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
by Whitey | Sep 21, 2007 | Ministry News, Weekly Re-Cap
Well another week has come and gone (yeah I know it’s only mid-day Friday, but it’s pretty much gone), so it’s time for another wrap-up. Here’s some of what I’ve been up to this week, as well as a look at things to come…
- I did a new Podcast episode (see previous post) this week.
- Support totals have gone up a little more (see Support Info page) this week. I need only about $23,000 in Faith Promises (Yes I said only. It’s all relative, really.) — that’s less than 100 people at 20 bucks a week — could you be one of those people?
- I’m getting ready for a trip to Ontario and Quebec next weekend. First I’ll be in Shawville, QC, for the weekend of September 30, and then onto Ottawa, ON, where I’ll hang out for the week, do some meetings, visit some friends and family, and then do at least one service on October 7. I’m still waiting to hear back from one church about a booking, but it should be a full week anyway. I’ve actually never been to Ottawa, so that’ll be cool, both because it’s our nation’s capitol and because I have so many connections there. Never been to Shawville, either, now that I think of it.
- Before going on that trip, though, I’m taking a shorter trip to my own district’s Ministerial. Looking forward to that.
- Still waiting on my TESL course materials. Hopefully they’ll be in next week, though it looks like I’ll be a little busy the next couple of weeks anyway.
- I’ve been enjoying this less-busy time lately, and the opportunity to be home for a change. I am looking forward to getting back on the road, though. Sometimes being at home can make me restless — I’m not used to it anymore! And getting on the road again will mean making new connections and (hopefully) gaining new prayer and financial partners. On the other hand, I’m looking forward to having all the team building done and getting myself to Japan. Hopefully I can wrap it up this fall; it would be great to be in Japan before the snow flies!
Wow, I had more to say than I thought. ‘Nuff said for now then. See you next week.
by Whitey | Sep 19, 2007 | Life in Japan
Following is another old entry from my former website, written during my first, year-long stay in Japan:
Monday, February 24, 2003: Relaxation, Japanese-style…
Last Monday I had a Japanese-style relaxation experience. I was invited for dinner to a student’s house along with a couple of fellow-teachers. We got there at around 11:30 am and didn’t leave until after 4. So if you ever get invited to a Japanese person’s house for a meal, go hungry, and be prepared to be sitting at the table, eating and chatting, for a good long while. I guess this is a sign of the Japanese being a very hospitable people as well as their abilty to relax.
Today I had the ultimate Japanese relaxation experience: the Onsen. Onsens are hot spring bath houses, with natural spring water that is heated by volcanic activity beneath the earth. Aparently the water is full of minerals and things that are very good for you as well. The custom is to bathe in the nude, with men and women in separate rooms of course (though I have heard there are exceptions).
I had heard of these onsens before, but today was my first visit to one. The real question is: Why did I wait so long? It was great. I highly recommend it to anyone who may plan to visit Japan, as long as you don’t mind being naked in front of strangers. It is very relaxing, and many of these onsens also have places where you can eat, sleep or get a massage. I was so relaxed after spending some time at the onsen today that I just wanted to come home and have a nap; so I did.
Like I said, Japanese people know how to work hard, but – wow – they really know how to relax as well!
UPDATE (March 1): It has been brought to my attention that the public bath we went to that day was probably not an actual onsen. Onsens, like I said, are natural hot springs. In the area of Japan I am living in, bath houses of the onsen variety are pretty rare. So it was artificially heated most likely. The Japanese word for “bathroom” is “ofuro”. Perhaps that would be more appropriate in this case.
