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