Hello all,
Last night my brother's friend Sean called me who has lived in Japan for over a year now. We hung out. I took a train to Ikebukuro which was no big deal. I can do that well but I had to take another train to Shibuya and I had no idea where to go. Everything was written in Kanji (crazy japanese characters that they stole from China) and there was no english or easier Japanese to read. I called Sean and he didn't really give me any other information except to ask someone.
I went to the ticket office and in Japanese explained that I wanted to go to Shibuya and asked where do I go. I got my ticket and found the right train! Praise God. That's not the highlight of the story though so keep reading. : )
I got out of the train station and found Sean. We went to a music record shop and also got some pictures of a billion people walking around in one section. It's seen in the movie "The Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift". It was really cool. CD's are on average 25 to 30 dollars. I bought 2 :( It was an early birthday present to myself. They are in Japanese which is cool.
Later we walked around Shibuya to find some food. Sean explained that there is A LOT of sexual immorality in Japan. Shibuya is where all the young people hang out, but there is also Love Hotels and prostitution. Most Japanese don't think twice about it and think its perfectly normal here in Japan. People with a family or a wife will go to a prostitute company or whatever, before he comes home. I said to Sean "What is the point of that if you have a wife anyway." That really made me sad. Sean also explained that a lot of Japanese cheat on their boyfriends/ girlfriends/ spouses and doesn't even think that's a big deal. Scary.
WE walked around more and he showed me a special restuarant that was a scary, halloween type. I've never seen anything like it. This one that I went to was underground, all dark, with things popping out of the walls. The waiters and waitresses are supposed to dress up in zombie costumes and stuff and then serve your food. I don't really see the point of this but it's the hip thing!
We ended up going to YakiNiku. It's korean style where you get raw meat and then cook it yourself over a mini grill on your table. I decided to try something: Pig tongue. O no!!! I have the Swine Flu now!!! Just kidding. I cooked it well and tried it. It had less flavor than regular meat and was more chewy but was not bad. We got ice cream there and headed home.
ON the way back, I offered my train seat to someone because he was talking a lot to his co-worker. I thought it would be nice if they sat together and talked rather than just one standing and one sitting down. I offered my seat in Japanese and he said "no it's ok" in Japanese. But this sparked a whole conversation with this one guy. We spoke in Japanese for the most part! This is really unique because people on trains usually never talk and keep to their own business. It was nice to talk to someone for the 40 minute ride. Later he switched over to English and I was amazed. It was really good and he understood my English too. Most Japanese know English but they are too afraid to use it with anyone. That's annoying!!! I think that's why we talked in Japanese for the first 10 minutes. Anyway, he helped me get off the right stop. I was very happy that I am now seeing how I am coming along in the Japanese language.
Also, jumping back above. Sean is an English teacher. He said if anyone get's a college degree they can come and teach and make about 2,500 dollars a month. I might have to do this when I graduate college!
I got off my train back in my town, bought two colas, listened to my new music and went home.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
The past week or so...
Hello all,
If your reading this, Thank you for reading my blogs! If your not, well darn because you might be missing out. I'm going to write what I did today first and then go backwards because I can't think chronologically. (I don't think I spelled that right.)
Today (Monday) I accidently slept in. But I got to where I need to be on time. I found an American alerm clock in my apartment and decided to use it. I set the time and alarm 8 hours before and went to bed. When I woke up it was 8:30 on my cell phone and 7:00 on this alarm clock!! People were calling me asking where I was. When I explained my story they said that the power output is different in half of Japan which causes timers and clocks to get off.
Anyway, after getting ready I rushed to my neighbor(also a TEAM missionary). We drove together to the TEAM headquarters for prayer day. It's where all the TEAM missionaires get together and pray for eachother and have lunch. It was neat talking to many different people and how they are impacting Japan for Christ in many many different ways.
