I’m a foreigner. I’m different from everyone else. I’m a Gaijin.
In the last couple of weeks, I’ve found myself wanting to sink into the floor every time someone’s eyes linger a little too long. My blonde hair and big hips are not normal around here. In the US, I’m short. Here, I’m a giant. I’ve worked hard to get my weight down to a healthy, average American size. Here, I’m still a giant.
I think the grocery store is the worst. Today, I filled up my cart (which is about 1/3 the size of the American kind-it’s one of those baskets you can carry around put on a metal frame with wheels). I hadn’t been grocery shopping in a while, so I was low on most everything. While looking at milk, trying to decipher the characters for the low-fat kind, a woman did a double take at my selections, as if to say “Whoa, where’s she gonna put all that!” Truth be told, I was wondering the same thing. I got everything in three bags, but was still worried about getting it all home on the scooter.
Sometimes I have fun with the ogling. If the stares belong to children, I like to give a toothy grin and a hearty wave in response. The more they look, the more I wave and smile. Last week, I saw a man pushing a baby stroller (a rare sight in Japan). This put a smile on my face. I didn’t realize that he had a string of preschoolers following him. He must have been their teacher. At first I didn’t realize he was speaking to me when I heard “Good Morning.” Quickly, my brain picked up the English phrase and I waved to the group of children as they all greeted me.
I was in my favorite store last week (the 100 Yen shop-everything is 100 Yen!!! So cheap). Usually I can feel the eyes on me, but this day I must have been really concentrating on the choices of lotion in front of me. When I looked up, a middle-aged man asked, in English, “Where are you from?” I was so surprised, I stumbled over my reply. “I’m American.” “Please enjoy Japan,” he said with a smile.
I’m struggling with my different-ness. How do I balance the need to be culturally relevant and sensitive and maintain my cultural identity?
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
I never thought I'd...
>>see a grown man carry a cell phone with small stuffed animals attached to it. The men here wear and carry a lot of things that we consider "girly" in the states. I saw some pretty crazy baby blue cordoroy pants today that I'd have a hard time pulling off.
>>take my trash for a walk. The trash is collected twice a week in one central location per neighborhood.
>>freeze my leftovers that are going in the trash (orange peels and other food stuff). The humidity quickly turns these types of waste into a smelly mess. The Bartons have taught me to put this stuff in a bag and pop it in the freezer!
>>carry around tissue at all times because you never know if public bathrooms will have t.p. or paper towel. Thankfully, businesses often have people handing out flyers and other things for advertisements. Most of the time, they give you small packs of tissue with their business info on the package.
>>have to advert my eyes on the train because a man is reading a pornographic newspaper. Yuck.
>>eat pig cheek. It's not good. Trust me.
>>take my trash for a walk. The trash is collected twice a week in one central location per neighborhood.
>>freeze my leftovers that are going in the trash (orange peels and other food stuff). The humidity quickly turns these types of waste into a smelly mess. The Bartons have taught me to put this stuff in a bag and pop it in the freezer!
>>carry around tissue at all times because you never know if public bathrooms will have t.p. or paper towel. Thankfully, businesses often have people handing out flyers and other things for advertisements. Most of the time, they give you small packs of tissue with their business info on the package.
>>have to advert my eyes on the train because a man is reading a pornographic newspaper. Yuck.
>>eat pig cheek. It's not good. Trust me.
Monday, September 17, 2007
octopus balls, gospel music and swimming under the stars
Everyday that passes here, I'm kicking myself for not having a camera! Yesterday was a prime example.
I had the day off of teaching because it was Respect for the Aged day. A small group of ladies from the church and I rode the train down the line a couple of stops to Akashi. We walked through the fish market and saw (and smelled!) all kinds of strange looking creatures from the sea caught only blocks away. I squealed with delight and wonder at the small octopus dried and stretched out on a hanger. I laughed to see an octopus crawling around it's box. My reserve escaped me, and the full Millie emerged as I was disgusted and delighted at the same time. I think I amused everyone around me.
