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Attending my first bone placing ceremony in Japan.
Posted on July 9, 2021 Leave a Comment
Earlier this month I was asked to join a 納骨式 (noukotsushiki) for a young church member’s mom who passed away earlier this year. This is a ceremony where the deceased person’s bones are brought from the family’s home to be placed in a tomb. By attending and asking questions I was able to learn quite […]
It’s like I’ve woken up *Written by Aven
Posted on February 5, 2021 Leave a Comment
Over our 3 years in Japan, we saw God at work in the small things, the small moments… “It’s like I’ve woken up” he said. We were having a time of sharing before we prayed together and the gentleman I had been partnered with excitedly shared his revelation. “Every month, I look forward to the […]
Don’t despise the small things
Posted on January 21, 2021 1 Comment
For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. “These seven are the eyes of the LORD, which range through the whole earth.” Zechariah 4:10 This week I came across this verse in Zechariah that encouraged me during a time of great […]
Ever heard of an anime pilgrimage?
Posted on September 5, 2020 1 Comment
Even after living in Japan for over 2 years there are still things that absolutely amazes me in ways that I am unable to process. This week Aven and I took a trip to a park that has special eggs that light up in the dark…weird right? You can bounce light onto other eggs by […]
Preaching good sermons with intermediate-level Japanese.
Posted on July 17, 2020 Leave a Comment
When I was in South Africa I preached fairly often, like once a week at once stage. It took me about 10-12 hours to prepare and I got into a good rhythm with regards to planning, writing, and preaching sermons. I knew my way around commentaries and word study. I knew how to explain doctrines […]
Feeling at home in a foreign culture
Posted on May 29, 2020 Leave a Comment
So, a few days ago I accompanied Aven to the local home & garden store to buy a few things she needed to start growing herbs and vegetables from our garden…um I mean balcony 😊 What kind of sand? What size pot? How do you read that Kanji? We were a bit lost and so […]
What I am learning during the coronavirus lockdown
Posted on April 22, 2020 2 Comments
Our world has been turned completely upside down by covid19 hasn’t it? All the plans we had for 2020 have been royally messed up. Then there are the worrisome thoughts that creep into our hearts…will things ever return to normal? What will happen to our economy? Will I still have a job? Is this God’s […]
Top 50 Favorite Hokkaido Photos
Posted on March 7, 2020 Leave a Comment
Hokkaido Japan is a wonderful place. Breathtaking views, and wonderful people. It will always have a special place in our hearts. After leaving Sapporo and moving to Kawaguchi city, I wanted to remember and give thanks for the good times by compiling my top 50 photos. If you ever have the chance, please visit Hokkaido!
Sing among the nations
Posted on November 9, 2019 Leave a Comment
This month I shared my testimony at the Hokkaido Bible Institute and afterwards got to sit in on a lecture on Psalm 96. Obviously, I could not understand everything because it was in Japanese but thankful that there was a lot that I could follow and be challenged by. Firstly, the Psalm is about singing […]
Disaster and the love of God
Posted on April 26, 2019 2 Comments
(Please note these are my own cultural observations. I do not dare to think that I have come anywhere close to fully understanding the depth and complexity of Japanese thinking and culture) Japan is a land of natural disasters. Tsunamis, typhoons, mudslides, floods, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions attack without mercy just about every year and […]
Called East 