Sayonara, Japan

And as quickly as it came, it's coming to an end.  Our time in Japan is all but complete- we had our last night in Nagoya, and are leaving today (Wednesday) at noon (arriving in LA before noon, same day!).  It's hard to describe so much of what we saw, heard, learned and tried in this short time, but I assure you it's made an impression on MattyDub and me that we will not soon forget.


Our last evening here was, let's say unique, for the two of us.  We went with Andy and Louis (Louis is an intern here) along with some of the Japanese church members to a karaoke party.  It's a wildly popular activity in this country- multi-level buildings with countless soundproof rooms where you and your friends can sing your favorite songs!  Then we ate our first sushi of the trip (well, they actually ate sushi. I found items that had found fire first!).  Another Japanese moment!  We had a blast with our new friends and it was a great way to cap off these last few days.


I know I'll want to reflect and share with you in the days ahead more of what we've learned, and I'll also update you about the rally and launch of the church in Osaka.  One observation that continues to hit me is the resounding sense of need here.  Certainly it's not about material or physical need (for most), as this is an extremely developed and self-sufficient culture, at that level.  But in a place where so much is thought out and worked out for the sake of efficiency and order, there seems to be an underlying sense of dissatisfaction and lack.  Marriages struggle, suicide is far too high, and it feels like people go to great lengths to fill their lives with what amounts to distractions, rather than face the very issues whose answers could free and fulfill them.


Of course, we believe that the ultimate answers lie in a connection with God.  This is a Buddhist/Shinto society where something like 70% call themselves atheists (even though 85% participate in regular religious rituals).  With fewer than 1% in Christ, there is virtually no understanding, no hope, no spiritual purpose or direction.  Those who appear to have so much, in reality possess so little.  But that doesn't mean that the Lord is not here!  God so loves the Japanese (and there's much to love) that He continues to reveal Himself, desiring them to respond to that love.  And although there aren't many believers, men and women are finding new life, and are sharing that life with family and friends.  And believers are answering God's call to come and invest their lives here in Kingdom business. And God's community worldwide is responding in support of and partnership with these workers.  


Oh, there's actually much taking place here, much of it behind the scenes or in the spiritual realm, but don't ever think God's not working...because He is!  And in it all, He invites us to participate through our prayers, our resources, our encouragement and our engagement with the Japanese culture and people.  Believe me, it's a great place to invest and we're going to figure out how best to do it.


Matt and I love you all, thank you for your prayers and will see you very soon!

Our morning subway commute

Mustard Seed Osaka (Seth & Megan Phillip, Jay Greer) at their office

Jay and Caitlin Greer, and their cute boys

Don't even think about trying it!

This is a road construction sign, with a person bowing to apologize for the inconvenience!

Coming Soon...MSGF in Osaka!

It's late.  I'm tired.  And almost ready to get back home.  But our short stay in Osaka has been outstanding so far.  We've been able to move about the city (19 million+!), and get to spend time with the Mustard Seed church planting team in the process.  They are busily preparing for the launch of the new work this coming weekend, fueled by a public rally they will host Wednesday night.  


It will be a special occasion because the speaker will be none other than...Matt Murton.  Who's that, you say?  Only the American baseball player who broke Ichiro's single season hits record here in Japan.  You may not know his name, but he's a big-time celebrity here, and especially in Osaka where his team plays.  Matt's an outspoken follower of Jesus  leveraging his popularity as a platform for sharing the hope that has changed his life.  And people will listen to him.  Wednesday night he'll share his testimony and encourage people to find out more at this new church.  God has orchestrated a great way to kick off the ministry in this place (and if you heard the whole story of Jay Greer connecting with Matt, you'd agree!).  Please keep Wednesday and Sunday, along with the team (Greers and Phillips) in your prayers.


Each day provides new sights and experiences better than what we've previously known.  I'm so impressed with the complexity and differences in cultures, and yet the commonality we share, especially regarding things that matter most.  More than anything, I know the Japanese people need the hope that a relationship with Jesus can provide- hope both in this life and beyond.  I also know that there just isn't enough being done to ensure that people hear that message in a meaningful and relevant way.  Jesus told us to ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers into the fields.  Would you please make that your prayer this week?  And be specific- ask that this might be one of those fields that will receive workers willing to labor for the harvest that needs to come.


