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.
Welcoming Home the Harvest
“If you really want to reach Japanese for Christ, you shouldn’t live in Japan.” Early on in our preparation for missionary service, I was told this rather shocking statement by a Japanese pastor in Chicago. I understood that he wasn’t trying to discourage me from mission service as much as he was trying to encourage me to open eyes for the Japanese mission field locally. There is a greater
Flowers for you, Cake for me
This cake in the photo has a story. So do the flowers. They were brought together in an "installation celebration" for Pastor Kondo and his wife, Mikiko. In a special service this past Sunday together with other area pastors and missionaries, we officially recognized their leadership of Denen Grace Chapel. This is cause for celebration. Notice the cake is in front of me. The flowers are in front of
Confessions of a Conference Disliker
I'm not much of a conference-goer. I'd much rather be doing, than discussing the doing. Sit and listen has never completely fit my learning style. I'm greedy about how and where I invest time and energy...who isn't?But when we determined we needed to be in the States briefly, and when American Airlines graciously allowed me to book multi-city award travel, I jumped at the chance to fly to Seattle for
Chicago Forecast: Snowy with a Chance of Re-entry Shock
Snow and re-entry shock were two surprises waiting for us back in Chicago upon our arrival. We scooted into Chicago on Monday just ahead of the big snowfall on Tuesday. Okay, just a couple inches or so. But coming from comparatively warm Tokyo, it's been awhile since we saw this kind of snow! Justen enjoyed sledding with a home church member -- what a rare and wonderful treat for him!Re-entry shock
Here Comes the Real Winter
February 7, 2010 10:46
| America, Snow, Winter
| Permalink
We had a record snowfall here in Kawasaki last week -- the most in two years. A whole 2cm fell here around us. That's right, 2cm. Students everywhere in Kawasaki continue to be disappointed by another year without a snow day. Still, Justen found enough snow to make this 4inch snowman.So, we've been blessed up until now. But here comes the real taste of winter. Tomorrow we head to Narita airport and
Foreigners Don't Get the Point
January 31, 2010 09:42
| Culture, Points, Shopping
| Permalink
I'm standing in line at a drugstore with other shoppers. The woman in front of me has just pulled out a business card file. Hurriedly she flips through at least a hundred or more cards searching for the right one. It's a common sight in Japan. Point cards.In an effort to keep customers loyal, it seems that every business in Japan -- from the largest chain department store, to the smallest ma and pa
The Big 4-0
January 18, 2010 10:50
| Birthday, Family
| Permalink
A few weeks back as the year started out, I preached at Denen on the topic of change and 2 Corinthians 5:17. And the biggest change for me occurred a few days later on January 18. I officially joined the “40's club.” I used to think that 40 year-olds were wise and seasoned in life. But when I look at myself I realize that assumption was misguided. I’d love to say that after 40 years of wanderings
New Year, New Venture
January 12, 2010 08:15
| Church Planting, Pastor
| Permalink
Here we go! Pastor Kondo and his wife, Mikiko, were officially commissioned in our Sunday worship service. We will have a more formal installation service in March, but this is the start of their ministry with us as a church. When we started the church we could not have imagined what God would have in store for us these past seven years. Through all the victories and letdowns, the blessings and challenges,