We started with squash transplanted from the garden behind Itayanagi Chapel, but the farm-experienced Mortley family provided some corn that was planted as well. We finished our first planting with the help of a church member who actually assisted in buying the land for us in the first place. He provided some fresh tomato plants that transplanted near the back of the field to save passerbys the temptation of stealing their fruit. We finished up by watering, and in only a two-day span, had transformed the weed and garbage-ridden field into fertile soil for a new crop! Hopefully God will do the same with the people of south Hirosaki and make Tsugaru Gospel Church's latest endeavor a success!
- Kyle
Before & after pictures:
Tuesday 07/01, Kanagi Chapel, Tracting and Children's English Lesson
Of course, things went differently than we expected, and we took off earlier than expected. We folded some announcements for a guy who's coming up soon. I won't go into it all right now -- he'll be dropping by later, so that'll be cool. Anyways, we folded the "tracts" and then went off with Jordan and Amy instead because Deborah and Adrian were still off doing something with squash with Mrs. Ghent and we were going off early.
So we went off and it took about 1 hour or so for us to get there. I made it a point to try and remember how to get back to their house, which turned out to be quite beneficial later on. Upon arriving we had lunch, planned our "English lesson" for a few kids, did more stuff with the flyers, and then went to hand them out. Jordan and I went into the poor neighborhood. It was... wow. I honestly couldn't believe the state of the houses there. They were literally... little aluminum-like shacks which were, at max, 10 feet by 10 feet, probably. There was something of a yard... but not much of one. It reminded me more of what I'd expect to see in the slums of Mexico, instead of in Japan. It was, to say the least, very sobering. Especially when I would see several shoes of the children who lived there near the mailbox where I left the flyers. Most houses have two doors, an outside and an inside, and you'd open the first and say "gomen kudasai" (please forgive me / my interruption) and then drop the thing off in the mailbox place. Anyway... my heart went out to the people who lived in the worst part of town, really. I simply... couldn't imagine it. Yet, part of me inside was saying something like maybe I'd have to live in one of those someday to minister to those people who live like that. My heart both jumps and sinks at that statement. God's will be done, though. I said anywhere, and I'm not backing out now!
We spent about 1.5-2 hours handing out or dropping off flyers. Then around the time we were supposed to be picked up we headed back towards the house. We never saw Armin, and he never found us, either, lol. We just headed back int the direction I'd remembered he'd driven us out there to. We made it to a landmark I'd remembered (there was a fighter jet in the middle of a playground... lol), and then tried to call for betterdirections back. No avail. We asked how to get back from a local, who told us to "go straight and it's on your left." He was right. We were about 2-3 minutes from the place, just down the road (where we'd have gone if we'd just kept going straight). So Jordan and I made it back, but never saw Armin (Mr. Messer).
Sooo... since no one was at the chapel, either, I went across the street, remembering the lady next door was a member of their church. She was a VERY kind old lady (who's husband isn't a Christian), and when I saw some amazing murals on the walls I commented on how amazing they were. She then said to go upstairs and I saw a TON of his murals. Just amazing! Turned out, her husband is this amazing artist that everyone knows because he also used to teach in the schools and had been transferred around. Anyway, I asked for Armin's cellphone number. She did't have it, but Mrs. Messer came home and we had her call Armin to say "come back, they found their way back and you can stop searching now," lol.
So we then waited around a bit and the kids showed up for the English class. Nodoka, Aveil (the Messer's son), Aran (a Japanese Mexican mix), and another girl named... Mieru(?). I've forgotten now. Anyway, their mothers were all nice and even though it was shaky at first, by the end they all seemed to be having fun. They did exceptionally with the colors. They also did pretty well with the shapes. We did the first 3 letters of the alphabet, too. Most all of them seemed to enjoy "Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes" as we did that. We had them color for awhile, too, haha. Otherwise, the only rough patch was at the beginning when we were introducing ourselves. It was too much, and it was too fast. So... yeah. We won't mention how one of the girls looked like she was about to burst into tears at the beginning...
Well that was our day on Tuesday with the Messers at Kanagi Chapel. A very interesting and wonderful day, to say the least. The church may be small, but God has this amazing way of taking that which is small or the least and turning it into the greatest tool for Him. I look forward to hearing how things work at the Kanagi Chapel several years from now. I have no doubt it will be filled with people worshiping and praising God!