Nothing less than eternity is at stake.

Matt's good-smile means coffee time!

It's popular as jewelry, but its meaning is literally unknown.

Preparing to devour our "Japanese Pancakes" (not really pancakes), an Osaka specialty.

And yes it was.

A bird takes inventory of Osaka at sunset.

Nagoya Worship

It was a great day of worship and celebration at the Mustard Seed Church today in Nagoya.  We got to meet other team members, as well as a number of local church members.  And some of the stories of these Japanese who've come to faith are nothing short of amazing. The fellowship is actually quite international, with people from Indonesia, France, the Philippines, Canada, China, the US, Peru and other locations represented.  What a warm-up to Revelation 7!


After lunch, we packed up and caught the bullet train to Osaka.  This trip is nearly 3 hours by car, but less than one hour by the bullet.  Man, is it ever fast!  Once there, we met up with Jay Greer, lead pastor for the new Osaka church plant, set to kick off this weekend.  We all got to know each other, and both MattyDub and I can sense that this relationship is going to be a good one.  I'll have more about Jay, the team and the work a little later.  Some of the stories he told us regarding the ways God showed up in the preparations for this church launch are miraculous.


Finally some pictures from the day, including a video of some of the worship experience in Nagoya.

Fellowship following service

What do you think this sign might be saying? (answer tomorrow!)

Do We Care?

Today (Saturday) was another great hang-out day with Andy Rodriguez of MSGF.  Not only did we discuss the team's ministry philosophy and future projects, but we continued to learn about how Japanese culture impacts people's response to the Gospel.  Along the way, we met shop owners, tasted unique and interesting snacks, made our way through the subway system some more and even caught a Japanese Basketball League game (think NBA but not really!).  One of the guys playing is actually a member of Mustard Seed Church, so we were cheering him on.


Sunday should also be pretty exciting for us.  We'll attend service at Mustard Seed in the morning, then grab a bullet train to Osaka (less than an hour at the high speed of this train) and spend a couple of days with Jay Greer and the team that's getting ready to establish a new church there. Then we return to Nagoya Tuesday for our last night before returning early Wednesday.


Andy and I were talking about helping people in the US understand the great spiritual need here.  Too many Americans have a tough time visualizing such need in the midst of such material prosperity and advance.  And missionaries planting churches in cities don't have a lot of pictures taken in mud huts with tribal leaders.  You know, the stereotypical idea that too many of us have about missionaries.  But as Andy said, virtually no one here knows Jesus, nor have they heard about His plan for them. No one.  And that although nearly 30,000 perished in the earthquake/tsunami earlier this year, more than 30,000 commit suicide in Japan every year.  Every year. If a fact like that doesn't move us to pray, plan and work for the sake of the Kingdom here, I just don't know what else will.


Just a few photos from the day, and a video from another Buddhist temple we visited.  This temple was Thai Buddhist, a gift from the country to Japan.  The figures, writing and styles were all Thai, adopted by a group of Japanese Buddhists.  Interesting but sad, knowing that so many continue to exist in such great spiritual need and darkness. Pray, Church- pray.

Homer and Bart were right- a square watermelon!

Hot dogs and fries combined in a doughy bread- mmmm!

Shrines found on the temple grounds

The Hope of a Nation

It's easy to get caught up in the interesting sights and cultural differences in a place like Japan.  The impact for newbies like MattyDub and myself is pronounced and exhilarating, and we've had one positive experience after another.  But not lost upon us are some of the deeper cultural implications and complexities of the Japanese people, especially as they relate to spiritual issues.  One of our stops today was at the Osu Temple, a Buddhist shrine that is a nexus of religious faith for many people of Nagoya.  Although we enjoyed the architecture, colors and uniqueness (to us, anyway) of the complex, we were struck by what we perceived to be the futility of the belief system present.  One of the attendants at the Temple told us that most of the people who visit do so when times are tough and luck has run badly.  They believe (actually, they simply hope) that by donating an amount of money, saying prayers, and burning candles and incense they might see an end to their misfortunes and find better luck.  

