Ubiquitous!

We're on the rooftop garden of the new giant new Ginza Six shopping experience. Even so, they felt the need to put a Shinto shrine up here...

And, someone, a young person at that, found the need to pause and clap twice and pray. But, when you ask Japanese people they'll tell you, "We're not religious" or else, "It's just culture" Hmmm...

What Are We Trying to Say Here?

I'm not sure...

Of course, if it needs to be communicated clearly, you say it in Japanese. If you want to give an impression, you say it in English. Perhaps in the same way we use French to give something some "Savoir Faire"

...but this one's really odd, don't you think?

Signs of the TImes

English...and Chinese. This tells you about the boom in tourism in Japan.

However, this recruiting poster tells you about the exponential increase in foreign workers in Japan, as the population ages and decreases. 

Blame It on the Olympics

 November may seem like a strange month for a barbecue, but for over 10 years we've had one the first week of November and it's been sunny and cool, with no rain...ever.

This year however, the area of Harumi where we've held the barbecues is being converted to the Olympic Village for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

So that meant we had to improvise and hold them in a local park...until we heard the forecast.

And so it was that our barbecue became a picnic held in our meeting room. While Emi played games with the children, Carol and the moms talked about a project to help a C&MA pastor in the Philippines working with impoverished children. It was a good day! 

Karoshi

Ofuro Baptism

 Welcome to our apartment for a small baptismal service!

Unlike Keiko (see below) Ruri went old school in reading her testimony.

Yes, that's our "ofuro" or bathtub, that we're using. 

I made a mistake in one of the Chinese characters in Ruri's name, on the certificate of baptism.

Jacuzzi Baptism

  In central Tokyo, we're operating on a facilities-free basis, renting by the hour. That makes baptisms a challenge. We reserved a deluxe room with a big whirlpool for a recent baptism.

We're now in the "reading my testimony from my smartphone" era.

Our colleague Don Love with Keiko

Any major event in Japan demands a commemorative photograph, and a baptism is definitely a major event.

Happy Science University?

Yes, that's right! Close to where we shop for our vegetables, the HSU campus.

Happy Science is one of the new religions in Japan. It has a "Prosperity Buddhism" appeal, but is regarded by the press and by many people as a cult. This is one reason why people are nervous about "religion" 

Yet, with a relationship established, we have found people who do have interest in the Bible when they can study in an honest, open and informal setting.

Almost Ready to Launch

Our neighbourhood shipyard is still busy making patrol boats for the Japan Coast Guard.  Considering how high the boat in the water is riding above the waterline, the engines have not yet been installed. 

One is in the water being outfitted, but a second one is being prepared for launching.

After these two, there's an order for coast guard boats to be sent to Sri Lanka as foreign aid. All built right in our neighbourhood. And the motto of the Sumidagawa Shipyard doesn't translate into English very well, does it? 

Right Out Our Window

The Shinkansen (bullet train) is a world famous symbol of Japan.

When you ride the bullet train, the lunch boxes sold on the train are made in this building just across the river from our balcony. 

Here are some of the employees receiving training on using fire extinguishers outside. Judging by their clothing, they're very careful about contamination. 

So, if you're visiting Japan and riding the bullet train, please enjoy a box lunch made right in our neighbourhood.  

In Fukuoka

Regional Developer Mark Jones flew in to be with our team, and also wanted to see Fukuoka in western Japan and the Shaos, who are reaching out to Chinese residents of that city. We spent the day with the Shaos and heard of their vision for expanding from one location to two to better reach the 120,000 Chinese living in that city of 1.5 million. How far is Fukuoka from Tokyo? About the same distance as Toronto to Minneapolis, so we don't get to see the Shaos very often.

It was great to hear of their vision and the possibility of another worker joining them, one from their own church who is in seminary now and has a vision for the Chinese of Japan. After flying back from Fukuoka I was surprised to discover that last year the population of the city was surpassed by Chinese visitors arriving direct from Shanghai by cruise ship for shopping excursions. They choose cruise ships because there's no limit on baggage, and they purchase for friends and family.

We're thankful for the impact that's being made on Chinese who are resident in the city. Our colleagues, Henry and Wendy Chuang, will go to Fukuoka in September to spend time with the Shaos, speaking in their native Mandarin. All of our conversations had to be held in Japanese, our common language, and translated to English for Mark.

Where's Heather Now?

Back in 1990 or so, we were living in Hiroshima, and Heather was starting her academic career at the "yochien" kindergarten at the local YWCA.

Heather's still in school today, but this time as a teacher for "at risk" children in the Bronx. Here's a video from her school, and you'll see her in action a couple of times in it. 

https://www.facebook.com/hope.academy.bronx/videos/vb.908287502572769/1295372497197599/?type=2&theater

People with So Much, Yet with So Little...

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/03/21/national/nearly-quarter-japanese-considered-suicide-government-survey-says/#.WNOZIDuGPIV