Hard Soil

This blog is brought to you by the musical stylings of Ben E. King. As I write this my roommate Anson and a friend of ours, SG, are singing and playing "Stand by Me." I have met many fairly fluent English speakers here in Japan this last week. I've learned so much. A lot of great conversations and a fair share of heart breaking things.

On Tuesday, I learned in greater detail that Japan is a difficult place for m's. Some people refer to it as the Missionary Graveyard. Many m's that are well trained come here and meet a people with no desire to know Christ. They end up returning home incredibly discouraged. It is a place where m's come and their passion dies.

SG is an incredibly smart law student here in Fukuoka. We study the Bible with him and have very deep conversations. He also plays Go with me. It's a strategy game like Chess, only harder. A game that is usually played by older people. Much like 42. Yet many of you know that 42 doesn't have to be for the older crowd.

Earlier, I was asking SG about the shyness of the Japanese people and their embrace of the American culture. Before World War II, Shinto was the primary religion of Japan with the Emperor as the leader of the religion. While there was a Parliament, the Emperor still had a lot of power. Because of his influence, many Japanese died in acts of suicide in devotion to the Emperor rather than be taken prisoner during the Battle of Saipan. SG said that the States helped generate a new constitution for Japan that emphasized freedom and allowed protection for the minority. He claimed that the power that Shinto had in past proved devastating and has led the Japanese to avoid a "strong religion" or a religion held by the state. This has, however, trickled into the people having reservations on accepting religious ideas themselves.

Humility is also a very big thing over here. So, standing out is something that is looked down upon. That explains the shy factor. It also increases the rejection of religious ideas. If someone becomes a Christian, it is usually kept secret. There is a fear of being rejected by kinsmen when you stand out.

Pray for God to move here. To shake the foundations of the people like he shakes the earth. Pray for passion for the Japanese Christians. For fear to be diminished and for God to be exalted regardless of societal pressures. Pray for my team, myself, and all the other m's in Japan. That we may not lose heart and keep pressing on.

Also: the video should be able to be viewed from the last post!