The sight of so many praying, sounding a gong, and covering themselves in the incense smoke reminded us of the lack of understanding of the God of the universe who wants to be personally connected with His creation through His Son.  Their paths offer little assurance of hope in this life or the next, apart from their continued efforts to do good.  And we know that none of us wants to count on that as the measuring stick for our blessings today...or for eternity.  Please pray for the Japanese people, less than 1% of them Christians, to find the life, the hope, the purpose and the peace that Christ has for them.  And pray that believers here, both indigenous and international, will be used effectively by God to share that life message.

The video I'm posting today introduces Andy Rodriguez of MSGF.  As you listen to his words, hear his heart for God and for the people of this great nation.  You'll be blessed and challenged, of that I'm certain.

(PS- don't forget to check out www.matthewwhelchel.blogspot.com for MattyDub's take on things!)

Solace we found at a Japanese Garden this morning

Front of the Osu Temple in Nagoya

Woman covering herself with incense smoke, representing prayers

Buddhist priest performing rituals inside the Osu Temple

Nagoya skyline, 52 floors above the ground

Fun and Food Nagoya

Another day, another awesome experience in beautiful Nagoya.  With jet lag whipped, MattyDub and I got another day of a great combo- we spent a good portion of it experiencing a number of new cultural experiences.  We visited the Nagoya Castle, learned how to purchase a subway ticket and use it properly (harder than you might think!), traveled by foot through new areas of the city, sat in a Japanese tea garden with the real green tea (sorta tasted like fresh-cut grass to me!), and discovered that Los Angeles is actually a sister city of Nagoya's.  Check out MattyDub's blog for great pics and a vid (www.matthewwhelchel.blogspot.com).  


But we also sat for a few hours again with Mike Ackerman of MSGF and discussed missions, church planting, Japan, and life here.  We got a better feel for the situation in Japan, the team Mustard Seed has assembled to respond to it, and the strategies they are putting into place.  We also talked about KACC's partnership roll in the whole process, both in Nagoya and in Osaka, site of the new work kicking off in a couple of weeks.  Matt and I both feel that we're learning and gaining insight to the culture and its particular needs, and the ways this group of men and women are responding to the challenge.  It's eye-opening stuff, and it's clear that there's so much to learn.


Anyway, a few more pics and another vid of two restaurants (I know it looks like we spend a lot of time eating, but the truth is..we do!), with a short demonstration of Matt's superhuman strength displayed while we were at Nagoya castle.  Hope you like them!

We found a crane in Central Park this morning

It's obvious who's allowed to cross here- don't even think about it, women! (jk)

"We think we're turning Japanese!" (go ahead, sing along!)

Part of the Mustard Seed worship team rehearsing for this weekend

Outdoor vending machine with cokes, ice coffees, energy drinks, water, etc.

Now THESE are what I call whitewalls!

Nagoya First Impressions

We are stoked!  That's the only way to describe our first 30 hours in Nagoya.  We arrived before noon yesterday (Tuesday), and met up with Mike Ackerman of MSGF.  Following a great lunchtime with him and one of MSGF's board members (also visiting), and time to refresh at our hotel, we spent a great evening eating Pizza Hut pizza with the team at the Ackerman home.  It was a rich opportunity to meet some of the team members and get to hang out until jet lag really set in.  Then it was back to the hotel to crash.


Today was explore the neighborhood day.  We were on our own until mid-afternoon, which meant lots of walking and checking stuff out in our part of the city.  And there's lots to see, since Nagoya is a city about the size of Chicago.  It has 3+ million in the city proper and about 9 million in the metro area.  Everything was an adventure, since English is definitely not used by most people.  We tried to figure out directions, purchases, food, and even conversation. (OK, we mostly failed on any kind of conversation, but it was still fun!)


We're trying to discern some obvious values and cultural distinctives of people here, and we'll share some of our discoveries a little later.  For now, I'll share a few pictures, and a video of our lunch experience in a noodle/ramen eatery we discovered.  It was a great time!  So enjoy, and we'll be back with more a little later.

