Well, we’ve arrived! At the height of usefulness and nation-blessing missionary-hood? No—but we have arrived in the nation of Japan.
What have we brought with us? Well besides the presence of Jesus, 6 checked bags and 3 carry-ons; not much. Actually, we are learning that it seems to be more about leaving things behind at this point. Besides leaving precious family and church family, we’re learning to leave behind one major encumbrance — Pride —and we might as well call it what it is — adulthood. Hmm, maybe i should use one more — dash.
“Adult” probably isn’t the first word you think of when you imagine Whitney’s and my face, but nevertheless (neverthemore?) we are here in Japan and what we had to leave behind was all of our “adult” abilities. Shoot, and i mean all of them! Reading, writing, grocery shopping, throwing away garbage, even (and especially) talking! —they’ve all become nearly insurmountable tasks that make us cry for our mothers. :) Hi mom. Everything is new, everything is different. Augustus coined it best on the first night here in our new house… two o’clock in the morning he startled awake, bolted upright and said, “upside down!” Yes, pretty much. Ariel said it best when she said “A whole new world!”
But that’s wonderful! It’s the plan of Jesus! He said that we must become as little children if we are to see the Kingdom of Heaven. I’d venture to say that we have to become as little children if others are to see the Kingdom of Heaven. We’ve got to check our pride in at the door, and stumble forward into a new culture and language so others can know Him. We all know that’s how Jesus did it, coming as a baby and all, it’s time for me to stop pretending He didn’t, and to realize the servant is no better than His Master.
So, Whitney and i, are officially children. And you were probably thinking that anyway. :)
Have a great day! We’re off to learning our ABCs, or rather, our あいうえお。
-joseph&whitney
getting warm in Japan!