We watched a short film called "Jitensha" which means bike. It's not evangelical or anything but it defininetly is thought provoking on God. The ministry here that makes films is called CAN. The Christian Arts Network, they are about making movies with the people here and creating relationships with the Japanese through arts and other things. It's really amazing but if I write a lot about it you will probably get bored and stop reading so on to the next thing. :)
After the movie, the missionaries I work under suggested that I go check out this ministry called PBA which makes short broadcasts on the tv and radio that are about the gospel. It was very scary at first, getting there I mean. I had to take a train to another part of Tokyo and get on a train that I wasn't even sure would take me in the right place (it did though). After about 30 minutes of wandering around I finally found the PBA headquarters. I met the main guy there which is also a TEAM missionary. I got to see how they produce, film and shoot all their TV stuff. It was really cool. Everyone but the main guy spoke Japanese so I got to practice speaking a little bit. They were very nice.
On the way up the elavator, it stopped. The people got out, and I waited for a bit and then said ' o I better get off'. Right when I step out the doors slam into my arm. Then the guy turns around and said "This is the 2nd floor". I was on the wrong floor . I had to be in the 7th. So I turn around and walk back into the elevator. Right when I do that, the doors slam shut on me again!!!!
It hurt like crazy because their elevators don't have good sensors to close gracefully. No one was around so that saved me some embarresment. I laughed at myself.
Here is the super cool thing!!! Both my neighbor (who is head of Christian Arts Network ) and Tim (the guy from PBA ) want me to work with them long term. AND the school I am volunteering as well! Everyone, no matter who I talk to, says computer guys are hard to come by here in Japan and there is a great need for it. He was even talking about getting me a job there and stuff after I finish school. That was really cool to hear! Maybe I will get a degree in computer science and move back here and work in some kind of ministry. As more days go by, I am loving Japan more and more. Or maybe I'll switch to production or take a few classes because there is a strong need for camera men. And I've always like editing videos and stuff.
Anyway, today lasted from 8:30 am to 9:00 pm. I got home and I found a vending machine that sold energy drinks. It was Japanese. It looked like a Hidrogen peroxide bottle except it was glass, but it said Energy on it with bold letters so I bought it. It actually tastes like a really crappy verson a Monster Energy Drink back in the United States. Very weird bottle though....
Sunday and Saturday, I didn't do much. Slept in and read. It was my R & R after a long week. Last Friday was a long day too. It was Senior Graduation at Christian Academy in Japan. I worked with another guy to get video cameras hooked up so that people could see the speaker up close (everyone is short so it's better to look at a giant projector screen). The program we used was very sophisticated. It had options to overlay one video with another. I learned that really well and helped all the cables organized running accross the gym floor.
Later during the ceremony there was sushi and fresh fruits to eat. I spoke with a couple seniors and found out they are going on a mission trip. I am going to be praying for them. Also I made a couple more friends too.
I had katsu the night before (Thursday night) at the missionary's house that I am working under here. It was really good. katsu is fried pork with special seasoning but I can't really describe it.
The rest of last week is a blur, I remember running around a lot at the school trying to get everything ready for the graduation and fixing printers and throwing out super old computers. I'm working on a web page now that troubleshoots common tech problems in the school. It will be very handy if I get it done.
Overall, I must say this: I am blessed to be here and all the missionaries and people I have met here so far. God is blessing me here right now today. My foreign exchange friend Shota just got back from Idaho and is now in Japan. He wants me to come to his house and meet his family and we're gonna hang out this coming up Sunday. Also I am meeting my older brother's friend Sean who lives here. I am getting better at the train stuff and in general traveling around. I am happy to know that there is a need in Japan for techy nerd stuff that I like to do. A lot of people say "O you are a computer guy? Help me with this. " I love helping people and it's fun to me.
So that is that. I will try posting more and making it less boring.
This Wednesday I am going to a baseball game with my room mate (My dad said I had to go because they are so awesome) and then my birthday is this Thursday so I have to plan something to get out of town or something with my personal spending money.
