Hello, to all you wonderful peoples out there in the world! Springtime is here, and so is a long awaited update! Things are pretty chill in the sleepy country town of Ayashi. Chrissy, our newest team member, has settled into her own place, and is starting language school this week! We have another new team member, Faith, flying into Sendai on April 1st. No joke... (I apologize completely). Actually, considering her COE (Certificate of Eligibility) was lost in the mailing system for a good month, it is indeed a major praise that she's finally been approved and will be joining our fledgling base in Sendai! Thank you, Lord!
These past few weeks have been filled with some interesting and new experiences. I've signed up with a great Japanese online course called JapanesePod101, consisting of video/audio lessons that break down the grammar and pronunciation. I find that other lesser programs blast the words into your face super fast, leaving one confused and discouraged. Quite helpful. It's still a big challenge, but necessary for relationships and ministry here in Japan. Please pray for wisdom, knowledge, and patience as I take on this worthy challenge!
Speaking of Japanese relationships, I had the opportunity to go to a real "onsen" (hot spring bath) with my crew and some local friends from church! Basically, it's a public bath which people dip in for relaxation and betterment of health, considering the natural minerals emitting from the hot natural spring waters. And yes: you must get naked. And no: I don't and won't have pics. My journey to embracing my inner (and outer) self went as such:
1. Be told a few days beforehand that we're going to an onsen first, than a waterfall. Waterfall sounds good. Onsen sound bad.
2. Given puppy dog eyes by Tom, my fellow teammate and crazy animator man. Reluctantly agree.
3. Be driven to onsen. Buy ticket from vending machine (Japan is all about them vending spending).
4. Go to the men's section. Strip down. Avert gaze from lower midsections. Use given towel as 1/8th of a toga.
5. Go to shower room and scrub self clean. Very important before dipping into the main hot spring, considering it's shared by everyone (shudder).
6. Relax and let all them stresses melt away. Ahhhhhhh...
7. Tom stands up too fast and nearly collapses due to the heat rush. Scary.
That's about it! Once you get over the fact that you and all the boys are proudly displaying their birthday suits, it's not so bad. Kind of a nice time to relax with the YWAM Sendai bros, while doing a traditional Japanese activity. Maybe I'll try again in a month or two (or six).
Here're some pics of visiting the waterfall with the team and our friends: Ha-chan & Manami.
On an exciting note, from March 20th-25th, we had a small team from a YWAM side media company: Kairos, come visit us and take photos and videos of our team, ministry, and Sendai! The group has already done a photo album of ministries and needs in China, so to have them come here to spread the word about YWAM Sendai is a major honor! I was privileged in showing the perky group, Joe and Ursula, the statue of the Sendai Martyrs, which I've written about on this site, and the ruins of Aoba Castle, which Date Masamune built in the early 1600s. I even gave a brief history lesson about the famous feudal lord in one of their videos! Once they release the edited footage, I'll proudly present it for you all!
Here are some of the pics with the Kairos team:
Speaking of visiting teams, this month of April, we have three visiting YWAM teams, and a few individual guests coming over to Sendai to meet us! My heart swells at the fact that our little base is being noticed and interest in Japan is growing more and more. I've heard over and over that Japan is a missionary graveyard; that ministries rise and die here, because reaching out to the Japanese is too hard. But one of the Kairos people told me that our base is laying down the foundation of the road for many, many people to travel on. So, whenever things feel too hard, or that progress feels too slow, I can be encouraged that me, my team, and all the other churches and missionaries are doing our part to share Jesus' love to a people who need it so desperately. May more and more come here to do His great and noble work. Amen.
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