by Whitey | Nov 9, 2007 | Weekly Re-Cap
Another week has come and gone (more or less) and here we are again, wrapping things up with the Weekly Re-Cap. I don’t have too much to report this week (of course, I’ve said that before and written several paragraphs, so maybe I should just scratch that). Support levels have gone up a notch or two, and the good news is I’m out of the teens. I’m pursuing some new contacts, but the bad news is I haven’t gotten anything booked yet. This weekend I’m away doing ministry, but it’s not a team building thing, though one never knows what might happen.
I’m really looking forward to the day when these Re-Caps can be about what I’m learning and what God’s doing rather than all about support raising. On the other hand, God’s doing stuff in the here and now; maybe I just need to pay more attention.
Meanwhile, hits to the blog were up this week. My anime post from the other day got me some unexpected extra traffic. Maybe I need to do more writing here that’s not directly related to my ministry. This could be a good place to digest and memorialize what I’m learning about life, culture, Japan and so on… So yeah, hopefully I can get into the habit I’d planned on: Monday, Wednesday and Friday posts, every week. More when I’m in Japan — if there’s time.
I guess that’s a wrap.
by Whitey | Nov 7, 2007 | Thoughts
I saw a short documentary recently on the history of anime (Japanese animation). Some may think that cartoons are not a real view into the culture of a country. But I think that pop culture as a much a part of culture as more traditional forms of art. They give us a glimpse of how history and religious belief influence people and the arts even in modern times.
Here are some bullet points I took away from the documentary. I think it’s interesting how the differences between Japanese and American animation show some of the differences between the cultures at large.
- In American animated film making, the emphasis is on “animated”. In Japan, the emphasis is on “film”. In other words, animation is just another tool used in making films and telling stories, so the kinds of stories one can tell in animation are not limited as they usually are in the west. That’s why Japanese ‘toons aren’t always “kid-friendly”.
- Anime is often post-apocalyptic because Japan itself is post-apocalyptic.
- Manga (comics) and Anime took off in popularity soon after World War II because there was a “hole” in culture for entertainment.
- Budget limitations early on in anime led to the development of certain styles, which are still part of anime today even though the budgets are bigger (for example, panning the camera across a scene — one picture — to give the illusion of movement where no actual animation is taking place).
There are also elements of Japanese religious tradition that show up in anime. Paul Nethercott has an article HERE pointing some of these aspects out. The fact is that there is a different story-telling sensibility in Japanese animation, and in film making in general. If you’ve watched any, you’ve probably noticed this, and may not have understood some things. As THIS article points out, an understanding of Japanese religion and other aspects of culture is needed to fully understand and appreciate many of these works.
I would add, too, that knowing about Japanese tradition, religion and, yes, even pop culture is important for those of us seeking to build bridges with Japanese people. People are a product of culture as much as culture is a product of the people.
by Whitey | Nov 2, 2007 | Weekly Re-Cap
This was a pretty quiet week, so I don’t have much to re-cap, but I thought I should at least “check in”.
Support levels haven’t moved much this week, but I do have some “maybes” and even some “yeses” that I’m still waiting on official commitments from. I have a speaking engagement Sunday morning here in Fredericton, but after that my schedule is wide open. I’m having trouble booking anything, and not even sure where to look, but hopefully I can see some new doors open up next week.
I finished Module 2 of my TESL training this week. I’d hoped to be well into Module 3 by now, but that’s okay. Right now I’m averaging about 10-12 days per unit, which I guess isn’t bad. I’ve got six months to do it, and there are only 5 units total. I’d still like to have it all done before I get to Japan though.
Speaking of getting to Japan, I’ve continued to correspond with some Immanuel Church contacts there. My Certificate of Eligibility is on the way. Once I get that I can apply for a visa… But (and I may have mentioned this before) once I get the visa I have to enter Japan within 3 months. I guess that gives me till mid-February, even if I have my visa as early as mid-November. But still, so much is uncertain I’ll be a little leery about applying too soon. Where does caution end and faith begin in this situation? I’m not sure…
Again, speaking of getting to Japan, I’d said before that I hope to be there by the end of November. The Nagoya church is telling me that mid-December is the earliest they can house me, though. This is actually probably a good thing, as we’re already into November now, and even if my support raising is finished in the next couple of weeks, there are a lot of little things to do between now and departure.