I was nervous about our upcoming lunch of Takoyaki (fried balls of dough with Octopus in the center). I've tried it before and wasn't impressed with what tasted like raw dough in the center. But, I'm learning to eat a lot of things that really don't taste that great without gagging. So, we sat down in a tiny restaurant at a tiny table. I watched the cooks making the food behind the counter just in front of me. He put the serving tray with the Takoyaki on the counter and the waitress brought them to us. There were about 15 of these balls on the tray. I thought the four of us would share the tray. But no. The entire tray was for me. I gulped down my apprehension, put on my "High Road" face and dug in. They were actually good! In fact, I would say delicious. The difference from last time is that it came with a broth that I added fresh green herbs and a spice to. I dipped the balls in the broth and then sucked them all down. They all made it successfully down the hatch (except for that one I dropped on the floor! Whoops! I seriously have a cramp in my hand from using chop sticks! Sometimes my hand just goes dead!).
After lunch we went to a concert that 2 of our church members were a part of. Black gospel music is HUGE in Japan for some reason that only God knows. Seriously. God is using Whoopi Goldberg (Sister Act) and Kirk Franklin to share the Good News of Jesus in Japan. The music was really good quality, if not a little loud in the tiny sanctuary. The choir members had a lot of energy and passion in their singing--something I haven't seen in a lot of Japanese churches. I think that all the members are Christians so that was encouraging.
That night, I went with one of the ladies to the pool that she's a member of. First, when we walked along the shore to the health club, I realized that I live in a seaside town! I hadn't seen the ocean this close until last night. I had seen the bridge from a distance but didn't realize how close I was. There were palm trees and people playing on the beach. Today I'm planning on taking a picnic lunch to the beach because I have another day off.
The pool was so nice. It has an area where you can walk against the "tide" for exercise outside. I had the perfect view of the crescent moon rising next to the Akashi bridge covered in lights. It was beautiful and so refreshing. I told my friend, I understand why Jesus called himself the Living Water. When I'm thirsty after walking in the hot Japanese weather, all I want is water. The water from this pool was so relaxing and refreshing--it revived my spirit.
So, pictures will be coming soon...once I get a camera!
I had the day off of teaching because it was Respect for the Aged day. A small group of ladies from the church and I rode the train down the line a couple of stops to Akashi. We walked through the fish market and saw (and smelled!) all kinds of strange looking creatures from the sea caught only blocks away. I squealed with delight and wonder at the small octopus dried and stretched out on a hanger. I laughed to see an octopus crawling around it's box. My reserve escaped me, and the full Millie emerged as I was disgusted and delighted at the same time. I think I amused everyone around me.
I was nervous about our upcoming lunch of Takoyaki (fried balls of dough with Octopus in the center). I've tried it before and wasn't impressed with what tasted like raw dough in the center. But, I'm learning to eat a lot of things that really don't taste that great without gagging. So, we sat down in a tiny restaurant at a tiny table. I watched the cooks making the food behind the counter just in front of me. He put the serving tray with the Takoyaki on the counter and the waitress brought them to us. There were about 15 of these balls on the tray. I thought the four of us would share the tray. But no. The entire tray was for me. I gulped down my apprehension, put on my "High Road" face and dug in. They were actually good! In fact, I would say delicious. The difference from last time is that it came with a broth that I added fresh green herbs and a spice to. I dipped the balls in the broth and then sucked them all down. They all made it successfully down the hatch (except for that one I dropped on the floor! Whoops! I seriously have a cramp in my hand from using chop sticks! Sometimes my hand just goes dead!).
After lunch we went to a concert that 2 of our church members were a part of. Black gospel music is HUGE in Japan for some reason that only God knows. Seriously. God is using Whoopi Goldberg (Sister Act) and Kirk Franklin to share the Good News of Jesus in Japan. The music was really good quality, if not a little loud in the tiny sanctuary. The choir members had a lot of energy and passion in their singing--something I haven't seen in a lot of Japanese churches. I think that all the members are Christians so that was encouraging.