Thanks for praying for me, and send me an email!!! I might be leaving out more interesting information here but can't remember so ask me questions : ) I would love to hear from you.
See ya later.
Brian
If your reading this, Thank you for reading my blogs! If your not, well darn because you might be missing out. I'm going to write what I did today first and then go backwards because I can't think chronologically. (I don't think I spelled that right.)
Today (Monday) I accidently slept in. But I got to where I need to be on time. I found an American alerm clock in my apartment and decided to use it. I set the time and alarm 8 hours before and went to bed. When I woke up it was 8:30 on my cell phone and 7:00 on this alarm clock!! People were calling me asking where I was. When I explained my story they said that the power output is different in half of Japan which causes timers and clocks to get off.
Anyway, after getting ready I rushed to my neighbor(also a TEAM missionary). We drove together to the TEAM headquarters for prayer day. It's where all the TEAM missionaires get together and pray for eachother and have lunch. It was neat talking to many different people and how they are impacting Japan for Christ in many many different ways.
We watched a short film called "Jitensha" which means bike. It's not evangelical or anything but it defininetly is thought provoking on God. The ministry here that makes films is called CAN. The Christian Arts Network, they are about making movies with the people here and creating relationships with the Japanese through arts and other things. It's really amazing but if I write a lot about it you will probably get bored and stop reading so on to the next thing. :)
After the movie, the missionaries I work under suggested that I go check out this ministry called PBA which makes short broadcasts on the tv and radio that are about the gospel. It was very scary at first, getting there I mean. I had to take a train to another part of Tokyo and get on a train that I wasn't even sure would take me in the right place (it did though). After about 30 minutes of wandering around I finally found the PBA headquarters. I met the main guy there which is also a TEAM missionary. I got to see how they produce, film and shoot all their TV stuff. It was really cool. Everyone but the main guy spoke Japanese so I got to practice speaking a little bit. They were very nice.
On the way up the elavator, it stopped. The people got out, and I waited for a bit and then said ' o I better get off'. Right when I step out the doors slam into my arm. Then the guy turns around and said "This is the 2nd floor". I was on the wrong floor . I had to be in the 7th. So I turn around and walk back into the elevator. Right when I do that, the doors slam shut on me again!!!!
It hurt like crazy because their elevators don't have good sensors to close gracefully. No one was around so that saved me some embarresment. I laughed at myself.
Here is the super cool thing!!! Both my neighbor (who is head of Christian Arts Network ) and Tim (the guy from PBA ) want me to work with them long term. AND the school I am volunteering as well! Everyone, no matter who I talk to, says computer guys are hard to come by here in Japan and there is a great need for it. He was even talking about getting me a job there and stuff after I finish school. That was really cool to hear! Maybe I will get a degree in computer science and move back here and work in some kind of ministry. As more days go by, I am loving Japan more and more. Or maybe I'll switch to production or take a few classes because there is a strong need for camera men. And I've always like editing videos and stuff.
Anyway, today lasted from 8:30 am to 9:00 pm. I got home and I found a vending machine that sold energy drinks. It was Japanese. It looked like a Hidrogen peroxide bottle except it was glass, but it said Energy on it with bold letters so I bought it. It actually tastes like a really crappy verson a Monster Energy Drink back in the United States. Very weird bottle though....
Sunday and Saturday, I didn't do much. Slept in and read. It was my R & R after a long week. Last Friday was a long day too. It was Senior Graduation at Christian Academy in Japan. I worked with another guy to get video cameras hooked up so that people could see the speaker up close (everyone is short so it's better to look at a giant projector screen). The program we used was very sophisticated. It had options to overlay one video with another. I learned that really well and helped all the cables organized running accross the gym floor.
Later during the ceremony there was sushi and fresh fruits to eat. I spoke with a couple seniors and found out they are going on a mission trip. I am going to be praying for them. Also I made a couple more friends too.