I’m off to Sussex tonight. In fact, I may even leave this afternoon. BBC (where I graduated from) is hosting it’s big, annual senior high youth event. I’m not going for the event itself but to visit some friends. Should be fun, and I have a few people to corner about supporting me as well, so it could be productive too…
I ended up having more to say than I’d thought I would. Enough for now, though. That’s a wrap.
by Whitey | Oct 26, 2007 | Weekly Re-Cap
Methinks this’ll be a short post, as I can’t think of too many things to share. But here goes.
This week: (1) Support increased pretty drastically, though this is due in part to re-calculating the value of my Canadian Faith Promises. There were, however, some really good additions as well. (2) I posted a new podcast. (3) I had a good weekend in Nova Scotia. (4) This coming Sunday I’m in Sussex and then Hartland, NB, for a full day of team building ministry. (5) I haven’t done nearly enough work on my TESL studies but I’m hoping to make up for it today; I was up early, so I’m off to an early start with getting things done.
And speaking of getting things done, I think I’ll get to it. And that’s a wrap.
by Whitey | Oct 19, 2007 | Weekly Re-Cap
Here’s a random re-cap of the past week, and a look at the weekend to come:
1. This week I’ve gotten most of Module 1 of my TESL course finished. I have one more assignment left, which I hope to get done today.
2. One of the assignments was to interview a non-native English speaker about his/her experience in learning the language. I interviewed Haruka, my Japanese tutor. We talked about cultural differences between Japan and Canada, as well as the assigned stuff, because I was recording it for the podcast. So I’ve got the next episode lined up and should have it edited and posted soon (maybe next week). Should be a good one, too.
3. Last weekend and this week I’ve had some unexpected additions to my support, so things are continuing to progress nicely. Still waiting on a lot of “maybes”, too.
4. I received an email this week from the pastor I’m going to be working with in Nagoya. I was pretty excited about that because up until now my only communication with him has been through others.
5. Realistically, it looks like it will probably be the new year before I get to Japan. But I’m praying for miracles so I can get there sooner! It would be great to be on my way in late November. Let’s pray that my support comes in on time. Pray, too, for my visa application, that it doesn’t take too long — or finish too soon (if I get it and can’t go within 3 months, it expires and I have to start over).
6. I’ve been having a good week with my Japanese studies. I feel motivated and like I’m actually getting somewhere (this is not always the case).
7. It seems like I’m coming to the end of my church contacts. Seems like I’ve been everywhere that’ll have me, and I’m not sure where to look for future bookings. The next couple of weekends are booked but after the second week of November thing’s are looking pretty quiet. I’m praying that some new doors will open — or that I won’t need them to!
8. This weekend I’m in Nova Scotia, where I’m visiting a couple of churches and sharing my vision for ministry in Japan. Let’s pray for a safe and productive journey.
Thanks for stopping by. That’s a wrap for this week.
by Whitey | Oct 18, 2007 | Thoughts on Missions
A missionary friend included these quotes in her email this week. I thought they were worth remembering — and sharing here as well.
“When I get to China, I will have no claim on any one for anything. My claim will be alone in God and I must learn before I leave England to move men through God by prayer alone” – J. Hudson Taylor
“If you are sick, fast and pray; if the language is hard to learn, fast and pray; if the people will not hear you, fast and pray, if you have nothing to eat, fast and pray.” – Frederick Franson
by Whitey | Oct 12, 2007 | Weekly Re-Cap
This week, I… returned from my road trip; am getting back into a routine (of sorts); began my TESL studies; tried to catch up on my Japanese; podcasted; added some photos to the photo page on this site; did a bunch of follow-up emailing and phoning to pastors of churches I’ve visited.
This weekend… I’m not on the road! I’ve been invited to a Japanese potluck being put on by the local Japanese Society — which I never knew existed till this week. I think it’s mostly university students. Anyway, I’m stoked. Not only do I love Japanese food, but it’ll be great to meet some local Japanese folks, too.
