帰る

Yesterday I arrived in Tokyo again, and I've got three days of debriefing to do, then I go back to the United States. I am stocking up on omiyage and taking in as much of the sights of Tokyo as I can before I leave. My camera's batteries died and it was not worth it to buy new ones with only three days left of my trip, so I've been able to see everything with my two eyes and store them in my memory. I am going to miss it here in Japan so much. I am going  to miss the warm, sweet air, I am going to miss the cozy winds. I'm going to miss the lights and the quaint allies and the food and the night. I am going to miss everything about Japan.

Today we went to a place called Kichijouji, voted one of the best places to live in Tokyo, Japan. I'm truly in love with this place. The last time I came to Japan, Lalaport was my favorite place, and now I believe I've found a new favorite place. Kichijouji is perfect in everyway, mastering the balance of large shopping stores with sweet little house cafes, apartments and high rises, cobble stone streets, bakeries and technology shops all together neatly aligned, staircases leading down to new worlds of just about anything one can think up in our feeble minds. I have only been in Kichijouji for a day, but I just love it already. Maybe I fall in love too quickly.

Today I also got more information about long term campus ministry in Japan from someone who is finishing up his second year of ministry in Japan before heading to graduate school. It got me thinking, definitely. I feel torn because I want to get through school and have a college degree, but I want to also be in Japan for a long term time doing something that will help others and show God's love. I'm not really sure how to sort my thoughts about it at the moment, there's just so many emotions I feel right now.

Particularly, obviously I'm sad I'm leaving so soon. But I am also extremely grateful that Jesus gave me this opportunity and made everything work out the way it was supposed to and that God did use me to show His love to Japan. I know that His work does not end when I leave, and I'm excited for those who are just arriving in Japan, knowing they will feel the way I do when it's their turn to return home. But I have a message for the churches in the United States, and I'm bringing it back with me from Japan. There are so many people flocking to this country to help because of the tsunami and earthquake and even the radiation issue, but who will stay for the spiritual devastation of Japan? This is why I can't wait to go back, but I know that God has us where we are for a reason all the time. Until I return to my heart's home, I will make sure Japan is not forgotten anymore.