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Mountains are never too far from my mind, since I can just glance out of my window and see the beautiful Japanese Alps. Twice weekly I pass through a tunnel under another mountain to where the the beautiful Yatsugatake range pictured above– points like an arrow to the highest Japanese mountain, Fuji. A series of recent events focused my mind even more intently on mountains. “You teach the Bible”– a young woman asked, “Are you teaching reading?” “No”, I explained, “The Bible is an amazing book that I help people to study” She looked a bit mystified, so told her how the Bible was written over many centuries and contains stories, beautiful poetry, accurate history– like that of Jesus’ life– and much more, including predictions. It took a while to explain to her the meaning of ‘predictions‘, but then I continued, “Some of the most amazing of the Bible’s predictions foretold the coming of Jesus– In amazing detail, foretelling the manner of His birth, death, life, and ministry.” “Jesus?” She responded– And I realize that she hadn’t made the connection. “Iesu-kiristo– Jesus Christ”, I told her, giving His name in Japanese and English. She understood, then asked the meaning of His name. I explained that Jesus was not an uncommon name then– it meant, God Saves. Christ was Greek for anointed one. In Hebrew, Jesus was the Messiah the savior promised in writings by Jewish prophets for hundreds of years. Our conversation continued, but I was impressed by this exchange how, although Japanese are, to varying degrees, exposed to quite a bit of Western culture and history, they know far less than I often assume– about the book– the Bible, and the person– Jesus, that have shaped me, Western culture and, in fact, the world to an incredible degree. I should remember that although I grew up in Western culture, I also knew little about the Bible. Of course, I thought of myself as a Christian– yet I don’t think I could have explained what that meant– until one day I discovered what it meant… That story is in, That Book and That Man– Part Two
I enjoy comparing my own culture’s holidays with Japan’s– and I try to learn what the various cultural events and seasons represent to Japanese individuals and families. Christmas in many parts of the world is merely a commercial holiday. Similarly, in Japan, it’s a label for the season when people spend their bonuses and have year-end parties. The New Year, however, is much more important– and an important family observance– as is, to somewhat the same extent, the Summer Obon Festival. Perhaps the most memorable holiday for Japanese, is not really a holiday, but a season– when the cherry trees blossom, generally occurring around the last week of March, depending on latitude and altitude. wikipedia: Sakura– cherry blossoms / Hanami – cherry blossom viewing The Sakura season combines some attributes of our Christmas and New Year–like the Chinese Lunar New Year– what Communist China prefers to call “Spring Festival’– The end of March in Japan marks the beginning of the school year and is also when many contracts end– so workers are transferred, student go off to school, friends say ‘goodbye’, or meet new friends– often at various kinds of parties or picnics held under the blooming cherry trees– or as couples strolling under them. As they’re repeated, these times bring back memories of the ones that have gone before– Christmas holds a similar place in my memory– marking the passage of years. What do I remember? Well, nearly all my adult memories of Christmas– besides special memories of my children’s enjoyment– are action-packed– usually joining my children and others in reaching out to as many as possible during this special time of sharing– materially, emotionally or spiritually. Just a few days ago, as I walked home with Sharon near the local train station, a well-dress lady called out in Japanese, ‘Santa-san, do you have a gift for me?’ Normally this would be quite unusual for a Japanese, especially late at night on a dark street– perhaps it was because we were wearing Santa hats. ‘Merry Christmas’, I replied, offering her a printed Christmas message. She looked curiously into the bag I’d pulled it from. ‘Christmas music CDs’, we told her– and she wanted one. Then Sharon told her of the special gift that we love to tell everyone about– Jesus’ love for her– and prayed with her. Tears glistened in her eyes as she thanked us and told us how her Christian mother had daily prayed with her as a child. Later, she phoned us to say she’d arrived home and was listening to the CD– and she thanked us again– asking when we can meet. It’s these kind of memories– and many, many similar ones, that will come to mind over the next few days as I take some time to rest and reflect before the New Year. ‘Wow– another Christmas has passed’– and I’ll thankfully review all the Christmases– all the years and all the loving and all the loved ones and cherished memories– that have gone before– the beautiful times that help made difficult or sad times seem– well– not so difficult or sad. Remembering these– and you– Sharon and myself– and Naomi and Andrew wish you all a Merry Christmas! Please enjoy the special Christmas thought and prayer found here: http://www.activatedministries.org/activated/87.1043
“Educators are wary about acknowledging this growing phenomenon”… “When school refusers turn 15, principals normally award them graduation certificates regardless of whether they complete their studies. And once children have fallen off the traditional education path, they are left to navigate new territory in the job world”… “That’s if they can work at all. Education professor Katsuyuki Hiroki said many refusers become reclusive as adults and can’t leave their bedrooms. Hiroki said 1 million adults suffer from this affliction…” Excerpts from an article By Jessi Hempel writing from Japan for the San Jose Mercury News Japanese “Refusers” a Major Issue- by Bruce A couple of months ago, unexpectedly, an office worker asked me to lunch at her cafeteria. I hardly knew this person– a foreign national to whom I had previously only given a small pamphlet Somebody Loves You in her own language– yet soon she was pouring out her heart about her personal life and difficulties. She first, confidently, told of her many accomplishments at work and of her plans for the future. She then explained that some areas of her personal life had become dysfunctional– and some of her dissatisfactions and disappointments. Finally, her greatest frustration– Her teenage son had become alienated at school and had refused to return. An apparently bright boy, he’d become frustrated, sullen– hardly leaving his room and, when he did, arguing with his mother. ‘What should I do? He’s a good boy, smart, but he refuses to try to go back to school.’ After acknowledging how difficult it can be to communicate with teenagers, I sympathized with her son who, like many thousands of other Japanese students, have dropped out due to the school and social pressures.
I asked about her son’s interests and abilities, then suggested she give him love, acceptance and encouragement to excel– perhaps in some area in which he feels capable– offering a way to gain confidence in himself and for his future. I encouraged her to relax more, to not try so hard– to make him feel accepted. Later, I visited again to take some Power Point Presentations on love, forgiveness, bitterness, life’s trials and others. These were what she was most excited about on my most recent visit. ‘Those pictures and words have helped me so much’, she said happily, ‘And my son– I encouraged him and he’s responded so much. He apologized for how he’s been talking to me and things are going so much better now. May we go to your home to meet your family?’ Since this encouraging development, I feel more motivated than ever to support efforts that have been proposed in our mission community to develop and present material– drama and songs, for example– for the Japanese youth that will address common school problems– like bullying– and to develop positive attitudes like acceptance and concern for the weak and those in need– needed counter balances in a world often focused on personal success and measured by personal power and possessions.
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