I had katsu the night before (Thursday night) at the missionary's house that I am working under here. It was really good. katsu is fried pork with special seasoning but I can't really describe it.
The rest of last week is a blur, I remember running around a lot at the school trying to get everything ready for the graduation and fixing printers and throwing out super old computers. I'm working on a web page now that troubleshoots common tech problems in the school. It will be very handy if I get it done.
Overall, I must say this: I am blessed to be here and all the missionaries and people I have met here so far. God is blessing me here right now today. My foreign exchange friend Shota just got back from Idaho and is now in Japan. He wants me to come to his house and meet his family and we're gonna hang out this coming up Sunday. Also I am meeting my older brother's friend Sean who lives here. I am getting better at the train stuff and in general traveling around. I am happy to know that there is a need in Japan for techy nerd stuff that I like to do. A lot of people say "O you are a computer guy? Help me with this. " I love helping people and it's fun to me.
So that is that. I will try posting more and making it less boring.
This Wednesday I am going to a baseball game with my room mate (My dad said I had to go because they are so awesome) and then my birthday is this Thursday so I have to plan something to get out of town or something with my personal spending money.
Thanks for praying for me, and send me an email!!! I might be leaving out more interesting information here but can't remember so ask me questions : ) I would love to hear from you.
See ya later.
Brian
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Japan vs America
I haven't shared with you too much about the difference is in Japan. Most you probably know but for some it might be new to you. On a side note, I ordered a #2 at McDonalds an hour ago and understood all the Japanese that was spoken to me which was what drink do I want, is it for here or to go, and do you want a meal or not. I was pretty stoked!
First, driving is on the left hand side instead of the right hand side. Most cars are super small and the roads that look one-way are often two-way!! Yikes! Most bridges are very small and in some cases people have to back up to let people go. On top of super small roads everywhere there's something else in the way.
Biking: Everyone has a bike here. When I mean everyone, I mean the small kids to the very elderly. Everyone goes to the store with thier bike and has baskets. With the small streets with cars and bikes it gets very crazy. Bikes don't stay to the right side or the left side, they are on all sides! As well as pedestrians walking on both sides of the roads. There are side walks but they are also very small. I have been here for a week and a half about and I have seen many moms carry their kids in the basket and ride the bike! Most of the Japanese travel on trains daily so they ride thier bike to the station and pay about a dollar to keep it there. There are fields and fields of bikes at some stations!
Umbrellas: In America, or at least Idaho, I rarely see umbrellas. Well there are a lot in Seattle but other than that, who uses them? We get in our cars, drive to whereever, and get out. An umbrella isn't worth our bother. If you don't have an umbrella in Japan, you're crazy. I wondered when I got here why everyone was afriad of a little rain. Even when its not raining but cloudy looking people carry them. Well I learned the answer the hard way. I didn't have an umbrella, it rained very bad. I went home and.................... I didn't have a dryer. In fact. Most people don't have dryers. It takes up too much electricity there for expensive. They all have a line to throw it over in the back alley or yard. Or if they are in an apartment or lower level, something that holds it. My socks took a whole day to dry! grrrr.
Shoot, I added more to this but it didn't save. I'll add more later :)
First, driving is on the left hand side instead of the right hand side. Most cars are super small and the roads that look one-way are often two-way!! Yikes! Most bridges are very small and in some cases people have to back up to let people go. On top of super small roads everywhere there's something else in the way.
Biking: Everyone has a bike here. When I mean everyone, I mean the small kids to the very elderly. Everyone goes to the store with thier bike and has baskets. With the small streets with cars and bikes it gets very crazy. Bikes don't stay to the right side or the left side, they are on all sides! As well as pedestrians walking on both sides of the roads. There are side walks but they are also very small. I have been here for a week and a half about and I have seen many moms carry their kids in the basket and ride the bike! Most of the Japanese travel on trains daily so they ride thier bike to the station and pay about a dollar to keep it there. There are fields and fields of bikes at some stations!
