tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23545051392690434852024-02-07T03:51:46.952-06:00The Land of the Rising SonFollow my journey as I live and work in Tokyo!Dana Dutcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11987801909557867808noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354505139269043485.post-89533193316131392822012-03-16T01:53:00.002-05:002012-03-16T02:03:11.677-05:00SayonaraSayonara Nihon! This is going to be my last blog entry from Japan. Once I reach American soil and become reintegrated into American society, and have relearned the English language, I will post a new blog about my adventure around Southeast Asia and my transitioning process and future plans, etc. <br /><br />This final blog entry is the message I gave at Hongo Lutheran Church on March 11th, for my final goodbye and thank you party there. I was asked to give a brief message about my calling or faith, and this is the message I gave. I apologize if some of the references are unfamiliar, because this was given to a specific audience that should have known the locations and rituals and foods I was referring to. These are some of my final thoughts.<br /><br />On March 21st, I will be departing from Japan to begin a 7 week Asian Adventure, visiting the countries of Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and possibly Brunei before returning home to America in early May. I am very excited about this trip, but yet also slightly nervous since I will be traveling alone for the majority of the time, that doesn't scare me as much as coming to the realization that my time in Japan is actually over, and when I finish my travels I will be returning to America and not my home in Tokyo. Although I have begun packing,have most of my final paperwork finished, and have had several goodbye parties already, I'm not quite sure I have come to terms with the fact that I'm not coming back... Processing that alone on my trip is a little more daunting than the thought of eating insects right now. (Not saying I am goign to eat insects...but if the opportunity arising, I'm not saying that I won't either...) But I'm sure everything will be fine and once I am settled (or slightly settled) back in America, I will update everyone again. But until then...I will leave you with these words from my message! <br /><br />Sayonara! <br /><br /><br /><blockquote>Luke 9: 23-26 <br />23 Then he said to them all: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.<br />Before I begin my message this morning, would you please join me in prayer.</blockquote><br /> <br />Dear Heavenly Father:<br /><br />Amen. <br /> <br />Usually when we pray we are in the habit of speaking. Listing things we are thankful for, or listing things we would like to God to give us. We do not often pray a prayer of silence, but it is in these types of prayers that we listen to what God is calling us to do. Of course it is good to thank God for the many blessings he has given us, but if we do not pray in silence we will never hear God’s call for our lives, we might not hear his plea for us to take up our cross daily and follow him. <br /> <br />Silence is a difficult thing for many people, if I stood up here silent for too long------------- people would start to get uncomfortable. It is often the same for many people when we pray, talking to God is quite easy but being silent and listening... that is much harder. Maybe during church and worship is the time where we should be listening to God and trying to follow His plan for our lives. This process is called discernment; trying to listen to how we should follow God, trying to hear what job it is He wants us to do next. <br /> <br />In today’s bible verse we heard Jesus telling the crowds around him that if they want to be his disciples, they must take up their cross and follow him. It might have been easier for people in biblical times to listen because Jesus was a human, in the flesh. Now we must listen to God through the Holy Spirit, prayer or by reading our bibles. My discernment process to listen to God was also difficult; because I knew I should follow His plan for my life, but did not want to listen to the answer He was giving me. <br /><br />Early on in high school I remember wanting to study business when I was in college. I thought this field of study would be fast-paced, interesting, it would allow me to travel and I would make a lot of money. I think those are important aspects of a job to a high school student. However, when I would sit in silence I could hear this voice inside my head telling me, "You’re supposed to work for the church." As a high school student that was the last thing I wanted to be when I grew up, because there is not a lot of money in the church business. I wanted to be a successful business woman and make a lot of money. But every time I tried to ignore this thought of working for the church, God would call out to me and tell me that I was made to work for him. <br /> <br />I went to college and eventually did study International Business, but what I wanted to do with that degree was slowly changing. I began discerning when I was a senior in college, how God wanted me to use this degree after college for his work and his glory. What was it that I was suppose to do, the answer I heard was to become a missionary. I trusted that this was the call on my life, and began to apply for missionary positions within the Lutheran Church. Trusting God’s will while applying for a job was easy, I took up my cross and decided to follow Gods will, and Gods will said you are moving to Tokyo. Once I got the job and moved here, trusting in God’s will became much harder.<br /><br />This is where the second part of the bible verse came into play; "For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it" I would not lose my life in the sense that I would die, but I would lose my life in the sense that everything was new here for me, everything was a challenge, and my life would no longer be easy.<br /> <br />I remember one specific day I was having a rough time in Tokyo. It was during the Christmas season, about three months after I moved to Japan. It was a cold and rainy day much like the days we have been having lately. I did not have any rain boots at this time and was wearing a pair of brown flats. I started my day like any other day in orientation and went to language school in Iidabashi. By the time I reached school my shoes were quite wet. After school I was coming here for the annual Hongo Student Center Christmas party. I took the train to Ochanomizu and began my walk. <br /> <br />My shoes became drenched to the point I could hear the water sloshing around, and my pants were soaked mid-way up my calf. I was getting really aggravated and was wondering what I had done to aggravate God so much that he would make me this miserable. Why did he bring me to Japan if I was just going to be miserable everyday? Did I misinterpret his call; was I not supposed to be here? Every time a taxi drove by I contemplated getting into it and going back home. I was cold, wet, and angry, angry with God. By the time I reached the doors to walk into Hongo I was ready to cry I was so frustrated. Frustrated with the Japanese language, frustrated I didn't understand most of what was going on around me, and frustrated with myself for not wanting to be in Japan. <br /><br />Upon entering the building I took off my shoes, as you all know is not normally done here. The Student Center staff, who would later become my peers, took one look at me, barefoot with soaking pants and their faces filled with pity. Immediately the woman sitting in front of the heater offered up her seat to me in order to help dry my pants, and then offered me a pair of her slippers to keep my feet warm, another missionary poured me a cup of hot tea, I was given a doughnut, and countless numbers of mikans. <br /> <br />Yasui sensei and Etsuko helped me wipe off my shoes and then they stuffed newspaper into my shoes in order to soak up all the water. As I was sitting there with my pants drying, my shoes beginning to shed the water, and with my hot cup of tea in hand, I thought; Wow these people welcomed me with open arms and took care of me. I felt as if I was able to receive the hospitality and generosity that the church is intended to offer. I had begin to doubt why God called me to be a missionary here in Japan but God showed me his love and care for me through the members of this church that I will never forget. And that act of love and care reminded me that God still loves and cares for everyone, and it was this type of behavior I was supposed to be showing others while working here. <br /><br />Following God's will does not mean that our lives will be easy all the time. Following Gods will for me to come to Japan was the right thing to do, but yet it hasn't always been easy. In fact, Jesus tells us that we would lose our lives, we will suffer persecution and we will endure many trials and tribulations to daily pick up our cross and follow him. But that is what it means to be a disciple of Christ. We must endure the hardships he places before us and suffer the way he suffered. The bible passage in Luke is not to be discouraging; I see this bible passage as a reminder of what a life with God entails. We must listen to God's calling on our life and once we hear what it is he is calling us to do, we must do it. For if we want to save our own lives, we must first give our lives to Jesus and act out our role in his eternal story,Dana Dutcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11987801909557867808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354505139269043485.post-23784596017218264352012-03-07T23:23:00.003-06:002012-03-07T23:24:35.401-06:0013 Days and Counting<blockquote><span style="font-style:italic;">Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 <br />1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:<br />2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,<br />3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,<br />4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,<br />5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,<br />6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,<br />7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,<br />8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.</span></blockquote><br /><br />My time in Japan is coming to an end…and quite quickly. Although I can give you the exact number of days until I leave Japan and know exactly when I am returning to America, I think part of me is still in shock that I am leaving. Considering the fact that it is Lent, which is a time of reflection, I thought I’d write a blog reflecting on my current thoughts about leaving behind this country and the many people I’ve met and friends I’ve made. <br /><br />The bible verse from Ecclesiastes I opened with was the bible verse Eric preached at our last Hongo Service this past Friday. He talked about how John and I will both be leaving the Tokyo community but the impression that we made will never leave. Part of us will always be remembered, the students will remember us (hopefully for a long time) and our impact on their faith journey is something that can never be undone. With technology advancing around us all the time it has become easier than ever to stay in touch with people. With Facebook, blogs, e-mails, and skype, if I wanted to talk with everyone I met in Japan on any given day, I could. But is that necessarily a good thing?<br /><br />I truly believe that everyone comes into your life for a reason. Whether it’s because you need to learn something from them, you need to teach them something, you were meant to love them and be loved by them, or maybe it is something as trivial as a comment you said that ended up changing their whole life… You meet everyone for a reason and when that person has fulfilled their part in your life, it is time for them to step out of your life. <br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><blockquote><br />1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:<br />2 a time to be born and a time to die,</blockquote></span><br />Maybe this verse applies to friendships being born and dying as well… <br /><br />I think sometimes we cling onto our past and people from our past because we think they are meant to be in our lives forever. But what if that’s not true? What if I was meant to make a clean break from some of the people I’ve met in Japan? What if some of these relationships have lived out their function and purpose…when I say goodbye, should it be goodbye forever? Sometimes hanging onto people from our pasts is a detriment to our future progress and life ambitions. If we are clinging to people and countries of our past maybe we miss that new opportunity that is waiting in front of us.