Next week… I’m planning to interview my Japanese tutor Haruka. I need to do it for my TESL studies — the assignment is to interview a non-native English speaker about their experience / struggles in learning English. But I also plan to talk about other stuff, record it, and use it for a future podcast.
And… I guess that’s a wrap for this week.
by Whitey | Oct 7, 2007 | Ministry News
Hi all — I’m heading back to NB first thing tomorrow morning — about a 10-hour drive. Please pray for me if you think of it. Now, for example, would be a good time. Probably most of you will be reading this tomorrow while I’m already on the way, anyway.
The trip has been an enjoyable and, I think, productive one. Looking forward to getting home, though, and back into some semblance of a routine. More later. Good night.
by Whitey | Oct 5, 2007 | Weekly Re-Cap
Greetings from Ottawa, Ontario! Actually, to be more specific, I’m in Kanata, a suburb of Ottawa, where I’m staying with old friends from back home. It turns out I have a ton of connections up here: friends from my home church; a friend from my neighborhood back home; a cousin and his family; some Bible college connections… Anyway, here’s what I’ve been up to and a bit of what’s to come:
- I spent the weekend in Shawville, Quebec, with former missionaries (to Russia) Todd and Karen Robinson and their family. Todd pastors two Wesleyan churches, and Sunday morning I spoke at both. A very good time.
- Monday I came to Kanata, and met with Pastor Larry Mack of the Kanata Wesleyan Church (the Bridge) to talk missions. Turns out I went to Bible college with his sons! The Wesleyan world is a small one after all.
- Wednesday night I had the opportunity to take part in the mid-week service at Highland Park Wesleyan. The crowd was small but friendly and receptive. Another good night.
- Yesterday I did some sight-seeing in downtown Ottawa, visiting Parliament Hill and wandering around the neighborhood for the better part of the day. Great weather, lots of photos taken, and sore feet…
- Tonight and this weekend I’ve got more friends and family to visit — the week has gotten away from me and I haven’t been able to catch up with everyone yet. Sunday morning I’m scheduled to speak at Arnprior Wesleyan Church, and then on Monday head home.
And that’s a wrap.
by Whitey | Sep 27, 2007 | Ministry News
Instead of a weekly re-cap this week, I’m copying and pasting my latest prayer letter, which I just email out… Please read and pray.
Hi everyone,
Thank you for your ongoing prayers for me and my ministry! I just thought I’d send out a quick note with some prayer points, along with a support update:
1. PRAYER
Please pray for me as I hit the road again this weekend. I’m leaving tomorrow morning (Friday) very early to travel to Shawville, QC, where I speak in two churches on the weekend. Then Monday I go to Ottawa, ON, where I’ll be spending the week, with a meeting on Monday and a speaking engagement next Sunday. Pray that I have a safe, productive, fruitful journey.
2. SUPPORT
Currently I have less than $24,000 left to be raised in Faith Promises. I’ve come a long way, thanks to all of you who are praying and giving! Let’s pray the rest of it in!
I wanted to take a moment to explain some things about Global Partners’ support system. Please read this even if you’re already giving, just in case you’ve missed something:
GP has what is called a Faith Promise system. Basically what that means is that they set a yearly ministry budget for a missionary, and supporters make a faith promise of what they intend to give towards that goal. I need 100% promised (and at least 18% in actual money) before I can leave for Japan.
At $20 a month per person, I need less than 100 people to make a faith promise! That’s so close! If you’re not already giving, please prayerfully consider it.
Here’s how you can help:
1. I would ask that those of you who have committed to giving but have not let Global Partners know of your intentions, please let them know so that they can add your pledge to my total.
2. If you’re already giving, and plan to keep doing so, but haven’t let GP know that it is an ongoing commitment, please let them know, too.
3. If you’re wondering when to begin sending the actual donations in, any time is good. I still hope to be in Japan before the year’s out, and some cash flow will obviously be necessary.
4. If you are a pastor or missions director, please consider adding me to your missions budget, if you haven’t already. If you do (or have already but haven’t told us), please inform GP of your intentions.
You can get more info and/or sign up online through my website (Here). Any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.
Thanks for putting up with such a long email! And thanks for your prayers and support! You are much appreciated!
– robin
