by Whitey | Oct 26, 2009 | Life in Japan, Ministry News, Uncategorized
With less than two months left of my first term in Japan, and a lot to keep me busy these days, it feels like time is getting away from me.
Yesterday I visited the Immanuel Church in Toyota (about an hour’s journey by train) to do some ministry. The next two Sundays I’ll be away too, in Hikone and then Gifu, again on ministry. In the meantime I’ve got messages to prepare for those two Sundays. I’m trying to decide what message(s) to use. Probably I will be doing an edited version of something I’ve already written, simply because of the time factor; I need to send a manuscript to my interpreters ASAP.
At any rate, I love having these ministry opportunities. But I kind of wish they weren’t happening all at once. I don’t like being away from my own church for so many consecutive weeks, especially with so few Sundays left between now and December 14th, the day of my flight home.
So I’ve got a lot to keep me busy these next few weeks, between ministry preparation, actual ministry, language studies, and home ministry planning. Somewhere in there I need to squeeze in time for spending with all the fine people I’ll be leaving behind in December. And drawing, too, of course.
I just want to finish strong: in studies, ministry and relationships. “Seize the day” and all that… I pray time won’t get away from me.
by Whitey | Oct 20, 2009 | Life in Japan, Photos
This probably isn’t technically one of my best photos, but I really like it because of the candid moment of smiles and laughter that it captures. Also: sweet view from a 5th floor window. On the left is one of my church friends, Maiko. On the right is Eric, a new friend who was visiting me in Nagoya this weekend.
The interesting thing about having someone from back in North America visit is that it gives me a fresh perspective on my life here. I’ve been in Japan long enough now that what once seemed strange now seems normal. It’s easy to forget how much I’ve learned. It’s easy to take stuff for granted. So it’s always refreshing to see it all through a newcomer’s eyes again.
This time I was reminded of just how fortunate I am to be living in such a beautiful and interesting place, and to have such a great community of Believers as my Family here. I am blessed. And I am grateful.
by Whitey | Oct 7, 2009 | Ministry News
My latest newsletter (#12 – Late 2009), wherein I talk about being a dreamer as well as my ministry at last week’s prayer meeting (which are related), is now available and can be viewed or downloaded in PDF form HERE. It also features a list of upcoming events that I’d appreciate prayers for. Thanks.
by Whitey | Sep 21, 2009 | Brain Dump
It’s a new day and a new week. It’s also a holiday week here in Japan, but despite that I’m not taking any vacation time or going anywhere. I have a big test on Thursday to prepare for — the final exam for the full-time language course I’ve been in these past 6 months — and these three days off are a perfect opportunity to put in some long hours of review. As I start my day, though, my mind is full of distracting thoughts, so I decided to come online and dump them out for all of your enjoyment…
1. Last week was a pretty busy study week, too, being the last week of the full-time course and full of tests. Glad it’s over. Also, did I mention that the part-time course I’m starting kind-of overlaps with the full-time class I’m finishing? Yeah. So after my interview test the other day I attended the first class of the part-time course, and then missed Friday’s part-time class because of a unit review test in the full-time course. And this week, after the final exam on Thursday, there’s no break because of the part-time course… which I’ll be behind on because of the full-time course. I’ll be looking forward to the weekend…
2. Speaking of weekends, this one was a good one. After last week’s busyness, it was nice to have a bit of a break. Friday night I did some drawing and watched a movie at home. Saturday I got to go to a concert in Gifu. It was not my normally preferred style — of a classical/gospel mix — but it was good nonetheless, and I got the ticket for free.
3. Yesterday was a really good day at church. I played guitar on the worship team in the morning, helped out with the youth Sunday school class, and then in the afternoon did my usual English class, which was well-attended and a lot of fun. Then in the evening, our church hosted an interdenominational missions prayer meeting / worship service. It was really great to see people from various churches getting together for a common purpose and vision, praying and worshiping together. Japan needs more of these.
4. One of the presenters last night talked about New Life League’s Manga Bible series. One of the artists who worked on this project was also there, and I got chat with her for a few minutes after the service. I’m pretty sure the first thing I said when I introduced myself (in Japanese) was “My name is Robin. I’m otaku (a geek).” I think she got a kick of that, and thinking back, it may have been an odd way to start a conversation; but it was a good way to get to the point of why I was talking to her. It was cool to meet her, though, to tell her that I think this is an important ministry, and say thanks.
5. Speaking of manga (for the uninitiated, that means comics), I’ve met some friends during this two-year term in Japan who share my vision for that kind of ministry. One particular friend and I have been dreaming together and exchanging ideas for over a year now. I’m pretty excited about where this is heading, and hopefully within a few months we can share something more specific…
6. Getting back to the subject of interdenominational gatherings in Japan, this week is the 5th Japan Conference on Evangelism, up in Hokkaido. If it wasn’t for this final exam, I’d be there for sure. This a rare nation-wide interdenominational event, and a great opportunity for our leaders to learn and grow together, network, and pray. If you are a pray-er, please pray for this important event.
I’d also appreciate your prayers for my studies this week — which, now that I’ve dumped my brain out, I should get started on…
by Whitey | Sep 11, 2009 | Etc.
I’m excited for my friends at Studio Re:, whose short film “Jitensha” is an official selection being shown at this year’s Venice Film Festival — one of the top five film festivals in the world — this weekend.
From Paul, at the Worship & the Arts blog:
Jitensha grows out of the Studio Re: vision to impact Japanese culture through redemptive films. We are stunned that high up professionals in the film industry have chose our film to be part of one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world.
As I have reflected on why this happened, I think it is about the power of a good story, a story with heart, along with great production values. In other words, technically it is a well crafted film that allows the story to “connect” with the audience. Every aspect of the film is strong, the cast, the music, the locations, the cinematography, the music, and the editing — which is amazing for a low budget film made by students and emerging filmmakers in Tokyo who are committed to making films with redemptive themes.
I saw this film in August, and was pretty impressed myself. These guys are doing great work, and providing an example and inspiration to those of us with our own dreams of impacting Japanese culture through the arts.
Here’s what the movie is about:
“Jitensha” (or “Bicycle”) is a story about Mamoru Amagaya, a young man struggling to find meaning in life. A co-worker confronts Mamoru on his apparent apathy toward life, and this results in Mamoru leaving his job out of humiliation.
Now alone and without work, just as it seems that things could not possibly get worse, parts of Mamoru’s bicycle begin to disappear, one by one. In frustration, Mamoru leaves a note for the thief, begging him to just take the whole thing. The note left in response is signed “God”, leaving Mamoru only more confused.
At last, when the only remaining piece of the bicycle is a lonely bell, Mamoru receives an envelope, containing addresses at which each piece of the bicycle might be retrieved.
Puzzled yet intrigued, Mamoru embarks on a journey to resurrect and reassemble his beloved possession. As he seeks out each piece of the missing whole, Mamoru begins to discover that he himself is in a healing process. As he puts his bike together piece by piece, he realizes that he himself is in the process of being reassembled in the same way, by one far greater than himself.
Intrigued? You can read the whole above-quoted article HERE, and check out the movie’s official site HERE.
