Unexpected Encounters

One of the important customs in Japan before the construction of a new church building begins is to visit the neighbours and introduce yourself. This is called aisatsu (挨拶). Together with the architect of our new church building and another church member, I visited the surrounding homes to apologize in advance for any inconvenience the construction may cause, explain the building schedule and groundbreaking ceremony, and give each household a small gift—a towel, which is a common custom in Japan.

The visits went about as we expected. Some neighbours were warm and friendly. Some were more reserved. A few didn’t want to answer the door at all. That’s perfectly normal. To be honest, I have days when I don’t feel like answering the door either!

But one unexpected event from this week has stayed with me…

Before the groundbreaking ceremony, we needed to clear the church property of overgrown weeds. An 85-year-old man from our mother church kindly volunteered to help. Clearing overgrown land is something he has done for years. There was just one complication—he doesn’t use a mobile phone.

We drew him a map to the property, but the weeds had grown so tall that he couldn’t see the church sign. He ended up riding his scooter around the neighbourhood, looking for the land. Round and round he went until someone became concerned and called the police.

At almost that exact moment, Aven happened to be walking to the church property with our two boys. Our oldest was interested to see the work being done at the church land and so they decided to go before he left for preschool that day.

Aven found our church member, the police, and a local family all talking together.

She was able to apologise, and explain what had happened. What began as an awkward misunderstanding soon turned into a wonderful conversation.

The family shared stories about the neighbourhood and told Aven they had lived there since the Meiji era. She was able to introduce our family, explain the different events we do in the community, and share a few things about the new church.

The next day, when we visited the neighbourhood for our aisatsu, I had the opportunity to meet the same family myself. They were incredibly kind and welcoming.

It made me smile afterwards.

Who would have thought that an elderly man riding his scooter in circles, a concerned neighbour calling the police, and a family deciding to go for a morning walk would all come together to create an opportunity for friendship?

Church planting often looks like this. We make plans, but many of the most meaningful conversations happen in ways we could never have arranged ourselves. We’re thankful that God can use even unexpected interruptions to open doors, and we pray that these first conversations will grow into lasting relationships as we continue serving the people of Urawa Misono.