On Monday and Tuesday, Elsbeth and I spent time with Mickey, an English student of Pastor Tajima. Before we even came to Japan, she had asked if Elsbeth and I could spend a day with her. We went out for lunch to a Japanese Pancake restaurant on Monday. It was so fun and definitely a cultural experience. We sat on the floor and had a grill in the middle of us. We mixed all the ingredients together such as meat, egg, vegetables, cheese, ect. and then cooked it like a pancake. Once the pancake was ready to eat, we put mayonnaise, thin dried flaky fish, and soy sauce on top. It was delicious!

After lunch, we went shopping and out for coffee in Koriyama. In the evening we went to Mickey’s home for supper.. We were the first American’s to visit her home! Her mother made a great Japanese meal for us and kindly welcomed us into her home. Elsbeth and I had given Mickey’s family a card when we arrived. Mickey’s mother worked so hard at reading it out loud! It totally made my night, seeing how a simple letter meant so much to her. She later read the card again to her husband!

Tuesday, we went to see the green house where Mickey’s mother works. Her mother is a precious lady. She seemed to enjoy showing us the various plants and flowers. When Mickey brought us home today, she ended up staying the entire afternoon. We made her lunch, taught her some songs, and enjoyed good conversation.

I was kind of nervous about the time with Mickey since we were told she spoke little English and that her parents new none. But the time spent with her was wonderful. I think that it is one of the highlights of my time in Japan. She was so nervous at first, but I think that as we spent more time together, she realized that we really wanted to get to know her and practice along with her our Japanese/English. I did not know if we would be able to have any “deep” conversations with her with the language barrier. But, praise God, we had some great talks. At lunch on Monday, Mickey asked us why we were in Japan. So, we explained that we were here to help the churches. In this conversation we brought up God. Mickey explained that people in Japan do not believe in Jesus. Then between yesterday and today, Mickey continued to ask questions and we continued to talk about what we believe with her. This morning, Elsbeth was reading her Bible and Mickey noticed. Mickey explained that peoples'personal religion choice is very private here. She has never read the Bible but thinks that her older sister reads it.

Tuesday afternoon we went out for coffee and had a conversation about marriage and family. Elsbeth and I shared with Mickey that we believe that the husband and wife relationship should come first before children and careers. She agreed and then drew a diagram of how many of the Japanese families look at marriage and family. For fathers the career is first, then children, and lastly the wife. For mothers the children come first, career, then husband. Our conversation continued into talking about love, commitment, trust, and communication within a family. We also talked about counseling and the lack of communication parents have with their children. I enjoyed learning from Mickey and hearing her thoughts on these varies topics. I hope that Mickey was encouraged and challenged from our time together. I know that I was!

When Mickey dropped us off at the Tajima’s, we had a chance to sing a couple worship songs with her and try to explain what the songs were saying. Mickey tried to explain back to us what she was hearing us tell her. It seemed she understood some of what we shared with her. Elsbeth and I really put ourselves out there with Mickey. I think that a foundation was started for something more in the future. We both were exhausted after our time with Mickey, yet thankful for the door of opportunity the Lord gave us to share Him with her. Please be praying for Mickey and her family.

Tuesday afternoon was our last English class with Beverly. I have mixed emotions about it! The children and adults we spent time with were all eager to learn English. They have been an encouragment and example to me. It takes a lot of hard work to learn a new language, but it can be done!

Today the Tajima's are taking us out for lunch and then tomorrow Elsbeth and I are moving back to the camp until Monday!

"...So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step..."

1 Corinthians 9:26

Mariah