Christmas... and then Japan

First, Merry Christmas... I was working on some last minute things for tomorrow's service and saw this posted by one of our team members.  It's not a message or anything... just a picture of the people of Japan, and I guess-- what it's like to live in Japan... Hope you enjoy!

**Some kind of problem and the video won't load.  Here's the link! Just click right below...

The People... Oh the People...

News and that...

Please check out this letter I just sent out! Also, I just posted about our Christmas outreach just below, so check that out too!

Btw, you can click on this "picture" below and make it bigger to read it.  (Sorry, I can't attach a pdf here!)... if you have a hard time reading it, leave a comment on this post with your email-- comments have to be approved by me, so no one will see your email address beside me-- and I will email you the pdf!)

Merry Christmas everyone!

Christmas and then some

SO.  It's Christmas time.  It doesn't really feel like it.  Does it to you?

Here, the bigger holiday is New Year.  It's the time that everyone spends with their families and eats sushi.  But nonetheless, Christmas is still celebrated (albeit with KFC and Christmas cakes)... So, we did an outreach event today.  It was our first ever Christmas Production. 

A girl on our team wrote a play; another helped with the translation; one girl did a dance; others helped with video and technology (which was a huge feat in an of itself); special music for the band, karaoke, snacks, sewing, you name it-- we probably did it!

But it was lovely and ran remarkably smooth.  My part in this day: organizing everything and making a timeline/Lighting timeline/organizing responsibilities on the whole day.  My job was basically to make sure set-up, production and clean up/pack-up ran smoothly and that everyone had everything that they needed where they needed it.  And I answered a million questions.

It should be mentioned, the file name for this so called timeline is: Christmas Production Timeline Masterpiece.

Because it was.

Other than that, I also played bass (including a jazz piece I just learned yesterday) and did lighting during my allotted time.

But enough about that-- we had about 30% of our crowd as newcomers and a number of "Hisashiburi" people (Hisashiburi means "long time, no see").  And many got to hear the Gospel for the first time.

So, all these questions and worksheets and rehearsed lines and technology preparation was so that Japanese people-- who are used to top-notch, high quality-- could hear the Gospel for the first time in a clear, powerful and even dramatic way.  There's no better Christmas gift you can give.

And though I guarantee you that nearly everyone is exhausted tonight, we are all satisfied that what we did was done to honor God and to show God's love and our love to those who have never heard.

... Really?

OH boy.  More than 2 months since my last post?  I would not blame you for abandoning my blog. 

Let me tell you.  The last 2 months... Incredibly busy.

That probably doesn't need to be stated, but it makes me feel better.

And if it makes you feel better, I already decided on a New Year's Resolution... be a better blogger.  And not to let my inbox get clogged.

But it's just barely hitting December, so I still have a month to slack.  ;)

So... The last two months. 
Retreat, special outreaches, Seminar, lots of admin stuff, trip to America, got engaged, came back, more admin stuff, giving messages, lots of evaluations on getting things to keep accelerating at church, preparation for Christmas play and production, playing bass, reorganizing lifegroups... teaching English...

I don't think that's all, but briefly that's what's happened over the last few months and why I've been away from the blog world.  All these things require a significant amount of my attention too.

Well, it's 11:57pm as I write, and this is all I've got right now.  I think I'll try again next week. 

Sorry my friends.  Don't give up on me yet.   ... :)

Updates and Origami

As I sit here another night in front of the fan and drinking cold water, I'm so thankful that in TWO days, we will hit the 70s and stay there... according to the internet weather forecast. [Yukata day at Fuse!]

Bring on the autumn!

So, last week I got home from Fuse and I just sat here staring at the computer thinking... I seriously doubt I can find the energy to write a blog tonight.  Today I have a bit more... but I'm not promising any cleverness.

For one awesome thing, we've been having new people.  We're doing a lot of inviting.  After lower numbers over the summer, we were kinda down though we continued outreaching and praying and all that.  As I recently heard Becky Hrubik (director of PAZ), pray-- We do care about numbers, because every number means someone who is getting called into the Kingdom of God and being saved.  But we've been seeing new people and following up on them... and praying for more breakthroughs!

I've been pretty busy with a lot of admin stuff at Fuse and trying to help things run smoothly... for it's own sake, but also to really support Mark and Yuiko and take any unnecessary pressure off of Mark.  That way, he can focus on what he really needs to focus on.