<br /><br />I am not saying that I will forget everyone I have met here in Japan, or that their function in my life is over yet… but merely saying that I am okay with some things coming to an end. This chapter in my life will end shortly and then a new one of travel will begin. Some people I have met here in Japan will remain close friends for life, and others that I have met in this big metropolis of a city will become pleasant memories I can think about. The people who served their purpose in my Japan story, and hopefully I served my part in their life story. I think I am coming to terms that I will probably never see most of these people in my life again. <br /><br />But I ask again, is that necessarily a bad thing?Dana Dutcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11987801909557867808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354505139269043485.post-69135214401329786602012-01-29T00:44:00.003-06:002012-01-29T00:55:53.307-06:00Making a DifferenceThe Boy and the Starfish<br /><br />A man was walking along a deserted beach at sunset. As he walked he could see a young boy in the distance, as he drew nearer he noticed that the boy kept bending down, picking something up and throwing it into the water. Time and again he kept hurling things into the ocean. <br />As the man approached even closer, he was able to see that the boy was picking up starfish that had been washed up on the beach and, one at a time he was throwing them back into the water. <br />The man asked the boy what he was doing, the boy replied,"I am throwing these washed up starfish back into the ocean, or else they will die through lack of oxygen. "But", said the man, "You can't possibly save them all, there are thousands on this beach, and this must be happening on hundreds of beaches along the coast. You can't possibly make a difference." The boy smiled, bent down and picked up another starfish, and as he threw it back into the sea, he replied. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">"I made a huge difference to that one!" </span><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />~Author Unknown~</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwebi3cy_WvT65M0cCLj7EGVMDkkjXkDOGbIVacpy9IG4mi55ZdZ1HyVDtdH3z2EB0K_RKcyGm7sH-55A_dqDP4U4zDWlJvy99ay16nt8H7mNF3WP7_ZYbHV3a2wueYLf1UFVFRXu5Xlo/s1600/12-24-11+Hongo+Kid%2527s+Christmas+%252811%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwebi3cy_WvT65M0cCLj7EGVMDkkjXkDOGbIVacpy9IG4mi55ZdZ1HyVDtdH3z2EB0K_RKcyGm7sH-55A_dqDP4U4zDWlJvy99ay16nt8H7mNF3WP7_ZYbHV3a2wueYLf1UFVFRXu5Xlo/s320/12-24-11+Hongo+Kid%2527s+Christmas+%252811%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702943796277475122" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7H_g2nWRHTv0-DC6ccHw_clswODFyNKmE9UoUHajw9vOqoOdSr9JtZ9zQgiMAxwrljJwSEfgU5hPFvPtAaw_tnmcHUoDyEJsvDaLPoKRPOWUc42r_DHUW_t7b72075l047CG3dAJ4j9g/s1600/12-10-11+Katerina+Christmas+Party.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7H_g2nWRHTv0-DC6ccHw_clswODFyNKmE9UoUHajw9vOqoOdSr9JtZ9zQgiMAxwrljJwSEfgU5hPFvPtAaw_tnmcHUoDyEJsvDaLPoKRPOWUc42r_DHUW_t7b72075l047CG3dAJ4j9g/s320/12-10-11+Katerina+Christmas+Party.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702943790901125266" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2a8zyPsmMORlmXTX0L_G7Rn4FThkTJ43G7zcgbB9SVd51_3N1K2SK9JP0srFsamwpU_RPtpQl-7zqoxgEcw2aQK7FVdRgQs3YzYBcJxr4quueNpVvJ0nZ4W63PU0ngkrCniGRqgZCql8/s1600/12-10-11+Katerina+Christmas+Party+%25287%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2a8zyPsmMORlmXTX0L_G7Rn4FThkTJ43G7zcgbB9SVd51_3N1K2SK9JP0srFsamwpU_RPtpQl-7zqoxgEcw2aQK7FVdRgQs3YzYBcJxr4quueNpVvJ0nZ4W63PU0ngkrCniGRqgZCql8/s320/12-10-11+Katerina+Christmas+Party+%25287%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702943773672285170" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0j4T1GDg8AkNT8kCuOGQ0yo1olyYq2CpaPmWtc803ge-_MbyPMDAD0xDobfoOs1fLOV_xtOszBe3HROxHGDnwuSA-gK2pLlC6ak-SxWkQCgBqFac3N8jEKL8yQyHmLnBZZSF_i0zOXRc/s1600/12-10-11+Katerina+Christmas+Party+%25288%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0j4T1GDg8AkNT8kCuOGQ0yo1olyYq2CpaPmWtc803ge-_MbyPMDAD0xDobfoOs1fLOV_xtOszBe3HROxHGDnwuSA-gK2pLlC6ak-SxWkQCgBqFac3N8jEKL8yQyHmLnBZZSF_i0zOXRc/s320/12-10-11+Katerina+Christmas+Party+%25288%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702943763996279842" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhighNH0lzvNfjv2GIVpFID3biU7gmSmFVIl4LWtmvZ3HuAKeuaNH66q2Jts2SHIzT8nBYtIyHMjfXuh_gif6mGCvLOMOOPHfcJv0sNxO6XSXAM91PBMYOH6iX2KJzPoe1ZR-rXd3phTVY/s1600/12-24-11+Hongo+Kid%2527s+Christmas+%25287%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhighNH0lzvNfjv2GIVpFID3biU7gmSmFVIl4LWtmvZ3HuAKeuaNH66q2Jts2SHIzT8nBYtIyHMjfXuh_gif6mGCvLOMOOPHfcJv0sNxO6XSXAM91PBMYOH6iX2KJzPoe1ZR-rXd3phTVY/s320/12-24-11+Hongo+Kid%2527s+Christmas+%25287%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702943826364025090" /></a>Dana Dutcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11987801909557867808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354505139269043485.post-2673524463074685232011-12-10T02:00:00.002-06:002011-12-10T02:04:56.003-06:00Mona Lisa SmileOut of the thousands of movies I have watched in my life time, no movie inspires me more than Mona Lisa Smile. It is a movie set in the northeastern part of the United States in the 1950’s at Wesley University. For those of you unfamiliar with this University or their heritage it is set in a very traditional time, where gender roles are very important. The women go to university to receive the best education, but are only dreaming of attaining their M.R.S. degree. If you have never seen this movie I HIGHLY recommend it.<br /><br />If you had asked me in college my thoughts about gender roles, I probably would have told you that I did not care much. I rather enjoyed not having to mow the lawn or fix a car engine. I would not have considered myself a feminist and maybe not even have advocated for COMPLETE equal rights. (I mean who wants to be drafted?) My best friend in college, Valerie, I would say is a feminist in her own wonderful way. There was one afternoon when I was washing the dishes and she was hanging out watching a movie in the living room. I tried to unscrew a lid on a coffee mug, but it was twisted soooooooo tight, I could not get it off. I made a comment under my breath, ‘I need a man here!’. She was surprisingly upset by this comment I had made. Her parents had taught her all along that she didn’t need a man to do things for her, and she should learn to do everything on her own. Thusly she tried to do whatever task it was at hand, when I would make that comment…it was made on several occasions. (Killing bugs, unscrewing things, shoveling out my car…you get the idea.) She was the best ‘man’ I could have asked for, rather the best friend I could have asked for. <br /><br />I grew up, for the majority of my life, with all men. So its not that I was not taught the same thing, the reality is with two brothers…I never had to mow a lawn or kill a spider. Not because I was unable, but merely because they were always around. Granted they never really vacuumed or did the laundry so it worked out. Our household was not dictated by gender roles, but merely by what we wanted to do for our chores. I still raked leaves and shoveled snow on occasion, and they did help with the dishes. I even had my younger brother watching Oprah with me; our house was rather liberal when it came to gender roles. Maybe that is the reason I never gave them much consideration. <br /><br />Coming to Japan has opened my eyes to the gender stereotypes that are still ever so pervasive in societies these days. Japan is one among the long list of developed nations but yet ranks last in gender equality for developed nations. (Citation:http://www.weforum.org/issues/global-gender-gap <a href="http://www.weforum.org/issues/global-gender-gap"></a> ) This topic has been on the forefront of my mind since I began my missionary term here in 2009. When one thinks of a ‘missionary’s duties’ you think of feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and helping those who are less fortunate than yourself. This is what I originally had in mind when I decided to become a missionary, but like most things I plan in life, God laughed at me and said…not exactly Dana. Upon arrival to this technological, fashion-forward, materialistic mecca of the East, I often wondered what it is that I was actually called here to do. What is my calling and what career path is that leading me to follow. <br /><br />With that in mind, one of the job placement sites I was assigned to is the Bunkyo-ku Katerina (文京区カテリーナ)dormitory, for high school and college females. After teaching here for almost two years, the opinions and frustrations that my girls have felt in this country astound me. I had one student who grew up in Nagoya, the home of Toyota, and then moved to America for 3 years for high school. Upon her return to Japan she immediately started taking English lessons from me in order to keep her English at a fluent level. The conversation drifted to living in America versus living in Japan, and she said something that I’ll never forget. She said she always thought she had a good life here in Japan, until she went to America and saw how much freedom she could have. She never questioned the gender role she was going to fulfill because all the women in her life had fulfilled the same one, it seemed normal to her. I asked her what her career ambitions were and she had told me that she had never given it much thought before, but now coming back from America she saw a whole plethora of possibilities she could have. <br /><br />I was simply floored. I began to raise this discussion in my other lessons as well and was no less shocked by the answers I was given. My students were going to some of the best colleges, studying economics, international relations, pre-law but in the end all saw themselves married and with kids a few years out of college. The pressure Japanese culture forces on women to fulfill the stereotypical women roles absolutely shocked me. I began thinking that if Japan is this way, can you image what repressive countries cultures must be like? I never considered myself a feminist…until I came to Japan. I’m all for being taken care of and having a man be the head of the household….but if he can’t step to the plate…I can. <br /><br />Young females need positive role models in their lives to tell them that they can do anything they want, that they don’t have to conform to a shadow behind their husband, merely propping him up. They too can be in power, empowered to do what they want with their lives and reach their goals beyond marriage. Mona Lisa Smile also has the same message that women don’t have to follow the tradition laid out before them from the generation above but they can forge their own path into uncharted territory. <br /><br />My sorority’s mission statement is “To inspire the highest type of womanhood” and that is a mission I think is worth carrying out. To be strong independent women and showing others that they too have the same possibilities. The women I met in my sorority Gamma Phi Beta: Zeta Iota are some of the most amazingly strong women I know, and am proud to call them sisters. <br /><br />I think that my calling might not be to stay and work in Japan forever, but I do think it has to do with gender roles and advocating for women in other countries where they might not have the power to do so themselves. To encourage parents to allow both their sons and daughters to attend school. To teach women how to start up their own businesses and show them how to earn their own income so that they do not have to rely on their husbands. Maybe this is what I was called to Japan to learn… <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">“Not all who wander are aimless, especially not those who seek truth beyond tradition, beyond definition, beyond the image.” --Mona Lisa Smile </span>Dana Dutcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11987801909557867808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354505139269043485.post-67094427590473215932011-10-10T06:31:00.002-05:002011-10-10T06:34:32.948-05:00The Trouble with TraditionI realize its yet again been awhile since I have written a blog entry, so instead of writing an entire blog I thought I would post on here a message I used for our weekly English Service. I gave the message two weeks ago and spoke about traditions in the church because it is something that is held onto a little too strongly in the Japanese culture. So although this entry might not be completely applicable to your church or your life style, it speaks to the people who the message was intended for. I hope you enjoy it! <br /><br />This past week has got me thinking about traditions and rituals we practice in our lives. Last week there were several national holidays. One of these holidays was the fall equinox, and ohigan days here in Japan. Many people visited their family graves and held memorial services in honor of their loved ones. I found this tradition to be really interested so I asked one of my students, why do you do this? And that student answered “Because we are Japanese, it is tradition”. Which is great, but why this day? Why hold a memorial service? No one in the class could answer me. It’s a Buddhist tradition and everyone followed the practice, but no one could explain to me why. <br /><br />Later on that day I was talking to another missionary friend and I explained how this bothered me that no one understood their culture enough to be able to answer why they did what they did. As if there was no meaning and no thought process involved, it was simply done because it’s always been done, and somewhere along the line people forgot why they do it. And she pointed out to me, that as Christians we often do things for the sake of “Christian tradition”…this thought bothered me even more. That Christians get caught up in the routine and the rituals of our worship services that we forget the purpose behind the actions.<br />Anyone who has attended a Lutheran church service can tell you there is a strict order of worship that we follow. For those of you who regularly come to this worship service you’ll notice we usually do the same things, the same pattern. The same song pattern, the same order of worship…but why? What exactly is worship and why do we do this? What’s the reasoning? <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Worship is the “thank you” that refuses to be silenced. We have tried to make a science out of worship. We can’t do that. We can’t do that anymore than we can “sell love” or ‘negotiate peace”. Worship is a voluntary act of gratitude offered by the saved to the Savior, by the healed to the Healer, and by the delivered to the Deliverer. </span><br /><br />Worship is the act of thanking God for all the wonderful things he has done in our lives. There isn’t a correct way to thank god, and there isn’t a wrong way to thank God either. I remember one time during a service here in Tokyo, when something was done in a slightly different tradition. The candles are usually lit from right to left, and on this particular Sunday the candles were lit from left to right. A church member noticed the difference and was very upset that the candles were not lit in the correct way. God does not care which way the candles are lit, or even if we have candles during a worship service. The only important thing is that we come to God with honest hearts filled with gratitude and thanks for the work he has done.<br />We all too often get caught in tradition and are afraid to break out form it, we feel if we do something wrong the service is void and God will no longer love us. That is not the case. Traditions are a good thing, but when the tradition of service is more important than the worshiping it self…that is when it becomes a problem. Most liturgy used in Japanese churches comes from Martin Luther himself and the traditions are from the German missionaries that came years and years ago. The integrity of that service has been held onto for so long because the Japanese were afraid that if they didn’t do it right, the service wouldn’t be good enough, they wanted it to be perfect. But I say let there be mistakes, put some Japanese songs into it. Change the tradition. <br /><br />Psalams 66:3-4 reads “Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! Because of your great power, your enemies cringe before you. All the earth worships you; they sing praises to you, sing praises to your name” All we are asked to do is to sing our praises to God, in no particular order, no particular language…if we are not the best singer…God doesn’t mind. <br /><br />I was reading a book last night that a supporting church member sent me for my birthday this year, and it talks about worrying about how to do things. <br />So I want to leave you tonight with this thought, God calls us to WORSHIP him, he doesn’t tell us how, he doesn’t say for how long…he just wants us to worship him. So if come to him with our praise in different ways, it will always be acceptable to him. So whenever you get down and think I don’t know how to pray, or I don’t know how to preach, just remember God isn’t looking for a certain method or order…he just wants you to DO, just do it. AmenDana Dutcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11987801909557867808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354505139269043485.post-86355063902951457562011-08-21T07:21:00.002-05:002011-08-21T07:27:35.102-05:00The Importance and Difficulty of Community in JapanI spent three weeks this summer visiting my home, my country, America. While I was home I visited Arkansas, Valparaiso, Chicago and Milwaukee; meeting up with different friends, family members, and different communities I belonged/belong to back home. I was able to catch up with old friends, make new friends, have relationships and have great conversations about a variety of topics. Some things were trivial, some things were super important such as the Packers fall schedule; we all know that is important. I also had several conversations with people about the programs and initiatives that are being implemented over here in the Japanese churches, and then they asked my opinion of how those programs were going, and what the biggest problem tends to be. Now that is a tricky question. I have only been here a short two years but within those two years I feel I have made many many observations. One of the most important and probably also the biggest hindrance to the Christian church would be community.
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<br />Community is a rather important component to ones survival, especially here in Japan. It gives us a group to belong to, giving us our identity. It gives us work and relationships to tend to, giving us a sense of being needed. Our families tend to be there to support and encourage us, giving us a full time cheerleading squad. The communities we belong to play a very important role in our everyday lives. For Americans, these groups or communities may not play as strong of a role. We tend to move around the country, leaving friends and family behind and an occasional email tends to suffice, as we hold ourselves up by our own strength. Or so we think. Japanese people on the other hand know better, they know and value the sense of that community, probably more than anything else in their life. Friendships take a long time to form and cultivate in this culture.
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<br />Another important part of the community structure here in Japan is the need to blend in. No one should stand out. In America we all try to stand out, be different and be noticed. In Japan the saying goes, the nail that sticks out gets hammered down. This can be attributed to a cultural dimension known as individualism. I book I read in college; Cultures and Organizations by Hofstede discusses many different characteristics/dimensions of culture; things that define different cultures around the world. One of these dimensions is individualism.
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<br />Individualism pertains to societies which the ties between individuals are loose; everyone is expected to look after himself or herself and his or her immediate family. Collectivism as its opposite pertains to societies in which people from birth onward are integrated into strong, cohesive in-groups, which throughout people’s lifetime continue to protect them in exchange for unquestioning loyalty. (76).</span>
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<br />Individualism</span>
<br />American = Score 91 Rank 1
<br />Japan = Score 46 Rank 33-35
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<br />These scores reflect how strong one is on the individualism scale, thus showing that Japan tends to fall more into the collectivist society. Those groups they are born into are something that need to remain unwavering, and leaving such a group to join another one…is rather taboo. Be the same, stay loyal to the group you were born into and life will be easy.
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<br />In college I had a course on international relations, which is where I read this book, and in this class we discussed many of these topics. One thing we discussed was the ease to make friendships, to join these communities. Japanese people tend to be like coconuts, hard on the outside, layer upon layer of hard exterior, taking forever to crack into. And I have cracked a coconut before…trust me, its hard.
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<br /> But once you finally get through all the exterior hardness there is a soft fruit and milk on the inside where a friendship can form. Americans on the other hand tend to be like peaches. Soft and easy to penetrate on the outside, but once you get into the core…we get harder to crack. Americans are easy to open up their group and accept you in, instant friends. I have met people on airplanes and heard their lives stories before take off. But Japanese people on the other hand…it takes years to really get to know someone. I knew a student for over a year before she said ANYTHING about her husband…they are guarded and careful with what they share. This sort of self preservation, if you will, is extremely difficult when trying to integrate people into new groups ie: bringing people into the church.
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<br />Now, many of you that are reading this, I’m assuming have been Christians your whole life. Your family is Christian. Most of your friends are Christian. Somewhere down the line I’m willing to bet some of you even went to Christian schools. We’ve been surrounded by Christianity our whole life, so for us being a Christian is easy, I didn’t lose anything by being a Christian. My family didn’t disown me, my friends didn’t leave me, I didn’t bring shame upon my ancestors. But for a Japanese person who converts…these are some of the issues that they face. Turning your back on hundreds of years of tradition to become a Christian isn’t an easy thing to do. Leaving the community of your old friends and family to join a new community of Christians is not something that happens over night here. It can take years, even decades before someone feels their ties are strong enough to a new group to commit themselves. This is where the challenges arise.
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<br />I will continue to write a few entries about this topic because I feel it is rather important in understanding the Japanese church.
<br />Dana Dutcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11987801909557867808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354505139269043485.post-9271623553155519112011-08-18T05:49:00.004-05:002011-08-18T05:57:39.260-05:00It must be summer....
<br />because my blog entries have been slacking. My apologies. I have been thinking about a new blog to write though and I'm still tossing around some ideas but until I get that one up and going I shall leave you with a picture entry. These are pictures from our last day of kids class at Hongo. It was a great time and the kids all really enjoyed themselves. We played some games...and it turns out they are learning! Pleasant surprise!
