October 30th Where are Bob & Chris in Japan?

"God's Fingerprints in Japan"

We worship a God greater than anything in the universe. After all he created it all. So surely the God who came to the Hebrew people must have in others ways come to other people. Our God is not culturally limited. This is the premise behind some work of Rev. Danile Kikawa and a video that has come from his colaboration with other religous scholars. "God's Fingerprints in Japan" is a video that reveals the results of their work. Bob & Chris were in a lecture given by Dr. Toshifumi Uemura, Professor of Christian Studies at Japan Lutheran Theological Seminary on October 30th. This video and it's implications were the heart of the lecture. It was a fascinating look at how God is not culturally limited. God has been understood within the Japanese culture in ways tantalizing similar to the understandings as recorded in the Bible from creation. The video revealed writings in oldest known Japanese book on relgion, the Kojiki. These writings seem to have a striking parallel understanding to creation as recorded in the Bible. The implication is that God in both is the God we worship in the first person of the Trinity

The lecture and the video also went on to show parallels in the Tea Ceremony and Holy Communion. The practices from the washing of hands and vessels to the act of eating both bread or a cake and wine or tea bore interesting similarity. The tea ceremony is known to have been used during the 200 year period when Christiantiy was illegal in Japan as a secret way to celebrate Holy Communion by underground Christians. This and many other parts of the lecture were fascinating for Bob & Chris. The video that was shared is availble from a website at Aloha Ke Akua Ministries. A google search for anyone interested would be well worth your time.

Keep praying,

Zen Ben

October 26 and Where in Japan are Bob & Chris

Ichigaya Lutheran Church

Why they are in worship in another church in the East District of the JELC of course! This Sunday, Reformation Sunday they worshipped at Ichgaya Lutheran Church. It is unique because this church worships in the same building that has the offices for the JELC. The worship area is also used by the JELC as a concert hall rented out to the public. The income from the concert hall supplements the financial needs of the JELC. This means the congregation must set up and take down everything needed for worship every Sunday. The altar, lectern and pulpit are all set up and taken down each time the congregation worships. The service was different from others that Bob & Chris have attended in Japan. This was the 1st time they saw a children's sermon as part of the liturgy in a JELC church. It was wonderful. The children even had their own reserved seats for the rest of the service! Another wonderful part of this service was the fine choir of Ichigaya Lutheran Church. They filled the room with the presence of the Holy Spirit when they sang. After worship there was a fine congregational lunch where Bob & Chris were asked to speak briefly. They also met the parents of Pastor Sato, the pastor from the JELC currently at St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Columbia, SC. Take a long look at the picture with this blog. It shows a unque part of the concert hall used by Ichgaya Lutheran Chruch. How many crosses do you see?

Keep praying,

Zen Ben

Where in Japan are Bob & Chris ?

Deep in Japanese

Bob and Chris today, October 22, 2008 are at the completion of three weeks of language study at Lutheran Language Institute in Tokyo, Japan. Their teacher told them she would miss them; they were fun to have as students. They were not sure if this meant fun to teach or amusing to watch. It was ok either way. Bob and Chris will miss her too. She was a good teacher and demanding enough to be inspiring. This was especially true in light of the brief time for their studies. In additon to the regular primer and workbook that most students use their teacher provided many materials tailored to the Church, a very helpful thing for the coming months. At the last class the teacher also provided enough work materials to keep Bob and Chris in language study for most of the rest of their time in Japan. After three weeks they both agreed that they have learned just enough to appreciate the vast nature of the language and what they do not know. They have therefore resolved to spend the beginning of each day working on lessons and the end of each day talking to each other in Japanese. This will have many benefits for them as students and as a couple. As students they are bound to learn more and even perhaps to begin to understand some conversations of native speakers and to respond. As a couple they will be able to reinforce each others learning and at least in the early months they will do so without any fear of conflict or disagreement. They don't have enough vocabulary for such matters!!