We also have a team from Brazil here.  They're here for 6-7 weeks.  They're not here in Tokyo during the week, but are up in Iwaki helping out.  But the two 20-something guys have been helping out with Friday night outreaches and at Fuse.  One of them, Paul, spoke today at Fuse.  So, it's been really cool to have them helping us out.

And on the side, I'm kinda starting an origami business.  It's not super-serious yet, but I do plan on following through to see success with it.  I've been making origami accessories (hair clips/earrings).  They are cute, durable and semi-waterproof.  I'm working on getting my webpage set up, and I recently found out that a friend of a friend will sell them in her beauty salon.  So, I am getting them together to send over.  Anyway, if you're interested, please let me know!  I'll post the page later; with everything that has been going on here in Japan, I've been super busy.  But I'm getting there!

Yawns and Tears...

I am sitting here yawning super big.  Btw, that is very rude to do at work or in meetings in Japan.  You can do it like, on the train or sitting by yourself at a table or something.  But don't do it anywhere else.  In fact, a good sign of being adapted here is when you can "swallow your yawns"... keep your mouth closed while you yawn!  I've seen lots of Japanese do it!

I prefer big yawns myself and bask in them in the privacy of my home.

That was a side note.  But yes, I am tired.  FUSE days are always very long (but good) days.  And since I do service coordinating at FUSE, it means that I'm always answering questions, making sure everyone knows what they're doing, making last minute switches and figuring out details.  I enjoy doing it, but sometimes... oftentimes I'm a bit tired after Life Group and finally making it home!

Today's FUSE covered a bit of things that have been going on this month.   Mark today brought the message about having Great Friendships.  He talked about the building blocks for great relationships being love, communication, trust (commitment) and grace.  When he got to the part about communication, he talked about encouragement and words of hope.  There he mentioned how it has been good for he and his wife to experience the comfort of great friends lately.  Two weeks ago, they lost their expected baby... She was 5 months along, and it was a big blow.  It was really hard for her to translate that part, and most everyone's eyes were filled with tears as Yuiko translated through her own tears about having lost her baby. 

Please pray for them!

They are still recovering.  It takes time, but we are praying for them and trying to support them the best we can and offer that hope that only comes through a relationship with Jesus!

Afterward, we had life group.  My lifegroup was pretty great today!  We continued the talk about friendships and the practicalities of it in life.  We shared from journalling time together, and got to know a new girl who joined lifegroup for the first time.  She still hasn't met Jesus, but we are praying that soon she will!

So, I'm sorry about this month.  We thought it was supposed to be a more relaxed schedule.  But it wasn't!  :)  My first two weeks, I took care of a lot of the responsibilities Mark take care of, since he was in New Zealand, and the last two weeks... well...

Well, I am going to get to bed!!  It's only 8pm, but I'm ready!

Hope you guys have a blessed day!

July

Yeah, July has been busy.  Beside having 2 back-to-back teams for more than the first part of the month, we are in the nice summer heat and humidity.

I also started teaching another couple of classes on Wednesdays, which has made for a lot of preparation work.

Anyway, that's kinda the gist.  We continue on, working.  We've been really going at Street Live (Street Outreach).  Having the break dance team here from California was a huge boost to our efforts.  Not only did they draw along huge crowds, but they were each very passionate about making the most of every opportunity they had, even the ones they didn't have.  In other words, they scheduled more outreach for themselves as a team.  The next team, from Korea, was also very passionate, and typical of Koreans-- they were pray-ers.  We really enjoyed being with them.

So, yeah, since then, we've been really going at street outreach hard, and it gave us an added boost to be more intentional with our opportunities.  Even Tuesday night, I met 2 young college girls, and shared who Jesus is to them, and shared my testimony, all in Japanese.  We finished and Ty asked if there was anything they wanted prayer for.  Nothing specific, but we prayed for them anyhow.  I've been following up with them through texting since then, and I hope to see them on Sunday.

Also, on a side note, I've been reading a book called "Not for Sale" by David B. Batstone.  It's about human trafficking.  I really encourage you to get it, and once you start reading, you won't be able to put it down.  It's very well-written, easy to read, and with stories from those trafficked, the history and tactics of trafficking and the stories of ordinary people doing things to make a difference to stop the suffering of hundreds of thousand, maybe millions of women and children trafficked in this world today.  Don't choose to keep yourself in ignorance.

Well, gotta get running... but hope you find yourself well in this summer season!