Appreciation for People and Culture

Appreciation for People and Culture

We are learning more about Japan's history and culture. With the New Year we have seen Japanese people going to their shrines lighting incense or candles and offering prayers. A Shinto shrine, called a jinja in Japanese, is a place of worship, where one or more kami (deities or spirits) are worshipped. It is a place of respect, just like a church. The entrance to a shrine, which marks the passage from the earthly world to that of the divine, is marked by a tori gate. Last week we visited the Odawara castle. It has been rebuilt and inside is a museum. there were a lot of steps and we are feeling our age more with each step. The Samurai armor collection was impressive. 

During the week after New Year's Eve a lot of businesses are closed for the holiday. We had our Zone Conference on New Year's Eve and was able to pitch in as kitchen help. We stirred big pots of soup as part of the lunch for more than 50 missionaries that attended. Most Japanese families were on vacation or celebrating together. There was one family that also helped prepare the luncheon and brought some special drinks. Since most of the Young Single Adults were gone for the New Year's Holiday, we had a pass on having FHE. The following week we joined a few YSA's at the Nelson's home and the Sister missionaries gave a spiritual thought about faith.

The best day so far concerning service this month was spending a few hours with the district missionaries at the NAF Atsugi thrift store. It is called Davy Jones Locker and is run by the naval service men/women which support the enlisted sailors. It took some coordination and work to sponsor the 10 full-time missionaries at the base gate. They worked with enthusiasm and accomplished a lot of sorting and organizing. Brian provided Subway sandwiches for lunch.

There is plenty more to do and we will probably bring them back in smaller groups. The Nelsons provided peanut butter, jelly and bread along with fruit cups for District meeting lunch. We brought apple crumble pie and cookies. The Brazilian Sister experienced her first PB&J sandwich. On recommendation from a local "foodie", one night for dinner we found a place called "Mike's Tex Mex". It was authentic and delicious. Another day, we also met up with another MRM couple and visited their place at Yokosuka (the "u" is silent). The Exchange had to be the biggest I have ever seen. There is also a huge mall just outside of the gate. We ate at a Japanese restaurant there and it was "oishi" (tasty).

We decided that we are going to the temple at least once a month and do an endowment for an ancestor. For the second time going to the temple, we happen to see the same MRM sister from Yokota during our session. She happens to have a daughter-in-law in the area she is serving in who was also there. This past weekend, after staying overnight in Tokyo, we planned a visit to the Tokyo Tower. The view was spectacular. The young people who work at the tower were able to speak English and were dressed in cute matching dresses or suits. The tower was built in 1958 and at 333 meters it was the tallest freestanding tower in the world at that time.

Last Wednesday, we were able to read books for Storytime at the Atsugi library. It was a small sized group attending but we were told that they usually have about 15 children plus parents. It was fun interacting with them and after the stories the staff prepared a craft for them. We will be doing this most Wednesdays when able. We also got fingerprinted as part of working with the youth program. It took us a couple of attempts to get in on the day that the one guy was available to do it. 

Sometimes we receive service as we are serving. There was a tender mercy when Donna's phone was dropped outside then later recovered by the Red Cross director. Also, Brian's backpack with his computer was locked inside the Post Office and on a holiday the building manager graciously opened the office to return it.

Sunday was busy, especially for Donna. She taught a Relief Society lesson and after church there was a "linger longer" or potluck lunch. Then off to Camp Fuji to give service for the enlisted Marine there who is given sacrament. He mentioned that his friends ask when they are going to get more cookies again. We bring cookies or treats every week.

We are having wonderful experiences every day and sometimes it can be exhausting. The people are so kind, helpful and trusting here. It is a reflection of the culture in Japan. We feel very blessed. There is a lot to do and learn and we are loving the opportunity we have to be here.

The Tokyo temple.

A Japanese New Year's decoration

High tech fingerprinting                                           

 The Davy Jones Locker Service Project         

                                                                                     An elevator worker in uniform

A view underneath the Tokyo Tower                         

A hazy view of Mt. Fuji in the distance from the top of Tokyo Tower

Samurai Armor                                                          A view of the Odawara castle from the expansive                                                                                      grounds. (It is the 7th tallest castle in Japan)

Reading "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" for Storytime