Jesus Japan Joy

Today, I went to the weekly morning devotion for pastors and missionaries. Everyone has the same heart and their churches were connected when they were firt starting out, so it really was like a family. We read from Zechariah ch.8 which talks about God's love for Jerusalem and gives a picture of what the new jerusalem will be like when Jesus comes back. It really was a picture of people seeking the Lord because of those they see that have God with them. That's what our christian witness is suppose to be like, to show a love that can only come from God. 

今日、牧師と宣教師の朝デボに行きました。皆さんは同じ心で分かち合っていました。ゼカラヤ8章からだったので、神様のエルサレムのための愛を見た。そんな愛はすごいと思うので、本当に強い愛です。

After that I went with pastor Dan from CC Iruma to Iruma city. We had a nice talk on the train on the realities of the differences between American and Japanese churches, even within calvarys. He and his wife supported me 4 years ago when I went to Japan, and I've seen them a few times since at conferences. Since I've been here, he's the one that pointed out how I've changed: I've grown a servant's heart. It was something I didn't realize myself, but a change that came about gradually from my internship at CCPV. 

So, together with the Bolinger family we went to a rotating sushi restaurant. It was so much cheaper than the sushi I get in the U.S., and yet so much more delicious! I had 6 plates of octopus and 2 plates of baked salmon, yum! It was actually my first time eating sushi in japan too.  

その後、ダンさんと一緒に入間市に行った。そこで回転寿司に食べに行った。いっぱいタコを食べた。安かったのですが、とても美味しかったです。

I helped Dan with some technical issues he was having with his website for CCPV, which actually helped me with my own website. He had two English classes to do that day and I helped with the first one. It was interesting to see how two little girls dealt to a foreigner like Dan teaching them English. They were shy but seemed to pick up on what he was teaching them, and had fun. I got to do some painting on their hands, just a flower, sun and flag of japan. Through all that, I really felt good about being there, seeing how they follow the Lord's calling. 

私とダンさんはちょっとだけCC入間のウエブサイトを整理しました。後は英語のクラスを手伝いしました。子供たちは恥ずかしがっていたけど、楽しく勉強しました。いい感じだったの。

Today at CC West Tokyo I shared with everyone what I've been doing these last four years in Japanese. At first I was so nervous that I said the same thing three times three different ways. But, I was glad I was able to tell more about my self without having to write it down first like I did 4 years ago. 

今日、CC西東京でこの四年間にあった事を日本語で皆さんに伝えました。初めに、とても緊張していたので、同じ事を三回言ったのです。でも、本当の気持ちを分かち合えたので、嬉しかったです

After that I talked with some people that told me what they thought had changed about me. Everyone said about the same thing: Wendy became a woman. Now, they could be saying that because in Japan you become an adult at age 20 instead of 18 like in America. Or, maybe I'm less of a tomboy now, which is probably true. While I'm spending time in Tokyo with my previous host families, I just want to get back into the groove of the culture and life, spending time with my church friends at bible studies and gatherings.

その後、ある人は私の変わったポイントを分かち合ってくれました。皆さんは同じ事を言ったの「ウェンディーは女になりました。」なんか恥ずかしかったけど、それは真実です。これからも皆さんと付き合いたいです。

After that, everyone wanted to know if they've changed in the past 4 years. I wasn't sure at the time, but now I do, though it's really just that I realized the different between everybody. Some people when they talk to me, they make sure I understand them and go at a semi-slow speed while others continue in their normal speed and I don't understand them as well. The moms from my host families are easy to talk to and discuss the Bible with because they make sure they're using words I would know.

後は、皆さんが私に聞きました。「私たちはこの四年間で、変わったのですか？」あの時は答えられなかったけど、今は分かります。この時、私は皆さんと日本語を話す事ができます。もちろん、皆さんは私と色々なレベルで話しました。ある人は分かりやすく話してくれたり、とある人は難しい日本語で話しかけてきました。でも、楽しかったです。

Tomorrow at 10:30, I'll be taking the bullet train up to Sendai City, the epicenter of the earthquake. From there a missionary that recently came back to Japan will be picking us up and taking us to his house. From Monday to Friday we will be working on cleaning out a building to be used as a community cafe as well as whatever else work there is. I'll be trying my best, please pray.

明日の午前１０時半に、新幹線で仙台市に行き、車で石巻市に行きます。金曜日までボランティアを頑張ります。祈って下さいね。

I will be leaving with my team after church tonight. Hoping to get to the airport by 10pm. My pastor is on the far right, front row.

I have updated news on where and what we'll be doing. We'll be in Ishinomaki which is a port town of Miyagi Prefecture. From what I read, 60% of the city was overtaken by the Tsunami.

We'll be working on a cafe that will be used for evacuees and volunteers as a place of rest and comfort. (the government appointed shelters are void of anything to do but wait)

今夜８時半ごろ教会から空港まで行きます。飛行機は午前１時１０分に出発します。

金曜日と土曜日はCF府中で泊まります。あそこでCF入間の牧師ダンさんと奥さんと一緒に観光します。

日曜日、うちの牧師ボブさん「写真の右側の人」　はCC西東京でメッセージをします。

月曜日から金曜日まで、石巻市渡波の回りで一つのビルを掃除します。皆さんはあのビルをカフェのように使って欲しいのです。後は色々な仕事です。

私だけは七月１５日まで日本にいます。東北で、他の奉仕したいです。もし、そんなチャンスがあり得ない、前のホストファミリーA 家のうちで泊まります。けど、全ては神様のタイミングと思います。

Yay! I've started my blog today, hoping it will help me to post about my life as a Christian and following my calling which I believe is in Japan. I don't know in what capacity yet, something I will always need to be praying about.

So here it is. all are welcome to read any pertinent post I may make. The only other thing to address is my site name "Midori no Makiba". This is Japanese for "green pastures" taken out of the 23 Psalm I was reading today. When I saw it, I knew it would be perfect for the name of my blog site. Whenever I'm stressed out, I'll try to look to that hope of peace and fullness of life under the Shepherd's protection in the green pastures. 

Thanks for reading, be blessed!

これは私の始めてのブログです。今日から人生の大切なものをここで記録します。よろしくお願いします。もちろん、私の日本語はまだ上手ではありません。間違えがあれば、すみません。どうぞ私に教えてください。

私に大切なものはクリスチャンの生活、日本の奉仕と色々な言語学のことです。私は神様の計画は知りませんが待ちます。

ブログのタイトルを選ぶとき、私は詩篇２３編を読んでいました。タイトルに緑が欲しかったので、２節にある、「緑の牧場」を選びました。牧者とともに静かな場所で安全に寝られることが想像します。

それで、情報があれば、記録します。

読んでいました人に感謝します。皆さんに神様の祝福がありますように。