Going, Going . . .

In general, most Japanese have never heard of Easter. Christmas is newly popular as Santa Commercialism continues his conquest. But not Easter, neither Good Friday, nor the Easter bunny . . . This proved somewhat useful as I was able to (nervously and thus prayerfully!) discuss the story of Easter with some of my adult classes. I was also able to do a Christian song about Easter as a close exercise with some of them. Some classes of course went better than others (I don't know how much some of my more basic classes understood). As a well-socialized/indoctrinated Canadian, I did not want to be remotely pushy, which I think is also Biblical in some ways since I am to be ready to give an answer but not throw pearls to the swine (if I'm understanding those verses correctly). But on the other hand, I have (throughout my life) been so non-confrontational and "safe" that I tend to give too little information. This is a sobering thought in Japan when I consider how many people have never heard what God is offering!

There is such fear and dispair here. 70% of Japanese live in fear (of earthquakes, typhoons, losing their jobs . . .) and a best-selling Japanese book is a how to manual on the best ways to commit suicide (apparently jumping infront of a train is one of the worst options, since your family gets a large bill for the clean-up, and all the commuters are delayed . . .). There are so many loveless marriages (not like North America is any better -- at least in Japan the couples stay together until the kids are grown and the husband retires, thus putting a strain on to people who don't like each other to be together more often) and materialism is all-pervasive.

I know that it is not my responsibility to bring people to salvation, but I am to be ready and willing to do what God asks and thus I must also be in step with the Holy Spirit to know what He's asking! Living with my sister and bro-in-law continues to be an education and challenge as I watch their relational ministries, personal disciplines and even their marriage. Sometimes I wonder how many areas can I find in my life that need work. Apparently the list doesn't end. Well, I've rambled enough.