Weekend 2: Church

So, we went to our first church in Japan on Sunday.  After the game Saturday night, we were glad the service started at noon.  We chose to attend a church a few train stops away - a $20 train fare for all of us (this is just a piece of information, I'm not complaining). 

Upon our arrival we were greeted and welcomed by a lot of people (when I say a lot, I mean like just about every person in the 50+ person service).  Everyone was very nice and extremely welcoming.  It was a bilingual service (Japanese/English) which I thought was very, very neat.  Singing praise songs in English and Japanese, listening to a message in both languages - it was nice and, surprisingly, not difficult.  Jim and I were the oldest people in the room.  Very different from our experience in Missouri when everyone knew we were the "new people" because we were the youngest people there...haha!  What a difference nine years and the other side of the world makes!!

The pastor was from Australia and his wife (a native of Japan that grew up in Australia) are here as part of an effort to introduce Christianity to Japan.  There are several branches of this Christian Church throughout Japan and it is growing.  It was inspiring to be in a room of new believers, excited for Jesus.

From wikipedia:  Christianity in Japan is among the nation's minority religions; reports of adherent differ, ranging from around one percent to six percent of the population claiming Christian belief or affiliation.  Nearly all traditional denominations of Christianity, including Roman Catholicism, Protestantism and Orthodox Christianity, are represented in Japan today.  A recent poll conduct by the Gallup organization found Christianity to be the fastest growing religion among Japanese youth.

While we had a pleasant time at this church, Jim and I are not sure this is the place to make a church home for our family this summer...we are in such a different place in our faith. We were impressed by the excitement everyone had in this church and overjoyed that the effort to bring Christianity to Japan is going well for this non-denominational Christian church.  For me, it's an interesting perspective to be in a place that being a Christian is a minority belief - especially a place where the people are kind, polite and would do anything for anyone even if it means going out of their way - right at this moment.  To me, the two things always kind of were connected.  And yet, they are not.

So...we are not done looking for a church, but that happens any new place you live.  We have a couple more churches we found online to possibly visit.  But, what I've realized this week is that anywhere we go to church here is going to be an experience where the church is supported by churches from other parts of the world and led by missionaries having been sent here to spread the knowledge, understanding and love of Christ to a nation who just doesn't hold these beliefs in their heart...yet.  A very different view from the pew in the United States.  And, an eye-opening perspective to actually participate in (rather than just hear about). 

As we continue looking for a place that calls to our hearts this summer, please join with us and pray that we find that place soon, because the sooner we find it the longer we can be part of it before we come home.

Weekend 2: Baseball Game

The Blundy's and Buffalo Bell

This weekend we went to the Oriz Buffalo's game - which is a baseball team in Japan.  Jim had seen the Buffalo's play about 5 years ago while in Japan.  We felt like we were going to a Reds versus Cubs game because 2/3 of the stadium seemed to be Giants fans (the opposing team).  The Giants are the "Yankees" of Japan.

There are really only two things that are different at a game in Japan.  First, people don't really cheer when the other guy/team gets out...you cheer when your team and players do well.  There is a very polite culture here and Jim and I suspect this goes along with that.

The other is when a batter gets up to bat, each one of the Reds may have a song that is played.  Here, when a player goes up to bat each player has his own cheer that the fans in the outfield say and do.  You have these cute little bats that you beat together (also used place of clapping if you have them) and you do the cheer...I filmed the outfield cheering for one of the Buffalo's while he was at bat here:

Here are the girls using their bats.  This was later in the game and they were hot and tired, so they were running out of steam.

Here I am eating noodles.  A perfectly 'normal' thing to eat at a baseball game (in Japan).



Here is the beer girl.  I don't know why I'm sharing this.  We didn't drink beer.  I think just because they carry a keg on their back and I felt like that was a really good idea (versus lugging a cooler around in front of you).  Jim says he's seen that at a Blackhawk's game in Chicago once, so it's not unheard of.  I just thought it was smart.

Here are the Buffalo Cheerleaders on the big screen.  From where we were sitting, this was a better picture for you.

Another little tradition they do during the seventh inning...they blow up these really long balloons and then send them off.  In some stadiums they pass them out and everyone has one.  In this one, you buy them (4 in a pack).  My wonderful hubby gave his to the kid next to him who didn't have one.  Here is a video of them launching from our seat.  I wasn't ready for them to go, but I did catch most of it.

And lastly, the final score of the game.  Of course, this is also us turning ourselves in.  Yes, we left before it was over.  Jim and I don't like when that happens at ballgames - stay until the end, Reds fans!

But, it was getting late, the girls were hot (and tired) and everyone, including us, would be trying to get on the train to go home.  We decided with two tired girls we probably should beat some of the crowd and not have to sit or stand on a jam-packed train to go home.  So, we left in the top of the 8th.  And, the Buffalo's did win...7-2 just like the scoreboard says!

Weekend 2: Dessert for Breakfast

On Saturday we went out for breakfast.  We walked around the mall in the Osaka City train station (the big one that intersects the subway, train and bus lines).  We decided upon these waffles for breakfast.  Apparently though, something like this is what would be ordered for a dessert in the evening here.  A traditional Japanese breakfast would more likely consist of some rice and something salty, maybe a bit of fish.  Or a piece of bread and juice.

We enjoyed our dessert for breakfast though, which explains why it was served with ice cream on top!  Presentation is very important, as you can see.

My choice included waffles, raspberries, blueberries and chocolate and raspberry sauce.

Jim's choice included bananas, carmel sauce and nuts.

The girls had waffles with carmel sauce.