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nLRTF9Dn5n4s_vlpNFAhoA5c14tfZn5TxlOhPFeJ2S_6-StmlxLAVlRINNSdQofpwVq-c_fgZzK8Rn3i_h9Gqf5wx6fLTmh4rig0K1xvGi-MK2b_y01k2GSQZcoCy3RD4vah0ZYv3aU/s1600/7-12-11+Kids+Party+%25283%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nLRTF9Dn5n4s_vlpNFAhoA5c14tfZn5TxlOhPFeJ2S_6-StmlxLAVlRINNSdQofpwVq-c_fgZzK8Rn3i_h9Gqf5wx6fLTmh4rig0K1xvGi-MK2b_y01k2GSQZcoCy3RD4vah0ZYv3aU/s400/7-12-11+Kids+Party+%25283%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642147345202390002" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRX9NSDFNJa6AZSx5nt_huRifiRvpfvjMuBy7cGTC8OKkOgKlDzr_SuK7XMDQn2EI_8F2K4JpwZLwYt9SG_d9he-ECQKyozdkbnstDayvy7s1d2dGVQQaiFNeCW2PXzYWcRJaNP9N8CQ/s1600/7-12-11+Kids+Party+%25284%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRX9NSDFNJa6AZSx5nt_huRifiRvpfvjMuBy7cGTC8OKkOgKlDzr_SuK7XMDQn2EI_8F2K4JpwZLwYt9SG_d9he-ECQKyozdkbnstDayvy7s1d2dGVQQaiFNeCW2PXzYWcRJaNP9N8CQ/s400/7-12-11+Kids+Party+%25284%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642147340246064802" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji16OXhMVYeCIefaI0397m9of9m9-Eqo1CUkAZTe0dHr8_NjrkfMayIZ7mr6Ois1DJT0nlRgtwOTnfmZ2aif7HtAmnPSV4lV3G769rJNQfbvbU7chkqB9hNXRUTjadySsP7tR10Qhg-CY/s1600/7-12-11+Kids+Party+%252822%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji16OXhMVYeCIefaI0397m9of9m9-Eqo1CUkAZTe0dHr8_NjrkfMayIZ7mr6Ois1DJT0nlRgtwOTnfmZ2aif7HtAmnPSV4lV3G769rJNQfbvbU7chkqB9hNXRUTjadySsP7tR10Qhg-CY/s400/7-12-11+Kids+Party+%252822%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642148164774162034" /></a>
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<br />Dana Dutcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11987801909557867808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354505139269043485.post-44977093622001049432011-05-27T23:38:00.002-05:002011-05-27T23:44:08.804-05:00Easter Activities: Photo BlogHello everyone! My last blog was a bit on the down side of things, but rest assure as many down times as there are, there are up times as well. Its a crazy roller coaster life living over here, and although the down seem quick and dramatic, the ups take us much higher that we thought we could go. But in the blink of the eye the roller coaster is over, and we're left thinking...really? That was it? So today I am going to post pictures instead of another long ranting blog. These pictures were from our Easter Activities in our kid's classes at Hongo. I have to give a shout out to my best friend Emily who sent me the egg dye and the Easter eggs, the kids had a great day and everyone enjoyed learning about Easter. These smiling faces always brighten my days, when no one else can. Our communication is so limited...but I love them all so much, and adore teaching kids' classes! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfIosV4fnjZl0pMM14xU2EXGjlGF6vq6EjeJxbDn22KdNlQPZkkEYgYRXVBpxMWVJCzssodYgPQLXSLmsu-HunO2DdH_ZbvP6ao0WDgoZGkxXkn8QMf0YvRADjtzDqFdovWb0b5a7wys/s1600/Easter+at+Hongo+%25287%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfIosV4fnjZl0pMM14xU2EXGjlGF6vq6EjeJxbDn22KdNlQPZkkEYgYRXVBpxMWVJCzssodYgPQLXSLmsu-HunO2DdH_ZbvP6ao0WDgoZGkxXkn8QMf0YvRADjtzDqFdovWb0b5a7wys/s400/Easter+at+Hongo+%25287%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611623128051279346" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lHr1p_ItiFZTXeisbMkNAhAnKK8gzwrKWlxzYfKQdJ4_FeBXSg4jxovBbvPIA7cmhNttCKp6kK7jeIp-M9ghtKpxPVA72fL2fWnOizg8WnyKNJLRWcQw6qPi1_ItYylkXWLt00OaCCI/s1600/Easter+at+Hongo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lHr1p_ItiFZTXeisbMkNAhAnKK8gzwrKWlxzYfKQdJ4_FeBXSg4jxovBbvPIA7cmhNttCKp6kK7jeIp-M9ghtKpxPVA72fL2fWnOizg8WnyKNJLRWcQw6qPi1_ItYylkXWLt00OaCCI/s400/Easter+at+Hongo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611623124365622978" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMJAfkGboyw6Uq3jv0RYOSEIYlmZdqOiehUTsSU-rnBkqFYfzEhjrisFlVYC_t1otKirrE1KEM3A0HC6rZTJLKoV2HJbgcheYfr0MQJ1kMlQCmhtnFoSQN1-QR-TXbh7zglUgne2cmFg/s1600/Easter+at+Hongo+%25284%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMJAfkGboyw6Uq3jv0RYOSEIYlmZdqOiehUTsSU-rnBkqFYfzEhjrisFlVYC_t1otKirrE1KEM3A0HC6rZTJLKoV2HJbgcheYfr0MQJ1kMlQCmhtnFoSQN1-QR-TXbh7zglUgne2cmFg/s400/Easter+at+Hongo+%25284%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611623111650529986" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDUq-xTZ7CGxIQ7Tlk_HkAH6aS2oW9WZF503fSYOqxZrd1s_R0sCKLtVm5hP_l1P4Am3myT9aHcccqtIjdR-1eQsbdcknB8iEcy1DCbIcY6uUOcl5RG3WQyU-YBDtCYHtS5MSXdj3qbU/s1600/Easter+at+Hongo+%25283%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDUq-xTZ7CGxIQ7Tlk_HkAH6aS2oW9WZF503fSYOqxZrd1s_R0sCKLtVm5hP_l1P4Am3myT9aHcccqtIjdR-1eQsbdcknB8iEcy1DCbIcY6uUOcl5RG3WQyU-YBDtCYHtS5MSXdj3qbU/s400/Easter+at+Hongo+%25283%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611623109291779730" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZbBu9t97AzlpvLQG0zaH5OOaJuMT2J_gRjQyjH6tndeYfKjbZof-StffDr_aE5KLfFsDJJ3l0ukhRlZPr9gZpn9zyWy3tgkpZ3Q0Y_cPjlXC2nvK6opmhnnZ3jBXtTWne-rtavl9qsk/s1600/Easter+at+Hongo+%25282%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZbBu9t97AzlpvLQG0zaH5OOaJuMT2J_gRjQyjH6tndeYfKjbZof-StffDr_aE5KLfFsDJJ3l0ukhRlZPr9gZpn9zyWy3tgkpZ3Q0Y_cPjlXC2nvK6opmhnnZ3jBXtTWne-rtavl9qsk/s400/Easter+at+Hongo+%25282%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611623099606215538" /></a>Dana Dutcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11987801909557867808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354505139269043485.post-33850769948247495212011-05-17T09:53:00.001-05:002011-05-17T09:56:39.337-05:00ChangesIt’s the second week of May now, which means our classes have been in full swing for about a month. We have added 2 more children’s classes, and the kids couldn’t be cuter! So now I currently have 4 adult classes and 5 kid’s classes at Hongo, and 14 girls at Katerina. Teaching is in full swing. I changed from teaching two beginner and two intermediate to one beginner, two intermediate and one advanced class this year, partially because I wanted to teach an advanced class and partially because I believe the new Hongo J3 is more suited to teach the beginner classes. (He is an accredited ESL teacher, and is fluent in Japanese so it made more sense). I could not be happier with my classes and my students. These changes are welcomed as far as I’m concerned.<br /><br />This spring many changes have happened and I have not welcomed all of them with such open arms. For many many many years the LCMS Lutheran Church has also had a missionary presence in Tokyo (VYM). Their job positions and our job positions ran right along side each other, 6 months language training, 2 years teaching. These people were close co-workers, friends, support systems and overall a social network. Due to unfortunate circumstances their program has officially ended their presence in Japan. Its sad to see a missionary community pack up and leave, but they have been working hard in Japan for years, and have planted so many seeds that will continue to grow and blossom here in Japan, so although they may be physically gone now, their work continues on in the students that they taught. This was not a change I welcomed. These missionaries were my peers. As some of you may know, the missionary group I came with….was an unusual group. Two married couples, one in their 40’s and one in their early 60’s, and myself; usually J3’s are straight out of college, so my group was a bit strange. We got along great and had an amazing orientation together, the entire while I had my peer group with the other Tokyo J3 missionaries (Charity and Matthew) and the numerous VYM missionaries to socialize with. <br /><br />We would meet for lunches, have bible studies together, monthly worship meetings to re-gather and recharge, izakaiya nights and our lovely trips to Cost-Co. These were my friends in Tokyo, a group of fellow missionaries who I could share my daily struggles with, and they actually understood because they were in the same boat. We were all about the same age, single (well okay there were two newly wed couples, but they were single before) and we were all fresh in the field. We didn’t have obligations back home, or big families yet to call our own so our jobs basically became our lives, and that’s what being a missionary is all about. When these people were pulled from Japan as their contracts ended, it was during the time of the earthquake when so many things were happening and going on. The company pulled them out faster than anyone was expecting so proper good-byes and farewell parties were missed. Thus leaving many things unresolved. A change not welcomed.<br /><br />The missionary positions in Tokyo are also a semi touchy subject with me, so lets just say I am currently working with someone I did not expect to be working with. My co-worker is awesome, and a FABULOUS teacher, which takes a huge burden off of me. I can relax and enjoy the bible study 4 times a week as he leads it flawlessly as far as I’m concerned. He is a great co-worker…just not who I thought I’d be working with. I was expecting a 20 something female to join me in Tokyo and to become my new bestest friend ever (which of course you ladies still are, even in the Mote) but due to back door meetings, this opportunity was short lived. My former co-worker, the glorious Matthew Linden, was a joy to work with. Everyday he made me smile at work and laugh even when I didn’t want to. He was always chattering and kept the atmosphere light and friendly. We had late night conversations over beers, shared our depressing moments, and moments of excitements as well as many hilarious youtube videos. We enjoyed working together and our lunch dates every Wednesday and Thursday (come on, we don’t cook). It was a time to teach and then to hang out with a friend. And although sometimes I didn’t enjoy the constant rambling… I look back at it now, and highly miss it. My work place atmosphere changed the moment Matthew left, and it’s not better or worse…it’s different. A change not welcomed. <br /><br />As other missionary friends fulfill their contracts and look forward to moving home in the coming months, my military friends are also ending their tour of duty and returning to America. I’m still here. I'm not going to say out right that I don’t want to be here…but things have changed and it is much harder now than it was two months ago.