Japan Trip 2007 Journal

GT 2007 Update 9

Lakeside — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 04:29:20 +0000

We had our FINAL RALLY last night!!
After traveling back from Higashikurume, by train, five teams gathered for brunch and prep for the final rally.
There was so much excitement and anticipation in the air as the GT team ran through the program.
There were worship songs, in which Kaitlyn played bass, David played guitar and Nell vocals.
Two testimonies, one in English and one from the Japanese side of GT team.
Three skits, one of which was the fabulous Lakeside team!!!
A message by a Hi-BA staff from the Japanese side.
And more worship songs etc. It was going to be jammed packed!
The rally didn’t start til 2:30 but kids were arriving as early as 2 pm to participate. The entire second floor was overflowing with kids.
Every chair was taken up and many GT members had to give up their chairs or were already standing along the wall.
The A/C was running on high to keep the place somewhat cooler than the outside humid air.
Meanwhile downstairs no the first floor, two groups had gathered, one English speaking and one Japanese speaking to pray for the rally. Prayer would continue throughout the entire rally time as many would come and go to join in prayer.

OK GT TIME!!!!!!
The rally starts with music blaring and kids singing praise songs to God. What an experience!
They played a game similar to “Simon Saids” and gave away a “Hello Kitty”gift. (Hello Kitty is very, very, very popular here)
After the program was complete, the time of fellowship started. This has got to be the most challenging part for the kids, as they gather in small circles and talk to each other. The obstacles are many. Language is one, so there needs to be an interpreter. The high schoolers are shy and reserved, thus an on going conversation is often difficult. The subject matter is often of the message so that alone may cause the high schooler to not participate in conversation. And of course, each GT member has to overcome his/her own fears that they may have to participate fully in this vital fellowship time.

After an hour of fellowship, we spent the next half hour trying to get them to leave!! They continued to gather in the building, in the stairway, in the hallway and onto the street. The street was entirely blocked off with students!!

Then back upstairs with GT team for debriefing. This was a time of reflection and to wrap up the entire experience.
GT team started taking pictures, exchanging numbers, hugging and then the tears….
Yeah…..it was sad to say goodbye to everyone. These kids have spent a lot of time together these past two weeks and its difficult to say goodbye because we well know that we may never see them again. I would love to bring them all home with me, but I cant.
The goodbyes took over an hour which extended out into the street and train stop.
Some kids said that they would meet up with the “Chicago” team sometime Monday morning to say goodbye again.

We spent the night in Sonoko’s home, which is right above her church.
Mrs. Ishikawa was a gracious host and had the futons laid out and food prepared. We went to bed, well at least some of us did. The next morning, we participated in their Sunday School class and worship service. The Lakeside Team sang songs and David shared his testimony in SS while Nell shared hers in service. The Ishikawa’s prepared lunch for us and we packed and made our way by train to the Suzuki’s for the evening. The kids are tired and wanted a rest day instead of a shopping day. That’s ok with me.
We are now here at the Suzuki’s and we will have dinner with them. David is with his obachan for the day and he will join us later this evening. David was wise and is wearing his man purse that his obachan gave him =).

We leave Japan tomorrow.

This will be my last GT letter, it has been a pleasure to communicate with you all.
Thank you for partnering with us, praying for us and supporting us all!!!

GT 2007 Update 8 (Susanna)

Lakeside — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 02:49:40 +0000

cant believe that there is only one more rally tonight and then the large group rally tomorrow and GT is over. It is winding down fast and its getting bittersweet.

Praise God for;

His amazing work through gospel team, high schoolers continue to attend rallies and are encouraged, as we are encouraged by them. Last night 30 high schoolers attended and about 10 were new to Hi-BA!!

His protection and care of all of us. Kellie did hurt her big toe last night playing a game but all is well.

His sanctifying work in each of us as this experience has caused us all to be challenged in our walk and has humbled us in spirit.

His immense blessings through each and every relationship/friendship that we have occurred. (I want to be able to bring the entire GT team home for a visit. They are all so precious.)

Please pray for;

A super strong finish, that we keep God’s vision of the purpose behind this mission.

Continued protection as we travel.

