August 19, 2010
August 18
I have not reported on anything since I've arrived back in Canada. The reason for that is because I am still trying to figure out what I have all experienced there. It was an amazing time, and something I will NEVER forget. I'm very glad I went on this trip, but God hasn't quite shown me what I'm supposed to take from it. For now, I'm taking it slow, starting my life up back at home, and will eventually post my exact feelings about the trip. Thanks for all your support, all the time you spent thinking of me. It helped me out a lot, and I am eternally in your debt. God bless each and every one of you!
August 11, 2010
August 10
I have completed my first full day back from Japan. We are trying to sort our experiences at debrief, but I feel like I'll be working on that forever. If you want to hear some stories, come to MCI on August 12....or, this Thursday, and come hear our team presentations. It will be every ACTION team sharing their stories and lessons learnt from all over the world. It starts at 6:30pm I believe, and I'll get more information later for you. Just a quick blog post before I crash! God bless you all!!
August 9, 2010
August 9
Here I am, sitting in the Nagoya International Airport, waiting for my trip back to Canada to start. I can't believe it's been a month already. Where has all the time gone?
My month here in Japan was an amazing experience. It wasn't all flowers and roses, but there are so many things I will remember about this trip, and so many people I will dearly miss. The country of Japan is a country you can admire for many reasons. So what have I learnt here?
I've learnt hospitality. I've learnt what it really means to care for one another. We cannot go anywhere without recieveing gifts, food, or anything else they can possible get. When I went to tour Tokyo, the girl who took us had to work when she got back, but she still took us anyways.
I've learnt what it means to be a Christian. Many Christians here are alone. They don't have a family that's Christian, so when they make that choice, it's a big one. They have decided to put God ahead of their family, and all their traditions. They can't find Christian mates, so they make the church their home. But what a home it is. They care so much for each other there, it's something I wish I could see in Canadian churches more often.
I've learnt about missions. I have only been on short mission trips, so this was my first taste of something bigger. And oddly enough, I liked it. Maybe it's just because this country is so amazing.
I'm exciting to go home, and truthfully, I need to go home. But I want to come back here too, because I've have fallen in love with Japan, and had my heart broken for the people over and over again. I don't know what the future holds for me, but I'm now really excited to find out! See you all very soon!
My month here in Japan was an amazing experience. It wasn't all flowers and roses, but there are so many things I will remember about this trip, and so many people I will dearly miss. The country of Japan is a country you can admire for many reasons. So what have I learnt here?
I've learnt hospitality. I've learnt what it really means to care for one another. We cannot go anywhere without recieveing gifts, food, or anything else they can possible get. When I went to tour Tokyo, the girl who took us had to work when she got back, but she still took us anyways.
I've learnt what it means to be a Christian. Many Christians here are alone. They don't have a family that's Christian, so when they make that choice, it's a big one. They have decided to put God ahead of their family, and all their traditions. They can't find Christian mates, so they make the church their home. But what a home it is. They care so much for each other there, it's something I wish I could see in Canadian churches more often.
I've learnt about missions. I have only been on short mission trips, so this was my first taste of something bigger. And oddly enough, I liked it. Maybe it's just because this country is so amazing.
I'm exciting to go home, and truthfully, I need to go home. But I want to come back here too, because I've have fallen in love with Japan, and had my heart broken for the people over and over again. I don't know what the future holds for me, but I'm now really excited to find out! See you all very soon!
August 8
LATE NIGHT BLOG POST TIME!
Within five hours, we are packing ourselves into a vehicle and we are off to the airport. I cannot wait! I'm so excited to go home! I do need to get some sleep though, just letting you know that I'm almost home!!
Within five hours, we are packing ourselves into a vehicle and we are off to the airport. I cannot wait! I'm so excited to go home! I do need to get some sleep though, just letting you know that I'm almost home!!
August 7, 2010
August 7
Good evening. I had a great day today, and can't wait to share it with you!
Today was a youth program. The turn out was expected to be...one person, but we managed to round up two people. So, while this might seem like a failure of a youth program in Canada, the pastor was very excited that those people actually showed up. We had a lot of fun, playing Dutch Blitz, random Japanese games, and singing some worship songs. We didn't have to sing slow or anything, and that was very exciting, because some of my team is not liking the slow motion singing we've had to do lately. It was nice to lead a nice set of worship songs! We performed a drime for them, and then had an amazing talk with them. I got to talk a lot to the pastors daughter, and that was very exciting for me. She's twenty, and a university student, who at one point studied in Kenora (who studies in Kenora?). I love the people here, they are all so happy and full of life.
