anthology

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Diverse story lines. Differing perspectives. Contrasting genres. Manageable, not marathon, reads. Maybe that's why I'm drawn to anthologies, like the Pushcart Prizes.
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Our summer has been an anthology of sorts. God has been bringing new people into our lives, we're listening to their stories, and what's more, we're experiencing the wonder of seeing people hear God's story of redemptive love, many for the first time; but in many other cases, people re-hearing the gospel that others shared with them years ago.
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Take Hiro. His is an exciting story of good news. Six weeks ago, I met Hiro, a junior majoring in English, in connection with my volunteer work at a local university of foreign studies. By God's grace, our English tutoring sessions led to cultural exchange, then an open friendship. He was curious about my Christian hope. A month later, I invited him to our church, his first time. After the sermon on Acts 10:34f about the good news reaching new peoples and engaging new cultures, Hiro asked, "Bobby, what is this good news?" Good question. An hour later, in faith Hiro gave his life to Jesus, our Champion, and our church welcomed him into our family. Every story has its own pace. While one challenging facet of ministry in Japan is the fact that salvation stories unfold and stretch over long periods of time, it is God, as the Author, who shows us that that's not always the case.
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"Come and meet my new boyfriend; I really want to know what you think about him." Last year's college graduates -- like Claire's two friends (below left) -- are starting new jobs, experiencing new things, and basically trying to figure out young adult life. Incarnational ministry takes time and trust and is all about just 'being there' in their journeys and being comfortable in sharing who we are as followers of Jesus. And we're enjoying it.
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Speaking of what's not always the case, we're learing that group harmony does not always equal relational health. Good stories have conflicts; our church, small as she may be, has been no exception.
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Diverse story lines, differing perspectives: that's our church. On any given Sunday, every age bracket from the 20s to the 70s is represented. Not to mention a host of church backgrounds. This inevitably creates miscommunication and easy-to-mask frustrations. Though difficult and draining from the outset, this summer's processes of open communication, forgiveness, and conflict resolution have, we're happy to say, led to a pathway of emotional and spiritual health in our church and an increased vision for this community. And while some of us are still nursing our wounds, we are grateful to God for leading us beyond harmony and toward health.
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Started last month, Sunday lunches at our house have been timely reinforcements to this new depth of the "being" dimension in our church. It's funny, but I think that as a church we're all learning to notice each other, I mean really notice each other, valuing one another for who he or she is, not for what he or she does.
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Izumi's return from her first term in college was another summer treat. It's always wonderful to see Izumi (do you like the birthday sunglasses that we're forcing people to wear?), but so sad to say goodbye for another few months.
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Well, before this post lengthens into an actual anthology, we'll stop here and leave you with some captioned pictures.
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Below is our monthly literature distribution outreach group. Participants vary, but this is our core group. We place Christian literature in thousands of mailboxes, then we lunch afterward. This is one tangible expression of our partnership with our head church, Nishinomiya Chapel. The literature process is carried out by a publisher who works with disability ministries; folding is part of the patients' rehabilitation. Last week, our group fell under Claire's inspiring spell and decided to start doing something that is not widely practiced in Japan: hugging. Though I'm still recovering from two hug rejections, I'll keep trying.
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Along with Nanae (front left), we were joined by Randy and Hitomi, the couple in pink who picked up their tents in southern California and hitched them in nearby Nishinomiya. Their courage to follow God's compass inspires us. Below, Mrs. Yoshida and Ms. Ito, eating squid ink pasta, are two of our most consistent partners.
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In the middle of September, we flew out to Taipei to celebrate the wedding of good friends, Paul and Joyce. I had the honor of being one of Paul's groomsmen. Stories converge at weddings (who needs Facebook? just attend lots of weddings!). Congratulations Paul and Joyce!
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We had a great time with Paul's and Joyce's family and friends. And what a banquet: spectacular! Some of Paul's friends, as television personalities with ORTV in Taiwan, are doing some creative ministry through media.
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Last week we hosted a group of Americans who signed up for Asian Access's Envision Tour. This ten-day long programme is great for those who want to use their vacation time to spend time with Asian Access missionaries across Japan and envision for themselves a move to this nation for full-time Christian ministry. If you're interested in this, let us know and we'll connect you to the right people. Along with other activities planned, Claire invited her English students to practice their skills. Afterward, when she asked them, "Did you understand them?", the collective response was, zen zen wakarimasendeshita (we did not understand a single thing). Yet, a blast was had by all. Which tells us: language is just one part of human communication, isn't it?
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Speaking of someone who recently came from America to work and minister in Japan, we've been so blessed to welcome Yuko, a Japanese-American from California, into our church family. Having just graduated from college, Yuko, now a JET English teacher, has energized our church with her passion for God and her love for Japan.
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That God would bring Yuko to our city and our church is a rich blessing. Being new to our church has not dampened her desire to jump in and start helping out with our ministry events, like last month's Fun with Claire, our monthly outreach to neighborhood families. God has been blessing this outreach; thanks for praying with us. .
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A fitting way to end may be with a picture taken after breakfast a couple days ago. Grease redefined.
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