Keep Praying,

Zen Ben

Where in Japan are Bob & Chris

Worship at Tokyo Lutheran Church

October 19th found Bob & Chris in worship at Tokyo Lutheran Church; a worshipping community, one of the largest in the JELC. This church will celebrate 100 years in 2012. Bob & Chris worshipped at the Children's Service 9:30 am, the English Service 10:00 am and the Regular Service 11:00 am. The current building is clearly new and beautiful. It was build in 1996 to respond to needs to replace the prior stucture with something better able to withstand the challenges of earthquake stresses. Each service style this Sunday was what folks back in South Carolina would recognize as traditional. The children's service used a liturgy of the Word. The other two services were Word and Sacrament. Though the 11:00 am service was the largest, all were well attended. Included in the staff of three ordained pastors is Rev. Eric Hanson. Rev. Hanson's first call is to Tokyo Lutheran. Though he conducted the English service on October 19th he has already given his first sermon in Japanese. Bob & Chris heard of it in complimentary terms from one of Rev. Hanson's former teachers at the Lutheran Language Institute where he studied to learn Japanese after arriving in Japan. This week Bob & Chris actually understood and even sang a few words in Japanese at the 9:30 am and 11:00 am service. But most of all they experienced the love of God communicated in smiling faces and warm bows and handshakes exchanged with the their brothers and sisters at Tokyo Lutheran.

Keep praying,

Zen Ben

Where in Japan are Bob & Chris ?

Worship at Musashino Lutheran Church

On Sunday, October 12 Bob & Chris worshipped at Musashino Lutheran Church in Asagaya City part of Tokyo Japan. The church used to be the church for the Japan Lutheran Theological Seminary until the seminary moved to it's present site in Mitaka City, also part of Tokyo. The building, recently rebuilt to meet earthquake specfications is designed to resemble Noah's Arc. Worship was a spiritual wonder for Bob and Chris. Yes they struggled at times with language; but the liturgy was familiar in the components. Since they had a romanji translation they tried to keep up in Japanese. It was a very special Sunday at Musashino. The invited preacher was Rev. Chushianta, a missionary from Finland retiring in March after serving in the Nagoya area for the past ten years. She began her ministry in Japan while in her fifties, learning the language while worshipping at Musashino. There was also an adult baptism. Since the candidate was an adult the rites for Baptism and Confirmation were both part of the service. The woman baptized had faithfully checked the Finnish pastor's sermons for proper Japanese during her ministry. After reading so much proclamation of the Gospel supplemented by conversations with pastor the Holy Spirit brought her to faith. Today was her baptism. Pastor Bob was invited to help distribute during Holy Communion. Though he asked for the words, "The blood of Christ shed for you." in Japanese he was told with a warm smile by Pastor Oshiba, the pastor of the church that folks would understand his English! The chalice and it's contents communicate a truth not bounded by language! It was a wonderful day for Bob & Chris as they enjoyed a two hour worship service to start the Sabbath of October 12, 2008. After a congregational meal following worship they returned to their apartment back in Mikata about 4:30 pm; a little tired.

Keep Praying,

Zen Ben

Where in Japan are Bob & Chris ?

Learning Japanese at Lutheran Language Institute

After spending hours of time to study the lessons from language class of the previous day including trying to write and memorize the beginnings of the 107 letters and combinations that make up the Hiragana symbols Chris and Bob are right back the next morning at Lutheran Language Institute each day about one hour from their apartment by bus and trains. You might be asking yourself why? Why try in three weeks to cram language and why try to add to the effort by actually learning 107 symbols of Hiragana? The short answer is to do something about the very real fact that in this culture Chris and Bob are illiterate. Degrees and certificates and all the rest from the United States mean nothing when you are not able to speak or read and write! So even though they will have translation help they are trying to become as literate as possible. Perhaps a true story of one American pastor will illustrate..

Pastor Phil from the St. Paul International Lutheran Church here in Tokyo told this story while visiting with Bob & Chris after their very first day of language training. As the story goes, an American pastor who had been in Japan for some time and was very proud that he was beginning to really get the Japanese language down was excited in worship one Sunday. On that Sunday he announced to his Japanese congregation his joy that this Sunday during worship they would have a baptism in the congregation. While his language ability may have been improving he still needed some work. Inflexions are important in Japanese. His was just a bit off.