To be able to tangibly process how God has moved each of us, to be able to put that into words as we debrief with Paul Suzuki on Sunday.

To update you:

We had a much needed rest day on Wednesday at Christian Academy Japan (CAJ). This has been our hub since Sunday. The guys are staying in the school while the gals have been bunking at the Peterson’s (they are a CAJ family that has left for vacation and has allowed us to stay in their home, about a 10 minute walk to CAJ). Most of the Hi-BA kids that are serving on the GT team are from CAJ. They were allowed to sleep in Wednesday, play ping pong etc til lunch time. Five teams were here on Wednesday. The 6th team stayed in Kansai. This was support teams’ busiest day as we cooked for 60 people for lunch and dinner. We had already prepared as much as possible the day before so it really wasnt so bad. Plus I had 3 other ladies helping me. We made spaghetti for lunch and chicken curry stew for dinner. It was so good for some of these larger guys because they have not been able to eat much throughout the week as they have been eating in restaurants with a limited budget and thus only able to eat smaller portions. The homecooked meals allowed them to get seconds and thirds, which makes me very happy. =)

The afternoon was spent in various meetings and then worship, skit rehearsal performed for all teams, and fellowship.

Much of the down time was spent cutting each others hair and coloring each others hair (get ready moms and dads..) and piercing of various parts of the ear.

Yesterday, the teams left early, 5:55 am for a 6:20 am train, to Akabane (Sonoko’s hometown) for their rally. Same thing each day but at different locations, thus the teams are getting very good at the routine. Like I said previously, 30 high schoolers attended, of which 10 were newcomers. I had a “free day” yesterday, which included laundry and then take an hour train ride to meet them at Akabane for their rally.

There were so many people in the room that a few of us had to step out for fear of violating fire code. But we spent the time in prayer over the rally. Thats what i have been doing when I attend the rallies. I stay off to the side and pray, I have been blessed by this.

We as a Lakeside team have dinner together and take the train back together.

I have been so encouraged to see our kids more and more comfortable and reaching out to many of the high schoolers. To approach them and attempt conversation with japanese speaking kids that are so shy and reserved. I have been encouraged to see our kids all get along and are supportive and loving towards each other. I have been encouraged to see each of them stretch and grow in their walk with the Lord. I cant wait to hear their testimonies of their experiences here. I trust that you too will find that God has moved and grown them.

More Snippets from Japan:

“This is the best chicken I have ever had in my whole entire life!”, Makoto’s description of his Denny’s meal last night.

“This is the best cobb salad I have ever had!”, Makoto.

“This is the best chicken club I have ever had!”, Makoto describing his taste of David’s club sandwich last night….

“The Coke Cola is better here in Japan.”, Makoto again…..(get the idea, he kinda likes the food in Japan)

“Go BIG or Go home!”, David

“Mrs. Fong, you’ve got to come shopping with me and help me pick out my shoes.”, David talking about his cool “Bathing Ape” gymshoes.

“I love you mommy!”, from David (awwwwww)

“Hola madre and padre.” from Kaitlyn

Okay thats all that I can remember for now, I’m sure there are alot more memorable quotes which I dont remember, haha.

GT 2007 Update 7 (Snippets)

Lakeside — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 02:46:45 +0000

snippets from japan;

“It’s providential that the closest pop machine to the Hi-B.A. center is the one that carries Dr. Pepper” - Kaitlyn

“I am sure you are going to find someone that looks like Kristi here” - David

He had the same built, the same hair style and a pink dress shirt. It took three looks to verify that it was not indeed Dru Yamagiwa here in Toyko!! - Susanna

“We are living in the future”, (regarding the time change) , everyone has said this…

Japanese things;

Theres a sink located on top of the toilet tank. The water that comes out of the spigot is the water that fills the tank.

$B!!!!!!(B
The ceiling light in my room has a blue g$B#l(Bow, after I turn off the light, that fades with time thus it has a built-in night light.

The cross walk has a tune that sounds like a bird singing which indicates when you are allowed to cross the street. Some areas have their own distinct bird song.

Each grade in school has their own distinctive hat for the students. Right now, most are wearing baseball type caps and straw hats, this is their summer hat.