Only one more day left here, and we're off on the road towards beautiful Canada. I miss everyone at home. I love Japan though, and really want to come back!!
Today was a youth program. The turn out was expected to be...one person, but we managed to round up two people. So, while this might seem like a failure of a youth program in Canada, the pastor was very excited that those people actually showed up. We had a lot of fun, playing Dutch Blitz, random Japanese games, and singing some worship songs. We didn't have to sing slow or anything, and that was very exciting, because some of my team is not liking the slow motion singing we've had to do lately. It was nice to lead a nice set of worship songs! We performed a drime for them, and then had an amazing talk with them. I got to talk a lot to the pastors daughter, and that was very exciting for me. She's twenty, and a university student, who at one point studied in Kenora (who studies in Kenora?). I love the people here, they are all so happy and full of life.
Only one more day left here, and we're off on the road towards beautiful Canada. I miss everyone at home. I love Japan though, and really want to come back!!
August 6, 2010
August 6
I'm starting to get quite lazy with my blogging. On the plus side, however, I did say I would keep you updated, but never promised as to the quantity of the updates (or quality sometimes). But, I did promise to keep you updated, and my goal was to update daily. That has now failed. So, with only 2 days left in Japan, I'll update you on the last three.
August 4 - Not exciting. We spent the morning cleaning at EBS, then we said goodbye to the wonderful people there and headed off to Izumi, our final destination.
August 5 - August 6 was a kids program. While only five kids showed up, we made it work, and had a wonderful time. The kids had AMAZING English, which made my team very happy, since many of us are getting frustrated with caveman English. We played a few games, had some fun crafts, and sang a couple songs. The kids were very willing to participate, and they even sang all by themselves for one verse. It made me very excited, and was one of the few times that I actually wanted to be with those kids the rest of the week. However, it was a one day program, so I didn't really get that chance. They were incredibly well-behaved, that's all I'm saying!
August 6 - Today was English classes. They only started at 3pm, so we took the morning and afternoon to shop, and then relax. I had a nice, long nap, which I so desperately needed. Then we had an adult class, with four students. It was a pleasure to be able to talk to them. We had an opportunity to show them a drime, and one of the women told us that she was very moved by it. In the evening we had a junior high English class, which only two kids came. But we made it work, and had a wonderful time. I only hope they had a good time as well. One was the pastors son, who is apparently a black belt in karate as well, so we didn't want to make him mad. He was very nice though, but super shy. I've noticed that most of the kids in Japan are very shy, but I'm sure most kids are shy around six big white people. No matter, it was still a blast. We performed our Ragman drime, which, for no apparent reason, almost brought me to tears. I wasn't sure why, maybe I just noticed something in it that I hadn't noticed before. No matter. It's a powerful drime none the less.
I love Japan, but am very ready to come home. I can see myself coming back here, long term, or just over and over again short term. But I'm ready to come home, and ready to see my family. Ready to start school, and put all that God has given me this summer into practice.
August 4 - Not exciting. We spent the morning cleaning at EBS, then we said goodbye to the wonderful people there and headed off to Izumi, our final destination.
August 5 - August 6 was a kids program. While only five kids showed up, we made it work, and had a wonderful time. The kids had AMAZING English, which made my team very happy, since many of us are getting frustrated with caveman English. We played a few games, had some fun crafts, and sang a couple songs. The kids were very willing to participate, and they even sang all by themselves for one verse. It made me very excited, and was one of the few times that I actually wanted to be with those kids the rest of the week. However, it was a one day program, so I didn't really get that chance. They were incredibly well-behaved, that's all I'm saying!
August 6 - Today was English classes. They only started at 3pm, so we took the morning and afternoon to shop, and then relax. I had a nice, long nap, which I so desperately needed. Then we had an adult class, with four students. It was a pleasure to be able to talk to them. We had an opportunity to show them a drime, and one of the women told us that she was very moved by it. In the evening we had a junior high English class, which only two kids came. But we made it work, and had a wonderful time. I only hope they had a good time as well. One was the pastors son, who is apparently a black belt in karate as well, so we didn't want to make him mad. He was very nice though, but super shy. I've noticed that most of the kids in Japan are very shy, but I'm sure most kids are shy around six big white people. No matter, it was still a blast. We performed our Ragman drime, which, for no apparent reason, almost brought me to tears. I wasn't sure why, maybe I just noticed something in it that I hadn't noticed before. No matter. It's a powerful drime none the less.