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Monday 07/07, Day off, Mr. Fujimoto
I had to skip out a bit early to go with Mr. Fujimoto on our adventure. I was TOLD it would be from 10am-2pm. Lol was THAT wrong! x3
The first place we went was a huge float museum. On August 2nd they start these huge 4-5 story floats down the streets or something. They're ENORMOUS. So I took some pictures and had a good time talking with him. He did a little translation for me, but mostly I just took pictures.
After that we went to Kanagi City (name means Golden Tree) and got to watch a live performance of two Shamisen players. It was especially cool since I'd done a report the last quarter during undergrad on the Biwa and Shamisen, so getting to listen and watch someone play it was really neat.
After that we ate at a restaurant named "Pu-Re-", or "Poulet" (which is French for "chicken"). We talked there and looked a bit at an American newspaper. Halfway through the meal he asks me "Don't Christians normally pray before they eat?" The ONE time in the trip I forget t pray before I eat and this guy notices it. *slight laugh* So I explained that we didn't have to. Some do and some don't, but generally it is practice to do so. I hope he understood when I said that even when we do forget, God is willing to forgive us as Christians and does.
Anyway, after that we drove to a park/zoo. He bought me some soft cream (aka ice cream). We looked at the monkey and a few bears. Bunnies and chickens. Ducks. Etc. Then we crossed a floating bridge to a biker's camping area. Only one guy was there. We sat down and that was when he unloaded two barrels into me, basically. Haha.
Soon after we started talking he asked how missionaries make their money. So I told him church-goers and friends give them the money to partner with them. For example: Ghent-san knows Japanese and they may not, so they support Ghent-san to do the work they can't in Japan.
Then I got to tell him how I believe God supported all the money for my time at RHIT, and then how He kept me alive when I was young and had all my seizures. He said he didn't think God had the money or helped me. He does believe, though, that when you pray you can change fate, though. I didn't try to reply or argue with him, because we were having a hard enough time understanding each other as it was. That, and I wanted to learn all I could from him. I'm a learner, too, you know. What I mean by learn is his thought process as a follower of Buddhist teachings.
Then he started talking about how Islamic nations chop off your hand when you steal. In Japan, you go to jail, then get out, then stay again, then get out, etc. Then he said in Christianity *made a cut across his neck* and asked if that was it. At that point I said that stealing was a sin, and God never desired all that happened to have happened to us, but that we wanted it and went against Him. Following that, God forgives us, but often times people may not. There is still punishment here. He asked about Bush being Christian and how he's treated the Islamic terrorists. I said ideally if they would repent and were really sorry, I'd like to think we wouldn't kill them. However, most of the time they have no desire to do anything but kill us. I said, "What do we do with that, then?"
Then he brought up war. He specifically brought up WWII and the atomic bombs. What you should know as background is that I am deeply regretful of what we did. I've always imagined having that kind of conversation with a Japanese person. I don't know if I was really moved to do it, but after he finished I started to get on my knees to let him know I really was sorry. In a way, his demeanor did change after that, I think. He seemed very embarrassed (I expect he thought he had forced me to feel shamed enough to do so) and almost tried to pull me back up. I think the point was made, though even after I started to tear up because of it. I guess... and I told him several times, that I don't think America has apologized enough for it. Now on the same hand while I did not say it to him, I do think that in the long run it might have been our only option, but that does not change the remorse I feel that we ever had to use such a thing in the first place. Even when God justifies holy war, I would feel remorse, because for things to get that bad... is that not a sorrowful thing?
Our talk went on a bit further, and I explained my ideas on war (basically it's only good when all non-war possibilities have been exhausted and people still won't listen). We kinda walked out after that to meet the friend who called him.
After that he wanted to go meet his friend and have coffee at Elm. Apparently he, too, was Christian. Of course, by now it's 4pm, though, haha. He bought me an ice banana chocolate drink from the coffee place (which was awesome) and then talked with his friend about me and about a recent helicopter crash that killed 4. It was foggy and they couldn't see, they lost altitude, and crashed into the water.