Andy Rodriguez of MSGF and Matt talking over pizza 

Everything is compact here- even the vacuum cleaners!

A gas station- pump dispensers come down from above!

For your phone- I've got no idea!

Typical side street- tons of signage

A view of Nagoya's own Central Park

Check it- I'm home again!

Can you pick Matt out of the Halloween mannequins?

Two Guys Progress Report

Just a quick update as we're on our way:
Our flight (Asiana Air) was excellent. The only hitch was that we left 1+ hour late because of a baggage conveyor belt breakdown. Sure hope our bags left LA when we did!

Currently we are at Incheon Int'l Airport in Seoul, sitting in a wonderful Korean coffee shop- Starbucks! We've got an hour before our connecting flight takes off, so we're stretching, looking, and talking about what we're hoping God will show us once we reach Japan.

It's exciting to know that we can play a part in global ventures from Anaheim! And that those parts really matter for the sake of the Kingdom and people's eternities. Wow! What a privilege to make these kinds of connections.

Next stop, Nagoya, and we'll catch you up when we get there. Thanks for your interest and your prayers. We sure can use them! Meanwhile, enjoy the scrumptious view of our Korean coffees and cinnamon roll- yum!

Hit the Road, Jack!

The time's finally here! MattyDub and I are sitting at LAX, at the International Terminal, Gate 123 (man, they've got a lot of gates here!) waiting for our flight on Asiana Airlines. We're winging it to Seoul, a mere 12 hour jaunt. Then after 3 wonderful hours in a Korean airport, we fly another 2 hours to Nagoya, Japan. By the time we land there, it will be Tuesday, 11:00, 16 hours ahead of SoCal clocks. I guess time really does fly!

Anyway, after we enjoy a leisurely sleep in our chairs across the Pacific, we'll touch base with you, hopefully in Seoul. Talk to y'all real soon! !

MSGF...Seasoning for the Soul

One of the reasons I'm so excited to go to Japan is that we get the chance to connect personally with Mustard Seed Global Fellowship (www.msgf.com), a  team committed to urban church planting in under-reached urban centers throughout the world.  I came into contact with MSGF a few years ago, and have gotten to know them and their heart for the city.  And I'm glad that as a church we're now able to seriously consider a partnership with them as they launch their second church plant effort. One way we hope to partner is financially, helping the Osaka team get their new congregation up and running.  Another is through the possibility of taking Global Outreach (GO!) Teams to assist them in ministry. These are some of the items MattyDub and I will check out as we spend time with MSGF.




Of course, we're also pretty pumped about immersing ourselves in Japanese culture, even for a little while.  We're already thinking about Japanese stuff- you know, the important items like sushi, martial arts, teriyaki, sumo, customs, yakitori, a different worldview, Ninja Warrior competition...and noodles.  But as good as all this may or may not be, it all ranks somewhere below the opportunity to get to know the men and women of MSFG, to hear their vision for Japan and beyond, to see what's already been done during their time in country, and to find out how we might best come alongside them.  Can't wait for this show to hit the road!

Getting Ready for Japan!

Wow! It's hard to believe that in just three more nights I'll be heading to Japan with my friend and co-worker, Matt Whelchel (aka MattyDub).  We've been planning this trip for some time, as we're hooking up with a missions group there, Mustard Seed Global Fellowship.  MSGF is a group of church planters who birthed a congregation in Nagoya.  Now that church is going to begin a new work in Osaka, and we want to find out more about it.


There's always so much to do to try to get ready. Tickets? Check. Hotel reservations? Check. Travel insurance? Check. Sermon notes turned in (I'm preaching the weekend we get back!)? Check. Money, toiletries, and snacks? Check,check and check. Everything packed and ready?  Uhhh, not yet.  But I'm pretty sure it'll all get done by the time we leave Monday morning (just after midnight Sunday night).  


And we want you to travel along with us through our blogs.  MattyDub will have his own version of events along the way (http://matthewwhelchel.blogspot.com/?spref=fb) and, of course, you'll be able to get the rest of the story here!  So say sayonara, return your chair and tray table to their upright positions, and join us as we discover some fresh opportunities as a church.  And maybe even some interesting eats and experiences along the way!