Umbrellas: In America, or at least Idaho, I rarely see umbrellas. Well there are a lot in Seattle but other than that, who uses them? We get in our cars, drive to whereever, and get out. An umbrella isn't worth our bother. If you don't have an umbrella in Japan, you're crazy. I wondered when I got here why everyone was afriad of a little rain. Even when its not raining but cloudy looking people carry them. Well I learned the answer the hard way. I didn't have an umbrella, it rained very bad. I went home and.................... I didn't have a dryer. In fact. Most people don't have dryers. It takes up too much electricity there for expensive. They all have a line to throw it over in the back alley or yard. Or if they are in an apartment or lower level, something that holds it. My socks took a whole day to dry! grrrr.
Shoot, I added more to this but it didn't save. I'll add more later :)
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Japan Update
Wow lot's has happened. I've gone out to a couple more restaurants and have ordered correctly! But that's not really what I'm writing about. Except, I do have to say that the noodles and food here is super dooper awesome!
Yesterday was Sunday and I went to the church here. It was an international church with people from all around the world meeting at the school. The church service celebrated the penecost and then read bible verses in 10 different langages about the Holy Spirit. It was pretty cool to hear all the languages.
I also got introduced to the church. Later there was sunday school. Adults and kids break off into different groups and study what they want to. I went with the son of the guy that I'm working under (his name is Peter) because he was the only person I knew. When I followed him I finally met people around my age. I met a couple seniors and we went the to potluck. It rained crazy at that time and I brought no unbrella.
I finally understand why everyone has unbrellas here! I always thought "why are you scared of a little rain? It's barly raining!!!" but a lot of people don't have dryers therefore it takes a long time to dry their clothes! I know know this from personal experience here in Japan.
The second kid that I met was named Yoshi. We piled up on food and got on the best topic of all: computer games. Yoshi plays all the same games I do in America which was really really awesome! I went to his house after the potluck and we played Call of Duty 4 and Call of duty 5, my favorite games of all time. We hung out pretty much the whole day and got some raman for dinner and then played some more video games. I finally made a friend here in Japan and one that has the same hobbies. That is pretty much awesome. God answered my prayers.
Well that's about it for now. I need to go work on copying a database for the school. I will update more in 2 days!
Yesterday was Sunday and I went to the church here. It was an international church with people from all around the world meeting at the school. The church service celebrated the penecost and then read bible verses in 10 different langages about the Holy Spirit. It was pretty cool to hear all the languages.
I also got introduced to the church. Later there was sunday school. Adults and kids break off into different groups and study what they want to. I went with the son of the guy that I'm working under (his name is Peter) because he was the only person I knew. When I followed him I finally met people around my age. I met a couple seniors and we went the to potluck. It rained crazy at that time and I brought no unbrella.
I finally understand why everyone has unbrellas here! I always thought "why are you scared of a little rain? It's barly raining!!!" but a lot of people don't have dryers therefore it takes a long time to dry their clothes! I know know this from personal experience here in Japan.
The second kid that I met was named Yoshi. We piled up on food and got on the best topic of all: computer games. Yoshi plays all the same games I do in America which was really really awesome! I went to his house after the potluck and we played Call of Duty 4 and Call of duty 5, my favorite games of all time. We hung out pretty much the whole day and got some raman for dinner and then played some more video games. I finally made a friend here in Japan and one that has the same hobbies. That is pretty much awesome. God answered my prayers.
Well that's about it for now. I need to go work on copying a database for the school. I will update more in 2 days!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Japanese Experiences So Far...
Ok so it's my second day here and I'm feeling confident to go around the city by myself and bike around. My ultimate goal is to put myself in awkward scenarios to force myself to learn Japanese faster!
Well I did just that. After biking around I went to some restaurant that I've never heard of. I sat down and the cashier said the menu was this machine. Apparently at this restuarant, you order by picking your food at a machine, which prints out a receipt and you give that to the cashier. So I figured that one out quick but here's the crazy part. I ordered the smallest thing on the menu.
