Hello From Japan

I have been in Japan for a week now. I am in Wako-shi (meaning, ‘Wako City’), a city on the western rim of Tokyo. I am at a research facility called RIKEN. Most of my time so far has been spent doing research, but I have done a little bit of traveling around Tokyo using its extensive train network.

Riding the Yamanote line

Today ( Sunday ), I went to a church on the east side of Tokyo, near Chiba. It is a Japanese church that was started a while ago by missionaries, but now it has a Japanese pastor. I went to this church because one of my friends from college, Samantha Cherry goes to that church. It was good to be around people who love Jesus. Fortunately, enough English speaking people go to the church that they sing a few songs in English. They also gave the English speakers handoutswith the sermon written out in English. The Japanese people there were quite welcoming, which was refreshing. Typically,Japanese are really reserved, and for this reason I have only begun to know 1 or 2 Japanese people at RIKEN. They’re not the kind of people who are going to say hi to a stranger, unless they have to.

Eating lunch with Samantha Cherry and Japanese guy named Yuki

Japanese Garden in Chiba

I have learned a few more things about Japanese culture. They drive on the left side of the road, like in England. They also walk on the left, which is interesting. I unconsciously walk on the right, and then I quickly have to move to the left when someone walking towards me doesn’t go to the right. They are a very quiet people. Even in large cities you don’t hear a lot of noise. Near RIKEN there is a highway, but it is covered in some kind of special casing that keeps the noise out. They are a private people, as well. Apparently it takes a long time to develop a strong relationship.

I have also learned some sad things about the Japanese culture. They have a word for someone who dies from overworking. The fathers are usually so busy, they don’t spend much time with their family. There is a problem with kids who get so overwhelmed with their parents’ expectations that they refuse to leave their house. Suicide is a problem, too. Last year there were 30,000 suicides.

I am supposed to give a talk next week, so be praying for me. Pray that my time here would be fruitful. Right now, I feel like I am working very slowly, which makes me feel bad, because I am being paid to be here. I have some things I need to have done for tomorrow, but I haven’t finished. Pray that I would be calm and remember to abide in the love of Jesus.

Sayonara!