6/17/07
I walk back up to my cabin from the Takahashi’s house. It’s dark, as dark as the inside of a nurse whale. Crickets chirping, lizards slurping, bats burping….. My only weapons are a flashlight and my cat like reflexes. I shine the light back and forth, trying to avoid the millions upon millions of spider webs that, despite my best efforts, always find their way into my mouth. Suddenly, I see two cold yellow eyes peering back at me about 50 feet ahead. I stop, watch and listen as the beast slowly saunters sideways in my direction. I keep the light in his eyes trying to make out his shape and size; trying to gauge the length of his huge incisors and disproportionate claws. I take a few steps closer, crouching down, ready to attack if need be. He turns and I see his immaculate coat swish and sway to and fro like the gentle waves of an alga covered pond. He looks back once more as he ambles away; our eyes lock in a struggle for dominance. It’s as if time stands still. No more chirping, slurping or burping only silence. He looks away and scurries down a slope. I walk quickly up to the hill and shine my light everywhere…searching…but he’s gone like birthday money when you’re seven.
That was the second time I saw the Tanuki. I was lucky to escape unharmed seeing as how the tanuki is the most aggressive of the canine family, responsible for more than 10,000 deaths each year in Japan alone (Look it up, I dare you). Until a few nights ago, I didn’t even know they existed much less that they inhabited the very grounds upon which I live. I was never warned or cautioned. Never told to beware of the lurking tanuki. Apparently, the Takahashi’s assumed I knew. I’m hoping to see him again and perhaps invite him to tea, but only the tanuki can decide that.
Tanuki aside, things are going quite well at camp. I have spent most of the time chopping firewood or working as a Brush Pile Transplantation Specialist. My duties include but are not limited to moving massive amounts of woodland garbage from one location to another to ensure safe and efficient burning, avoiding poisonous snakes and frogs that wish me harm, and last but not least acquiring as many mosquito and black fly bites as possible with hopes of building an immunity. The last one requires the most concentration.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Mingling
If we had been wearing a pedometer it probably would have had a blow out. We started off walking to our local train station about 15 minutes away. It seemed quiet for a Saturday, but that soon changed. Before long we were mingling with countless hundreds of people on the trains, in the stations, on the subways, in the streets, and in every place we went.
After a few stops and transfers, we made it to Funabashi where we had agreed to meet our dear friend Guo (pronounced Go). This station was especially large, confusing, and swarming with people. God was very merciful and we found him within minutes. This alone seemed like a feat only God could perform.
Guo and his wife are from China and we met them in Miami. They were saved through the Campus Bible Fellowship ministry at Florida International University, and have become a precious brother and sister in Christ. Guo moved to Japan a few weeks ago and it was such a blessing to see him after more than three years.
We continued on several more trains and subways together (walking or running in the stations to catch the next train) before arriving at Kasai where he now lives. We walked to a local Chinese restaurant where he helped us to order our lunch. When my food arrived I thought I would faint. I received three bowls of soup… small, medium, and one the size of Texas! Guo assured me that they were all mine. After lunch we walked to his apartment – a miniature place he has rented for his family who will be arriving in a few weeks. Then we walked to another train station that sent us on our way to Midtown Tokyo. Standing on the trains was often needful because they were so crowded.
We walked all over Midtown and Rappongi Crossing and then to the The National Arts Center of Tokyo. Once there, we joined countless more Japanese who had come to view a special exhibit of Monet’s paintings. (No pictures allowed, so you’ll have to take our word for it.) We walked around the very crowded gallery for a few hours, amazed that we were actually looking at Monet’s works. Part of the exhibition explained how much the Japanese culture has loved his style and works for many decades. I really enjoyed watching and mingling with the people looking at the paintings as well and enjoying his art myself.
We walked a great deal more around Tokyo, exploring and watching the crowds before getting on a series of trains and subways to reverse the process we began Saturday morning. I had a good time trying to visit with the women on the trains that were brave enough to try out their English with me. Guo came all the way back to Chiba New Town with us because he is interested in visiting the church here. We had our evening meal together (this time, Japanese food) and then had to say good-bye to our brother in Christ.
As we have mingled among the people here we have observed a few things that stand out to us over and over again. Many are not truly happy. They are caught up with the pleasures that last for a season (Pachinko, materialism, alcohol, education, etc.) but seem to be carrying a heavy weight on their shoulders. And while there are millions of other Japanese around them, they often seem lonely. The three common things to do on a train is read, sleep, or text message on the cell phone, but they do not often visit with each other. Young people often seem to be careening about in a lifestyle that many (even in America) would consider ‘on the edge’ of society. As they grasp for peace through their religions, our hearts break for them.
We pray that God do a mighty work in this wonderful land and open their understanding of Psalm 119: 49–50 which reminds us that His Word brings hope, life and comfort. Perhaps God is asking you to mingle among the people of Japan.
A 'few' people waiting to cross the street
After a few stops and transfers, we made it to Funabashi where we had agreed to meet our dear friend Guo (pronounced Go). This station was especially large, confusing, and swarming with people. God was very merciful and we found him within minutes. This alone seemed like a feat only God could perform.
Guo and his wife are from China and we met them in Miami. They were saved through the Campus Bible Fellowship ministry at Florida International University, and have become a precious brother and sister in Christ. Guo moved to Japan a few weeks ago and it was such a blessing to see him after more than three years.
We continued on several more trains and subways together (walking or running in the stations to catch the next train) before arriving at Kasai where he now lives. We walked to a local Chinese restaurant where he helped us to order our lunch. When my food arrived I thought I would faint. I received three bowls of soup… small, medium, and one the size of Texas! Guo assured me that they were all mine. After lunch we walked to his apartment – a miniature place he has rented for his family who will be arriving in a few weeks. Then we walked to another train station that sent us on our way to Midtown Tokyo. Standing on the trains was often needful because they were so crowded.
We walked all over Midtown and Rappongi Crossing and then to the The National Arts Center of Tokyo. Once there, we joined countless more Japanese who had come to view a special exhibit of Monet’s paintings. (No pictures allowed, so you’ll have to take our word for it.) We walked around the very crowded gallery for a few hours, amazed that we were actually looking at Monet’s works. Part of the exhibition explained how much the Japanese culture has loved his style and works for many decades. I really enjoyed watching and mingling with the people looking at the paintings as well and enjoying his art myself.
We walked a great deal more around Tokyo, exploring and watching the crowds before getting on a series of trains and subways to reverse the process we began Saturday morning. I had a good time trying to visit with the women on the trains that were brave enough to try out their English with me. Guo came all the way back to Chiba New Town with us because he is interested in visiting the church here. We had our evening meal together (this time, Japanese food) and then had to say good-bye to our brother in Christ.
As we have mingled among the people here we have observed a few things that stand out to us over and over again. Many are not truly happy. They are caught up with the pleasures that last for a season (Pachinko, materialism, alcohol, education, etc.) but seem to be carrying a heavy weight on their shoulders. And while there are millions of other Japanese around them, they often seem lonely. The three common things to do on a train is read, sleep, or text message on the cell phone, but they do not often visit with each other. Young people often seem to be careening about in a lifestyle that many (even in America) would consider ‘on the edge’ of society. As they grasp for peace through their religions, our hearts break for them.
We pray that God do a mighty work in this wonderful land and open their understanding of Psalm 119: 49–50 which reminds us that His Word brings hope, life and comfort. Perhaps God is asking you to mingle among the people of Japan.
A 'few' people waiting to cross the street
Dashing down the escalator to catch the next train
Another tall building in Tokyo
Midtown Tokyo
(for other photos, please check our personal blog site)
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