I have spent my first night in Japan. The flight over in the morning was, to be honest, truly awkward with my new "Friends" that I made. There are six of us: Kelsey, Rachel, Renee, Dave, Akiko, Michael, and myself. Because of different types of projects some of the individuals in the team will be doing, I spent most of my flight with Kelsey and Renee. We are all the same age. They are both nice, but yesterday was very hard on them, this is their first time in Japan. I'm excited for both of them to see and feel Japan for the first time. I remember when I came to Japan for the first time, it was beautiful, everything was so perfect to me, like it was out of a storybook of fantasy. I am hoping that they can enjoy Japan just as much as I did, if not more.
The air flight over was fantastic. Korean Air is really something - I can't wait to tell my mom that it was just like the commercials, the flight attendants outfits really are the coolest in the whole world, the food was great, and they just know how to make an 11 hour flight go by quickly. I tried to get some sleep in on the way, but truly I was so excited I could hardly do that. Once we got off the flight, we had some business to do in the airport before heading out through the country side of Tokyo. I had a simple cash exchange to do. I walked up to the counter with my forms and my dollar bills, very nervous, but once the kind attendant behind the counter and I got to talking, my Japanese was comfortable. This is certainly a sign that nearly 4 years of Japanese class is truly paying off! I just have to keep at it, and keep working even while I'm here to be more and more comfortable with my Japanese. kyaaaahhhhh I'm just so excited!!
Kelsey and I took a little tour around Narita airport, and we, of course, had to go and explore the Japanese public restrooms. That sounds weird, but it's not my fault, because those bathrooms are so interesting and strange and have million buttons and levers and pulleys, it looks like an OR, not kidding. I think Kelsey took a picture, I'll have to get that from her. So far, she and I have spent the most time together, and she's really nice. The team is excited because her 20th birthday is next week, and since the 20th birthday is when you become an adult in Japan, we are going to celebrate with her.
Once we got all of our things together, we headed out in a small van to the country side of Tokyo to get to Saitama and then a little home belonging to a family by the name of Caughlan. The ride out was about 2 hours, but beautiful for every minute. It was like watching a Japanese modern movie, there were people walking on the sidewalks along the lush green rice fields. The color these fields are is literally the most beautiful shade of green I have ever seen. There were houses and neighborhoods just like in the movies, packed together, but built so lovely with the family names on the front of each house.
We arrived at the Caughlan house and enjoyed a curry dinner, where we all met Micheal, and a guy named Amos who goes to Westmont. He looked very familiar, actually, so we got to talking about Santa Barbara. The world is so small! Everyone was just so exhausted, I could tell it was hard for anyone to really get any excitement out of the group, but I'm hoping this changes soon, as we all adjust mostly to the time difference and that we can pursue the work put before us with our best.
This morning I read John 4:1-42, the story of Jesus and the woman at the well. I was well reminded of something so important, not just in missions, but in life, to always see people with love and compassion, the way Jesus saw this woman who was deemed terrible by society. I know that there is nothing of God that I can do just in my own strength or on my own, so those of you who are praying for me, please pray that compassion would be surrounding this team as we work with each other, as we serve others, and as we work alongside others. Please pray that we would be quick to forgive, quick to listen, and eager to walk in love. Pray that our hearts would be set ablaze with the love of God for each other and for those here in Japan whom we have the privilege to serve.
Happy 4th of July.
The air flight over was fantastic. Korean Air is really something - I can't wait to tell my mom that it was just like the commercials, the flight attendants outfits really are the coolest in the whole world, the food was great, and they just know how to make an 11 hour flight go by quickly. I tried to get some sleep in on the way, but truly I was so excited I could hardly do that. Once we got off the flight, we had some business to do in the airport before heading out through the country side of Tokyo. I had a simple cash exchange to do. I walked up to the counter with my forms and my dollar bills, very nervous, but once the kind attendant behind the counter and I got to talking, my Japanese was comfortable. This is certainly a sign that nearly 4 years of Japanese class is truly paying off! I just have to keep at it, and keep working even while I'm here to be more and more comfortable with my Japanese. kyaaaahhhhh I'm just so excited!!
Kelsey and I took a little tour around Narita airport, and we, of course, had to go and explore the Japanese public restrooms. That sounds weird, but it's not my fault, because those bathrooms are so interesting and strange and have million buttons and levers and pulleys, it looks like an OR, not kidding. I think Kelsey took a picture, I'll have to get that from her. So far, she and I have spent the most time together, and she's really nice. The team is excited because her 20th birthday is next week, and since the 20th birthday is when you become an adult in Japan, we are going to celebrate with her.
Once we got all of our things together, we headed out in a small van to the country side of Tokyo to get to Saitama and then a little home belonging to a family by the name of Caughlan. The ride out was about 2 hours, but beautiful for every minute. It was like watching a Japanese modern movie, there were people walking on the sidewalks along the lush green rice fields. The color these fields are is literally the most beautiful shade of green I have ever seen. There were houses and neighborhoods just like in the movies, packed together, but built so lovely with the family names on the front of each house.
We arrived at the Caughlan house and enjoyed a curry dinner, where we all met Micheal, and a guy named Amos who goes to Westmont. He looked very familiar, actually, so we got to talking about Santa Barbara. The world is so small! Everyone was just so exhausted, I could tell it was hard for anyone to really get any excitement out of the group, but I'm hoping this changes soon, as we all adjust mostly to the time difference and that we can pursue the work put before us with our best.
This morning I read John 4:1-42, the story of Jesus and the woman at the well. I was well reminded of something so important, not just in missions, but in life, to always see people with love and compassion, the way Jesus saw this woman who was deemed terrible by society. I know that there is nothing of God that I can do just in my own strength or on my own, so those of you who are praying for me, please pray that compassion would be surrounding this team as we work with each other, as we serve others, and as we work alongside others. Please pray that we would be quick to forgive, quick to listen, and eager to walk in love. Pray that our hearts would be set ablaze with the love of God for each other and for those here in Japan whom we have the privilege to serve.
Happy 4th of July.
you may amos!! i saw him at christmastime in japan. =) our families knew each other when we were growing up.
ReplyDeletemay = met ...
ReplyDeletealso i'm so excited for you that you get to speak and listen to japanese!! it's so much fun, isn't it? :D
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, you met Amos?! :) He's a great guy, we lived in the same dorm this last year. I miss you and I can't wait to see you when you come back!
ReplyDelete-Katie