I love Japan, but am very ready to come home. I can see myself coming back here, long term, or just over and over again short term. But I'm ready to come home, and ready to see my family. Ready to start school, and put all that God has given me this summer into practice.
August 3, 2010
August 3
Once again, I have managed to skip a couple days of blogging. I will touch on the month of August, then get to my adventures of today, because they were very emotional.
August 1 - We had a church service at Sojiji. The pastor did his preaching thing, and we read a translation. I wish I could have understood him however, because what was written was very good, and maybe would have been more powerful coming out of his mouth. Gary read his testimony, we preformed a drime, and led a worship song. Well, we thought we were leading. It turned out that we were actually performing. Not what we expected, but still a lot of fun. We had lunch together with the church, and then led an English class with about 8 adults. Only 2 were Christian, and it was a bible English study. It was great to be able to share the bible with these people. Some of them even had some amazing thoughts on the bible. I wish I could break down this language barrier, these people are smart, and full of ideas.
August 2 - This was our relaxing day. I mean, we've had other days off, but this was actually a true relaxing day. Why, you ask? Because we went to the bathhouse. And while I never got the chance to try the naked tubs, I did get to wear some really small trunks, and sit in hot tubs, saunas, and massage pools. Then I went for a nice swim. And after lunch I fell asleep for 3 hours on an incredibly comfy couch. It was something I really needed, because it energized me for my last week of ministry here in Japan.
August 3 - Today was an amazing day. However, it was full of emotions. We headed out to Hiroshima. The day started off with a bang...we went to the Peace Gardens. There we saw the last standing structure of the A-bomb blast. I almost lost it...I was literally standing 600 feet below the exact spot the bomb exploded...the building was completely torn apart. 3000 lives were lost in the 9/11 attacks....350,000 were lost in Hiroshima. After we headed to the Peace Museum...and even more images were flooded into my mind. Some images were not pleasent...and one that sticks in my mind is a watch. The watch is shattered, but still readable. The strap is burnt, and the hands are stopped at 8:15....when the A-bomb exploded...and it's horrible...please, talk to me in person about this. I'll advocate peace all day, and after seeing this, even more so.
5 days until I head home. Thanks for all the prayers and support. Since coming to Japan, the rest of the money I needed has been given to me, and I'm so thankful. I look forward to sharing my experiences when I return. If this blog has been any indication, I've loved my time here
August 1 - We had a church service at Sojiji. The pastor did his preaching thing, and we read a translation. I wish I could have understood him however, because what was written was very good, and maybe would have been more powerful coming out of his mouth. Gary read his testimony, we preformed a drime, and led a worship song. Well, we thought we were leading. It turned out that we were actually performing. Not what we expected, but still a lot of fun. We had lunch together with the church, and then led an English class with about 8 adults. Only 2 were Christian, and it was a bible English study. It was great to be able to share the bible with these people. Some of them even had some amazing thoughts on the bible. I wish I could break down this language barrier, these people are smart, and full of ideas.
August 2 - This was our relaxing day. I mean, we've had other days off, but this was actually a true relaxing day. Why, you ask? Because we went to the bathhouse. And while I never got the chance to try the naked tubs, I did get to wear some really small trunks, and sit in hot tubs, saunas, and massage pools. Then I went for a nice swim. And after lunch I fell asleep for 3 hours on an incredibly comfy couch. It was something I really needed, because it energized me for my last week of ministry here in Japan.
August 3 - Today was an amazing day. However, it was full of emotions. We headed out to Hiroshima. The day started off with a bang...we went to the Peace Gardens. There we saw the last standing structure of the A-bomb blast. I almost lost it...I was literally standing 600 feet below the exact spot the bomb exploded...the building was completely torn apart. 3000 lives were lost in the 9/11 attacks....350,000 were lost in Hiroshima. After we headed to the Peace Museum...and even more images were flooded into my mind. Some images were not pleasent...and one that sticks in my mind is a watch. The watch is shattered, but still readable. The strap is burnt, and the hands are stopped at 8:15....when the A-bomb exploded...and it's horrible...please, talk to me in person about this. I'll advocate peace all day, and after seeing this, even more so.
5 days until I head home. Thanks for all the prayers and support. Since coming to Japan, the rest of the money I needed has been given to me, and I'm so thankful. I look forward to sharing my experiences when I return. If this blog has been any indication, I've loved my time here
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