A Different Kind of Ministry

"Then Jesus came to the disciples.  He said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  So you must go and make disciples of all nations.  Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And you can be sure that I am always with you, to the every end.'" -- Mathew 28:18-20

When people ask us why we are in Japan, we usually answer that we teach English.  While that statement is true (and the focus of the majority of our time), teaching English is not our sole purpose for being in Japan.  We are here to share the message of God's love and the possibility of a relationship with Him through the death of Jesus.  I think one reason I don't initially say that I am a missionary in Japan is because I don't feel like a missionary -- I live and work in a community of other westerners, I am getting paid well, and I am living in one of the wealthiest nations on earth, with easy access to everything I need to survive.  I feel like to use the term "missionary", I should be living in a developing nation in the middle of nowhere and being paid nothing.  I don't feel like a deserve to use the term "missionary" -- partly because I am not suffering and partly because I get distracted from sharing the gospel. Sometimes my role in sharing the gospel takes the back seat to performing well as a teacher and navigating through cultural and language barriers.


Before coming to Japan, I had these ideas of how I could share the gospel and promote Christ before myself.  I imagined being an active member of a local bilingual church, leading or participating in a small group Bible study, building relationships with Japanese people so that I could share Christ with them, and regularly sharing stories about God and about a relationship with God with my students.


Ministry seldom works out as perfectly and smoothly and idealistically as I imagine.  We occasionally attend church, but have a hard time dragging our butts out of bed on our only day off for a service that lasts 2 1/2 hours long (and I don't like to admit it but it's the truth).  Building relationships with native Japanese people has been a lot more difficult than I first anticipated, mainly because we work during the afternoon and evening and because of the language barrier, but also because we just haven't put much effort into building those kind of relationships.  And in the spring and summer, I was so worried about getting all of my curriculum in and having all my students finish all their art and writing projects, that Bible story time often got neglected.


Over the past month, God has been working at changing my heart and helping me refocus my life and my time in Japan on Him.  A few weeks ago, God gave me the idea to change story time from the end of the day to right after play time (in the middle of my 2 1/2 hour class).  During story time, I read to my students from a children's picture bible and try to ask them questions about how the Bible and God relate to their lives (and I share about my own life).  Many times, I wonder if any of the significance about God gets through to them or if they are really understanding who God is and how He is different from Buddha or the ancestors they pray to.  (That part is not too different from doing youth ministry in the States -- putting your heart out there, speaking the truth in love, and wondering if you words are making it into the minds and hearts of kids or just going in one ear and out the other).


This week, God gave me little reminders to keep on sharing the gospel with kids and let Him do the rest.  I spent a week reading about the plagues God sent to Egypt as a sign to Pharaoh that God was real and to let His people (the Israelites go).  When we got to the part where the Israelites escaped and had made it to the sea when Pharaoh and his army started to come after them, I asked my class, "What will happen next?  Do you think the Israelites will be able to get away from Pharaoh and his army?"  One girl, who does not come from a Christian home (as far as I know), said, "Yes!  Because God will help them and God can do anything!"    


As I talked about how God sent birds and loaves of bread down to the Israelites, one girl gasped, "Wow!  Cool!"  And when I talked about God sending them water from a rock, the same girl said, "Wooaaaahhhh!"  And I thought, "She is right. God sent loaves of bread raining down from the sky.  That IS amazing!!!!!"  That was a really great reminder that these kids DO need to hear the message of Christ -- even if they live in one of the wealthiest nations in the world and not in a hut in a developing nation.  And even if I can't lead a small group or talk with my 3rd graders in the same way I talked with 9th grade girls about life and their experiences with God, I can still share the gospel with them in words and in the way that I love and care for them and encourage and uplift them as their teacher.  God can and will take care of the language barriers that get in the way.
In Romans 8:38-39 it says, 

"I am absolutely sure that not even death or life can separate us from God's love.  Not even angels or demons, the present or the future, or any powers can do that.  Not even the highest places or the lowest, or anything in all creation can do that.  Nothing at all can ever separate us from God's love because of what Christ Jesus our Lord has done."

