Going to Japan on a Mission Trip!!!

[Lehn]

I’m going to Japan.

<<Insert girlish screaming>>

I’ll be living in suburban Tokyo with a missionary couple and their 6 year-old daughter, for 2-4 weeks next summer, doin’ the missionary ‘thang with CAN (Christian Arts Network) (http://www.japancan.com)

<<Insert gleeful gibberish>>

I’ll be babysitting Naomi (their daughter) for a few hours a day (The kid is fluent in English and semi in Japanese, and apparently a little spitfire… we should get along great ), then he (Paul, the missionary I’ll be staying with) said I have basically free rein over whatever I want to do, as long as it wasn’t blowing off my money on Pachinko and explosives *snicker*

I’m itching already to get over there and turn the youth group upside down and inside out. I showed him some of my art work (two of my more flickn’ canvases, some clay work, and some banners that I’ve done for church) and he rattled off some of the things I could work on while there, ie murals and banners and so on for some local churches, so not everything is gonna be fun and games.

He told me a very long list of things that I have to do before I go; raise support (I’m going to need about $2,500 for room, board, and the tickets plus transportation and the suitcase full of Pocky), a passport, a fistful of shots and immunizations, and so forth.

The money thingy will be a little tricky, we’re not exactly talking pocket change here, but I’m good with begging and sweet talk, and being the pastors’ granddaughter/niece doesn’t hurt things either.
There’s a good chance I can bring it up in front of the Church and they might be able to help with the cost by taking up an offering, so it’s not like exactly I’m going to be fighting off homeless people for popcans along side of the road anytime soon. I hope.


<<Insert squee>>

So, uh, anyone got some suggested texts? Things I should do? Anyone been there before who wants to share some insider tips?
He told me to cover everything I could get my hands on; from history to geography to the language to music. I don’t care if its difficult reading, I can handle almost anything, so hit me with whatever you got.
I’m going to raid my grandfather’s study tonight (he’s a pastor), and get my hands on some new bible studies and Mere Christianity by CS Lewis, but anything religious-wise suggestions would be great. Or anything in genera, really. Life’s a war so I gotta arm myself, and all that deep jazz.

So yeah… Keep me in your prayers, and whatnot

I’ll keep ya’ll up-to-date on everything and, don’t worry; I’m gonna be taking pictures of everything and its dog, and not sharing is totally not an option

[PrincessZelda]

Awesome!

[Bokushi_Ash]

Congratulations! I hope you have some fun and do the Lord's will as well. I'll pray for you

[Zedian]

This is a wonderful oppurtunity, and I certainly hope you enjoy yourself. The Lord has given you this chance, now go and make a difference...yeah that's right GO! hehehe and take pictures or note of some sort while your away.

[Syreth]

Yo! Sounds like exciting stuff. I'll definately be praying for your endeavor. As far as the Japanese culture stuff, I know a little bit, but I'm sure for every one thing that I know someone else knows 50 other things. I know that their daily living kinda revolves around Shintoism and Buddhism, although (I think, and correct me if I'm wrong) most of the people in Japan aren't deeply involved in those religions. As I understand they just tie in certain rituals with day to day living. Their culture is very group-oriented, you have to do what is best for the group (like being a hard worker, student or family member). These are pretty much textbook answers (might be wrong), but I hope that helps you a little, but I know prayer will help more. Have a great time serving the LORD!

[twilight_tenshi]

yeah wow! you really are blessed to have an op like this! how exciting!!!! *thinks of suitcase full of Pocky* yum yum!

[ClosetOtaku]

Wow! That's great!

So, what would you like to do while you are there?

Do you like sushi? Go to Ginza and see the Tokyo fish market (get up real early to beat the crowds). Or else just look a place that sells bento on the main Ginza street; it's some of the best in town. Like skylines? Go across the Rainbow Bridge to its high point and see Tokyo in all its glory from the perspective of Tokyo Bay. Like heights? Go to Roppongi (during the day or early evening, stay away from there late night) and ride up the elevator to Tokyo Tower.

Like anime? Of course you like anime. Some pretty 'safe' stores are Animate in Ikebukuro or K-Books (all over the place). If you have lots of money to burn and know how to avert your eyes, Mandarake in Nakano is a good bet. Shopping? Try the area where all the young people hang out in Shibuya.

Temples? Lotsa temples. Some obvious, some not so obvious... the real touristy one that's almost a must-see is Sensoji in Asakusa. Parks? Don't miss the Imperial Gardens (outside of Tokyo Station, another Kodak moment); I've also heard Ueno Gardens are good, though I've not been there.

People watching? Shinjuku station is busiest, and some good shopping to be had there as well. Aching for a taste of home? Don't worry, there's a McDonald's in almost every district. In some places, on almost every street corner.

What's really nice about all these places is that they're easily accessible from the Tokyo subway system. Spend a day learning the system and riding around (it takes about that long to get used to it!), or go with a seasoned veteran and learn in half the time. I did it the hard way (and wound up buying about $20 of useless tickets).

There's a bunch of other stuff that I still haven't had a chance to do yet... Kubuki-za theater... Tokyo at night from the monorail... the electronics market at Akihabara... but I'm headed back in October for another trip.

