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