<br /><br />I feel I have lost my community, my social outlet, my place away from home to kick back with a friend while we lesson plan for the week. The recharging services and bible studies are trying to take place over skype, but with time differences…they don’t always happen. I still have a few amazing friends here in Tokyo and an amazing missionary family down in Kawasaki that are my saving grace, but things are different. My immediate peer group is gone, and I’m not sure they will ever be able to be replaced. I feel more alone here than I have in a long time, and the constant aftershocks from the earthquake are also beginning to play on my nerves a little bit and then I get the, ‘ugh, I can’t wait to go home!” feeling. <br /><br />I don’t’ say all this to complain or to make people feel sorry for me, but merely to share that this is part of the reality of being a missionary, having an international life style means friends are constantly coming and going, and things are always changing. I realize I can’t count on people to always be there, because when a contract or a visa is expired…they have to leave and that’s just the reality of this job. So instead of depending on others I have joined a gym and am now focusing on me for the next year until I too hang it up and come home (in less than a year). So hopefully this will keep me occupied and give me something to do when I have no one to call and hang out with. So I am trying to be proactive and positive about the current situation, as its reality and I cannot change it. I just wanted to shed light on some of the struggles that I do face here, because all too often I think I might sugar coat my blog entries and only paint the happy picture, today’s picture…not so happy. Changes are not always welcome.Dana Dutcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11987801909557867808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354505139269043485.post-89808055829608746152011-05-03T20:34:00.011-05:002011-05-04T07:41:56.512-05:00March MadnessI realize I have not posted a blog entry in some time, and for that I apologize. My last blog was entered on March 10th… if only I had waited one day later to write it, that blog would have been a totally different story. As everyone is well aware by now, Japan suffered a horrible 9.0 earthquake on Friday March 11th, at 2:46pm. The school year runs a little differently than back in the States, and due to this the month of March is all vacation for me, so this particular Friday I had no work, and was at home. I was planning on heading down to the ministry site in Yokosuka to spend the night, and my bags were packed and ready to go. I wanted to finish watching an episode of House, so I was procrastinating a little longer than planned, in retrospect; I’m SO GLAD I procrastinated. <br /><br />I was at home when the earthquake hit, and at first shrugged it off because we have plenty of earthquakes and I was sure this one was no different. However this one was different, it lasted a much longer time and was getting stronger with every shake. Things were being thrown around in my house, and at this point I realized, this was no regular earthquake, this was a big one. I ran upstairs and immediately started taking down anything that was glass and moving it to the floor, because things were falling off of shelves and for a minute I thought my entire bookcase was going to fall over. After I had moved everything to the ground that I felt might break, I ran back downstairs and braced myself as the earthquake continued to shake my house. It was quite possibly the scariest few minutes of my life. Realizing for the first time, I live alone, and have NO idea what to do in case of an earthquake…I had no preparedness kit, not even bottled water and no evacuation plan. Oops. Compared to how I could have reacted, I think I remained quite calm doing the whole ordeal. After the ground finally stopped shaking, I could hear lots of people outside talking, so I headed out the door, to be around people. I might not understand what they were saying, and everyone was just as shaken as I was, but being in the mere company of other people, made me feel a lot better. <br /><br />I walked by the train station in my neighborhood and that’s when the first big aftershock hit. Let me tell you, some of these aftershocks are like nothing I’ve ever felt before. Buildings in Tokyo and in all of Japan for that matter are built to sway. I’m use to sturdy brick homes in America, that don’t budge. In Japan buildings rock, sway and move to prevent damage when earthquakes hit, and they do quite an effective job too I might add. However, being in a building that sways (to a foreigner who is not used to that) feels like the building is going to fall over on top of you. The swaying aftershocks are also a quite impressive feeling. Imagine being on a boat on a windy day on the water. The boat rocks back and forth and many people get sea sick. Now, imagine your house is doing that…crazy huh? The ground literally is swaying beneath you and everything is rocking from side to side….not a comforting thought to think that ground is swaying underneath you. I walked around my neighborhood for awhile to see what most people were doing, to get a feel for what I should be doing. All the time I was trying to call my friends in Tokyo to see where everyone was, and make sure everyone was ok. But that plan did not work as EVERYONE in Tokyo was trying to do the same thing, so the cell phone lines were jammed, my phone quit working for close to 10 hours. <br /><br />I decided to head home and came to the conclusion I wouldn’t be going to Yokosuka that night, since all the trains had shut down. I had a Japanese friend come over that night, to watch the news with me, and just to keep me company since I was still pretty shaken up. The internet was still working, so I began to get in touch with people by good ole facebook, and learned that everyone was okay and trying to find their ways home. The entire city took to the streets that night as millions (literally millions) of people had to walk home from work, school, shopping wherever they were when the earthquake hit, because the trains were down for the night. I had students tell me they walked hours to get home only to find all of their valuables broken. <br /><br />To be quite honest, everything was kind of a blur and I still didn’t know the damage caused everywhere by this earthquake, nor did I know at that time where it had originated from. As the days continued on I realized the extent of the damage and learned of the travesty in the Tohoku region. Things in Tokyo remained to be a bit chaotic for the next few weeks. Everyone panicked like people do everywhere (although much less here than other places), and the food quickly disappeared from the grocery stores, the trains remained shut down, and flights in and out of Tokyo were suspended briefly. This had me worried… As I stated before this happened on Friday and my younger brother Daniel, was suppose to be flying in on Monday. So I was playing the waiting game to see what would happen. We had aftershocks about every 15 minutes so the trains were running slow, sporadically or not at all. I had talked with Daniel and he assured me he was still coming out here, so a friend from church graciously offered to drive me out there to pick him up, when she realized the trains to the airport that day were not running. I am so thankful people here are looking out for me! <br /><br />About the time of Daniel’s arrival into Tokyo is when all the foreigners were fleeing Japan, so it was really nice to have him with me during this time. His trip to Japan was a lot of fun, with a few modifications due to the earthquake. But overall it was a great time. We even had my birthday dinner with our two Japanese friends from Milwaukee, which was really cool; Mariko, Ken, Daniel and I enjoyed a nice dinner in Shinjuku and had a good time catching up. I’d say his trip to Japan was quite a success, we had enough food and never lost power so I’d call that a success.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-rH9m8bK4O8nzJOK8QORA1ULVG9BMbF34euD8Op55zF7WSy5ZNEisDdCsCBLNv6_Lb4xBcEmm2YXQQynulfrBujqozkRx6c9yCWaEROOj8k8_usJSTACra86gMjGXoB1cOPAbBLMxYE/s1600/3-18-11+Daniel%2527s+Visit+%25284%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-rH9m8bK4O8nzJOK8QORA1ULVG9BMbF34euD8Op55zF7WSy5ZNEisDdCsCBLNv6_Lb4xBcEmm2YXQQynulfrBujqozkRx6c9yCWaEROOj8k8_usJSTACra86gMjGXoB1cOPAbBLMxYE/s320/3-18-11+Daniel%2527s+Visit+%25284%2529.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602671361025781154" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4Fc58W4ZN74M-3W17Gt0eWut0r4YOzkFz-MxyTgae_qwCSrNA96Avbdq7N8CsQbSuaC0tL1q5UM3KkBFr0vki6cPirFeVYoELTVQeTdqp9fxGHSAm2grwe6beihXEMFGKgXo2rQAmF0/s1600/3-18-11+Daniel%2527s+Visit+%25285%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4Fc58W4ZN74M-3W17Gt0eWut0r4YOzkFz-MxyTgae_qwCSrNA96Avbdq7N8CsQbSuaC0tL1q5UM3KkBFr0vki6cPirFeVYoELTVQeTdqp9fxGHSAm2grwe6beihXEMFGKgXo2rQAmF0/s320/3-18-11+Daniel%2527s+Visit+%25285%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602671358403542274" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_A9a4l0uNDHt7e62FIcdF0j-S-3i2UlmkT1uFgoW-Cu2iPKBx8NQHWASrkF2u7EjVK2-C_ShLgeqWX2AhD9XSynKbjPdh-R08K6IUX6CAq0nahMIaJ8SoboGF_XLULM6FwTg3egfNIs/s1600/3-17-11+Shinjuku+Gyoen+%25286%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_A9a4l0uNDHt7e62FIcdF0j-S-3i2UlmkT1uFgoW-Cu2iPKBx8NQHWASrkF2u7EjVK2-C_ShLgeqWX2AhD9XSynKbjPdh-R08K6IUX6CAq0nahMIaJ8SoboGF_XLULM6FwTg3egfNIs/s320/3-17-11+Shinjuku+Gyoen+%25286%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602671354628718962" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypHFqMEXzjkqzp7lnYFDw7lKVTbvRMyE3gwN8Up_DgKIytuE5JGCvdQX7Td95n3Y1jHGWbsv-zRx-ONFNgS_WROZLCACcHzFaVHAxm1d-_gTfTyQ9EKLa0hvjZ__Yn2gHWPJjaX2HwPc/s1600/3-18-11+New+Otani+%25286%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypHFqMEXzjkqzp7lnYFDw7lKVTbvRMyE3gwN8Up_DgKIytuE5JGCvdQX7Td95n3Y1jHGWbsv-zRx-ONFNgS_WROZLCACcHzFaVHAxm1d-_gTfTyQ9EKLa0hvjZ__Yn2gHWPJjaX2HwPc/s320/3-18-11+New+Otani+%25286%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602840171184291570" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtEpbcyfnJf1NndkoUTf2LfdkVrHZNM7LYniueiMiQbm36zzvWUNQe5lh8VQaLZT-rB7SXqOCtG4zfTkDMKzqsytXA-P3LOPQigR1N3aqa9qKVPgDwltQrms2S38oqSM4XF3c8BiLWZk/s1600/3-18-11+Daniel%2527s+Visit+%25281%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtEpbcyfnJf1NndkoUTf2LfdkVrHZNM7LYniueiMiQbm36zzvWUNQe5lh8VQaLZT-rB7SXqOCtG4zfTkDMKzqsytXA-P3LOPQigR1N3aqa9qKVPgDwltQrms2S38oqSM4XF3c8BiLWZk/s320/3-18-11+Daniel%2527s+Visit+%25281%2529.