Trip To Thailand

Hey all! I just got back from spending 12 days in Pattaya, Thailand. I was there for some meetings and some training. It was a good trip in some respects and not so good in some ways too. It was a great time to see friends and to meet new people. The hotel we stayed at was right on the beach and so that wasn't too shabby either. The Thai people were also very friendly and polite. I enjoy experiencing new cultures and seeing new places and so I am grateful to have had the opportunity to visit Thailand.

I've now been to 4 foreign countries in my life: Thailand, Japan, Mexico, and Haiti.

The next 4 countries on my dream list are: (in specific order) Ireland, Canada (only in the summer or early autumn though), Australia and Nebraska.

The only down side of the trip was that I became terribly sick during my last 4 days there. I can't remember ever feeling worse than I did my last day in Thailand. It was pretty bad. I actually don't remember much of anything those last few days there, except that I was ready to get home. Now that I'm back I've already started feeling a little better, having gotten some good rest in my own bed. It's also just plain nice being back in Japan. My language study starts up again in earnest on Saturday. Pray that I'll continue to make strides in the language over the next month and that God will continue to put people in my path who I can be developing relationships with and practicing what Japanese I do have with during this time.

Finally, I took my driving test for the second time two weeks ago. Yes, I failed again. This time they failed me for chewing gum. No other reason given. Just because I was chewing gum. The Bible tells us that love is patient. However, my love for the people at the driver's license facility is beginning to grow thin. Pray that God will continue to give me peace and patience as I go through this process of getting my license. The next time I am to take it is on Thursday, July 10.

Anyway, here are some pics from my trip to Thailand:

Thai people flipping around at a shopping center.

Hotel security at its finest.

The view from out in front of the hotel looking towards the ocean.

The beach at sunset.

Beautiful sunset.

I know the word that you are thinking as you look at this picture: Breathtaking!

Language Study and Driving Test

Hey all!

So I've begun to settle into a little rhythm here in Utsunomiya. I finally got my apartment setup so that it's a little more livable. I don't need much to live on and so I don't think I'll ever amass too much in the apartment, but at least it actually does look like someone lives in it now. I'm also learning a little more about the city the longer I'm here as well.

I've been in language study now for about four weeks. I've enjoyed getting back into the study of the Japanese language. The sad part though is that in the first three weeks we covered everything that I already knew, and so now we are already into new grammar, vocabulary, etc... I should have worked harder when studying the language in college. The best part about the language study so far though is without a doubt my Japanese language teacher, Takako sensei. I may be a little biased, but I think she's the best Japanese language teacher in the world. In the very least she's the best one I've ever had. She's a believer of Jesus Christ, and she just happens to be one of the nicest people I've ever met. She not only helps me with language study, but she's also helped me with some other things, like knowing what is a bill and not a bill, how to pay your bills, and how to buy a bus ticket to the airport, among other things. I'll take a picture of her soon and post it here on the blog. She's always sooo cheerful and she has made the language study a lot fun.

I've also begun the process of taking the exams to get my Japanese driver's license. I took the driving test today for the first time and failed colorfully. The typical number of times I hear it takes a foreigner to get their license here in Japan is between 4-6 times. They are very strict and I'm sure this is there way of sticking it to the foreigners. It's just another in a long line of "You're not Japanese, and we are here to remind you of that fact" moments that one experiences in Japan. I think I actually got marked down today for sneezing while driving. Out of the 35 people taking the test today, 2 lucky ones passed. 32 of that 35 were there taking the test for anywhere between the 2nd and 8th times. One of the people who passed was a young American girl from California. She told me not to get too down, because although she passed today, it was her sixth time taking the test. So please pray that I'll pass the test soon. Every time one goes and takes the test you have to sign in at 9:30, register between 10-11, and then you can't take the actual driving test until between 1-3. So it's a full day of sitting at the facility, just to fail. If I don't pass for a while please also pray that God will give me patience in dealing with the people at the facility. I'm taking it again next Thursday (6-19). I'm sure I won't pass, and if I don't I'm looking at taking 3 weeks off before taking the test 3 weeks straight beginning in mid-July.

Finally, our region for the mission board has meetings in Southeast Asia beginning next week. I'll be out of Japan for 12 days, so please pray for safe travel and good fellowship with other missionaries during that time.

Here are some pictures for your enjoyment:

Here is a side view of the Utsunomiya Castle grounds. It's very historic, having been constructed way back in March of 2007.

The castle with the moat surrounding it.

My apartment living room. It's not much, but it's all I need.

Huh?

Toilet Educational Video

Just so you all know, I wasn't using the toilet during the making of this video. I was sitting on it, but not using it. Just wanted to clarify that.

Settling In

So I am beginning to get somewhat settled into my new apartment here in Utsunomiya. The apartment is really nice, and much more than what a single guy like myself would ever really need. I'm on the top floor of my building (12th floor) and am centrally located in the city, so I have great views of everything around me.

The apartment setup is coming along fine. This has been one of the hardest things I've ever done. I've never really lived on my own until now and so I've never been responsible for furnishing and decorating my own residence before. As a single guy I have no prior experience in making sure things match or look nice, and so I'm learning on the fly here. I'm still working on getting some things set up and so once things look a little better here in the apartment I'll post some pictures of what the inside looks like.

I like the city I'm living in. It has a small city feel to it, even though it has over 500,000 people. The people here are a little more laid back than the people you might find in a city like Tokyo.

