Lost in Translation

I continue to love my Japanese language school classmates. All of the different cultures create one of the best things I've ever seen. I don't know exactly what it is, but it's so funny. It's Russia, Hungary, the Philippines, Vietnam, China, Korea, Taiwan, Italy, France, Nepal, America, and Japan (teachers) at their finest.

breaking new ground

I'm pleased to report that for the very first time, I ate Mexican food in Japan. Saturday was such a precious time of fellowship. My friends Natsuko and Chihiro went to college in America but moved back to Japan in 2007 when I first came to Tokyo. I was able to see them for the first time since coming back! They are so thoughtful and suggested that we go to El Torito, which was a brilliant idea! We also went to the 48th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building for a fantastic view of the city. The girls are so fun to laugh with and talk about life with...and it isn't easy for them, but they each have a strong relationship with Jesus Christ, despite being part of the less than 1% of people in Japan who are Christian. I'm inspired by them and by one of my high school teachers who helped share about Jesus with them!

Bunkasai

So many staff and students of JCCC (Japanese Campus Crusade for Christ) worked tirelessly for two whole days to support those in need in the devastated areas of Japan! The festival was fruitful, and I LOVED having some of my former neighbors and Japanese language school classmates come!

Freedom

My friend and co-worker Fumi came to my last two doctor's appointments with me. She is an amazing sister (and translator.) Thankfully, I have been one week out of my splint. I love having two arms again! My left arm is still pretty weak, but I can basically do all normal daily activities. I'm even able to run again and will go with some classmates today after Japanese school. Hallelujah!

around the world

It's pretty fun in Japanese class how the teachers use the students as examples. When we were practicing time (i.e. from 9 am to 5 pm) a representative from all 11 counties shared what time the bank is open. They were almost all different. And everyone was really surprised that most schools in America start at 8, (apparently we're early.)

I was feeling pretty tired before our last section on Friday, and the girl that sits next to me said it's because I "laughed too much today." It's so amusing having so many backgrounds (and the teachers are pretty entertaining.)

My favorite was practicing verbs though. For the flashcard of the guy with a plate of eggs, we all said, I eat eggs for breakfast (In Japanese, of course.) Then for the picture of the bank, we were saying that in the bank we get money...but we've only learned about five verbs, and that doesn't include "to get" or "to withdraw" or any equivalent. "To take" was the only word remotely close that I knew, so I blurted it out (American,) to which the teacher responded, "Kowai!" (scary!) as she jumped back.

Please Keep Praying...

My fractured arm is healing according to the doctor, but I have two more weeks in the splint. Please pray for my patience...this slows me down in even the simplest things in life. I'm regaining strength in my right arm too, but I still can't open a bottle by myself. Thankfully my roommate and friends continue to serve faithfully!

My classmates have also been so kind. Today will be my third day of Japanese class. I love the environment and diversity...3 Russians, 1 Nepalese, 1 Vietnamese, 1 French, 2 Chinese, 3 Taiwanese, 1 Hungarian, 1 Korean, 1 Filipino, 1 Italian and 2 Americans. But please pray for me to hang in there with my arms (and I also have a pretty bad cold.) Thanks!!

LOVE

When life gives you lemons, God makes you lemonade? I wasn't hoping to have a fractured arm during my first few weeks in Japan (or ever), but God has been protecting, healing, and providing for me!

festival

Today was a holiday (I actually don't know why) so a nearby high school began their two-day fall festival. I've seen university students host festivals, and these high school students were just as unbelievably talented!

I went with my friends/co-workers, Kazuko and Jessica. We saw a capella, a tea ceremony, gospel music, "hand ball", and jazz. These students put effort into every detail. What a fun day!

A full week

I've been in Japan for over a week now, and my heart's pretty much full of joy. I was reminded how difficult it was to leave so many people close to me...which made me really sad. But some of my new Japanese friends comforted me. I'm surrounded by amazing people here too!

Pictures:

1. Amazing friends from the gospel choir

2. My first day on campus (ICU High School for the very first time.)

3. With my former neighbor...

4. ...and her mom!

5. The amazingly cute plate and fork for Japanese pears (I had tea and cake and snacks with my old neighbors)

6. View from my apartment building

7. View from my apartment building with amazing Japanese sky

Adjustments and Joys

I've woken up in Tokyo 3 times now. Life here is good!

Joys:

Dear people have cooked me dinner/had me over to celebrate their birthdays every night since I've been in Japan.

I rode from the airport for the first time by car and got to see a beautiful sunset along the rice paddies.

I've been borrowing a bike and will get my own soon (pictures to come.)

I saw many of my old neighbors, friends, co-workers, students. They greet me so warmly and I love being with them again!

Little Adjustments:

The humidity. My friend said it was much worse last week, but I went running at 5 am and was embarrassingly moist.

The language. On the aforementioned run, I said "good morning" to the first passerby. I've now got "ohayo gozaimasu" down in the quick mumble-like way most Japanese people say to each other. Overall, I have a lot of work to do.

The food. We had an awesome meal, sukiyaki, but I was the only one that didn't dip my meat and vegetables in raw egg. I wanted to try it, but I chickened out. Someday :)

Dreams

I haven't remembered my dreams a lot lately. But, when I woke up today (before my alarm, Hallelujah!) I realized I had been dreaming in a British accent. Strolling out the door to start a little road run, I found my mind still on dreams. Serious childhood flashbacks. I had been dreaming about club swim meets (approx. age 9-15). Not a nightmare, certainly not sweet...but wait, we got to eat out afterward. Except my parents were supposed to meet us there. What took them so long? Their GPS misguided them. I totally modernized my swim meet experience.

I told my mom about the dream and she recalled the printed directions once required to find pools all over San Diego. The really funny part: yesterday she was super late for her Dr.'s appointment. GPS can fail in real life too.

Have you seen Disney's Tangled? I'm not a fan of musicals (please still be my friend) but the song about following your dreams was pretty catchy.

Enough about dreams though. In all seriousness, the part of the movie that really struck me was the ending. SPOILER ALERT: In an act of sacrificial love, Eugene forfeits his life so Rapunzel can truly live. Even on an off-day this might have reminded me of Jesus, and last night I happen to have read a little Desiring God by John Piper:

"My desire to feel the power of God's grace conquering the pride and selfishness in my life inclines me to behavior that demonstrates the victory of grace, namely, love. Genuine love is so contrary to human nature that its presence bears witness to an extraordinary power." p. 140