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602840162562979170" /></a><br /><br />After Daniel left I spent the next two days in Tokyo just hanging out and taking a break, still having aftershocks quite frequently. I had learned most of the Lutheran missionaries (LCMS and ELCA) were no longer in Tokyo. The ELCA missionaries had planned trips out of the city prior to the earthquake, and then I learned the LCMS missionaries had all been evacuated. I started to get a bit worried, but I had a trip previously planned to go to Hong Kong to visit my friend Laura. Despite what the American news was telling everyone, things in Tokyo remained rather calm and unaffected by everything that was going on. People in America telling me things and reporting what they heard was freaking me out much more than what the American Embassy or my bosses were telling me, so to be quite honest everyone at home was making me much more frightened and nervous than I needed to be. So it was also nice to escape that by calming everyone’s nerves and telling them I was in Hong Kong. <br /><br />This trip came at a great time, I was able to get out of Tokyo for a week and truly relax with a friend from college. I slept and the ground never shook to wake me up, and I got to enjoy normal life again without the worry of radiation. My trip to HK was a huge success. While I was visiting Laura, I also had time to meet up with another missionary friend Rebecca as well, and the three of us had high tea at the Penninsula Hotel, great experience I encourage everyone to try it! I also happened to be there on Sevens weekend. Sevens is the biggest sports event in Hong Kong, its a weekend long Rubgy tournament where teams from all over the world compete to be rugby champion. It was a LOT of fun! Laura and I got tickets to go on Friday to watch the opening matches, so granted the teams weren't matched well, but it was still a blast to watch and hang out with my new friends!<br /><br />I immediately fell in love with Hong Kong, it was the perfect blend of Chinese and Western c/2ultures, island and city living, relaxation and business savvy, its a great place. Most, if not all, people speak English! I was able to communicate and make friends faster there than I have here in Japan for the past 1 1/2 yrs. The way of living is much different there, and its definitly a place I could see myself living...more on that in the future ;)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrKnPNmuWU4wLF9Ewoha2YbVRW_H2c37RHtDcwxPgi-tzur98yDVxQhNDS11HQsWw6XINQQgOgeE-Dh1a1MDeoSPhBy2E_5b86knu2nwKNLJ-eR-tU_JTCZUpYfEurT9UbV-h6QVAf9I/s1600/Hong+Kong+%252891%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrKnPNmuWU4wLF9Ewoha2YbVRW_H2c37RHtDcwxPgi-tzur98yDVxQhNDS11HQsWw6XINQQgOgeE-Dh1a1MDeoSPhBy2E_5b86knu2nwKNLJ-eR-tU_JTCZUpYfEurT9UbV-h6QVAf9I/s320/Hong+Kong+%252891%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602672468329737714" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixc5FvbhrVvrQ0wLjlJNfHi_fR8zGigMuqeIMmWPZDTrbBs4HkTUqArqq2A4G6NjacbnewFJzDbqa_pN4gn_2tHLfTs3XEBQSwZTdU2n9M16XuTLG3Rgtgnayvp78VtrF3CC9gK8Ve9w8/s1600/Hong+Kong+%252881%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixc5FvbhrVvrQ0wLjlJNfHi_fR8zGigMuqeIMmWPZDTrbBs4HkTUqArqq2A4G6NjacbnewFJzDbqa_pN4gn_2tHLfTs3XEBQSwZTdU2n9M16XuTLG3Rgtgnayvp78VtrF3CC9gK8Ve9w8/s320/Hong+Kong+%252881%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602672463401947618" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAY4Qn2GvEZQagXpOtE_9MyexGGFokHm3-NElZkFxkFhPBo_lhB_yt6Pa5p6_4jJDOyZtd4-OnUzkqgiRuSv12eRKGIccZ1rM5AfOUxPJGCVKPBrq0HdXsbeEmWOJZ6FPkOcGMOf25yQ/s1600/Hong+Kong+%252841%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAY4Qn2GvEZQagXpOtE_9MyexGGFokHm3-NElZkFxkFhPBo_lhB_yt6Pa5p6_4jJDOyZtd4-OnUzkqgiRuSv12eRKGIccZ1rM5AfOUxPJGCVKPBrq0HdXsbeEmWOJZ6FPkOcGMOf25yQ/s320/Hong+Kong+%252841%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602672451298728706" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpn37Vf-EkgXI8EKkhHhHP8jbf_wQBLVSx-hkyej6p0XICaOYJABzwd_Sj6NWDnEkb6S73cRA-cT8bqdYMXeZd16L5jHs3c4fXu55nPXDKy-7dAzcKhsmrh1P6igg5wpyBsn7tPRyoLSc/s1600/Hong+Kong+%252858%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpn37Vf-EkgXI8EKkhHhHP8jbf_wQBLVSx-hkyej6p0XICaOYJABzwd_Sj6NWDnEkb6S73cRA-cT8bqdYMXeZd16L5jHs3c4fXu55nPXDKy-7dAzcKhsmrh1P6igg5wpyBsn7tPRyoLSc/s320/Hong+Kong+%252858%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602672450603988018" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixISxQ76d042C6FrHCOlwgMyXo0C6QzBmYZr6aHm0KERDfr9FkBq5OjS83SEJOPgc9BqNNkIt9jJZdCB_dm59GYAP8j9KP5Q58vioCUvuS_H3tOjecOW_UsTSCmaLdGIx-aGPNcwLsCnE/s1600/Hong+Kong+%252840%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixISxQ76d042C6FrHCOlwgMyXo0C6QzBmYZr6aHm0KERDfr9FkBq5OjS83SEJOPgc9BqNNkIt9jJZdCB_dm59GYAP8j9KP5Q58vioCUvuS_H3tOjecOW_UsTSCmaLdGIx-aGPNcwLsCnE/s320/Hong+Kong+%252840%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602672042703342178" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHYe8qoyX7yTUC10oy1N8dch6LmFA6KVbw3GSPpIOQqvu6vMgCV0mWVTdsbeCkMg1X2J61bWuHphCXZ8SDQaFPdzokdLRrF7s7GYw55zRZHbaAfQVFOeL6mBF9T32_HeFhC1lmGjmzPQ/s1600/Hong+Kong+%252833%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHYe8qoyX7yTUC10oy1N8dch6LmFA6KVbw3GSPpIOQqvu6vMgCV0mWVTdsbeCkMg1X2J61bWuHphCXZ8SDQaFPdzokdLRrF7s7GYw55zRZHbaAfQVFOeL6mBF9T32_HeFhC1lmGjmzPQ/s320/Hong+Kong+%252833%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602672032916857586" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWbA4SeMG1vVqvyHBbn9Ohfopap89SHlIIK6nJ4fLWD0FCXSC8KJl85NIeY_A8eOYKSRlLCpB6-zyDENrq5JCSQ1duHjCtRWwQ-ThygwyI9SV1d-Ji3zr5oBfEJ3a5Ial4NLnY7kNUFA/s1600/Hong+Kong+%252831%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWbA4SeMG1vVqvyHBbn9Ohfopap89SHlIIK6nJ4fLWD0FCXSC8KJl85NIeY_A8eOYKSRlLCpB6-zyDENrq5JCSQ1duHjCtRWwQ-ThygwyI9SV1d-Ji3zr5oBfEJ3a5Ial4NLnY7kNUFA/s320/Hong+Kong+%252831%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602672028358268898" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6KRyEfF3CV9iqkKm5m4lwPMdV3ETc85X9K-jM0qfIJgP_2eiall4vdCqNhqJtGMBMT8KX1usyLE5NMrN337q_zCVLK9hIOVXvTjwb_LO0Gkrv7a0tHgJGrfe9XoIGXn_SzetkOAMvHtw/s1600/Hong+Kong+%252822%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6KRyEfF3CV9iqkKm5m4lwPMdV3ETc85X9K-jM0qfIJgP_2eiall4vdCqNhqJtGMBMT8KX1usyLE5NMrN337q_zCVLK9hIOVXvTjwb_LO0Gkrv7a0tHgJGrfe9XoIGXn_SzetkOAMvHtw/s320/Hong+Kong+%252822%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602672024069295794" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxm8tsxmmp4Jlpph3vPW7VUNLg5m5D7iblqJ0SsI2fv6FdoRrjD39QhW5NQ9Y8unKeQ0rc8iCPcyV9NpZOULKXbnocdVcqxCqb-f6vGvhSx1FdZUFE5Mb1QqDMxkiFTT-Ai9m9lpTtUo/s1600/Hong+Kong+%252813%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxm8tsxmmp4Jlpph3vPW7VUNLg5m5D7iblqJ0SsI2fv6FdoRrjD39QhW5NQ9Y8unKeQ0rc8iCPcyV9NpZOULKXbnocdVcqxCqb-f6vGvhSx1FdZUFE5Mb1QqDMxkiFTT-Ai9m9lpTtUo/s320/Hong+Kong+%252813%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602672020696113410" /></a><br /><br />I returned to Tokyo as planned, with a slight delay of flight, and started work that same evening. Everything now has calmed down a bit, some schools had delayed starts due to the earthquake and some stores are still running shorter hours, but other than that, its life as usually here in Japan. In my next blog I’ll try to catch everyone up on how this new school year has been going!Dana Dutcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11987801909557867808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354505139269043485.post-23406403937543362512011-03-10T01:38:00.007-06:002011-03-10T02:01:35.868-06:00Relational MinistriesBuilding a strong faith in Christ requires you to be surrounded by others who also share a strong faith. Finding such a community in America is relatively easy, in Arkansas for example there is a church on every corner, literally; finding Christians is no problem in the good ole Bible belt. In Japan however, finding a strong Christian community or a Christian mentor can be a bit more difficult. Due to this fact, a lot of the missionary work we do here in Tokyo is relational based. Spending time with our students outside the classroom is strongly encouraged, and personally I think that’s where a lot of the faith sharing comes from. <br /><br />I have been blessed to have two amazing work sites, Hongo Student Center attached to Hongo Lutheran Church and Bunkyo Katerina Dormitory attached to Koishikawa Lutheran Church. I teach at both, and have amazing students at both of these sites. My placements, my co-workers, and my students have been amazing and for that I am so thankful. My youngest student was 3 when she started and my oldest student just turned 87, so needless to say I teach the spectrum. Teaching students with such a varied age has been remarkably amazing. I’ll begin with the youngest and work my way to the oldest. <br /><br />This year at Hongo we started a new children’s program. We have classes for kids from ages 3-6 years old. My youngest student Kaede is probably one of the cutest and smartest students in her class. She learns so quickly and is a very tactile learner, which means she loves to touch you, hold your hand, give high fives, and dance around the classroom. It’s hard to rein her back in because she’s so cute you don’t want to stop her from doing whatever it is she is doing. (I thank Charity’s dance class for her love of dancing!) Because of her prior attendance in Charity’s dance class, she was fairly comfortable with being around foreigners. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzsuTC1NOoORnCCfvTbeyBEgLV0pAHRdpuMsQZmTE0T9mqgQMf9ZEsrQVqYRVBPTaWyrxNpBuw0In4sKxsHSDpMwMgHBaWoyaWeZ96o3JaUR5bXYOl7IKRvj3FaIJ3Vu-uSvy268d1BI/s1600/Kids+Class.