That night, I went with one of the ladies to the pool that she's a member of. First, when we walked along the shore to the health club, I realized that I live in a seaside town! I hadn't seen the ocean this close until last night. I had seen the bridge from a distance but didn't realize how close I was. There were palm trees and people playing on the beach. Today I'm planning on taking a picnic lunch to the beach because I have another day off.
The pool was so nice. It has an area where you can walk against the "tide" for exercise outside. I had the perfect view of the crescent moon rising next to the Akashi bridge covered in lights. It was beautiful and so refreshing. I told my friend, I understand why Jesus called himself the Living Water. When I'm thirsty after walking in the hot Japanese weather, all I want is water. The water from this pool was so relaxing and refreshing--it revived my spirit.
So, pictures will be coming soon...once I get a camera!
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Grace needed
The first week of teaching has come and gone. Now, I'm halfway through this week, wondering where the time is going. Teaching English is my medium but my purpose is to build relationships where I can live out my faith in Jesus. I might need to post this around my house to remember exactly what it is I'm doing here. In the hours that I spent last week preparing lessons, I caught myself wondering just how much time I should use to plan when my goal is building relationships. I'm told that I'll get faster at planning. Grace.
I'm giving myself grace too in the area of rest. On Friday, I was so exhausted it was impossible to keep my brain straight. I thought I was past jet lag, but it just takes so much energy to live in a foreign country. I hear and see Japanese ALL the time. Today, I talked with a friend on Skype (by the way, if you have it, my name is millie.michael) and had a hard time jump starting my speach. My brain is so used to speaking English slowly and in short phrases-with no slang. You would think speaking less would save energy, but somehow that's not the case. Grace.
I'm not sure when I became such a perfectionist. I've got this weird combination personality where I've got a little of everything. Sometimes I'm so uptight about things, I can drive other people batty (Oh, Lord those people at Seattle's Best Coffee are probably still cursing my name!!!). Other times, I can be totally flexible and spontaneous. I have a hard time not doing something "right" or "good." I hate criticism from others but find myself dishing heaping servings on myself. So, this is another area where grace is needed. I teach 17 different classes in a week. If one of them is less than "perfect," I have to move on and remember my true purpose of being here. Grace.
So, this is what I'm thinking today on my day off. Tomorrow is another day, another opportunity, another chance for grace.
I'm giving myself grace too in the area of rest. On Friday, I was so exhausted it was impossible to keep my brain straight. I thought I was past jet lag, but it just takes so much energy to live in a foreign country. I hear and see Japanese ALL the time. Today, I talked with a friend on Skype (by the way, if you have it, my name is millie.michael) and had a hard time jump starting my speach. My brain is so used to speaking English slowly and in short phrases-with no slang. You would think speaking less would save energy, but somehow that's not the case. Grace.
I'm not sure when I became such a perfectionist. I've got this weird combination personality where I've got a little of everything. Sometimes I'm so uptight about things, I can drive other people batty (Oh, Lord those people at Seattle's Best Coffee are probably still cursing my name!!!). Other times, I can be totally flexible and spontaneous. I have a hard time not doing something "right" or "good." I hate criticism from others but find myself dishing heaping servings on myself. So, this is another area where grace is needed. I teach 17 different classes in a week. If one of them is less than "perfect," I have to move on and remember my true purpose of being here. Grace.
So, this is what I'm thinking today on my day off. Tomorrow is another day, another opportunity, another chance for grace.
Friday, August 31, 2007
photos of the first week
Coming around the corner (after flying through customs, yeah God!!), I saw a familiar face.
A welcome party met me at the Kansai International Airport in Osaka. Every time I looked up, there was a new person, taking my picture or waiting to be introduced. It felt great knowing that these are the people that God has been preparing me for!
Bernie bravely took on the task of teaching me to drive the scooter. Isn't she cute? My little poche... She even has a basket for groceries! That's my place in the background.
We stopped by a summer festival to watch the kids and adults doing traditional Japanese dances in their yukatas (summer kimonos). One little girl caught my attention because she was so precise in her moves. She ended up being one of my future English students. Here she is (on the left) with another girl who will be my student next week.