When the pastor announced that this Sunday during worship there would be a baptism in the congregation his inflexion actually announced something quite different. He actually said in rather loud Japanese for all the members to hear and with great joy, “During worship this Sunday there will be nude bathing in the congregation.” Inflexions are important! Literacy is important in any language. According to Pastor Phil the pastor who made this mistake never knew of it. When the major "oops" left the pastor’s lips his congregation did not react. Maybe a slight smile here or there; but they remained quiet and their pastor therefore did not even realize that he had made an embarrassing mistake. Such is the respect of the Japanese for another's dignity. Such was their respect that day for their pastor. According to Pastor Phil the congregation made no mention of the error and most likely he speculated, simply prayed that their pastor's Japanese would improve; especially his inflexions!

Keep on praying,Zen Ben

Where in Japan are Bob & Chris ?

Welcome to Apt 23 Guesthouse

Japan Lutheran Theological Seminary, Tokyo Japan

A kitchen that works just fine!

A good living area to study Japanese and write home!!

Chris hard at work at our table.

Bob and Chris are now "at home" for the first two months one of orientation and one of serving the East District of the JELC at the Japan Lutheran Theological Seminary in the western part of Tokyo, Mitaka. The apartment is cozy and they consider themselves blessed to have such a fine place to begin their exchange ministry.

Keep praying,

Zen, Ben

Where in Japan are Bob & Chris ?

Dinner at Arcadia, Ichgaya Hotel

On October 7th Bob & Chris were invited to a welcome dinner by the leaders of the JELC at the Arcadia Hotel in Ichgaya, Tokyo. Present were Pastor Bob & Chris and the leadership team of the JELC including President Watanabe, Executive Director Tokuhiro, Global Mission Director Asano and his assistant Otomori San and the District Presidents. A meal of celebration and looking forward to future ministry was joyous for all in attendance. During the evening Pastor Bob was able to discuss future ministry with each of the five District Presidents to whom he will report in the coming months. After yesterday he and Chris were given a new schedule. They remain in Tokyo until December 2. Then Bob & Chris board a plane for Kumamoto on the southeran island of Kyushu. They remain there until January 11th. They will then board the Shinkasen or fast train to the city of Osaka in the West District. On February 8th they get on the Shinkasen one more time for the smooth fast ride to the Tokai District were they will be working with seniors and abused children. On March 8th its another flight. This time to the snow of Hokodate on the northern island of Hokkaido. That will finish their exchange ministry travels until they return to Tokyo for a farewell event on March 30 and then board the plane to return to the USA on March 31st. After great fellowship, a fine meal, and a new schedule Bob found the right moment to give a gift to the JELC via their President Watanabe. The quilt was made both lovingly and skillfully by the quilters of St. Paul. As the pictures show, it was very well received.

Keep on Praying,

Zen Ben

Where in Japan are Bob & Chris ?

Worship at Japan Lutheran Theological Seminary (JLTS)
October 5, 2008

The experience of Word and Sacrament in our Lutheran Liturgy even when you do not understand the language is an enriching spiritual experience. Bob & Chris worshipped in the beautiful chapel of JLTS this morning. Thanks to Professor Katsuyoshi Nakamura retired from JLTS they were able to understand the the content of the sermon. Professor Nakamura a retired Latin and Greek scholar after thirty years of teaching at JLTS quietly translated the message as it was delivered. In the time of fellowship he shared the final project in his career; that of translating the Gospel accounts and the Acts of Apostles into simple Japanese; understandable even for children. His final professional project will be a wonderful gift to the Church in Japan. After worship a time for lunch and fellowship that is characteristic of the practice in Japanese churches was a great way to sense the community of the people of Mitaka Lutheran Church.

Keep Praying,

Zen Ben

Where in Japan are Bob & Chris ?

