Kōenji: Our New Home!

Kon'nichiwa, Arigatou Gozaimasu, Wakarimasen - three phrases that I can almost confidently say in Japanese; hi, thank you, I don’t understand.

I can fully say with confidence, though, that the first few days in Japan have been humbling. Coming here, I knew very little about Japanese culture in the practical sense: sushi is a very recent addition to my palate, and I didn’t even want to think of using the train system (pictured below). However, I would describe the first few days here as stretching, frustrating, and yet so exciting.

Stretching: There is something innately beautiful about the unexpected journey we are on, in spite of the months of planning that Kyle, Kaylee, and I have put into this trip. What we have been learning is that this beautiful journey is much less about us and our abilities, and so much more about experiencing it with God. (Which is really challenging!)

Frustrating: One humorous nugget of information is that the majority of the people on our team of 18 identify as Judgers, according to the Myers-Briggs test. As we’ve loved our schedules and plans, we’ve been reminded of the significance of flexibility and dependence on the Lord. Me, especially. I so easily create expectations of what I want to be true of an experience – whether that is a day on campus, how a group of people meshes together, or how I act and am perceived. I expected everyone here to speak English, but most people are very reluctant to or can’t! I expected sharing on campus to be easy, but it’s midterm season, and students here really like to study. :( I expected to have a ton of energy and to lead with ease, but I’m actually human and needy and get tired easily! Basically, my unrealistic expectations are quickly facing reality, and it’s hard. (But so so good.)

Exciting: There are some amazing things happening in the lives of Japanese people. God is at work! We are not bringing God here, he is already here and has already been here since the beginning of time. We get to experience His Spirit, witness it move, and share it. And I love my team so so much! We are quirky, fun, slightly too loud for Japanese culture, and vulnerable.

Please pray that the Lord would clothe us with humility to be filled with and led by His Spirit, and to steward the time we have here!

[Slight head bow – meaning thank you and goodbye!]

Laney