Fast foods here are; udon, ramen, don, curry rice, and of course sushi.

GT 2007 Update 6 (Kellie)

Lakeside — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 02:19:56 +0000

It has been such an amazing and humbling experience here. I think God has really opened my eyes to see what evangelism really is like, and I feel so ashamed that I don’t witness to my friends back home about what an awesome Father I have. I think I’ve been way too sheltered, and this really hit home that my life is ridiculously easy, especially since I have God on my side.

I don’t even know where to begin. Every little thing we’ve been doing has just been amazing. Passing out tracts is quite an experience. So many people here are completely uninterested in the gospel, yet it’s all worth it when just a couple of kids show up at the rallies so we can have an opportunity to share with them our beliefs. It can be discouraging when we don’t pass as many tracts as we would like to. But then again, for example, today we only passed out 50 out of 400 tracts (we were really late). As we were walking back, we met up with a senior citizen who was in charge of the bike racks. He wanted to know what we were doing, so we talked to him, and had an opportunity to share the gospel with him. It’s these little “coincidences” and little opportunities which completely blow my mind.

I wish you guys were here so you could be a part of such an amazing process. Japan is such a dark place, yet those who do come to the light are so enthusiastic and dedicated to Japan and her people. I feel like I’ve been so ignorant about all this. I’ve been living for myself, worrying about little things, when really, my heart should be breaking that there are so many people who do not have what I have, in terms of a relationship with God.

Like I said earlier, the people here are amazing. They all have such a passion for Christ and for the people of Japan, and just sharing with each other has really encouraged me not only for this trip but as a believer.

GT 2007 Update 5 (Susanna)

Lakeside — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 10:44:50 +0000

Its Sunday morning here, Happy Father’s Day to all you dads!!

I was suppose to update you a couple of days ago but the evenings have been getting later and later and its been difficult putting words to these experiences.

On Thursday, the Lakeside team went tracting at a high school in Hachioji, which was an hour away by train. Which meant an early wake up call and sleeping on the train, handing out tracts to high schoolers as they go to school. Then they had some ti me to rest and grab some breakfast, practice their songs and skits, have lunch and hand out more tracts and then hold the rally at the site that is closest to this area. After the rally, they had dinner and then the train ride back to the center. They left at 5ish in the morning and returned at midnight, so….you can imagine the fatigue that they are experiencing.

On Friday, they got up early again and went out in the area near the center and passed out tracts again for that evenings rally at the center. Carol and I served lunch and when we got there, the place was quiet with kids trying to catch a nap anywhere possible. Our kids were exhausted having had a full schedule the day before and to be back out the very next day. That evening’s rally was Kellie’s turn to share her testimony with Sarah translating. Kaitlyn and Nell were part of the worship team that night. They all did a wonderful job. During Kellie’s sharing,I was praying that people would be blessed and th at seeds would be dropped into the hearts of these unsaved kids. We had the most visitors that night. There were 15 regular visitors (kids that have been there before) and 16 new visitors!! Praise God!!

On Saturday, (yesterday), the team went out into the streets of Toyko to do street evangelism. I dont really have much feedback because I was not with them nor had much feedback from them but I did see them out by the Meiji Shrine. The streets are packed with people out on a weekend. It feels like “herding cattle” as you move with the crowds. There are “ghost” people, kinda like the Goth types we have in the states but these ghost people paint their faces all white and highlight their eyes and lips with black. There are also “Harajuku” people, they are the ones that hang out in the district Harajuku and they dress as if they are in a broadway play. i.e. Little Bo Peep, or Snow White or Cinderella They dress in costume everyday. There was a man in a red thong with squid hanging from his neck offering “free hugs”. This is all so bizarre! But as I look at each and everyone of them, I see someone that is lost and is reaching out to be touched and loved by Jesus. Like the blind man (in Matthew) who needed sight and asked Jesus for help and healing. I pray that they would seek Jesus too.

Yesterday evening, Carol made dinner for us all. A time of fellowship and restoration. She is such a wonderful hostess and is so generous in offering of herself and home to all that come. Paul is still away with another team, so Carol has been single parenting this entire time. I am still amazed at their commitment and love for God as they serve Him daily. Please also lift them up in prayer!!

