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.