I would like to add to that list that 'not even developmental age limitations or foreign languages or imperfect servants' can separate God from these kids here in Japan.  I'm realizing once again that it is not my responsibility to change their hearts; all I have to do is set my heart on God, focus my purposes on him, and share the good news of Christ with my students -- God will take care of the rest.


Thank you to all our friends and family who are supporting us in work here in Japan through your prayers, encouragement, and through reading this blog.  Please continue to pray for us -- that we would focus our hearts on God and on His purposes for us, that we would find a church home (in Japan) where we can grow spiritually and commit to serving, and that we would make the most of our opportunities here to share God's love and message of hope with the people of Japan.

Jamboree

In October, MeySen Friends Club celebrates Halloween with a party/carnival called "Jamboree".  Kids and teachers dress in costumes, kids play games with their class at different "booths" and receive candy and toys, everyone eats cake, and the principal shares the gospel.  


I absolutely LOVED Jamboree.  I had so much fun playing games with my students and seeing them (and their younger siblings) all dressed up.  The school has tons of costumes for teachers to wear.  My friends and I had fun decided what to wear.  While we were looking through the racks of costumes and boxes of accessories, I commented to my coworker (who is also a former youth pastor) that it reminded me of working in youth min -- piecing together a crazy costume to promote a game or upcoming event).


Since most of the girls were going to wear dresses, I decided to dress up like a male pirate (complete with a mustache and goatee).  I thought my kids would get a kick out of it -- and they did.

Me as a pirate

Like the facial hair?

Kris as Batman

Greg as ... Chinese Black Spiderman?????  (Greg had a little too much fun accessorizing his costume, as he would pick a different prop to use every 5 minutes)

While students arrived, several of the teachers stood in front of the school.  We waved to cars and people that passed by.  It was hilarious how some of the people reacted to us: in typical Japanese fashion, they looked straight ahead, pretending not to see us and keeping a straight face -- despite the fact that a transvestite American pirate was yelling "Arrrrr Matey!" or a black Spiderman was crouched on the large rocks.  Even the business man who walked THROUGH us on the sidewalk kept his head down and didn't even glance at us or say a word.  Sometimes this culture is just so different!

Greg posed as Spiderman; Many parents and kids didn't see him until they got close, so he startled many  of them, which made them (and us) all laugh.

One of the best parts of the party was seeing all the students arrive in their elaborate costumes (because the Japanese take costumes quite seriously!).  Being used to the culture of American schools, I was so surprised to see students bringing toy guns, knives, and swords to the party; in America, a kid could be suspended for that!  When families came to drop off their children, if there was a younger child in the family, they would also be dressed up to wave goodbye to their older sibling.  There were some ridiculously adorable toddlers!  My favorite was a little boy dressed as a skeleton.  I'm telling you what, there is NOTHING cuter in this world than a Japanese toddler.

Look how cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

かわいい

(Kawaii -- Cute!!!)

Parents went crazy taking pictures of the kids with their friends and classes -- and it was impossible getting the kids to all look in one direction and to stop moving for the one second that it takes to snap a photo.  But those moms were trying their darndest!

My class!

2 of my kiddos -- dressed as a vampire and a pirate (with a gun)

In preparation for Jamboree, students decorate large plastic bags with colored electrical tape.  Just like in trick-or-treating (which is not done in Japan), their bags are filled with candy, sweets, and toys by the end of the night. My 3rd graders made some pretty elaborate bags!

The kid who made this Mario bag was also dressed as Mario

Another highlight of the evening was the costume showcase.  When a particular costume type was called (such as "witch" or "Disney characters"), kids wearing that costume would come to the front of the gym for a photo.  When Jonathan called for students dressed as "cowboys and Indians", a 3rd grade boy dressed in a bright orange sari (like someone from India) went to the front of the hall; the kid was right -- he was dressed like an Indian (just not the kind of Indian westerners usually think of).  I thought it was pretty funny.