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzsuTC1NOoORnCCfvTbeyBEgLV0pAHRdpuMsQZmTE0T9mqgQMf9ZEsrQVqYRVBPTaWyrxNpBuw0In4sKxsHSDpMwMgHBaWoyaWeZ96o3JaUR5bXYOl7IKRvj3FaIJ3Vu-uSvy268d1BI/s320/Kids+Class.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582354337503969234" /></a><br /><br />Her younger brother, Yuki…was another story. He must have been just a few months old when they started coming to Hongo, if he so much as looked at one of us he would burst into tears. He was a momma’s boy, and no one could look at him or hold him. His mother explained that only she, her husband and her mother, could hold him without him crying. Watching him grow up has been amazing! I love kids, which should come to no surprise to any of my friends in the States. I love them and always want to hold them. Yuki was no exception; we slowly worked our comfort up with one another so I was no longer scary. That was a huge milestone, to gain his trust. Our last week of classes, I had walked out of the classroom for a minute to grab some candy and Yuki saw me, smiled and ran over to me with his arms up in the air. I immediately swept down picked him up, and carried on with what I was doing. His mom commented on how much he loved me, and that single action done by a one year old, made my week. To have these kids grow up with us at Hongo, and to have become so comfortable around us is an amazing feeling. The relationships are being formed from a young age. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy2R3-qEATpzeWhPwIyLdchm7q15IdFIRYEqzQ3ZaX-xvKloPszFEoImfGpX16ZE-ovXhN8syDKNKuJwN3BGr1pnavwswwkKVryRL4iZvRA4dTfZQ5HcFuZRYUJq4DY7NnBhyot6B3pKQ/s1600/Yuki-kun.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy2R3-qEATpzeWhPwIyLdchm7q15IdFIRYEqzQ3ZaX-xvKloPszFEoImfGpX16ZE-ovXhN8syDKNKuJwN3BGr1pnavwswwkKVryRL4iZvRA4dTfZQ5HcFuZRYUJq4DY7NnBhyot6B3pKQ/s320/Yuki-kun.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582354342403370386" /></a><br />I have so many stories about the young children I get to teach, I could write an entire blog on kids, but instead I’ll just put in a few pictures.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLlY1O9x1Yxgayk4Z8TkUFJFkVyRKLCzoqXv4yE2qs8Vr4wLitHf3iHRj4tz5mreWFwq6MIwqWlpB4rdKScSL4p20LppoeSACtfNM3g1vO87y2cARGD2VkIhJmqdlVDVOcqYemHf-e-k/s1600/Yuki+Yasui.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLlY1O9x1Yxgayk4Z8TkUFJFkVyRKLCzoqXv4yE2qs8Vr4wLitHf3iHRj4tz5mreWFwq6MIwqWlpB4rdKScSL4p20LppoeSACtfNM3g1vO87y2cARGD2VkIhJmqdlVDVOcqYemHf-e-k/s320/Yuki+Yasui.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582356433535343826" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8W7ayx0Xhl1raE7ateVVG2ZZVw76gOGamymqGSk4fnL210WQRAsHGHNvmLevO_0rYv0Je1waTNBntVDKZGsH-i1imVvhyphenhyphenlOAt2JgXNVMoQgD5B7NfSnU9_uMb2uuFa0G8x4F64IaEDE/s1600/Aki.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8W7ayx0Xhl1raE7ateVVG2ZZVw76gOGamymqGSk4fnL210WQRAsHGHNvmLevO_0rYv0Je1waTNBntVDKZGsH-i1imVvhyphenhyphenlOAt2JgXNVMoQgD5B7NfSnU9_uMb2uuFa0G8x4F64IaEDE/s320/Aki.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582356427686751874" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZMq7FLZ-PqQrQP0o2SIdbfqFRLwLYNxuc5F8jmwOIT7pbQgwzagYqeoMez3FLpcFvSlIr-la7ND-o7sUuWLXAbECN6eNZ0plRaRQ244SXW6kUaT-PGZrWYMz6ReL-vMJDyU591Q7TX8/s1600/Thursday+Class.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZMq7FLZ-PqQrQP0o2SIdbfqFRLwLYNxuc5F8jmwOIT7pbQgwzagYqeoMez3FLpcFvSlIr-la7ND-o7sUuWLXAbECN6eNZ0plRaRQ244SXW6kUaT-PGZrWYMz6ReL-vMJDyU591Q7TX8/s320/Thursday+Class.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582356424172692818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4AZQmo9eZMqYxkh527XUQN5KPV8xSTEXVOhBuXAXQLLUaf0z-oANFxSopffwfNIZQGhLYP-NVF6l4Sp_yVm8DlHbSrgl6Eb-DtZjQU-vzSZTIKcWs2yC9mxw1_ZjYPjE0F31U4Ljn1E/s1600/Class+picture.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4AZQmo9eZMqYxkh527XUQN5KPV8xSTEXVOhBuXAXQLLUaf0z-oANFxSopffwfNIZQGhLYP-NVF6l4Sp_yVm8DlHbSrgl6Eb-DtZjQU-vzSZTIKcWs2yC9mxw1_ZjYPjE0F31U4Ljn1E/s320/Class+picture.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582356416657079154" /></a><br /><br />The next age bracket would be my college students at Katerina. These girls have been absolutely amazing to teach, talk with, hang out with, and get to know over this past year. It deeply saddens me to watch some of them graduate, and move out because that means they will no longer be my students. When I first started teaching at Katerina the friendships were slow to form and the conversations in English class were a little dull. As the semesters progressed the conversations got quite serious; the decentralization of power of the former Soviet Union, the corruption of foreign governments, woman’s rights, gender equality and lack thereof in Japan, and WWII and the misleading information students are taught in Japan about their countries involvement. I mean…wow. Talk about some serious topics. These girls have matured in their thinking capacity, their willingness to bring up things that impassion them; their willingness to open up and talk freely with me, watching their progress has been amazing. I have hung out with several of these girls outside of class and they are a joy to be around (not to mention close to my age). The relationships formed in these classes have been deep; we have talked about deaths in our families, relationship break-ups, moving to new places, and the ups and downs that come with being in college. We can bond on a real level, because we have real things in common. Working at Katerina has allowed me to have complete freedom in what I teach in class which has been instrumental for helping me learn to teach. The classes have been so easy to teach and there is never a dull moment. I am so thankful to have this as an assignment, I truly love working at Katerina and having wonderful conversations with the girls. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqrxfAXgobjPiY4Cmnc9vRgQ9YHxelpX-jlznVmnNqk0beMnqUpzoY0FVRBSfbKzkpEqaw0pzWvKLRK4044Ytt76KrSjo4TFkXjB9jvXZa2qyyGwD2CXoV4TMhBSewB0pPItsUMhU9gE/s1600/Shinokubo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqrxfAXgobjPiY4Cmnc9vRgQ9YHxelpX-jlznVmnNqk0beMnqUpzoY0FVRBSfbKzkpEqaw0pzWvKLRK4044Ytt76KrSjo4TFkXjB9jvXZa2qyyGwD2CXoV4TMhBSewB0pPItsUMhU9gE/s320/Shinokubo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582357223013546066" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmrgO7YXg0AX2OJlpq5y3YVUi_-2HLiQ12TdjhRui-qXgsmev44MTsqu0kLu7GcYuRxnoNywc1ND0gv-kguHKIVNJeURhqCnUTqWdy36Nr-V9BkCXBXwzYFcoI8a8XZ3g3PonESYPwrQ/s1600/Dana+and+Mayumi+in+Shibuya.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmrgO7YXg0AX2OJlpq5y3YVUi_-2HLiQ12TdjhRui-qXgsmev44MTsqu0kLu7GcYuRxnoNywc1ND0gv-kguHKIVNJeURhqCnUTqWdy36Nr-V9BkCXBXwzYFcoI8a8XZ3g3PonESYPwrQ/s320/Dana+and+Mayumi+in+Shibuya.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582357217413070306" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwdvuidE1nBN5XzD5yZSIYEjh0tPKtNZAni6bSIchUBPeL0yEHAbWgwTiMLY9XBy1Y5eFgjWvakqvdwkkQdXc4kLnvc8ammwPJpKIaK6_QURBwEhS5X7cLLMmtfdY9ugh4YJfRH4s2JA/s1600/12-11-10+Katerina+Party+%25282%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwdvuidE1nBN5XzD5yZSIYEjh0tPKtNZAni6bSIchUBPeL0yEHAbWgwTiMLY9XBy1Y5eFgjWvakqvdwkkQdXc4kLnvc8ammwPJpKIaK6_QURBwEhS5X7cLLMmtfdY9ugh4YJfRH4s2JA/s320/12-11-10+Katerina+Party+%25282%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582357215664522338" /></a><br /><br />My next age bracket jumps a few decades as I teach my “old lady” classes. These women range in age from 50 to 87 years old, so while 50 isn’t that old…87 is, lol. These women have also taught me a lot. We have discussed the stereotypes that their generation grew up with, their perceptions of the war and how that still affects their daily lives, we have rejoiced in new grandchildren being born, and mourned family members passing away. I have come to think of them all as grandmothers. These classes for me at Hongo have been very rewarding also because we do a lot of activities together outside of class. It can be as simple as going to lunch together, going to someone’s house for tea, shoe shopping, or taking a day trip to Nikko. We have gotten to know one another a lot better by being outside of the classroom, and I am thankful we are encouraged to have those types of relationships. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnMzA8K_ieQvHs_kgO4l5_BbwUyppkOhHfUMIz9Z_x2DkXqv6wYLDNQpmhORWXxFdDJ9e6FeJG-JcCOxDg5qlnSzVfjqTyx51jIEipZ6z5aAPjbIN6tCpjZT1I5j-nuHX-z72ke0xkCU/s1600/6-2-10+Hatoyama%2527s+House+%252825%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnMzA8K_ieQvHs_kgO4l5_BbwUyppkOhHfUMIz9Z_x2DkXqv6wYLDNQpmhORWXxFdDJ9e6FeJG-JcCOxDg5qlnSzVfjqTyx51jIEipZ6z5aAPjbIN6tCpjZT1I5j-nuHX-z72ke0xkCU/s320/6-2-10+Hatoyama%2527s+House+%252825%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582358265551198418" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHnsLOpkVJsQFxyDyoiCvNeq324ojZpIJAFz7D8pu_BLLQUPbA0vL-WH3h9PZ1Vt9dSHgqcZFFvQ8WG31s8LuPuvChGdnp3DqwzaDMlbWz8N4s8clFIEtwyuunekXxtQgPqqKxiE8fiJw/s1600/9-7-10+Cooking+with+Matthew+%252857%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHnsLOpkVJsQFxyDyoiCvNeq324ojZpIJAFz7D8pu_BLLQUPbA0vL-WH3h9PZ1Vt9dSHgqcZFFvQ8WG31s8LuPuvChGdnp3DqwzaDMlbWz8N4s8clFIEtwyuunekXxtQgPqqKxiE8fiJw/s320/9-7-10+Cooking+with+Matthew+%252857%2529.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582358259755261026" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRsnGJY6-akLXmdRtdT4HSsXJ5HnnjRIm1RKqdiaooqU7rtiEldYjQ2gMdFoimj2yDIli-KADjnu7B2yvoIs80hbKiftzmdA7WshicsQpydTbfeKeCpYKWYdmFEGSvuki4Wt6h83v1sE/s1600/12-17-10+Thursday+Morning+Class+lunch.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRsnGJY6-akLXmdRtdT4HSsXJ5HnnjRIm1RKqdiaooqU7rtiEldYjQ2gMdFoimj2yDIli-KADjnu7B2yvoIs80hbKiftzmdA7WshicsQpydTbfeKeCpYKWYdmFEGSvuki4Wt6h83v1sE/s320/12-17-10+Thursday+Morning+Class+lunch.