Today, we will go to church at Toyko Union Church, where Colin and Sayaka attends, and then we will also help their church make onigiri (rice balls) for the homeless. This evening we are off to another area for the rest of next week. We will travel by train, about an hour and a half, to Higashikurume. There we will be working with another set of teams and be stationed out there for the tracting and rallies.

GT 2007 Update 4 (Susanna)

Lakeside — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 14:13:27 +0000

Its been a week now and things are coming together. The team (minus me) have been stationed out of the Hi~B.A. center in the heart of Toyko. The boys actually sleep there and the girls get to go and spend their nights in a host home. Because the guys (Makoto, David and Brendan) are sleeping in the center, which does not have showers or baths, they get to go to the public bath houses in the area. I’m sure thats a bit of a stretch for them to experience. I have had the privilege to bunk at the luxurious Suzuki’s home.

The team has spent yesterday practicing their songs (4 in japanese and a few in english), writing out their testimonies, refining their testimonies, practicing them in japanese (for those who are led to do them in japanese), writing their skits, practicing their skits and hanging out with t he other team members. Last night they led worship songs for the rally held at the center. Then woke up at 4:30ish in the morning, hopped into a van and drove about an hour and a half to a high school, passed out tracks inviting the high schoolers to another rally and came back to the center for lunch. They had the evening free today, so several teams went out together and grabbed dinner, then early to bed because tomorrow will be another early day.

In the last rally, there were 10 new visitors, which is a large number and both Nell and Sarah had a girl in each of their groups that raised their hands, indicating that they would like to know more about Christ. Nell said that it was good to be able to talk to the girl and to share her testimony. Sarah had a more difficult time as the girl in her group was a bit shy and more of a challenge to make conversation.

From what I have eye witnessed, our teens are all getting along and have made new friends amongst the large group. David was sitting with 7 other guys. Kellie was sitting with an entire table of new girlfriends for lunch. Makoto’s sister, Sayaka, came for a visit!! That was a treat for all of us, especially Makoto. He said, ” It’s weird meeting my sister here.” During downtime, the kids enjoy playing various card games and playing various forms of hand slapping, clapping games. Ok, ask the kids what they are cause neither Carol nor I know the names of the games, sorry.

Everyone is nice and healthy though we did have someone from another group developing a sore throat. Please pray that they all stay healthy. Brendan had an allergic reaction yesterday to something, he quickly took Benadryl but was very tired as a result of the medication. I have been able to cook most of his food for him. Continue to pray that he be safe from anymore allergic reactions.

Ok, so you may be wondering, “hmmm what is Susanna doing all this time?” Well, I have been with Carol and her c hildren. Paul has been away at another campsite this entire week and probably will not be returning till sometime next week. Well….Carol and I have been running to the grocery store and buying groceries, preparing and making lunches and dinners for the team that is at the center. We have cooked for as little as 30 people to as many as 70. AND we do all this in Carol’s itty bitty kitchen and then load it up into her van, plus the kids and delivery and serve the team at the center. Carol’s house is about a 15 minute drive to the center through horrendous amounts of people and car traffic. We clean up and bring everything back to her house. We also grab the dirty laundry from the guys and wash them and drive them back over.

Doesnt sound too glamorous huh? It isnt really but, for those who know me, I really enjoy it. There has been so much joy spending time with Carol, cooking delicious meals for very appreciative teens and just being a part of this amazing GT Team!!

GT 2007 Update 3 (David)

Lakeside — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 02:12:43 +0000

Greetings from Shibuya!

Sarah just arrived a few hours ago and we all went out to dinner with Sonoko to a Ramen shop, itadekimasu! I’ve slowly been learning words/phrases in japanese so I’ve been trying to use it whenever I can. It’s so much fun and I love it here. I can actually order at a restaraunt now and almost hold a conversation, almost haha.

So this afternoon we took the train from Hi-B.A. camp back to Shibuya, where we’ll be staying at the Hi-B.A. center for, i think for the remainder of our stay. Already, we’ll be heading out tomorrow morning to hand out tracts to the high school students for the evening rally. I just wanted to ask you guys for prayer as we begin the real deal tomorrow.