   Later in the evening, when we were eating our snack of cake and potato chips, one of my 3rd grade boys turned to me and said, "Mrs. Lauren, I know what potato chips are made out of."
   "What?" I asked him.
   In full seriousness, he replied, "French fries!"  Close, kiddo. Haha!

This night was just another reason why I love working at MeySen.  I have so much fun with my students.  They are all such good, fun-loving, bright kids.  This job is just fan-freaking-tastic -- I get to build relationships with kids and teach and I get paid to do fun things like dress up as a pirate and play games.   It's great!

Disney Sea

Yes, this post about our trip to Disney Sea back in August is way over due; but I've been pretty busy having the time of my life teaching some adorable, fun kids and exploring more of Japan on a week-long anniversary trip earlier this month with Kris.  But more about those things later.  First I bring you some photos of our trip to Disney Sea.


In Japan, Disney is kind of a big deal.  There are two Disney Parks here, Disney Land (much like it's US counter part) and Disney Sea.  Since Disney Sea is unlike any other Disney park out there, we decided to check it out. 


Disney Sea is built around a huge body of water and the theme park is divided into 7 nautical-themed worlds or "ports of call": Mediterranean Harbor, American Waterfront, Lost River Delta, Port Discovery, Mermaid Lagoon (for The Little Mermaid), Arabian Coast (for Aladdin), and Mysterious Island.  Disney spent over $4 billion building this place and it shows.  Every small world within the place has been masterfully imagined and built: no detail was spared, from the purposeful cracks and missing tiles around the Tower of Terror building to the Venetian canals, bridges, and buildings in the Mediterranean Harbor.  Kris and I loved walking around and just looking at all the amazing detail put into the place.  We enjoyed walking around and simply being in the park just as much (maybe even more so) than we enjoyed the actual rides themselves.  It's part of what makes Disney Sea so magical -- and trust me, I'm not the type of person to usually rave about Disney.


Mt. Prometheus behind Port Discovery

Ariel's Mermaid Lagoon

Mysterious Island

Jules Vernes' lab in the Journey To The Center of The Earth ride.

Kris checking into the Tower of Terror hotel

SS Columbia on the American Harbor

Kris in front of the Tower of Terror

Taking a stroll down old Broadway in the American Waterfront

Mediterranean Harbor -- I LOVED this part because it really reminded me of being in Europe (especially Venice, Rome, and Greece).  It felt so real!

Jasmine's Castle as part of the Arabian Coast

Me in front of a carousel ride and fountain in the Arabian Coast

This Aztec temple houses the Indian Jones ride in the Lost River Delta

Outside the Indiana Jones ride in the Lost River Delta

Though we enjoyed Disney Sea, the trip itself wasn't the best.  We did everything wrong -- we went in the high heat of summer, during summer break (when EVERY school has off and EVERY Japanese family goes on vacation), we got there an hour after the park had opened; and to top it off, we bought our tickets ahead of time from a travel agent, thinking that we could just walk right in, but it turns out that tickets bought from the travel agency were only vouchers that had to be exchanged for actual tickets, so we had to wait 45 minutes just to get in the park.


August in Tokyo is sweltering and humid.  Kris and I were drenched in sweat all day.  Our clothes were soaked.  As I looked around at the Japanese women all around me, I was in shock -- the most they perspired was a subtle glistening on the face.  I am NOT exaggerating.  I don't know how they do it -- I've heard their sweat glands are smaller but I'm not sure if that's true -- but they do not sweat the way Americans sweat -- at least not the way I was sweating.  I was so jealous -- and also impressed.


The lines were looooooooong.   All day we got on about 5 rides -- and we were only able to do that many because we used a Fast Pass (which ended up being an hour wait instead of a 3 hour wait) for one ride and did the single rider line (a 20 minute wait instead of a 3 hour wait) for another ride.  Most of the other lines were a 2-3 hour wait.  That was just miserable. 
Though we only went on 6 rides, we did enjoy the rides we went on: Journey to the Center of the Earth, Indiana Jones, Ragging Spirits, Tower of Terror, and Disney Steamer Line.  What I do appreciate about Disney Sea is, though the lines were LOOOOOONG, many of the lines were in airconditioned buildings or in the shade.  It kept us from getting too sunburnt.


