Have you not known? Did you not hear?
I'm in Japan, it is Friday (or at least I think it is Friday) December 1. It is way to earlier for me to be up, but that is what JETLAG will do to the body. Bryan woke up at 3:00 am and then again at 5:00 am before finally deciding just to give into the lack of sleep and roll with it. I haven't watched the sun come up too many times in my life but this week, I've seen it more than I care to count.
I'm in Japan, did I write that before? That detail still hasn't settled into my body and soul, my mind is foggy and my surroundings oh so new. As Bryan and I have spent the last 48 hours or so following our supervisor around like lost school children trying to simply learn how to say thank you, Arigatogozaimashita! They had to make it long and difficult...try repeating that 3 times fast! We are trying to soak in bits and pieces of culture and ask as many questions as possible. Our city is bigger than I expected but at the same time not overwhelming, the food of course is delicious and the people very hospitable. Between the trees near downtown which are trimmed with lights for Christmas and the Starbucks around the corner, this girl's heart very is very happy.
Here are some things I've noticed so far:
Japan is incredibly quiet. Compared to my reference of China where horns are blaring at all hours of the night, I'm in awe. Even inside office buildings and restaurants...so so very quiet.
Most everyone I've met has gone above and beyond to serve.
Prices are almost like that of things in America of what I've seen so far.
We have mountains in the background of Takasaki to which I am oh so happy.
The food is strange but yummy. The water is drinkable.
It is cold outside just like at home, but they keep the inside of buildings so toasty.
The driving on the left side of the road is going to take some getting used to and NO, I'm not driving yet.
The toilet seats most all have bidets and warmers. Not sure I'm a fan of that. I did find one squatty potty yesterday.
I'm still not sure who to bow to, how deep or how often.
Yesterday, through the help and by help I mean complete dependence on Jesus and our supervisor we were able to get phones, residency cards, as well as bank accounts set up. It took ALL day but we were thrilled to have accomplished a small part of getting settled here. One of the funniest moments of yesterday was at the city hall when Bryan and I presented our marriage certificating to prove that we are in fact husband and wife. Unfortunately, it is in English and hasn't yet been translated to Japanese and therefore was unacceptable...So according to city hall here in Takasaki, we are "shacking up" and not yet officially married. p.s. don't tell our parents, okay?!
This morning as Bryan was out prayer walking and I was watching that sun come up again, I was reading in Isaiah 40. Listen to this... "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable." But that is just it, they do not know, they have not heard. The everlasting God, our Creator. Do we really understand the honor and gift that it is to know OUR Creator? The one who never grows weary. He has no language block, HE created their language. He has no jet lag, He needs no sleep or food. He is GOD...and I know Him and He knows me. Today, as I pass people, 99 out of the 100 grandmothers, dads, children, teenagers, uncles, mothers, brothers, sisters...do not know; have not heard. And it is very possible that the statistic is 100 out of 100. I can see it in their eyes, sense it in the places perhaps even in their souls. Such kindness, hospitality, service...everything that we would consider upstanding character and morals. Yet they are empty.
Would you pray with us as we head out today to accomplish some more tasks. While I'm excited to see our house, get a fridge, furniture and so forth, there is one task that is more important than all the rest. The task that only He can do but I'm asking you to pray that He would accomplish the sharing of His story today and that He would use us! Will you pray that Bryan and I even without language would have an opportunity to share today? And that we would be obedient?
I am still awe and overwhelmed at what a privilege and honor we have to be able to share with the Japanese the LORD God.....our Creator, the everlasting God, the one who is understanding is unsearchable.
p.s. I don't mind if you pray for the jet lag too.
Beautiful Feet - The Jacksons
I'm in Japan, did I write that before? That detail still hasn't settled into my body and soul, my mind is foggy and my surroundings oh so new. As Bryan and I have spent the last 48 hours or so following our supervisor around like lost school children trying to simply learn how to say thank you, Arigatogozaimashita! They had to make it long and difficult...try repeating that 3 times fast! We are trying to soak in bits and pieces of culture and ask as many questions as possible. Our city is bigger than I expected but at the same time not overwhelming, the food of course is delicious and the people very hospitable. Between the trees near downtown which are trimmed with lights for Christmas and the Starbucks around the corner, this girl's heart very is very happy.
Here are some things I've noticed so far:
Japan is incredibly quiet. Compared to my reference of China where horns are blaring at all hours of the night, I'm in awe. Even inside office buildings and restaurants...so so very quiet.
Most everyone I've met has gone above and beyond to serve.
Prices are almost like that of things in America of what I've seen so far.
We have mountains in the background of Takasaki to which I am oh so happy.
The food is strange but yummy. The water is drinkable.
It is cold outside just like at home, but they keep the inside of buildings so toasty.
The driving on the left side of the road is going to take some getting used to and NO, I'm not driving yet.
The toilet seats most all have bidets and warmers. Not sure I'm a fan of that. I did find one squatty potty yesterday.
I'm still not sure who to bow to, how deep or how often.
Yesterday, through the help and by help I mean complete dependence on Jesus and our supervisor we were able to get phones, residency cards, as well as bank accounts set up. It took ALL day but we were thrilled to have accomplished a small part of getting settled here. One of the funniest moments of yesterday was at the city hall when Bryan and I presented our marriage certificating to prove that we are in fact husband and wife. Unfortunately, it is in English and hasn't yet been translated to Japanese and therefore was unacceptable...So according to city hall here in Takasaki, we are "shacking up" and not yet officially married. p.s. don't tell our parents, okay?!
This morning as Bryan was out prayer walking and I was watching that sun come up again, I was reading in Isaiah 40. Listen to this... "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable." But that is just it, they do not know, they have not heard. The everlasting God, our Creator. Do we really understand the honor and gift that it is to know OUR Creator? The one who never grows weary. He has no language block, HE created their language. He has no jet lag, He needs no sleep or food. He is GOD...and I know Him and He knows me. Today, as I pass people, 99 out of the 100 grandmothers, dads, children, teenagers, uncles, mothers, brothers, sisters...do not know; have not heard. And it is very possible that the statistic is 100 out of 100. I can see it in their eyes, sense it in the places perhaps even in their souls. Such kindness, hospitality, service...everything that we would consider upstanding character and morals. Yet they are empty.
Would you pray with us as we head out today to accomplish some more tasks. While I'm excited to see our house, get a fridge, furniture and so forth, there is one task that is more important than all the rest. The task that only He can do but I'm asking you to pray that He would accomplish the sharing of His story today and that He would use us! Will you pray that Bryan and I even without language would have an opportunity to share today? And that we would be obedient?
I am still awe and overwhelmed at what a privilege and honor we have to be able to share with the Japanese the LORD God.....our Creator, the everlasting God, the one who is understanding is unsearchable.
p.s. I don't mind if you pray for the jet lag too.
Beautiful Feet - The Jacksons
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