by Whitey | Nov 15, 2011 | Brain Dump
Here’s what going on:
1. I had a cold last week and ended up taking the night off from leading worship Wednesday night at prayer meeting. So I’m doing it this week instead. Basically me and my pastor swapped spots.
2. I’m going to Sendai next week to volunteer with a group doing relief work there. I’ll post more details later in the week.
3. Because I’m going to Sendai next week, next week’s work needs to get done this week. Mainly getting ready for English Club at the end of the month, especially the message.
4. Still doing regular English classes this week too.
So it’s a full week. But not too much for me and Jesus. Prayers appreciated though, of you’re so inclined.
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 | Aug 22, 2009 | Brain Dump
It’s a quiet Saturday night and I’m winding down for the night. After being away and not blogging most of this month, I thought I’d post something quick tonight before winding all the way down. Here are some thoughts.
1. I had a great time at Chukyo Seikai (Chukyo Area Holiness Meetings) and Tonican (youth camp) these past two weeks. I’ll give a more full report when I’m ready for a more “official” update. But in short: both events were fun, I got to spend some quality time with some friends, and it was great to be out doing ministry stuff for days on end instead of going to Japanese class for a change. Also, lots of chance to use the Japanese I’ve been learning, which is kind of important, right?
2. Unfortunately I accidentally deleted half of the photos I shot at youth camp.
3. It’s been good to be away so much this month and have a change of pace. But it’s good to be back in Nagoya now, too. This really does feel like home now.
4. I’m glad to still have about 10 more days before language school’s back in session, and I’m hoping to make good use of the extra time — both catching up and working ahead on studies and work stuff both.
5. The reality hit me today that I’ve only got about 4 months left of my current missionary term here in Japan. Suddenly the end seems very close. And while I look forward to seeing folks back home, I’m not so keen to leave Japan for an as-yet-undetermined amount of time. I feel like I’m just getting started. I’m afraid of taking too long to get back here, and forgetting a lot of what I’ve learned. And, like I said, this really does feel like home now.
6. But… a lot can happen in four months. So instead of worrying too much about what’s next, I’m hoping to make the best of the next few months I am here. I wonder what God has in store…
To be continued…
by Whitey | Aug 11, 2009 | Brain Dump
Random thoughts and recent happenings, unloaded from my brain to your computer monitor for convenient digestion:
1. Yes, there was an earthquake today, but not strong enough to do any serious damage to people or property. So for those of you wondering, I’m OK. Having said that, it was strong enough to wake me up at about 5 AM, lasted a good minute or so, and knocked some stuff off my shelf; so it was kind of scary. But again, no worries; I’m OK.
2. I just got back Sunday night from vacation. I spent most of last week with friends in a small cabin at a camp ground near the ocean, not too far from the city of Sendai. But I was also in Fukushima and Tokyo at other points during the break. It was very relaxing and fun.
3. It was good to get away. But it’s good to be back home in Nagoya now, too. And really cool to feel “at home” even though I’m so far from my home-home.
4. I’m going away again this Thursday, this time for ministry purposes. I’ll be taking part in our area’s holiness meetings. I’ve been asked to do some music and a testimony. I’m going to attempt to do the testimony in Japanese, which means it will be very short. It also means that I’d appreciate any extra prayers you want to pray on my behalf.
5. I don’t go back to school ’till September. It’s nice to be away from the daily grind of language school. But I’m hoping to use the time productively in terms of study, work and ministry stuff. Today was a good start to that. Also looking forward to spending more time with my Church Family at upcoming ministry stuff. Should be a fun rest-of-month.
Bye for now.
by Whitey | Jul 23, 2009 | Brain Dump
It’s been a quiet week or so on the blog, so I wanted to write a quick update. This will be pretty random, though, as I’ve got limited time — big test tomorrow that I need to get back to studying for. So, here are some thoughts and stuff in no particular order, but numbered for easy reading.
1. Sunday’s Canada Day Party went really well. We had around 36 people attend, a good handful of whom were new people, first-time visitors and the like. A good time was had by all, and my voice was hoarse from talking over the crowd. I wore a funny hat. If you’re lucky I’ll post photos someday.
2. The recent Ice Cream Party / kids’ festival outreach thing was also really well-attended, with over 40 people, most of whom were visitors. Good things are happening at the Nagoya Church.
3. Next week is the last week of Japanese classes for me for the summer. In August we go on summer break, part of which I’ll be vacationing and part of which I’ll be doing ministry stuff.
4. I think the rainy season came late this year. I thought it was supposed to be in June, but July has been pretty wet. Today’s nice, though.
5. I thought I had more to say but I guess I don’t.
Brain: dumped. Now to re-fill it with Japanese.
by Whitey | May 15, 2009 | Brain Dump
Tried to go to sleep early tonight. Like 10:30. It didn’t work. So here it is, 11:20, and I’m blogging for a change of pace from that. Some thoughts:
1. Just finished a great week with a couple of Canadian friends visiting me here in Japan for some travel and ministry. It was really tiring… but at the same time refreshing. We shared a lot of laughs, had some great ministry experiences, and learned some stuff too. I felt blessed by the experience.
2. I’m really in love with my church here. They made me proud with the hospitality they showed by Canadian Brothers, and with how they stepped up to the plate to partner with us in some ministries this past week. Sometimes I think I could stay here in Nagoya with them forever.
3. Meanwhile (on a more superficial note) back in the West, the season finale of Lost aired this week. I’m not all caught up yet, so don’t tell me how it ends. It’s been an interesting season, though, with some really good writing. I wasn’t sure when this year’s started, but it’s turned out to have been a good ride. I’m hoping it ended on a good note. Only one season left after this.
4. I have some catching up to do: on studies, on work stuff, and on the personal/creative front, too. No time to get bored these days… and lots of reason to work on my time management skills. Which always need work. I’m easily distracted. What was I saying?
5. I have way too many photos to sort through, edit and share. Like 400+ from the past week alone (including some I got from others, not just my own). And like a zillion (that’s right, a zillion) from the previous few months. I need like a month off just for that. But instead it’ll probably end up being a “a little at a time” project…
6. Speaking of projects, the Doodze webcomic has been put on hiatus due to my recent bout of busyness. I do hope to get back to it soon, when I have some free time, but I probably won’t start posting right away. Instead I’ll work on building a buffer, some lettering fixes on previous pages, and getting the official site ready to launch.
