What a quick month! I’ve certainly learned a lot. Being in a more “American” setting this month, I thought I would not be as connected to the Holy Spirit as in recent months. Quite the contrary. Starting in Colombia I really began to delve deep into my faith, deeper than I had before. Colombia was a hard month, and I know that a lot of times in our hardest times, we find God the most. I thought “oh no, I hope I don’t become comfortable and drift away for the month”. Nope, I’ve been feeling the Holy Spirit more than I ever have before in Japan. Being intimate with the Holy Spirit is quite new to me, so I never really understood people when they talked about feeling his presence and listening to him. I have finally been awakened to Him and wahoooo it’s awesome. This month I have felt so many convictions, heard Him talking, and been following His direction. It’s lead to a happier me. It’s pretty cool.
Okay, so I just got sidetracked from my original point of writing this blog- My Love Language. I barely speak Spanish, so found it rather difficult to communicate with people and the kids in South America, but learned that a few goofy faces and tickles will make them your best friend. Through this, I was able to pour out love to them, and them to me. I definitely do not speak Japanese. Kaysea and I are staying with a Japanese Pastor, his wife, and two sons. None of them speak English well. In Bolivia I let the language barrier in my host home cause me to stay more secluded in my room rather than interacting with the family, despite the fact we couldn’t verbally interact. I told myself I would not allow that to happen again. This month I’ve been really intentional about communicating as much as I can with my host family. It has caused me to have a real connection with the family. We laugh all the time. I LOVE being around them. Side note, this month we have had the great opportunity to sing and play instruments for worship during church, as well as sharing our testimonies. It’s the first time I’ve really done so, and it’s been great. There is a guy named Regan who comes and translates for us because nobody in the church knows any English. This church community is such a family, and they have taken us in and really embraced and loved us. The first Sunday a young man and his son invited us to SUSHI!! after church and then the next week the sweetest old couple invited us into their home for a meal. After church one Sunday we all had lunch together and then played Christmas songs and decorated the church. The fellowship has been amazing and I’m truly going to miss these amazing people.
We have also had the privilege of going to kindergartens and being able to play with the children, do some skits, sing some songs. They are the cutest, and though we can’t speak to each other really, we all have a blast and laugh so much. Truly, if you be goofy with them and spend time with them, then they will think you are the coolest person and want to hang off of you for the rest of the day. Seeing the smiles on their faces is the best. The Japanese culture doesn’t like to hug much, but now the kids to WANT to hug us.
Love is such a great gift, and one of our biggest instructions. Don’t let anything be a barrier to loving your neighbor. A smile certainly goes a long way. Just think about how easily the doors could open when you speak the same language!
“Three things will last forever- faith, hope, and love- and the greatest of these is love”- 1 Corinthians 13:13