Disney Sea is also fantastic for people-watching.  The Japanese folks here go ALL OUT when they go to Disney -- they get decked in Disney gear from head to toe.  And they LOVE them some Duffy and Shellie May bears!  (Don't know who Duffy is?  Go here)  It's pretty common to see folks treating these beloved bears as children -- decking them out in expensive outfits, taking pictures of them (just the bears) throughout the park, and giving them a seat at the table.  Below are two pictures of people decked-out in Disney -- and trust me, there were hundreds of people just like this!

What can I say...if you can't beat 'em, join 'em!  That's right, we bought a Shellie May (to go with the Duffy my sister bought us).  We didn't go to the exteremes that some people go to with their Duffy and Shellie May obsessions.  But I'll put it this way: I don't want to have kids for a few more years and we can't have a puppy in our appartment...so I have a Shellie May.

So happy to have a Shellie May

We're one of THEM now!!!

We ended our visit with a magical boat parade/show.  It was really awesome!  For as much as we had kicked Tokyo's butt site-seeing the previous day


If you are planning a visit to Disney Sea, here are some helpful suggestions:

1. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, DO NOT GO in August or on a Sunday.  It just isn't worth it.  You will be in lines for 3 hours.
2. Go early and prioritize your rides.
3. Buy your tickets from a Disney park hotel to avoid long lines at the main gates.
4. Bring a water bottle, as food and drinks are expensive and there are plenty of water fountains throughout the park.
5. Learn about the fast pass and use it wisely on the most popular rides. 
6. If you are trying to decide between Disney Land, Disney Sea, and Universal Studios Japan, go to Disney Sea.  It is different than other Disney parks and the value of what you get for your money is higher at Disney than it is at Universal (and currently both cost the same price).
7. Check out this blog for better, more in depth tips about visiting the park.

Summer Vacation Part 2: Tokyo

Our big summer vacation trip kicked off on August 12 with a 3-day exploration of Tokyo (which is really pronounced "Tohk-yo" not "Tok-ee-oh").  We took a 6 hour bus ride to Tokyo that left early in the morning, so that by the time we arrived it was only around 2 pm.  The bus, like many other modes of public transportation, was so quiet you could hear a pin drop!  You couldn't turn on the sound on your phone, talk on your phone, or eat any "loud" food.


The first thing we did was check into our hotel., Hostel Komatsu Ueno Station.  It was really difficult to find and it turned out to be quite a dump -- especially for paying over $65/night for it (Tokyo is so expensive!).  We hated it; and it's only redeeming quality was that was a 2 minute walk from a very convenient station (Ueno Station).


We rested a little bit since we were tired from hauling our bags all over the subway system and walking around in circles looking for our hotel (seriously, what kind of hotel doesn't even have a NAME on it?!).  Then we did some sight seeing.   Tokyo was incredibly easy to get around, since everything is labeled in English and most of the people we encountered spoke English.   (Our iTranslate app and map app helped us out too).  We started out in Asakusa at the Sensoji Temple, dedicated to Kannon, the goddess of mercy.  As we walked around we were surprised at all the foreigners we saw.  Finally, we weren't the only ones!  Not only were there other foreign tourists, there were other Japanese tourists as well -- we no longer stood out so obviously!!!!  Not only that, but on the subways and around the city we noticed people speaking loudly and not acting or dressing as conservatively as they do in Sendai.  As weird as it sounds, our trip to Tokyo became like a mini-vacation from Japanese culture in some ways.  Especially with the food -- we didn't eat any Japanese food when we were in Tokyo!

Lauren in front of the Kaminarimon Gate at Sensoji Temple

Kris in front of the vendor-dotted pedestrian street leading to the temple.

