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.