1. Energy and good health. I still haven’t fully recovered from my cough, but it’s nothing big and I’m doing pretty well health-wise. Last night Kaitlyn went to bed super early because she wasn’t feeling well, but she feels a lot better today, so just pray that she would fully recover if she hasn’t already. Brendan wasn’t feeling too well this afternoon because of something he may have eaten at lunch, so pray that God may just really watch over him and protect him with his allergies, since we’re not with Mrs. Fong much of the time. If you guys can also pray for just our overall health and that God may just be with our health and continue to give us energy each day to do His work here in Shibuya.

2. Courage and a willingness to serve. For me personally I don’t really have a problem with talking to strangers, but I know for some other team members it could be a little awkward. So if you can just pray that we may just be able to trust in God, that he may just guide us and give us strength when we’re in these different situations, that would be much appreciated. For me, I know that if I don’t want to do something then it’ll definately show through my actions and attitude. If you can pray for me specifically that I would just be willing to do whatever it is that the leaders may ask. Not just that, but do it with the right attitude and mind-set. Adigato!

Thank you guys for just all the prayers for us here in Japan. We’re definately going to need them these upcoming weeks!

GT 2007 Update 2 (Susanna)

Lakeside — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 00:20:00 +0000

hello GT friends and family,

praise, sarah will be joining us tomorrow, shes probably on flight as i type this to you…
please pray that she arrives safely and that Sonoko will be able to find her at the airport and be able to escort her back here

we have spent the last 2 days here at the Hi-ba camp, which is about 2 hours away from the city we arrived via train yesterday and have had orientation and now they are training to get out into the streets of toyko tomorrow they entire gospel team consist of approximate 65 people, teens, staff, support staff and the suzuki kids

for those that dont know what the teens are doing, here it is in a nutshell…
they will travel to various high schools throughout toyko and pass out tracts to invite the teens to rallies that will also be held in approx. 20 locations in toyko

the rallies will be held each and every night monday through friday they consist of singing, skits, testimonies and a message
the teens will be performing the skits and testimonies while the worship and message given by the staff of Hi-ba
the teens pass out tracts once in the morning as the high schoolers go to school and once after school when the kids leave
for the ones that feel led to come, they arrive at the various locations and join them for the rallies hopefully many will come and may come to know the Lord in a personal way

also, on saturday, the teens will go out into the streets of toyko and do street evangelism they will be singing and performing skits and prayerfully many will be interested

this is all a stretch for our teens, personally, i feel that our teens are even more reserved than the teens here in japan the teens here seems more “crazy” (thats their term, not mine) and more passionate and excited could be our teens are not in their comfort zone and/or dealing with jetlag please pray for them

this morning we had sunday service, lakeside teens led the songs, they did a fine job there are quite a number of very talented musicians/singers here at Hi-ba a friend of paul’s, from hawaii gave the message. pray that each and everyone will grow from each and every experience here

ok we are definitely NOT use to the bathing system that they have here i know, i know, i know, its a cultural thing
but showering and bathing (ofuro) together is something i will probably never get use to….

they will spend the rest of today with intense training and we will start the rallies tomorrow…
we all covet your prayers for us

GT 2007 Update 1 (Susanna)

Lakeside — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 02:04:28 +0000

just wanted to let you all know that we arrived here safely! Sarah matsuda was unable to join us, please pray that she will be able to join us soon and that her ride from the airport would coordinate with the other rides. otherwise, the rest of us had an uneventful trip here.

paul was able to take us out, by train, into the heart of toyko and see the Hi-BA center. its quite an experience to ride the trains and see ALL the people out!

tomorrow we go to the center for training and then off to the campsite, which is 2 hours away from the suzuki’s home. there we will stay for 2 nights for orientation and training for the gospel team.
this is all very exciting and new. the challenges so far are 1) getting over jetlag and 2) learning how to travel by foot and train and 3) getting use to the amount of time it takes to go from one place to another, its not so simple.

we would covet your prayers for sarah and the team
we thank God for the safe travel and for all that He will do.