Kris in front of the Hozomon gate

Monks before the Gojundo pagoda

These people bought an omikuji (fortune written on a small piece of paper). You place the money in an honor box and shake a small cylinder containing sticks with numbers written on them. Shake the cylinder until one of the sticks falls out and pull your fortune from a drawer with the corresponding number. If your fortune is bad, the custom is to tie the paper onto a nearby string so that the wind can disperse the bad luck.

Kannondo Temple

People "bath" themselves with this incense to purify themselves before going inside the temple.  We didn't do this.

View of Sensoji area from the Kannondo Temple.  You see the temple squre and the Hozoman gate.

We found this fun statue/float next to a festival storage house beside the temple grounds.

Small garden near the temple

Kris is trying to get the genie to come out of the lamp!

Next we ventured to the east side of the city to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building, where we took an elevator to a free observatory on the 45th floor that overlooks the city.




Cool building we saw from the observation tower



Kris and a view from the observation tower

Next we headed to a dinner we had been anticipating for weeks -- at TGI Fridays!!!!!  It may seem absurd that we are in Tokyo and all we wanted was American food; but please understand that we had been in Japan for 6 months at this point, during which we had eaten shloads of Japanese food but about no real American food.  American food in Japan isn't usually done very well -- at least not in Sendai.  And since we couldn't go to America, we were looking forward to this trip as our indulgence in American food.  At TGI Fridays, we were not disappointed.  As soon as we stepped in the door, it felt like we were in an American oasis!  There were foreigners EVERYWHERE, the sound system was blasting American music, the staff all spoke English, and we devoured American food made American-style in American-portions and with free pop refills!!!!!  Yes!!!!!!  I even asked one of the waitresses in Japanese where the bathroom was and she answered me in English!  I don't want to leave Tokyo! (hahaha)


I was excited for TGI Fridays!

After exploring the Roppongi area, we headed over to Shibuya, a popular night life area that is also known for the famous crossing where thousands of people cross the streets like ants.



Shibuya Crossing -- 6 street corners converging at one huge intersection


For our second day in Tokyo we went to DisneySea.  To read more about that, check out my DisneySea post.

On our last day in Tokyo, we explored Ueno Park (the area around our hotel) while enjoying some Starbucks.  We found a field full of these HUGE plants with beautiful flowers.

Then we went to Akihabara, the big electronics district that is also home to an anime museum where voice overs are frequently recorded.  We did a little shopping and went to the museum briefly -- just long enough that I could take photos to make my sister jealous.

Akihabara, the electronics district in Tokyo

Anime Museum -- are you jealous Madelyn?????

After that we had a failed attempt at seeing the Imperial Palace.  The palace, which is usually open for tours on Saturdays, was closed.  We still enjoyed walking near the palace, but were really disappointed we didn't get to go inside and see the famed East Gardens.  Kris really enjoys Japanese gardens.

Park with cool trees near the Imperial Palace

Imperial Palace

Then we stopped by Zojoji Temple, where we were able to get a picture of the temple and Tokyo Tower.  We didn't go in the tower since we had visited the free observatory of the TMG building instead.

Zojoji Temple and Tokyo Tower

Then we headed over to Meiji Shrine, which sat amidst a beautiful, forested area.  To get to the shrine, we had to sprint down a long path (as the shrine was getting ready to close).  The shrine itself wasn't anything special, but I thought the area around it was really nice.  And I liked seeing the giant torii (gate).

People hung wooden plaques on this prayer tree to have the monks pray over them.

Kris next to the large torii (gate) leading to Meiji Shrine

We capped off the evening by eating at Outback Steakhouse.  That's right, we ate at an Australian-themed American restaurant in Japan.  Unlike our visit to TGI Fridays, we didn't feel like we had stepped into an American Oasis -- because of all the Japanese people eating there and because world ballroom dancing championships were playing on the big screen at the bar.  In America that would never happen lol!


One of Shibuya's many bustling streets



Kris is happy to be at Outback Steakhouse!

This noodle shop offers a quick meal