The Promised video.

Thanksgiving Nabe!

First...pick yourself up off the floor and check your vitals. No you aren't dead. I really did put up two nonvideo updates up in one week. I don't know either.

So we had a Thanksgiving party last night for our Japanese friends. We had Nabe which is kind of a soup where you can add anything to it. Mostly veggies and meat. But other things pop up too. Also some of us made American things. There was sweet potato pie, pumpkin cupcakes, peanut butter cookies, and I made mac & cheese and cornbread.

I thought I'd do some pictures to tell the story.



Now this is most of the people that came. AC one of our interns was kind enough to sacrifice her place in the picture to take it. Things will go down hill from here.


I like really big comfy pants. Especially when they are $4 XXXL scrubs from a thrift store in Colorado Springs.

Sometimes it's wise to go in the kitchen and appear like you are doing work. I did this twice just to be safe.


This is something we did some this past summer. For the sake of a name I'll call it flapping. Also Josh likes to stick his head in pictures.


This may be the most perfect flapping picture ever. I meant look. I'm hideous. And this is Josh's sister visiting us for a few weeks.


I just recently watched Snow White. But did I learn? Nope. I still greedily go after apples given to me by old hags.


Ok so talking to everyone seems to have its draw backs. Here Rei is ignoring me =(

Ok here are good ol normal smiles. Me with our two interns (sort of) and some Japanese.


Hope you thought this was semi interesting and had a great Thanksgiving.
Remember anytime is a good time to give Thanks to God =)

One Month!

Ok so I cheated there. Really the only thing one month means is that it has been that long since I've done entries on this blog. (But I have changed the design twice since then =) I have a video on the shelf that will go up middle of December. It has to premiere at Central Park Baptist in Decatur, AL first.

The last few weeks have been busy to the max. Lots of things going on in ministry and I've been thinking a lot about the future.


So today I went to Burger King with a lot of Christian English teachers here. I wore a BK crown all the way home. I only noticed one extreme stare. Not bad considering the train was pretty full, but then again I was playing my DS, so I wasn't paying much attention. (Trust me...that's a crown on my head.)

I've had lots of chances to share the Gospel this month which has been very exciting. The good ol Chronicles of Narnia has been a great reference point.


Tonkatsu is a great meal. And you can talk about Jesus while eating. (Unless you stuff all your cabbage in your mouth at once, which of course I did.)


I also went to a fabulous retreat with a bunch of Christian Enlgish teachers here in Japan. It was great fellowship and time to study the book of Daniel together. (And people say I can't have a normal face in a picture...) If you can't find me, I'm front and center baby. (It's because I have a hat on and you can't see my head. I understand.)

That's all for now. And yes Mallory I did this literally moments after reading your comment on my last video =).

Aladdin with Subtitles

Genesis

As I was doing my quiet time this morning, I realized I really like the Book of Genesis. I was so taken in by the story, which I've heard since I was a little boy. It really shows a lot about God, setting Him up as Creator, Sustainer, and a loving Fulfiller of promises. His people continue disobey, and often he punishes them, but He continues to use them in His plan. Then the book finishes with the beautiful story of Joseph. So many bad things happen to him, each because of bad intentions by other people, but God uses those bad intentions and puts Joseph, who is continually faithful, exactly where He wants him, saving not only Israel, but all of Egypt. That's called grace.

Jenga to the Max

A little river fun at English Summer Camp

Baptism, fireworks, oh my! (or Interns how we miss them)

This is what Ms do in their free time =)

1 year in Tokyo

Well. Yesterday marked my 1 year anniversary in Tokyo. It's strange because it doesn't feel like it's been a year but when I look back it seems like this is home and there isn't a beginning that is there in my mind. I don't have anything profound to say are anything like that. Life here is frustrating, fun, stretching, hard, fulfilling, and a struggle to to what God wants just like anywhere else. I love my job. I get to wear shorts, flip flops, and hang out with people. There are things about the culture I don't like, but that's true in the States too. I love the people. They are polite (as much as big city people can be, you got to watch out for yourself when there are millions of people around you all the time), helpful, cute, interested, but wary to let you see their true self. Understandable I think.

There is though a darkness here that is hard to put a finger on. The society is a "successful" one. People dress well, are dedicated to their jobs, do what it takes to make sure their kids get a good education, and there is lots to do. But just looking in many faces there is a depression, a meaninglessness, a lack of purpose, and some people I've talked to truly believe that money is more important than love. Now as a Christian I can say this is because Jesus is largely absent from lives. But something seems to be happening. I see more smiles. And now it's not just children and drunk businessmen. It's a small change that I like. Also just yesterday it seems persecution is on the rise. We had two teams kicked out of our two main stations we do evangelism at. Why are these things happening? I don't know, but over 35 people have accepted Jesus as the Savior of their life in less than 2 months. Maybe that's why.

I thought I'd put some pictures up kind of spanning my time here, not in chronological order. Oh and I have lots of video that I need to get on.

Taking it to the streets

Interns invade Tokyo

How many people to fix a belt?

An actual written blog about Italy

Ok this is going to be way too long I know, and I think it may even be a bit pretentious (just like George's girlfriend that one episode of Seinfeld). But I wrote this today at an English writing class so I thought I might as well share it.

Two weeks ago I went to Italy. I met three of my best friends, two living in Africa and one in central Asia, there and we explored the sights. I flew from Tokyo to Amsterdam, where I met one friend. We then flew together to Rome to meet the other two.