On October 3 they were at the headquarters of the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church with Matt from Los Angeles, Ca; Carolyn from Portland, Or. and Jennifer from Chicago, Il. Bob, (he took the picture)Chris and these three youthful and enthusiastic J-3's were there to be greeted by Rev. Sumiuki Watanabe, President of the JELC and Rev. Hirotaka Takuhiro, Executive Director & Director of Global Mission for the JELC. They also were given a presentation of the JELC then and now. After the presentation by Rev. Takuhiro there was time for questions, discussion and fellowship. Bob & Chris were impressed with the meeting the information and most of all with the J-3's. Do you know what a J-3 is? A J-3 is a short term; 3 years missionary whose primary duties are teaching English as a second language to Japanese students in Lutheran schools that are part of the JELC. They first come to Toyko for six months of language training at the Lutheran Language Institute. Bob & Chris will also be trained there in the coming weeks. During this training J-3's have extensive support from the JELC as they adjust to life in Japan and prepare for their service. After language training they will be assigned to schools either in Tokyo or Kumamoto. These new J-3s are just starting. Their smiles tell you of their joy. Two of them will be off to Kumamoto and one will remain in Tokyo after language training. Each of them has different backgrounds from the undergraduate educations. They share a common desire to serve God's youth in Japan. If you are a young Lutheran in college or soon to graduate or even an older college grad you could be in a picture of J-3s one day. You might have three years of an experience in Japan that is life changing. You might live and serve our Lord in a culture different from your own and have broader vision and joy as a result. Pray about it; especially you young Lutherans. You could be in the picture.

Keep Praying

Zen Ben

Where in Japan are Bob & Chris

Learning to Walk
October 3, 2008

Ok Bob and Chris already know how to walk; but how about walking to the store with a name you don’t know on a street you cannot pronounce using a transportation system you do not understand? Get the point? It is like learning how to walk for the??? time. Anytime you must do something with which you’re not accustomed it is like learning how to walk. Now you may say, "Hey once or twice was enough even if I accept your simile!” The truth is however that each time you learn or relearn how to walk you also approach a new day when you will experience again the exhilaration of running; of feeling the freedom of the wind in your face; of knowing again that God has given you talents you did not even realize you had before; before you tried to learn how to walk for the??? time.

So October 3rd Bob and Chris learned how to walk for the ??? time. You see when you are not a tourist; but a resident alien then you must learn how to live; daily live in your new land where you are the foreigner. The JELC provided housing; but now it was time for Bob and Chris to find food; a place to buy food. So with help from Cindy Otomori as to where to look and with a map of the area; a map of the bus routes; with a newly cash infused card that you pass over a reader to pay for your bus ride in both their hands, off they went. They left the safe confines of the seminary in search of a grocery store; one with food; cheap in cost but good in quality food in Tokyo, Japan.

First they went out of the seminary grounds and down a nameless street in search of the bus stop, the one that had two routes ichi or queju ichi; 1 or 91. The bus stop was Nishino and the route they would take stopped at Mushishisaki Station; the nearest train station. It was six stops down the route. Now they had to first get on the bus; check the number on the bus that stopped at their stop, get out the newly acquired cards; find the machine that you held them over to pay the fare as they boarded the bus and then find a seat among all the eyes staring at the fumbling foreigners; Bob and Chris. Six stops did not mean counting the number of times the bus actually stopped because a bus here does not stop unless a rider makes a request via an electronic signal; funny little boxes with yellow lights next to each seat and on the poles where people stand when the bus is packed; almost all the time. To count six stops they had to listen and view the screen that announced the stops in Japanese and in English and count those. They did. First steps were completed they arrived at the train station.

