Japan has been blowing my socks off ever since we got here. The people are so kind and generous. The food is absolutely delicious. The culture is rich with honor and respect. The air is fresh and the streets are clean. And the toilet seats are HEATED! Hallelujah.
This month my team and I are living in a church and being blessed by the community more than we ever could've imagined. Our main contact is an older pastor lady named Shirata. The girls and I live in the first floor of her house which is adjacent to the church building, where the boys live in their cozy 3rd floor loft. We also work with the associate pastor, Masahiro, and his wife, Sanami, and a sweet Canadian couple who helps translate for us when we need it, Kyna and Gordon. I don't think I've ever seen such Christ-like service and generosity in my entire life until meeting these amazing new friends.
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God has been so good to us! We have a kitchen (actually two) where we can cook and prepare our meals, many of which have actually been provided for us. In fact, almost every time we open our fridge there is something new and delicious in there for us. It's unreal. We also have hot showers for the first time since China!!!
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We have been filling our days with trips to the nearby University, where we have been making friends and sharing God's love with them. Less than 1% of Japanese people are Christian, so it has been a true honor to play a small role in what God is doing here. Outside of that we have been helping with a few English classes, leading worship at church on Sundays, and simply loving and serving as we go. A large portion of our ministry this month is just diving into the Japanese culture and allowing the Spirit to guide us. We have prayed for people and witnessed several healings take place in our community, which has been so awesome.
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What's been the most inspiring thing to me is just watching how Japanese people honor and respect each other. We will stop and ask someone for directions to the bus stop and they will literally drop everything they are doing and walk us all the way there, even if it's in the opposite direction they were going.
The sheer kindness and selflessness that I've experienced has radically changed my perspective on humanity. Yes, this behavior is unique to the culture of Japan, but what if it spread like wildfire? What if the United States was known as a country that humbly and joyfully served strangers? At first it saddened me as I realized all the ways I've missed the mark. All the things I could have and should have been doing to love people better. But now it excites me. I feel compelled to take this insane generosity and servanthood and throw it at everyone I come in contact with! And as Christ followers, why should we ever have an excuse to live any differently? This could absolutely start a revolution of kindness around the world. What a wonderful sight that would be.
So rattle your dags, mate! A phrase I learned from our New Zealand friend, Jef, that means hurry up! Hurry and be kind to people. Because, well, why not?
PS dags actually refers to the poop that gets stuck to the wool on a sheep's bottom. When they run, it rattles. 🙂 #funfactfriday
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I am still in need of $3,811 to be fully funded! This amount is needed by the end of February, so I really need your support. I have been able to share God's love with so many people and experience so much growth myself. I'd really love to continue this journey, but I need your help to be able to do so. Thanks in advance for your generosity!!