As for references: two of the most useful guides I found were the Tokyo City Atlas: A Bilingual Guide and Tokyo Metropolitan Area Rail & Road Atlas. Both are available from Amazon.com. They aren't tourist guides -- they won't tell you what to see -- but you can get a lot of that information online or from the tourist bureaus in Tokyo. These are very handy and informative maps to help you if you get lost, or to help plan your route. If you plan to go outside of Tokyo, you might want to get Japan by Rail. There are others, but these are the one I'm familiar with.

Enjoy! I think you'll have a wonderful time.

[Mangafanatic]

I'd love to do a summer missions trip to Japan. I'm thinking of doing the same thing in a couple years. I'd want to go through World Vision if possible.

[Yojimbo]

Wow that's wonderful. I'm sure you've thanked God a thousand times over already for this chance to serve him. Hopefully you'll make some progress over there when you do leave.

[Lehn]

(And how on Earth are you going to explain a suitcase full of pocky?!"Gee, I'm sorry, Paul, it followed me here?!" Better start sticking money in your piggy for next summer.) Are you already fantasizing about what you're going to do? If you have a blog, you're gonna keep us updated, right? I'd keep a journal of all the new phrases you learn and stuff you see. Oooo, take a camera with lots and lots of film too! *excited hugs and happy confetti*

The suitcase is the least of my worries right now. I speak a very hacked Japanese limited to greetings, death threats, and sweet nothings from one too many fan fics. Paul (the missionary dude who has no idea what he's gotten himself into) said my pronunciation was clear and dead on more or less on what words I did know, and I could translate what he said to me into garbled Engrish, but I have a looooooooong way to go before I get set lose in Tokyo.

Pictures? Like mad. Of everything. Toilets, pets, mayonnaise potato pizza]These are pretty much textbook answers (might be wrong)[/QUOTE]

No... they sound right from what I've heard. One of the first questions he asked me, if I've ever dealt with suicide attempts before. It's at a pretty high rate with not only teens, but everyone, and is socially accepted because of their belief systems and the 'group' thing.

ClosetOtaku! Thank you so much! I'll get right on finding those books!

Wow! Thanks everyone who's praying for me! This is really a once in a lifetime kind of thing, and I'm not going to be messing around much, this trip is for God, not me, and His glory. All I want is a suitcase full of pocky and some awesome memories, and if they go hand-in-hand, all the better.

[Xavier249]

Umm good luck! I so envy you! (in a good way. . .)

phrases I like:
samishii. .Saw-mee-shee-ee . I will miss you. an affectionate way of saying it.
ganbatte. .gawn-baw-tay . good luck.
So desu ne. Sew-des-neigh. . It does doesn't it.

Yeah. . I am not sure if I am being helpful so thats enough for now..

[Kawaiikneko]

wow you're so blessed! ^_^

watching anime can do wonders for pronunciation I'll be praying for you. Will you be keeping the journal online or in a book? If its a live journal type thing, give us the link! Also, keep in mind that you can't win everybody, and sometimes you're only planting the seeds. I'm sure God'll do great work through you, so don't get discouraged!

[Master Kenzo]

Oh wow. You lucky person. Safe trip.

*turns green*

[Xavier249]

Sumimasen (Sue me moss "n") is Excuse me. .

Gaman Dekinai, = I can't take it anymore. . .
no. that one is not supposed to be helpful...

Kanpai! (Con-pie). . . is cheers.

do itashimashite. like (dough eat uhshee maush tay.)

Yeah,. . . that's all for now. . I don't want this to turn into a language class thread. Ps. I hope to be in japan for either my junior or Senior year of college. Or even both!!!!

[Spirit_Wolf8356]

Congrats, Lehn! That is so awesome! I'll definitely keep you in my prayers.

[One and Only]

yeah safe trip!

[ally-san]

o! ur so lucky! i've been wanting to do that for years!

[Saint Kevin]

No... they sound right from what I've heard. One of the first questions he asked me, if I've ever dealt with suicide attempts before. It's at a pretty high rate with not only teens, but everyone, and is socially accepted because of their belief systems and the 'group' thing.

Yeah, I read an article on Japanese suicide groups once. In the Washington Post I think. Still, that's very sad.

I will keep you in my prayers, even now, and most certainly when you go.

The only advice I can give you, is to seek the Lord with all that is in you. Grow strong in the Lord now, it will pay great dividends later.

[Lehn]

I don't want this to turn into a language class thread

]http://www.livejournal.com/userinfo.bml?user=chasing_venus[/url]

There isn't much yet in it yet (because I just started today) but in that blog, I’m planning on keeping record of everything Japan related I do up until the trip, and during it. So, if you ever plan on visiting Japan yourself (on a mission trip or not), or just want to keep up to date, feel free to check it out, or to add it to your friends list if you’re already on LJ.

Thanks again everybody!

[For_Him]

Good luck and have fun! We'll be praying for you.

[Xavier249]

Thanks for the livejournal link. . . . . . umm how does it work. . . .

I sure it's simple but anything clarifying would help. . .

BTW: I promised the japanese students that I wouldn't study japanese extensively and make it to japan sometime. At least for a visit if not a year or more...