Then the cashier kept asking me questions and I was like "woah i don't understand" in japansese. So her manager just happened to walk in and she said "can you speak english to this customer" in japanese. The guy was still confusing, 5 minutes of not understanding eachother, and then an old man walked up who spoke better english, and helped translate! I still don't know why it was a big deal, but they talked me into getting a larger thing and it costed me 8 bucks! LOL. I told him that I was from boise, Idaho in america and that I am not smart. :(
Anyway I ate and just started laughing. Then I said "this is tasty huh?" in japanese to this guy and he's like "It's hot and my face is sweating!" It was pretty funny.
So I walked out and felt like an idiot but now I know what to study haha.
Other than that, I have been volunteering at Christian Academy in Japan. They are ending school this week because of fear of the swine flu. Woah! So far I have been servicing their mac computers. I have been deleting accounts, installing printers and drivers, making ethernet cable, and organizing. The tech department is soo busy with people bombarding them with questions and requiring help that their office has everything everywhere, so today I have started to organize wires and such. It's all good.
Tomorrow I am going to post some papers up and say I am looking for some japanese friends and japanese lessions! :) Keep praying for me!
Well I did just that. After biking around I went to some restaurant that I've never heard of. I sat down and the cashier said the menu was this machine. Apparently at this restuarant, you order by picking your food at a machine, which prints out a receipt and you give that to the cashier. So I figured that one out quick but here's the crazy part. I ordered the smallest thing on the menu.
Then the cashier kept asking me questions and I was like "woah i don't understand" in japansese. So her manager just happened to walk in and she said "can you speak english to this customer" in japanese. The guy was still confusing, 5 minutes of not understanding eachother, and then an old man walked up who spoke better english, and helped translate! I still don't know why it was a big deal, but they talked me into getting a larger thing and it costed me 8 bucks! LOL. I told him that I was from boise, Idaho in america and that I am not smart. :(
Anyway I ate and just started laughing. Then I said "this is tasty huh?" in japanese to this guy and he's like "It's hot and my face is sweating!" It was pretty funny.
So I walked out and felt like an idiot but now I know what to study haha.
Other than that, I have been volunteering at Christian Academy in Japan. They are ending school this week because of fear of the swine flu. Woah! So far I have been servicing their mac computers. I have been deleting accounts, installing printers and drivers, making ethernet cable, and organizing. The tech department is soo busy with people bombarding them with questions and requiring help that their office has everything everywhere, so today I have started to organize wires and such. It's all good.
Tomorrow I am going to post some papers up and say I am looking for some japanese friends and japanese lessions! :) Keep praying for me!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I Made It!
Last night I finally made it to Japan! I went to orientation at The Evangelical Alliance Mission from last Monday to Saturday. That was really awesome and I learned a lot about cultural differences and sharing the good news with people. Saturday morning I awoke at 5:30, took a Limo to the Airport, waited an hour, got on a plane to Detroit, Michigan. Then imidiately got on a 13 hour flight to Narita, Japan. The flight was meh. I sat between two people. The one on my left was snoring so loud I could here him with my headphones turned up all the way. He also took up half my seat so I had to lean to my right for most of the time. LOL. I did sleep though which is good. I had a todler kick my seat here in there but the plane finally made it. When I was about to get off the plane, they sat everyone back down and inspected all of us for the Swine Flu. But of course, I did not have it so I was fine! I got through customs and everything and found the guy that had my name on a sign. It was Dan Rudd. He's the guy I'm working under at the school. We went below the airport into the train station and took three trains totaling 2 hours. Train statios are crazy and confusing but Dan knew what he was doing. We went to his house first and had pizza. Getting off the plane I found it to be very humid and damp. It has been cloudy since I have been here.