At the end of the festival, we realized we were in a line for cookies. We didn't realize that we were all taking home a BOX of cookies! Before the festival, we had Okonomiyaki (the best I've ever tasted!). It's kind of like a pancake with cabbage topped with a brown sauce (kind of like a thick soy) and mayonaise. This version had bacon in it. Don't let the description scare you off! This region of Japan is famous for their Okonomiyaki.
This is a group photo from Tarumi Church during their welcome party for me last Sunday.
the lost words have been found
Because I have not been able to adequately describe how amazing God has been in the last 2 weeks, I thought I'd rip off a section of the Barton's newsletter for you all to read. Cheryl puts into words what's floating around in my brain but is unable to come out of my fingers.
"We’re praising God that Millie Michael arrived safely in Japan on August 21. It was a joy to meet her at the airport, along with nine people from Kobe and Osaka who represented the three churches in which she will teach English-Bible classes—the major part of her special assignment missionary responsibilities for the next two years.
Due to the lateness of her SAM appointment, it wasn’t possible to get Millie’s missionary visa prior to her coming to Japan. So she entered on a three-month tourist visa instead. Our plan was to apply for a change of status for her from within the country once she arrived. Little did we know that the Lord was preparing to do “immeasurably more” for all of us. Two days after she arrived, Bernie and Millie went to the Kobe immigration office and walked away shortly with the missionary visa stamped in her passport! What we’d hoped was only that they’d accept the application, assuming that we’d have to reappear at a later date to claim the visa. Never before, in all the visa processing work we’ve been part of, has it gone so smoothly and easily. Isn’t God good!
Because the visa came so quickly, Millie was also able to get her alien registration taken care of that very day. With that in hand, she was certified as completely legal and thus able to open her bank account. All this red tape for getting settled generally takes a lot of time, but Millie had most everything done in a very easy two days. And, the icing on the cake was that she also found a used motor scooter for a great price. The owner came down $50 in his asking price and threw in the cost of licensing and taxes, in addition to putting new tires on the scooter, changing a brake part, and even filling it up with gas! The phrase “immeasurably more” just kept resounding in our heads as we helped get Millie settled in Kobe during our nearly three weeks there last month. Praise the Lord!
Thank you for your prayers for us as we served Tarumi Church for three Sundays in August. In addition to preaching, we participated in several church programs. Among these was the monthly Mothers and Babies Class. Five mothers and their babies (ages 10-14 months) attended, learning baby massage and actions songs to sing with their infants. There was also a cake/coffee time in which the women shared personal concerns about being mothers and heard a short devotional message by Cheryl. Even without a pastor, this class meets regularly month after month. In fact, it was started by a lay person AFTER we moved to Tokyo. How good it was to see a tangible example of what we keep reminding Tarumi Church—that God has not forgotten them and is still at work there, giving visions and outreach ideas, and bringing new people into their midst.
Nevertheless, we do ask for prayer that God will provide a Japanese pastor soon.
We were thrilled to hear of yet another vision God has given Tarumi Church—that of comforting mothers who experience miscarriages, stillbirths, or the deaths of their very young infants. Atsumi Nijuken has a plan to make doll clothes-size baby gowns in which to dress these little ones for their funerals—something basically unheard of in Japan, where the tiny bodies are only disposed. She also wants to provide a venue through which grieving mothers can share their anguish and questions. Please pray that God will open the door for Nijuken-san into a hospital that would avail itself of the gowns and allow her to promote Ayumi, the support group she is forming. Pray also that the new website will lead many mothers to Ayumi, and ultimately to Christ, as Nijuken-san herself was led to Christ after the tragic death of her seven-month-old baby in utero."
Thanks for your words, Cheryl!
"We’re praising God that Millie Michael arrived safely in Japan on August 21. It was a joy to meet her at the airport, along with nine people from Kobe and Osaka who represented the three churches in which she will teach English-Bible classes—the major part of her special assignment missionary responsibilities for the next two years.
