To give a little update on our December progress, we've made it through the first, busiest, half of the month. Tonight is the last night class with our English school students before the break. We've both been busy with special Christmas lessons (also involving the making of many, many Christmas cookies). We have a few more holiday lessons left, but the bulk of our work before break is finally behind us. That's good because we've both got Christmas colds. We've been coughing for days now, but we know we'll be able to rest soon.
I am happy to report that Sunday's Christmas program for the "Heart to Heart" international club was a great success. Hannah gave a demonstration in how to make Egg Nog (a Ross family tradition) and I led a group of my Gospel Choir students in the singing of several Christmas favorites (Silent Night, Go Tell It on the Mountain, Joy to the World) as well as some gospel songs (Amen, OH Happy Day, Amazing Grace). I was really proud of the group. They were nervous but they gave it their all.
This program is always very interesting because it is not just Japanese and Americans who show up. Sometimes we forget that we're not the only foreigners in this city, and it was nice to talk with them (Hannah spoke to one person in Spanish!). It was also nice to see parents with their kids having a great time over good food and some simple fun and games. We didn't organize the event, just participated, but it was really fun to be a part of. Many good conversations were had. It left us exhausted, but it was the good kind of exhausted.
This next weekend we will take part in a Christmas dinner with the members of the Funehiki Evangelical Church. Several other Christians will join the meeting, too. This is interesting because although not that many people are there at FEC from week to week, and it is the only church in town, there are other believers, or would-be believers, her who will come for Christmas every year. I spoke with one woman about this phenomenon and it was a very interesting conversation. She said many Japanese want to follow Christ, but it all but socially impossible. It often means being ostracized by family and friends in your hometown. People may respect you, but they no longer think of you as one of them, and suddenly you're on the "out" group. This is a serious thing in Japan, where so much of society depends on saving face and avoiding conflict. The call to Christ alone becomes something really radical here, where, as she says, "many believe in many, many gods and buddhas...." To add one more is not a problem, but to say you believe there is only one can be seen as divisive and arrogant. Monotheism is seen to be socially destructive (ex. cited: Islam and Christian conflicts in the Middle East). Faith faces a big challenge here. This woman herself was baptized, but has since all but quit worshipping because it would mean going against her husband and his family, and the family traditions of Shintoism and Buddhism. These religions work in Japan because, as so many have told me, in a way, they aren't "religions" at all but merely traditions. This conversation gave me much to think about.
In closing, as we round out our last full week of classes (we work the Monday before Christmas then have a break) we feel good but tired. We need the break. Thanks to everyone for all your thoughts and prayers. You're in ours as well. God bless!