After Pizza at the Rudd's house, he took me to my apartment. I am sharing it with another thort term missionary working with another group. He's cool. I met him, chatted for 5 minutes, and went to bed at 7:30 PM here. The bed is a Japanese style futon, really neat. I woke up at 3:00 wide awake and walked around and prayed, then went back to bed. Then my alarm went off at 6:15 AM and I started getting ready for my first day. I had Japanese Frosted Flakes for breakfast!!! Then road my bike to the school, got introduced to everyone, and starting my volunteering.
One thing I have noticed in Japan, is everyone is so orderly. They line up on the escalator, all to the left, so a person can run up the right side if they are late! That is awesome thinking! I wish America had that thinking. Well, that's it for now. I will take some pictures and upload them here hopefully. They will be on my facebook for sure! Thank you for praying for me. Please pray for some energy for me. I am very jetlagged. :)
After Pizza at the Rudd's house, he took me to my apartment. I am sharing it with another thort term missionary working with another group. He's cool. I met him, chatted for 5 minutes, and went to bed at 7:30 PM here. The bed is a Japanese style futon, really neat. I woke up at 3:00 wide awake and walked around and prayed, then went back to bed. Then my alarm went off at 6:15 AM and I started getting ready for my first day. I had Japanese Frosted Flakes for breakfast!!! Then road my bike to the school, got introduced to everyone, and starting my volunteering.
One thing I have noticed in Japan, is everyone is so orderly. They line up on the escalator, all to the left, so a person can run up the right side if they are late! That is awesome thinking! I wish America had that thinking. Well, that's it for now. I will take some pictures and upload them here hopefully. They will be on my facebook for sure! Thank you for praying for me. Please pray for some energy for me. I am very jetlagged. :)
Monday, May 18, 2009
The Flight to Chicago
Wow!!! I'm super excited! First off, I still need $360 but the ministry I'm going through is extending the deadline to the end of my trip. Ok the real story begins here:
Sunday night I finalized my packing for the trip and cleaned my room so I wouldn't come back to a dump. It was super messy. I went to bed at 1:30 AM and woke up at 4:30 AM. My parents dropped me off and I almost fell asleep waiting for the plane to get there. First I flew to Denver, CO. Nothing was really there. On that flight, I sat next to some negative old people bashing on religion. I ignored it and slept since I only got 3 hours of sleep. When we landed I got some Panda Express, scarfed it down, and found my next plane. I texted friends while waiting for the next plane. The second plane ride was the coolest ever!
Two older gentleman sat next to me. I didn't really care and slept. I woke up and we started talking and I found out that he is a pastor in New Mexico. He was on his way to go to a Pastor Conference with a lot of famous speakers. We talked a lot about my mission trip and his conference and some other interesting topics when the 2nd guy interrupts and says "hey I'm a pastor going to that conference too!" That was really cool! Both of them prayed for the mission trip I'm on and said they will continue to pray for me this next month. I also got their prayer requests so I can pray for them and thier church. Isn't it awesome how God put the three of us in one isle? Coincidence? I think not!!!
I'm in my dorm now at TEAM headquarters. Right when I got here I busted out the laptop to share the cool news. I'm going to go get some food now! Keep checking this site for more updates later.
Sunday night I finalized my packing for the trip and cleaned my room so I wouldn't come back to a dump. It was super messy. I went to bed at 1:30 AM and woke up at 4:30 AM. My parents dropped me off and I almost fell asleep waiting for the plane to get there. First I flew to Denver, CO. Nothing was really there. On that flight, I sat next to some negative old people bashing on religion. I ignored it and slept since I only got 3 hours of sleep. When we landed I got some Panda Express, scarfed it down, and found my next plane. I texted friends while waiting for the next plane. The second plane ride was the coolest ever!
Two older gentleman sat next to me. I didn't really care and slept. I woke up and we started talking and I found out that he is a pastor in New Mexico. He was on his way to go to a Pastor Conference with a lot of famous speakers. We talked a lot about my mission trip and his conference and some other interesting topics when the 2nd guy interrupts and says "hey I'm a pastor going to that conference too!" That was really cool! Both of them prayed for the mission trip I'm on and said they will continue to pray for me this next month. I also got their prayer requests so I can pray for them and thier church. Isn't it awesome how God put the three of us in one isle? Coincidence? I think not!!!