After Elm he tried to decide where to go next. Since it was 5pm I said going back now was fine, but he wanted to do something else. We looked at some stuff in the book store in Elm before going, and then headed off. I saw Hoshi and his mom outside (actually Mr. Fujimoto did first), but then we zoomed off toward the Aomori (name means blue forest) airport. When we got there he talked to a guard friend, then we went in and watched from the top of an observation deck for a bit. Following that we left and went to the control tower where he had a friend who explained (in perfect English, lol) all the stuff that went on up there. We talked for like an hour. We finally left at 8pm.
He asked if I wanted supper, but I said I wasn't hungry because It was 8:30 when I finally got back and I was supposed to be back at 2pm, lol. It was a long day, and at the end even though I had enjoyed my day, I was dead tired. It took a lot of energy out of me. May God reach Mr. Fujimoto, though. I think he is far more interested than he lets on. God is calling out to him. May he hear and respond well, too.
- Scott
On Saturday, July 5th the team including the Mortley's, a family the Ghents have known for many years went to C-point. C-point being the artisans fair which comes to this area once a year. We spent close to 2 and a half hours there enjoying the seaside breeze and looking at all the different creations of artists from all over Japan. The works of art included everything from sculptures to jewelry to wood carvings. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and we were able to visit the kiosk set up by the Ityanagi Chapel's Coffee House. It was very nice to see the local artists work and to be able to encourage the Ityanagi Chapel's workers.
- Jordan
Tracting, July 4
Last Friday we were excited to get out and distribute tracts to the neighborhood around the church. It was a new and encouraging experience as we went out two by two. In fact, this is the first time we went out to see people and get a glimpse of how life looks like in this area. Two of us went out with a map in our hands trying to figure out where to go in an area where there are no street names. Most of the people we saw were women and children. It was encouraging because we saw people receive our tracts usually with smiles on their faces. The strange thing is that it's perfectly legal in Japan to put flyers in mailboxes…as long as it's not to sell something. The information we were passing out included details about church activities and a flyer about a guest evangelistic speaker coming to the area churches in Tsugaru. We had hopes that pictures of Arthur Hollands, the guest speaker, dressed in leather and riding a Harley motorcycle in the flyer would attract attention to the church and more importantly to the gospel. Later, we learned that some people came to the event of Arthur Hollands. Many of them came through established relationships with church friends and only one came because of the flyers we distributed (about 1,000 flyers). We pray that God will continue to touch people's hearts through any means we can use for His work in Japan.
We also pray that the Japanese people's outward politeness and openness will pave the way to their inward receptiveness of their hearts to the Gospel as well.
- Nghi, Jessica, & Maddie
Cooking Class on Thursday, July 3
On Thursday, Brenda, Kathy, Jessica, and Madelynn went with Ruth to a cooking class. Brenda taught the Japanese ladies how to make tea biscuits, and she later shared about being a mother of three. There were nine ladies that came, most of them toting around small children. Madelynn got to play with children just a few months older than her. She even pulled herself up by the shirt of another child just to join in on the fun. The ladies really enjoyed cutting out the biscuits and making the recipe on their own. After everyone enjoyed a lunch of biscuits and maple syrup with salad, quiche, and English tea, many good conversations continued for another hour. It was as if the ladies didn't want to leave. Some of them spoke English quite well which helped. Makiko, one of the ladies, shared that she had come to a couple church events and planned to come to Sunday worship. We were blessed to see her with her husband and three boys the next Sunday. It's great to see God using these connections with Japanese women to get them interested in Christianity and ultimately bring them to faith in Him!
- Nghi, Jessica, & Maddie
Itayanagi Young Life (Friday, July 4, 2008)
This Evening Jordan and I helped Aaron and Naomi Ghent lead the Church’s youth group. We started by having everyone introduce themselves, say how old they are, what their hobby is, and what type of pencil lead they use. After everyone had a chance to share we sang a couple songs and then it was time to play capture the flag. Since the kids had never played the game before, Jordan explained the rules and Aaron translated them into Japanese. Once everyone understood the object of the game and how to play, we went outside to the parking lot and field that are next to the church. We divided into two teams and each team hid their flag. Once the game started we had a lot of fun running around trying to capture the other team’s flag and make it back to our side of the field without getting caught in order to win. The game took a long time but everyone enjoyed it. Afterwards we all went back inside and sang another song before Aaron gave the Bible talk. First he had everyone write down something that they currently can’t do but would like to be able to do. He then read from Matthew 19:26 and spoke about how even though there are things that we as humans my find difficult or even impossible to do, with God’s help anything can be accomplished. After the youth group meeting was officially over we took the kids out side to light fireworks since it was the fourth of July. Aaron and Naomi explained to them that in the United States July fourth is an important holiday because it celebrates America’s independence. It was really nice to be able to spend time hanging out with the kids and teaching them more about God.