I'm learning to drive here in Japan. That has been an adventure in and of itself. I'm hoping to take my first driving test sometime in the next couple of weeks to see if I can get my Japanese license. I'm driving on an international license right now. It's been an adjustment learning to drive on the other side of the road and on smaller streets and in smaller lanes than one would find in the states. I've already gotten my first parking ticket here in Japan. I had apparently parked in a no parking spot in front of a house, even though there wasn't a "no parking" sign anywhere to be found, and when I first parked there there was a car immediately parked in front of me and another one parked just a little behind me......but whatever. As you can tell I'm still a little bitter about it....so I'm using this space to vent. The very next day I got stopped by a police officer. He saw that I was a foreigner and just wanted to make sure that I had my license and papers with me. I've never gotten pulled over because of my race before. I've learned an important lesson through these two experiences though. Japanese police have very little actual police work to do. Okay, Okay.....maybe that's not fair. Please forgive me. Obviously, I still need to get out my frustration over all this.

Anyway, all in all it's been great here. I'm in the exact place where God has called me to and I'm amongst a people that God desperately wants to reveal his love to. Please pray that I continue to adjust well to my new home. Pray that I balance my time wisely so that I can devote the proper time necessary to learning the Japanese language as quickly as possible.

Here are some of my first pics of my new city. Enjoy and God Bless!

The view looking southwest out over Utsunomiya from my apartment balcony

The view looking directly north from my apartment

The river that runs through the heart of Utsunomiya

The building with eyeballs right outside of the train station...aka LaLasquare Department Store. Oh, by the way this store has the best theme song it plays on loud speakers as you walk by it outside. I find my myself singing it throughout the day...."La La La Square, La La La Square"---that's pretty much it, but it's to a real catchy tune (you'll have to trust me on this)

Rooftop Gardening

Utsunomiya's not so adventurous Adventure Bridge. This was a major disappointment. I thought it would sway in the air and be kinda dangerous or exciting to cross....but it wasn't. It was actually kind of ghetto. You can tell by the number of other people there that the Japanese probably feel the same way about it. Japan is one of those places that there are people almost everywhere you go. If you happen to go to a place and don't see any Japanese people there you just know something is up.

Awww....Bird Love!!!

Weekend in Tokyo

So I'm heading up to Utsunomiya today after spending my first weekend in Japan in Tokyo. Tokyo is big, hectic, and lively. It's neat to experience it and just be around here for a few days, but it's more of a place I'd like to visit rather than live. I've enjoyed my time here this weekend, but I'm ready to go on up to Utsunomiya and get settled into the city which is to be my new home. Anyway, here is a couple of pics from my time in Tokyo this weekend.

Edo Museum

People praying at Meiji Shrine

Entrance to Meiji Shrine

A wedding party getting photos taken at the shrine

A close up of the happy couple


I hope all is well with everyone. Take care and God Bless!

Finally in Japan!

Hi all! I wanted to let everyone know that I finally arrived safely in Japan. The plane ride was great because I got to travel with my friend Debbie whom I met at orientation who will be serving in Tokyo. I'll be in Tokyo for the weekend before traveling up to Utsunomiya with my supervisors on Monday who are going to help me get settled in up there in my new apartment. Pray for me please! I woke up today and realized once again how scary this whole thing is, but also so excited to see what God has in store in the coming days. I mean I woke up and looked out the window of the guest apartment I'm staying in and it finally hit me that I was actually in Tokyo, and I couldn't help but to praise God for how he has orchestrated events in my life to bring me to this place, at this time. Praise God indeed!!!

Anyway, it's a new beginning, but there were a lot of goodbyes that took place in the states before I came over. So I want to give some face time to my family here. I'm so grateful for all of their love and support. Please keep them in your prayers as well as we all get used to this change.

My sister, mother, and me

My father, sister, and me

Mindy and her fiance...er....boyfriend, Jimmy

Me and Mindy

I was dead...but now I live!

I want to share with you all a thought that has continually come to my mind in recent weeks as I look toward to heading to Japan. I can't fulfill this assignment in Utsunomiya. I'm not creative enough to do it. I'm not attractive enough or smart enough either. I have no discernible skills. Despite my best intentions, on a daily basis I fall far short of being the person whom God desires that I be. I'm still bent on fulfilling the desires of my heart rather than the desires of my Heavenly Father. I'm constantly reminded that there is nothing good within me in and of myself.

Based on that I consider it no small thing that Christ sacrificed himself upon the cross for me. What would drive the God of this world to give up his Son to pay for my mistakes, my shortcomings, my failures? It is this amazing grace and amazing love that I'll never fully understand.

I cherish the song by Casting Crowns titled "And Now My Lifesong Sings." The lyrics go:

I once was lost, but now I’m found
I once was lost, but now I’m found
So far away, but I’m home now
I once was lost, but now I’m found
And now my lifesong sings

I once was blind, but now I see
I once was blind, but now I see
I don’t know how, but when He touched me
I once was blind, but now I see

And now my lifesong sings
And now my lifesong sings
And now my lifesong sings

I once was dead, but now I live
I once was dead, but now I live
Now my life to You I give
Now my life to You I give
Now my life to You I give

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Let my lifesong sing to You

It's the last verse that gets me every time I listen to the song! "I once was dead, but now I live!" Without Christ in my life I would be as good as dead. In fact, that's exactly what I once was. But because of what He did and because of who He is, it is now that I truly live. All that is good and decent in me is because of He who lives within me.

As I head to Japan next week I am aware that if I go in my own wisdom and strength and with my own agenda and laid out plans, then my life will resemble more of that dead man that I once was rather than the new life that I now live in Christ Jesus. Pray that I'll be wholly dependent upon God in the coming weeks, months, and years, and that I'll live out that new life I have in Christ in a way that brings the utmost glory to God.

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ..."--Ephesians 2:4-5