I'm in my dorm now at TEAM headquarters. Right when I got here I busted out the laptop to share the cool news. I'm going to go get some food now! Keep checking this site for more updates later.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Donations Online Available
Hey everyone!
Just wanted to update you all on another way of giving. Visit https://www.teamworld.org/GIVE/GiveOnline.aspx. Here you can check mark "I did not find the missionary or project I'm looking for" and type my name. The money you decide to donate will go towards my trip and is 100% tax deductible! I'm about 1/2 the way there with money and have 11 more days to raise the rest! God is good! Also, I know the comment system sucks on this and is buggy sometimes so if you would rather email me my email is at bdelamotte[at]live[dot]com.
Just wanted to update you all on another way of giving. Visit https://www.teamworld.org/GIVE/GiveOnline.aspx. Here you can check mark "I did not find the missionary or project I'm looking for" and type my name. The money you decide to donate will go towards my trip and is 100% tax deductible! I'm about 1/2 the way there with money and have 11 more days to raise the rest! God is good! Also, I know the comment system sucks on this and is buggy sometimes so if you would rather email me my email is at bdelamotte[at]live[dot]com.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Time Extended to Raise Financial Support
Hey everyone!
I just got some awesome news. I now have until may 15th to raise the financial support needed to go on this mission trip. This gives me 10 more days then I thought it had to be due! God is just awesome like that! The group I'm going with determined that it will now be $2500 total instead of just $1900. They pointed out some other costs I didn't think of. Food is expensive in Japan! I don't know if anyone is reading this stuff yet. So leave a comment if you are. I'll update this soon and let you know when I got plane tickets! Please continue to pray for me.
Brian
Monday, April 27, 2009
Accepted to do a Mission Trip In Japan
Hey all,
I found out last week that I got accepted to go to Japan on a Mission Trip. I created this blog to update you on the status of me going and lord willing, if I get to go, my status while I'm there!
Details:
You might be thinking "That's impossible! That's not going to happen in this economy." Well God said it himself "Is there anything too hard for the LORD?" - Genesis 18:14.
People often say "where there's a will there's a way" and at times will isn't enough.
But I say "Where God has a will there is always a way."
If you feel led to give a donation, I would super much appriciate it. Please pray about it! Whether you feel led to contribute financially, through prayer, or both, all your support is appriciated.
God Bless,
Brian de la Motte
I found out last week that I got accepted to go to Japan on a Mission Trip. I created this blog to update you on the status of me going and lord willing, if I get to go, my status while I'm there!
Details:
- Who: Me serving at Christian Academy in Japan
- What: Helping with computers, technical related issues, etc.
- When: May 19th through June 21st 2009
- Where: Tokyo Japan
- Why: Ever since 5th grade, I've had an interest in Japan. It started out with the Saturday morning cartoons, and I thought to myself "Japan is so cool! They make awesome cartoons like Digimon!" I learned a few words and thought it was awesome. Then my older brother Dan took me out to Sushi in Middle school. It is now my favorite food. Early High school I got an interest in computers and technology, Japan is leader in awesome technologies and artificial intelligence research. I finally took a real Japanese language class Senior Year of high school and fell in love with the language and culture. I have taken another year in college and loving it.
You might be thinking "That's impossible! That's not going to happen in this economy." Well God said it himself "Is there anything too hard for the LORD?" - Genesis 18:14.
People often say "where there's a will there's a way" and at times will isn't enough.
But I say "Where God has a will there is always a way."
If you feel led to give a donation, I would super much appriciate it. Please pray about it! Whether you feel led to contribute financially, through prayer, or both, all your support is appriciated.
God Bless,
Brian de la Motte
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