Rambling Notes from Japan
Here are some blog posts that we hope will make you feel a part of things, and help you understand how to pray better for us and Japan. Please see our external blog in Blogger, if this page does not display correctly.
Family Matters
Today we had a guest speaker from "Family Forum Japan" (Focus on the Family). He shared during this joint Sunday School time (phoro), as well as a message. I was reminded again of the state of the family in Japan. There are so many young Japanese that are coming out of dysfunctional or broken families these days, contributing to a lot of social problems in Japanese society. Until recently, this was
Fruity Smiles
August 23, 2007 12:26
| Devotional, Family, Justen
| Permalink
Our son, Justen, the young Picasso. Even food scraps in the kitchen sink become a medium. Imagine my suprise when I went to wash dishes and found this looking up at me from the sink! Did the melon peels drop this way by accident? No, this smile took intentional effort...smiles sometimes do. It did its job of making me smile (although it met its fate in the garbage can shortly after). "A glad heart
Park Stuff Here
August 22, 2007 03:40
| Devotional, Humor, Ministry
| Permalink
Every once in a while Japanese English goes a little wrong and makes one smile. There are other examples of this on our blog, but one of my personal favorites is this. Kaori would be quick to point out my own bloopers in Japanese have been significantly worse, and no doubt very funny. Yet, Japanese are so polite and courteous as not to laugh.It doesn't take long to accumulate stuff in life, but getting
Seeing only Half the Show
This evening the three of us went to see the fireworks along the Tamagawa river near our home. What is remarkable about a Japanese firework show is the sheer size and intensity of the fireworks. They are so much larger (and lower) and greater in frequency than any Stateside version I have seen.I found a restaurant in our neighborhood that actually serves what they call "American" hotdogs. It does indeed
Gospel Boom Keeps Booming
I continue to amazed by the gospel music boom in Japan. Today again we received two emails from unchurched individuals that want to start singing in our gospel workshop on Sunday afternoons. A common theme seems to be that several are struggling with depression. This is a reminder to me of the role our church needs to play as an oasis in this urban desert of Tokyo. I've loaded a video here Gospel
Watermelon Bust
Today was our Kids Festival at church, complete with Japanese watermelon bust. Kids take turns trying to strike the watermelon while blindfolded. Once the melon has been cracked open, it is cut up and served. Here in the photo Justen heads the wrong direction and nearly knocks a few people out of the ballpark by mistake. He did eventually give the melon a good smack that would make Barry Bonds proud.
Dog Days of Summer
And the dog goes to church too! That's right! Every week we have at least one doggie guest in our worship service. Here in the photo one of our youth holds two regular members. They are remarkably well behaved. Occassionally they will join the singing, but mostly you wouldn't know they are there. Japanese people love their small dogs. Pets are pampered quite well in Japan. Occassionally I will pass
Love Sonata from Korea
August 17, 2007 12:58
| Gospel, Love Sonata, Ministry, Missions
| Permalink
Quick! What do you get when you mix a sports arena, 20,000 Japanese and Koreans, gospel and cultural music, and God's good news? Asians reaching Japanese for Christ! That's a powerful key to this country's revival. Several Korean churches in cooperation with the Japanese church are working together to conduct major evangelistic crusades in 5 large cities in Japan called "Love Sonata 2007." Last week
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We serve with WorldVenture, an evangelical faith mission. Our sending/home church is Cornerstone Church of Lansing, Illinois.