Our first day together we went to Vatican City, where we just missed the Pope. We saw St. Peter's Cathedral, which was breathtaking. Can I say that Rome is very interesting, with many historical places that are intriguing to me, however there is graffiti everywhere and the food is pricey and not as appetizing as I would have hoped. But the trains are very easy, only two lines, A and B. Not quite the Tokyo shuffle.

The next day we went to the Sistine Chapel, it was closed the day before. The line was only thirty minutes, despite the tour guides insistence that it was two hours and we should shell out forty euro, or seven thousand yen, to go with them. Ha! I said. Next we traversed to the Roman ruins and the Colosseum. Somewhere in the ruins I lost my friends. I waited for some time, while watching prepubescent French kids dump water on each other, oh the flirting of eleven year olds, then set off for the Colosseum alone. There I met a girl who was sketching the famous structure. I asked her if she spoke English and turns out she is from Colorado and goes to school in Texas, so connections abound. I chatted with her, then bound up the stairs to see the sights. Around the corner were my friends! Exciting and unexpected.

Next we hopped on a train to Tuscany. Our hostel was about thirty kilometers from Florence, so we had to take a taxi from the train station, the buses had stopped for the night. The land there was very green and beautiful and quiet. Also the hostel was cheap, my favorite we stayed at. It reminded me of camp, and I love camp.

The first day in Tuscany we went to Siena, via Poggibonci. It rained all day and we didn't see much, but I had the best gelato, cherry, made by the friendliest of chefs, that assured me her lemon was the best in Siena, as she often sampled the competition. The second day was Pisa. The tower is impressive, as is the shear number of souvenir shops, several of which had samurai swords interestingly enough. Then the third day was Florence itself, my favorite of the cities. Home of the Domou, David, and a historic gelato place, whose pear caramel made my friend swoon.

The last stop for us as a group was Venice. Lots of glass shops and, obviously, canals. The girls were in love, I was impressed but ready to leave after a day and a half. Here we sadly, separated, the girls to Milan, us guys back to Rome. A long night in the airport, flight to Amsterdam, I alone in another airport, then longer flight back to Tokyo. Forty five hours no sleep, but worth it I think.

Josh's Hair Experience

Italia Video!! This is a monster

Andy's Anniversary Video

Cherry Blossoms

As some of you know, spring time in Japan is famous for cherry blossoms. So yesterday I went out and got some pictures.

Yes I realize this isn't a cherry blossom. Still pretty though eh?

You can ride in swan boats.

Attempting to see the Sox

House Church

ok. as my video efforts are being used else where for the time being i thought i'd put a couple of photos up for you. this first one is after our bible study on sunday mornings. we had just had coldstone. can't you see the glow in our faces? its the strawberry/vanilla combination. that is amy on the left. one of the journeygirls here.



this next one is during our house church we have with just missionaries on sunday evenings. it's really good just to sing, do bible study together, pray, hang with a bunch of rabid little boys. all in english. oh and there is always plenty of good food rapped up by miyoko's weekly dessert she makes for us!

Snowing in Tokyo

Itchy (that would be one, I don't have fleas) year ago

So as Audrey, Mallory, Anna, and Paul (subliminally), have reminded me, I went to job conference one year ago this month. So at that time, I didn't know where I would be or what exactly I'd be doing in one year. Well in case you don't know, I'm in Japan confusing and confounding the Japanese. I thought I'd break up the monotony of the videos and post some pictures of my friends from conference! (Breathe slowly, I know you're excited but no use in hyperventilating...)

Ok so that is me. Just to make sure we are clear.
(and yes I'm aware I'm sitting in a baby seat at Wendy's)



This is Paul. It was his birthday. I have no idea what that pointy thing is in the bottom middle of the picture. (Not alcohol I know for a fact.) Paul enjoys sports, facial hair, and hanging out with his friends.


Ok just so you don't forget whose blog this is...and yes I miss big cups like I'm holding in my hand here.


This is Anna. Trust me we do not normally look this normal. Anna has a"precious" heart and loves discipling people and trying to talk more than me.


This is Mallory. She likes Clemson. Auburn beat Clemson.
She has an infectious laugh and big sunglasses and likes to plan. Why you may ask?
No idea.


This is Audrey and we are pointing to where we will serve. I think Audrey is serving the fish in the depths of the Ocean. No, Audrey is here in Japan with me (yeah she would appreciate your prayers.) She dislikes Pepsi and quiet. She likes Japanese children and small dogs.


That would be Lottie. Yes she is tiny and yes we are close. She also has the hook up on the funds.


Malloy, myself, Anna, and Jana in "class". Notice I'm the only one not posing. (See I'm not a poser.) You've met the others, but Jana is serving with Mallory. She likes deep discussions and is taller than Lottie.


I don't know these people.
Just kidding. This is Blake, Shawna, and Aleah. They like to harass me and Aleah just likes to be awesome.


Ok I really don't know this guy. He was just sitting out on the lawn in DC. The only person out there. And when we went back by later he was still there but had changed into shorts and a t-shirt. Strange.


I thought just to be safe I should include the security 4 picture. (That is my head.)



This is Anna and Mallory talking with me on the phone. My lack of photogenicness is disguised quite well here.


Paul and I before yet another successful Wendy's run.


This is Elbert. He gets to direct the training time we have in Virginia. Very godly man and very quotable....in a good way.


And finally (thank the stars you are thinking...I know) Paul, Anna, Mallory, and I. These people are oh so important me. Truly "precious to my heart".

Mt Fuji

Asakusa New Years Night

One Sharp Dressed Man