Day 1:: June 27
After staying in Ichikawa for a short while we came to Ityanagi chapel to stay with the Ghents. Our first meal was a collective one which we shared with Michael, a current JET teacher. During this time we shared our personal testimonies. We each shared how we came to know and accept Christ. It was very uplifting to see people form different places coming together with a common goal and desire to serve the people of Japan.
-Jordan
Day 2:: June 28
International Potluck
This was the first day that the new kitchen was used! We came just in time. =P This was a church potluck where everyone bought a dish of their own. Our team made tuna pasta casserole, rosti and brownies. We thought the rosti wouldn’t turn out at first, but it was all gone by the end of the night! Others brought an assortment of dishes, all really delicious. We had rice balls, marinated cold dishes, miso soup, salad, deviled eggs, guacamole and nachos, bean sprouts and pork stirfry etc…
The food brought about conversations among everyone. We got to meet some of the committed church members. =)
-Jen
Day 3:: June 29
English classes
On Sunday morning, the OMF team helped with English classes held at Itayanagi Chapel. The more advanced English speakers practiced conversational questions like “What type of music do you listen to?” and “If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?” The younger students had a blast slapping their hands at action cards to show their knowledge of English vocabulary. At the end, everyone gathered together for a Bible talk and to sing a song praising Jesus called “Get Up and Dance.”
- Jessica
Japanese worship service
Well, for me at least this wasn't the first service in Japanese I've sat through. This being my second time here, I knew what to expect. Basically, I wouldn't be able to get more than a slight gist of what was going on at best, haha. I suppose for those who don't have prior experience in the language or any at all the service had no hope of them understanding anything more than the names of the chapels they'd already know. Well, that and I believe we all were told that Matthew 28:16-20 was the topic for the mission conference/weekend passage.Well here's the gist of what I caught the guest speaker talking about. Mind you, my Japanese is probably about at either the "highest low" level, or the "lowest medium" level. The gist of what the pastor seemed to be speaking on involved some kind of metaphor about having a dying relative in the hospital with only 2 hours or so to live. This relative in the hospital idea, I can only assume, was meant to be tied in somewhat with the idea of the urgency of the need for those without the Gospel to hear and understand, and then hopefully choose to believe and follow Christ as their Lord and Savior and become His disciples.Otherwise, I ended up using the time to reflect on a few other things God brought to mind during the service. Mostly things that had already happened in the short time we'd already had here, and a few more things I'm in need of thinking about before the trip ends.While I may not have understood all the words the speaker said, one thing indeed was clear: God has something to say to us all. If we listen, He'll speak. We may not understand it at first, but given enough time and the perseverence and faith to trust in Him, eventually we'll understand.
-Scott
Lunch w/ everyone
After the church service we had the chance to have lunch with many of the people who had come. Some of us were able to help put together the food for lunch (udon soup). While we were helping prepare the food and then eating, we had the chance to meet and talk to some church members. They were very nice (and patient) with us, although there was something of a language barrier for most of us; sitting down and eating together gave us a great opportunity to have conversations. And we got to meet their cute kids. :)
-Amy
Harvest Worship
After a lunch with the Itayanagi Chapel members, we headed to the future site of Harvest Chapel, the newest daughter church of the chapel. The site is located in Hirosaki, which is a former feudal capital and thus, it has a castle. The city is located near the southwest corner of Aomori-ken, approximately 40 minuets by automobile from Itayanagi Chapel.
Mr. & Mrs. Ghent, our hosts, told us that they were hoping to have the final settlement on the property earlier in June, in order for us to do some work on the property. However, the paperwork is still pending. They were told that the delay should not be viewed with any concern, i.e., everything is in order but it must to go through the proper channels.
Although we have no reason to suspect otherwise, please pray that the sale will be consummated as soon as possible.
The property is located next to a public playground. It has a two-story building and enough ground for a parking lot. The first floor of the building is subdivided into garage/warehouse areas. They are intending to renovate the 1st floor into a gym, meeting room, and kitchen. Having so much open-span areas makes this building attractive from the perspective of conversion into a church. We did not see the second floor. The property was last used for an agricultural purpose. Therefore, the ground must be cultivated for at least one year by the subsequent owner, according to the local law. The church is planting some vegetables for this summer to meet the requirement. Although the property is not officially conveyed, they are allowed to do cleanups and planting. If the final settlement takes place later this month, as projected, we may do some serious demolition, renovation, etc.
We worshiped in the future kitchen area (an oversized garage with concrete floor) on goza, a thin straw mat. A few songs led by Jessica Tran and a message by Mr. Ghent were followed by a time of prayer. All of us thanked God for His guidance for finding the property, His provision for purchasing the property; and all of us committed the site and the future ministry of the chapel to God. Some light snacks were served on the center of goza.
Please pray with us that God will use Harvest Chapel for His purpose to draw many people to Himself through Jesus Christ, our lord.
-Takashi
Night English worship
On Sunday night, those working and serving in Tsugaru gathered together for International fellowship at Itayanagi Chapel. It was the first service relaunching this much needed ministry held in English. Since it was missions weekend, Martin shared about the kingdom work going on around the world as a result of believers sent out from Aomori. He also challenged those attending with Bible passages from Romans, Acts and Isaiah to share the good news of Jesus with those who have never heard the gospel message. He said that church planting has been an exciting endeavour and has brought him and his family great joy to see people follow Christ.
- Nghi
Day 4:: June 30
Our first day off Yesterday (Monday, June 30) we did some sightseeing around Tsugaru peninsula. We stopped at a shack where squid was sold, and got to chow down on some tasty sea critters. After that, we drove a bit farther to a beach, where we ate some lunch and enjoyed the view. After lunch the team drove to rock structure near the town of Ajigasawa, where we climbed the tall volcanic rock formations and enjoyed the pleasant wind that helped to keep us cool. Although most of Japan is sweltering hot and humid this time of year, the weather in Aomori feels like early fall in Georgia, and is very nice. A tour group of elderly people stopped at the rocks on the beach where we were there, and probably were freaked out by the glut of gaijin climbing all over their glorious homeland’s rock formations. Escaping with barely a sunburn, we proceeded to make our way back towards the church. (Most of) our group next visited an old farmhouse that was several hundred years old (minus modern accoutrements such as restrooms and electric lights) formerly used by an apple farmer. It provided us with a more historical perspective of Japanese life before we went to a bridge in Tsuruta, where we enjoyed some delicious (and cheap) ice cream and wild mulberries before visiting some cranes and a park with an awesome, nearly vertical slide, which many of our team members enjoyed riding. Unfortunately, it was kind of dirty and the back of my (white) shirt looked like a mess for the rest of the day. We returned to the church, as Yuriko-san used her van to transport many of us. Her family isn’t too thrilled about her being a Christian, so she was glad to help the Ghents transport everyone.
After we got back to Itayanagi, we rested briefly at the church and headed for the local mall. Scott and I ate dinner from a tonkatsu (fried pork cutlet) restaurant, which not only served amazingly delicious food, but also provided awesome customer service courtesy of the lady at the counter, who not only gave us free drinks and refills, but also took our trash after we finished. Once again, I was greatly impressed with Japanese service. Next, we went shopping, which allowed me to acquire some writing utensils, a shitajiki (a plastic pad that goes under paper to keep the back side smooth for writing on it), and some hair products that I can’t easily (or cheaply) acquire in the ‘States. Scott and I also visited several video game stores, but it seems the games he want are never in stock.
After a rousing adventure at the mall, we went back to the church and got some rest. It’s just another (uncharacteristically) relaxing day in Aomori.
-Kyle
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