Japanese are kinda a shy people.

I went out to lunch with Abbie, the associate pastor's wife, and her daughter and another mom and son, and with Christine for lunch. It was a nice time to chat and talk more about stuff.

Today I slept in, and really needed it. Got up... did some laundry (in a machine) and then we headed to play volleyball again with the Brazillian church. They had a good turn out-- so much that we had 3 teams, besides all the kids.

Afterward, we went to the Oshiro family's house for dinner-- it was a really nice little apartment. I would recommend it as a starting house for a single person-- but not for a family! But here, you learn to make use out of all your space. The food was good and it was nice to be with them. I understand a good portion of Portuguese, but I have to really concentrate on it. But, Christine also did some translation when I wasn't understanding. While there, I also got a back adjustment- since the husband has a degree in massage therapy or something like that. So, hey, why not. He adjusted our backs and we left feeling limber. :)

So, apparently, this was a goodbye party for me. I got 2 things-- a recuerdo from Brasilia and a sweater, which was really kind of them. I was all like, awh... I love Latin culture and then on the way home the pastor told us the party was for me. I was like, oh? really??? Then even more like awhhhh.... I didn't hardly know these people, but I really liked them, even before I knew there was a party for me. Ha!

So the other night when I was coming home from Himeji, the whole country of Japan again got on my train. At every stop, 20 more people crammed in, and I don't know how it worked, but it did. Anyhow, we were all squished in there with no moving room, but there was a little girl of about 1.5 years that I was wondering if her mom would notice if I stole her away with me. The cutest little girl. Anyhow, she was there in her little stroller, undoubtedly the most comfortable person on the train, and there was a businessman of about 30 who, from his very cramped position, was standing there making cute faces at the little girl. With everyone else zoned into their cel phones or ipods, I think i was the only one watching and it made me smile.

Well, I just realized what time it is and I have a long time day tomorrow so I should probably get to bed.

Tokyo Returns

Tokyo, Japan -- I'm pretty excited guys. I got back from Kyoto/Nara/Himeji a few hours ago and loaded my pics onto my comp, and the quality is amazing. I was a bit worried.. sometimes I haven't been happy with the quality, but the pics are great. There are several that are postcard worthy... and that's not to remark on me or anything-- I'm just content that you guys get to see what I saw.

I'm content to be back... I'm pretty tired and my feet are a bit blistered and sore, but it's nothing really to complain about. It was an enlightening trip... I learned a lot... it was good to spend time alone and with God as well, to see... it was worth the expense that it was.

Today I took the last minute side trip to Himeji, since I didn't want to spend the day in Nara-- and it was beautiful. The city was pretty cool, and the castle and the grounds there were picturesque. Beside that, then I felt like I got my money's worth out of that pass! The castle took about 2 hours to explore... I was one of the only tourists who read everything there was to read-- and then I sat for about an hour by the moat with hillsong on my mp3 and talking to God.

All in all, it was a good experience.Himeji was beautiful; Nara was ok; but Kyoto... Kyoto is to me what Paris is to some. Perhaps not all may find it that way but I was enamored, in my own way.I was kinda proud of myself for navigating the train stations (with the handy dandy map Christine lent me) and for successfully not getting lost. I took the wrong road once biking to Fushimi Inari, but I realized it almost immediately and turned around as soon as possible. As amazing as this journey has been, I'm glad to be "home" in Tokyo and with Tim and Christine again and talk about what I saw and experienced and just be back at the house. And converse! Sure, I was able to talk somewhat, but freely is a different thing.

Well, will write more maybe tomorrow with some small on-dits, etc., about small moments... but for now, I'm getting some rest!

Thank you for all your prayers and for your support and encouragement!

Change of Plans

Nara, Japan -- I can't even remember when I last wrote and what had happened, because SO much have I seen and experienced and learned that I'm still taking it all in. And I'm really not exaggerating.

Yesterday, I had a lot of fun biking to Fushimi Inari (the place that has the million tori gates-- if you've seen Memoirs of a Geisha, it's from the scene when she's a little girl running to the temple and there are a million gates)... and walking through there, there is also a side cut that takes you through a bamboo forest. I was completely by myself and no one was near, and it was great to worship God like that. I also observed people at their own worship at the temple there (and throughout Kyoto) and it's a heavy work to watch. After biking there... oh speaking of biking... which I haven't done in some ten years, I'm sure, I learned a few things... bikes go on the left side of the road... because that's the side cars drive on. After not having biked for years, it's probably NOT a good idea to try to look all around you and appreciate the beautiful scenery. Also, small, small gated areas probably aren't a good idea either. Don't worry, I only have a little gash out of my finger, but I got a lot of laughs. I'm sure I made other people laugh too (it's really not as bad as it sounds, and no, I didn't crash and burn or forget how to ride a bike or anything... whatever, I'm shutting up now).

But, after I went to Fushimi Inari (which is 20-25 minutes away, if you take the right road) then I looked at the handy dandy map and thought, hmm... Nijo Castle comes highly recommended... it can't be THAT far away.

And I was wrong.

It took about an hour to get there on bike (and I'm glad I had the bike!) and though I didn't want to pay the entrance fee, I did and I was glad-- a very historical site, it shows a lot of the culture and ways of doing things that make the Japanese who they are today. It was very, very interesting, very beautiful, and even though I took the route backward, I still learned a lot.