A train station in Tokyo is a concentration of commerce; stores where the millions who commute to various parts of the city may shop in the midst of the daily sojourn to and from work. Among the stores around our train station was Itoyo Kado; a department store. It was across the street from the Star Bucks and the KFC ! Department stores in Tokyo offer more than the soft goods of American counterparts. They have all that the American stores plus restaurants on the top floor and giant supermarkets on the bottom floors. Thus after Bob and Chris arrived at the train station they went to Itoyo Kado department store in search of groceries. They found groceries most of which looked strange and exotic. They found prepared foods in a department about five times the size of what was their experience back at Publix in Aiken, SC. The food itself was mostly beyond their prior experience; except perhaps for the sushi in a case about thirty feet long!! After a tour of the floor Bob and Chris with heads aching from more choices and more food they did not recognize than ever before, decided to go to the top floor and find a place to eat for dinner.

On the top floor of Itoyo Kado they found four restaurants. Each had a window with plastic models of the food they offered and individual signs showing the cost. Even when you cannot pronounce the food names the models give you the opportunity to ask the waiter to come with you; to point at a model and then wait in wonder to taste what you hope you just ordered. Bob and Chris looked at the windows for each establishment, chose one that seemed affordable and edible; sat down at a table in real chairs; and waited for the waiter. Surprise! The waiter handed over menus with pictures of each food offered; genuine reproductions of the models; pictures just like Shoney’s in Aiken; but the food was not Shoney’s. So now to find the picture that looked almost like a model and that is what they did. The meal was very different; but very good. Many things did not taste like what they appeared to be; but they tasted good in an odd sort of way. Now filled somewhat if not satisfied Bob and Chris resolved to conquer the grocery department back on the bottom floor of Itoyo Kado.

It took another hour or so to resurvey the store or the floor with the groceries all the while wondering just how strange they appeared to the Japanese patrons. Finally after another hour of looking, picking up and trying to find any English on a label, of viewing strange and wondrous fresh fish, fruits and vegetables and speculating on what they might be and how they might be cooked, the first shopping for food adventure was over. Two small hand baskets of food; enough for maybe two days of meals had been selected. About $67 later after their credit card was rejected and cash was substituted Bob and Chris left the store; satisfied and tired. Now it was dark in the early evening and the attempt to return home began.

Thankfully the bus stop though not the same one where the 1st bus had stopped was easy to find. It was right were Cindy Otomori had showed them earlier in the day! So Bob and Chris waited for the bus; got on the first Ichi that stopped, swiped those new cards one more time, counted six stops or six potential stops, pressed the “let me off” button when they heard the announcement for Nishino, got off and turned in the direction of the seminary made a little more difficult for it was now totally dark, and found the seminary and their apartment! Tired, no exhausted from the exercise of trying to buy groceries; from the attempt to learn to walk they stepped in the apartment; took some aspirin and went to bed! Learning to walk is hard; requires effort; but it was worth it!! Tomorrow they try to find the headquarters of the JELC in the middle of Tokyo!

Keep on Praying

Zen Ben

Where in Japan are Bob & Chris ?

Arrived !!

October 2, 2008

Yesterday was a long flight and exhausting. The ride was good; the movies ok; but the time dragged. When they arrived in Narita Airport, Tokyo, Japan Bob & Chris were met by Rev. Naoki Asano and Cindy Otomori of the JELC at the airport; driven the two hours back to the city; had a light dinner and then went to the guest house at the Lutheran College and Seminary in Tokyo. This is home for the next two months. Orientation began before the night ended. They were given a folder for orientation that Cindy had prepared and some yen as an advance to get started on expenses. By the time they arrived Bob and Chris had been up from 5:30 am Los Angeles CA time to 9:00 PM the next day Tokyo, Japan time. After some light unpacking they passed or sacked out for the night exhausted. The next day; today began with registration at city hall as foreigners and then opening a bank account; all with the assistance of Cindy. Why assistance? Bob and Chris are really God’s “children” when it comes to reading instructions in Japanese characters!! The day began with Cindy at 11:00 am; extra time to sleep off the jet lag and do more unpacking. Much of their early days will involve real feelings of dependency or better said; walking in faith lead by the hands of faithful people to guide them; their brothers and sisters in Tokyo. The picture below is Chris before take off in Los Angeles, CA. Where is Bob?

Keeping praying,

Zen Ben