- Chelsea
Monday, July 7, 2008
We heard the roaring of a HOG approaching Itayanagi Chapel. The thunderous bellow of a customized Harley-Davidson motorcycle stopped as the rider, Mr. Arthur Hollands, dismounted at the front door of the chapel at 6:45 PM, a scant 15 minutes before the scheduled meeting. He was scheduled to be at the chapel three hours earlier, but he found some extra ministry opportunity along his way. So, we were told that “he will be here before the meeting.” And he was.
He is not a big man by western standards. He is less than six feet in height. However, he appears to be much bigger man in his snake-skin boots and leather riding garb. He is trim and fit. At the age of 57, he still possesses the bearing of a former martial art champion. Friendly, but piecing eyes, and his confident walk, make it easier for us to imagine what he was like as a SAMBO and Judo champion in his youth.
He and his steed were the center of attention. Some people were very excited to see the man in person. I heard a lady shout, “He is here!” Some are interested in his motorcycle. One man came, riding his own motorcycle. Everyone was asking questions, taking pictures, and moving around this very unusual evangelist. Although his name is not Japanese, he converses with flawless Japanese; his “mother tongue” is Japanese. He was born to a Japanese mother and an American Marine, in
Finally, he has to excuse himself to get inside the building. At the start of the meeting about 25 people were in attendance, which grew to about 35 by the end. His fast-talking style, humor, and anecdotal stories from his 30,000 mile annual journey on bike, simply captivated the audience, while slowly, but surely, he delivered the message of God’s love and His plan of salvation through the cross. One and a half hours later, he finished. According to Mr. Martin Ghent, the pastor of Itayanagi Chapel, about one third of the people in attendance were non-believers. It is important to note that this is a significant number of people hearing the gospel at one time in
After the message many people requested his autograph and they took photographs. I had an opportunity to chat with him at the end of the evening. Both of us are born in the same year in
At the end I realized, although I am 100% Japanese and he is only 50% Japanese, he is more Japanese than me, because he asked my birthday and then added that I am “Oni-i-san” (Older brother) because my birthday is earlier than his! (For the interest of western readers: Japanese language has no word for brother. We always define ourselves as “older brother” or “younger brother”)
Takashi Ida
7-8-08
Let me introduce you to our team baby. Yes, we have a baby on our team and she is a very important member of the team. Her name is Madelynn and she is almost 11 months old. Madelynn, or “Maddie,” as she is affectionaltely called, is here with her parents, Nghi and Jessica.
Maddie has become our team mascot in a way. She is an encourager. She makes us smile and laugh – a lot – even when we’re feeling stressed or tired. And her energy is amazing. Not only that, she is one of the happiest, most pleasant babies I have ever met. She has a smile for everyone, and she has willingly adopted all of us as her surrogate aunts and uncles.
She comes to every one of us, and, on occasion has allowed some of us to feed her, change her and even put her to bed, so that her parents can do ministry together or just have some down time. Because as lovable as she is, being a baby on the go, sometimes her parents just need a little break.
Madelynn is also a little missionary in her own way. The Lord has used her to start conversations with other moms at cooking classes. She has made people smile on trains and basically, everywhere she goes. People are curious. They will offer help or simply come up to her parents and ask questions, practicing their English. She opens doors that otherwise might not be opened. The Lord has a special purpose for Maddie on this missions trip, and I, for one, and very thankful to God for bringing her and her parents here to
And oh, by the way, keep your eyes posted…she may be walking on her own soon. Who knows, maybe those first independent steps, already ordained by God, will take place here in Itayanagi. The Lord bless you, Madelynn.
-Kathie
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