Well, afterward the journey took me to Nara, about 40 minutes away by train, and I made my way to the youth hostel. It was ok, though I prefer the one in Kyoto a lot better. I kinda chilled that evening and went for a walk...Nara. Nara is like Kyoto, but smaller and stronger. I had read that you kinda just trip over the shrines and temples because they are everything. And they are. It's so much stronger here. It's also not as English friendly. But nonetheless, today I made my way around and saw everything that I needed to see in a few hours... I didn't go in any of the temples because... well... once you go in one, you kinda know what they all are gonna look like... and now having seen several temples, I wanted to see more historical stuff and learn more in that realm... and by learning from history, you can begin to understand current culture a lot better...

So, I went back to Kyoto this afternoon by train (fell asleep and when I woke up, I thought I had missed my stop) and went to a close place. I really wanted to go to the Imperial Palace, but my feet weren't in agreement, and they won.

Anyway, it's been a good experience this travelling. I've been able to think a lot, pray a lot, meet some people (like the girl I roomed with last night, who's from Tokyo, and I think we'll hang out next week!) and wait on God. And, obviously learn.

But, because I like to get the value's worth out of something, and since I don't head back to Tokyo til tomorrow evening, I decided that I'd take another free side trip on the pass that I have instead of spending the day in Nara.

So, tomorrow I'm going to Himeji, which has a castle that was completed in 1609 by Ieyasu Tokugawa and hasn't been destroyed by many earthquakes and fire. It's also built out of wood, which is pretty interesting.

But afterward, I'll feel more content that I've gotten my money's worth out of this pass that I got and will head back to Tokyo.

This weekend I'll be giving my testimony at the Brazillian church and maybe on the Sunday evening bilingual service too?? I don't know, but I'll go with the flow. Anyway, I need to find a cheap place to eat (Nara is pretty expensive) and work on my power point (pics of the fam, etc) for this weekend and get to bed, because I've gotta get out of here early tomorrow!

*Also, on the list of interesting: A kimono I saw at a shop was 399,000 Yen ($4865, roughly) and I also found a pair of $25 pair of silk socks. I've been looking for a new favorite invention, but am challenging myself to find one that doesn't have to do with heat or being warm (ex: the toilet seat warmers, the rug warmers, the seat and calf warmers on the train, which are wonderful)... and so I'm keeping an eye out for non-heat inventions. Will keep you apprised.

Visual Overload

Kyoto, Japan -- Well, the lights are on very low and people are sleeping in my room in the hostel and I am so very, very tired. Mostly the feet...Well, after travelling by bullet train through the beautiful country side of Japan, I arrived in Kyoto last night and walked the city exploring as much as I could in a few hours... which the only real notable things I saw were the Kyoto Tower and the Toji Temple. I also found a Presbyterian church when I was walking along... I saw a cross in the distance so I followed the streets till I got there. It was dark and closed up, so I didn't go in and see people or check it out.

Today I got up at 8... and headed out at 9 and came back tonight at 9... well, I stopped back by here like twice, but once was only for less than an hour and the other time just to use the restroom.

So, first, went to see Kinkakuji temple... the golden one... it was ethereally beautiful. Gorgeous. I could have just sat there all day. Incredible... and I'm afraid that the pics won't be able to show it well, but even what they show is beautiful.

So, afterward I went back to the Toji Temple and went in (since it was closed last night)... It's gigantic and going in to the various temples to see the gigantic golden buddhas and people bowing to them was heavy. So, I listened to worship music on my mp3 player and praised God and prayed.

By this time it was already raining and pretty cold.... but I had borrowed an umbrella from the hostel, so it wasn't too bad... Ok, then to Gion... which is the famous geisha district. I went there and walked the alley ways and saw the shops and it was like... what you think of Japan and the alleys and wooden panelling and fancy rooftops... that's Gion. I wish I had gone a little earlier to see it in the light, but still it was exotic (even though that always give an impress of warm, and warm I was not) and maybe romantic? I can't choose the right word right now.

So, I stalked the streets and walked into a million shops but I kept my eye out for the geisha. I saw one and then 2 more as my bus was about to head back to the hostel area. I couldn't get any pictures though! There was a girl though in a beautiful kimono who was coming back from doing tea ceremony. She was really nice and we chit chatted and I got a pic of her.

I don't know if I've ever been so happy to sit down after walking for like 3 hours straight (after walking all day) when I got on the bus... Came back, found a Ramen shop close to the hostel, got some stuff from the convenience store for breakfast for tomorrow and came back to shower.

So, I'm kinda taking in now everything that I saw and experienced today... it was incredible... Buddhism is obviously a lot stronger here than in Tokyo... And the impression I get of Kyoto is completely different from that of Tokyo...So, mostly I travelled by bus and foot today. The youth hostel is great, one of the cheapest around and they can tell you how to get anywhere, and have anything you could possibly think of and a million pics of people who have stayed here and their travels. From where I sit in the bed, I can see the Kyoto Tower and... well.. a million buildings.

Anyway, that's an update on what I've done... I've had a lot of time to think today and so I'm still trying to process all that's gone on in that brain up there and all that my eyes have taken in today. It was a great day, not even the rain or the cold could take away from it...But! tomorrow I heard there will be sun... in which case I'll bike (you can rent a bike here at the hostel) down to Fushimi Inari, which has the tori gates that go on for forever and ever and if I get time, will go to the Nijojo Castle which has a lot of history behind it... Tim recommended that one to me, and I can get there on bike. And then on to Nara I'll head...So, it might be a day or 2 before I make it back to blogging... I really want to take advantage of this time to pray for direction and the future and just learn and see... and it's a good time for me to try to hear and wait on God. I know what I would like and what I see and feel and all- but I won't move without confirmation-- and knowing it for myself for sure first. :)

I'm going to bed. My legs are still ache-y from the miles I've walked today, but it was worth it. Boy was it worth it.

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.