Due to the lateness of her SAM appointment, it wasn’t possible to get Millie’s missionary visa prior to her coming to Japan. So she entered on a three-month tourist visa instead. Our plan was to apply for a change of status for her from within the country once she arrived. Little did we know that the Lord was preparing to do “immeasurably more” for all of us. Two days after she arrived, Bernie and Millie went to the Kobe immigration office and walked away shortly with the missionary visa stamped in her passport! What we’d hoped was only that they’d accept the application, assuming that we’d have to reappear at a later date to claim the visa. Never before, in all the visa processing work we’ve been part of, has it gone so smoothly and easily. Isn’t God good!
Because the visa came so quickly, Millie was also able to get her alien registration taken care of that very day. With that in hand, she was certified as completely legal and thus able to open her bank account. All this red tape for getting settled generally takes a lot of time, but Millie had most everything done in a very easy two days. And, the icing on the cake was that she also found a used motor scooter for a great price. The owner came down $50 in his asking price and threw in the cost of licensing and taxes, in addition to putting new tires on the scooter, changing a brake part, and even filling it up with gas! The phrase “immeasurably more” just kept resounding in our heads as we helped get Millie settled in Kobe during our nearly three weeks there last month. Praise the Lord!
Thank you for your prayers for us as we served Tarumi Church for three Sundays in August. In addition to preaching, we participated in several church programs. Among these was the monthly Mothers and Babies Class. Five mothers and their babies (ages 10-14 months) attended, learning baby massage and actions songs to sing with their infants. There was also a cake/coffee time in which the women shared personal concerns about being mothers and heard a short devotional message by Cheryl. Even without a pastor, this class meets regularly month after month. In fact, it was started by a lay person AFTER we moved to Tokyo. How good it was to see a tangible example of what we keep reminding Tarumi Church—that God has not forgotten them and is still at work there, giving visions and outreach ideas, and bringing new people into their midst.
Nevertheless, we do ask for prayer that God will provide a Japanese pastor soon.
We were thrilled to hear of yet another vision God has given Tarumi Church—that of comforting mothers who experience miscarriages, stillbirths, or the deaths of their very young infants. Atsumi Nijuken has a plan to make doll clothes-size baby gowns in which to dress these little ones for their funerals—something basically unheard of in Japan, where the tiny bodies are only disposed. She also wants to provide a venue through which grieving mothers can share their anguish and questions. Please pray that God will open the door for Nijuken-san into a hospital that would avail itself of the gowns and allow her to promote Ayumi, the support group she is forming. Pray also that the new website will lead many mothers to Ayumi, and ultimately to Christ, as Nijuken-san herself was led to Christ after the tragic death of her seven-month-old baby in utero."
Thanks for your words, Cheryl!
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
plain preaching
This morning's devotions were right on:
When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn't use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God's secret plan. For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. I came to you in weakness-timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:1-5, NLT)
I have a sermon brewing...
When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn't use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God's secret plan. For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. I came to you in weakness-timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:1-5, NLT)
I have a sermon brewing...
Monday, August 27, 2007
infinitely more
So,so,so much has happened in the last week. I can't believe I'm here and that I've only been here for one week. God has met me in amazing ways. His calling and leading me here is so evident right now. This scripture has rooted itself in my being:
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:16-21, NLT)
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:16-21, NLT)
the first week
excessbaggage
narrowroads
deathhill
breathtakingviews
trainstrainstrains
summersounds
immigrationoffice
answeredprayers
okonomiyaki
newfriends
scooterlessons
godsvastlove
3oclockslump
bumpsinthenight
humidity
sweatcloths
perfectlyroundmelons
firstunderstandings
rumoredcentipedemonsters
sesameseedsaladdressing
summerfestival
kawaiigirlsinyukata
narrowroads
deathhill
breathtakingviews
trainstrainstrains
summersounds
immigrationoffice
answeredprayers
okonomiyaki
newfriends
scooterlessons
godsvastlove
3oclockslump
bumpsinthenight
humidity
sweatcloths
perfectlyroundmelons
firstunderstandings
rumoredcentipedemonsters
sesameseedsaladdressing
summerfestival
kawaiigirlsinyukata
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