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.
Many Happy Returns
March 23, 2009 08:36
| ANRC, Church, Church Planting, Returnees
| Permalink
Question: What do all these people in the photo at right have in common? Answer: They've all lived somewhere in the midwest US during their lifetime.You might have guessed that about the guy at the far left in the photo (yours truly). But the rest of this bunch? Yes, this is a group of midwest "Returnees." Every year thousands of Japanese travel overseas to live as students, businessmen, and educators.
Protestant Christianity turns 150
March 17, 2009 08:11
| Church Planting, History, Verbeck
| Permalink
This spring marks the 150th anniversary of Protestant Christianity in Japan. The first protestant missionaries set foot in the port of Yokohama back in 1859. Now they were real church planters -- overcoming all kinds of odds. In fact, Christianity was still a proscribed religion in Japan when the first missionaries arrived. The evangelistic work in Japan during this time often needed to be done discreetly
Japan in a Panic
February 23, 2009 09:14
| Culture, Devotional, Panic, People
| Permalink
Makoto first noticed signs of panic attacks when he was in the middle of an exam. The tension forced him to repeatedly make trips to the toilet. He couldn't concentrate at all. For the next exam, he made a point of arriving two hours early to make sure he got a seat near the door. That failed to calm him and he found himself in the same situation all five exams he took. After graduating from university,
Japanese Trash Can Wisdom
I could write reams of blog entries on the humorous and often incongruous ways English is used in Japan. It is delightful to find these nuggets tucked away here and there in our neighborhood. It may just be my dry sense of humor, but they make me smile. Often just when I need a smile. Like the day last week when I sat down at a restaurant table upon which a sign had been placed: "NO SMORKING." It's
Living Water for Thirsty Souls
We had a great Sunday at Denen Grace. I get excited anytime I see Japanese people worshipping God. It's the purpose of missions! We want to transform Japanese into worshippers of God, not the idols in their hearts, homes, shrines and temples. A music group called "Living Waters" came in the afternoon and led us in a time of praise and worship.Speaking of living water, it is interesting to note that
Japan's Gone Bananas!
It seems that bananas have been in short supply in our grocery store these days. I wondered why at first. As it turns out, foreigners are the last to pick up on the trends and pop culture. I overheard a conversation at church that brought me up to speed. Stated simply: Japan's gone bananas!It all started with a pop Japanese singer claiming she lost more than 20 pounds on a banana diet. There was no
New Neighbors
January 14, 2009 10:19
| Culture, Housing, Neighborhood
| Permalink
We're getting some new neighbors. About 7,500 of them to be more specific. We continue to marvel at the new city-in-a-city called "Rise" being built just a few minutes from us. Its three towers rise some 30 and 40 stories above the rest of the neighborhood. It's slated to be completed by April. This is just another in the trend of major construction projects around us. Just last year "Eden" opened.
The New Year's Flight
December 29, 2008 12:24
| Culture, Devotional, Japan, New Years
| Permalink
As the year draws to a close, Japanese people are preparing for the year’s most important holiday by cleaning their houses and decorating their front portals with pine and bamboo. On New Year’s eve, millions will prepare buckwheat noodles, signifying longevity and prosperity, and millions more will visit their local shrine or temple. In another time-honored tradition, a minority will celebrate
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We serve with WorldVenture, an evangelical faith mission. Our sending/home church is Cornerstone Church of Lansing, Illinois.