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582358256564212018" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-sHxzsxzEifAH7fOvg1WxoihLNV99bgAM8LTkj4AD5oyYT435CxahIWMA-bix_5egScO7hwrrgonwQ5JBG54ZtOY9spqFVmNuWDE9rLQT8Zrh3_YIOeolVED9l8qkso1mDoRrq9KH3I/s1600/12-12-10+Hongo+Christmas+Party+%25283%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-sHxzsxzEifAH7fOvg1WxoihLNV99bgAM8LTkj4AD5oyYT435CxahIWMA-bix_5egScO7hwrrgonwQ5JBG54ZtOY9spqFVmNuWDE9rLQT8Zrh3_YIOeolVED9l8qkso1mDoRrq9KH3I/s320/12-12-10+Hongo+Christmas+Party+%25283%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582358243572068098" /></a><br /><br />I have been blessed to work with a wide range of students with a very large age range. Each group of students has taught me different things, and I hope in return I have taught them something as well. Friendships and relationships are so important in the Japanese culture in order to trust one another. By working diligently and being honest with my students and taking a true interest in their activities, and spending time we them we have laid down a real stable foundation for relational ministries. By these students getting to know me, I hope they have a better understanding of what it means to be a Christian, not only by what I teach them in class but by my actions inside and outside of the classroom. It’s not something I turn on when I walk into Hongo or Katerina, but rather something that is an ever pervasive guiding force in my life, and that is something I hope they can see. I have been blessed with my work placements, and I think these past few weeks I have realized that more than ever. I am truly grateful this spring to be living and working in Tokyo with the amazing people God has put into my life, and for that I am thankful. Heres to another successful and fulfilling year of teaching!Dana Dutcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11987801909557867808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354505139269043485.post-25404169569619564642011-02-21T06:26:00.003-06:002011-02-21T06:29:33.258-06:00Am I making a difference? Is that a good thing, or a bad thing…?My thought process has been working in overdrive lately due to new revelations in the job program here in Japan, new knowledge of other organizations, and a deeper look into worldwide relations and volunteerism. Please bear with me as I try to explain my new revelations. Happy reading.<br /><br />Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and feed him for a life time. This is a rather popular quote among many Christians and teachers. Maybe no other organization takes it to heart as much as Heifer International. This organization is an amazing non-profit organization that strives to eliminate world hunger by giving live stock to poor families across the world, and teaching them how to properly take care, use, and share the gift of life with these animals. Heifer’s strategy is to<br /><br /><blockquote>“Pass on the Gift.” As people share their animals’ offspring with others – along with their knowledge, resources, and skills – an expanding network of hope, dignity, and self-reliance is created that reaches around the globe. </blockquote> – <a href="www.heiferinternational.org"></a> www.heiferinternational.org<br /><br />This particular organization is located in southern Arkansas, and therefore I have visited several times, leading high school students to understand sustainability of farming and food. This is an amazingly selfless organization that has great drive and ambition for the world. To end world hunger, and hopefully one day they will achieve their goal. <br /><br />If Heifer ever achieves their goal, they will successfully put themselves out of a job, and I am sure they will be quite pleased with that. I, on the other hand, would not like to be out of a job anytime soon. But yet another missionary recently told me that our job here is to just that, to put ourselves out of a job. I came to Japan with the intention of making a difference, to change something about the way this country viewed religion and to make my impact while sharing God’s word. As the school year comes to a close and I reflect on my past year teaching, I begin to wonder if I’m making a difference. The current church the JELC has placed me at does not really use me for anything. I do not lead bible studies, I do not have ministries, I’m not mandated to attend their meetings, churches here do not actively engage in out reach or many events in general. This began to bother me, I felt as though I wasn’t making a difference.<br /><br />But is that a problem? The church is composed of mostly older people (as almost everything here in Japan is), there are 2 children and 1 new infant, the majority of our congregation is deaf. There is a strong deaf ministry going on there…which unfortunately for my lack of understanding sign language, let alone Japanese sign language, has left me out of that loop. Most of the ministries from other churches I’ve been involved in have revolved around either music or children…which leaves me at a loss at this church. But is that a problem?<br /><br />My church here has created ministries that work for them. They have sustained those ministries and are taking care of them on their own. I am a PART of those ministries but am by no means leading or creating them. There is no need for outside help, no need for a missionary. A successful, sustainable church has been created that does not depend on outside help to function. That was the goal, right? Although Japan does not have high numbers of Christians, the churches that are here, are self-sustaining. If I were to create a program, would it be one they took on and continued with after I left? Or would it be something else a missionary created in order to make them feel useful? Which is a better way to minister? To make people need you, or to sit back and watch a working church…work?<br /><br />When missionaries first came into Japan our gimmick was to teach English. Currently, English schools have sprung up faster here than Walgreens or Starbucks in America, and we have lost our edge. Many mission schools remain, but teaching English is as common these days as manga, have we managed to put ourselves out of a job? The LCMS church has always had a strong force of missionaries here in Japan and especially in Tokyo. “Back in the day” there would be as many as 30 at a time teaching here…this year only 5. And with these sad numbers, I will be saying goodbye to the LCMS missionaries here in Japan next weekend. Their mission has come to close, they have done their work and put themselves out of a job. As I struggle to say goodbyes, I wonder if this is a mission accomplished…and should we rejoice? They have planted the seed of Christ in all the people they have met, and over the years they have taught thousands. Is that it? Is the job done? I realize I ask questions that have no answer, but as these people who I have come to rely on as a support system leave, I cannot help but wonder how long it will be before we pack up and leave too. Countries are beginning to ask for more specific workers, nurses, computer programmers, doctors, theological instructors, the missionaries needed are much more advanced in their skill levels than they used to be. The entry level jobs, much like my own, are beginning to be filled by local staff. Wasn’t that the goal? Have we accomplished what we set out to do?<br /><br />As I unfortunately count down the days until my co-worker, my fellow missionaries, and other friends in Japan leave to return to America, I begin to think about what I will do upon my departure from Japan. And I’m still left with a longing to help others, to serve, to volunteer. The demographics of who I want to serve and in what capacity have been changing, evolving if you will, and that changes on a weekly basis. <br /><br />Many of you know that last August I finally achieved a goal of mine; to go to Cambodia. I have wanted to go to this country since I was a junior in high school. I have learned about it, met a former child soldier, listened to lectures, learned to love the food, read books, done research projects and have had an ever evolving fascination with the country. To finally travel to Cambodia…was life changing, amazing. It left me wanting to do more, with a desire to return. I decided I wanted to travel back to Cambodia when I was done with my time here in Japan and volunteer, more than likely with children at an orphanage.<br /><br />And then I saw this: <a href="http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/101east/2011/02/2011210123057338995.html"></a> http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/101east/2011/02/2011210123057338995.html A news program on Aljazeera discussing the problem with Volunteer Tourism: Tourists traveling around the world and volunteering their services for free. At first glance that sounds like a good thing, people wanting to help, people with a desire to give back. What could possibly be wrong with that?! Well…many things. Volunteers tend to be unreliable because they are on vacation after all. Volunteers leave, leaving orphaned children with a feeling of abandonment all over again, free laborers taking jobs away from locals who desperately need jobs. Volunteers do not create a sustainable work environment, because what happens when they get bored and return to their homes? The orphanages and other non-profits are left short handed and often without the proper resources needed. <br /><br />I’m not saying volunteering is a bad thing, but I am saying that there are negative side effects to volunteer tourism…something I was/am very interested in. That leaves me and some of my fellow peers at a loss. We have all but work ourselves out of jobs in our current context and have the desire to serve and to work for the needy, but what if that is doing more harm than good? I would highly encourage you all who have read this far to watch the Aljazeera report; it is very interesting and informative. <br /><br />I do not want to leave people with the idea that missionaries are not needed here in Japan; because they definitely are and our mission will be around for years to come; and volunteering is always a good idea and helps millions of people every year. I write this more to show you where I’m at in my current thought process, where to go from here? I want to serve in a more destitute location, and have a strong urge to return to Cambodia…but when I do; I want to make sure I’m helping them and their cause more than I’m hurting their cause. How do you create a sustainable enterprise with an ever changing work force? How do I help those around me without leaving a void when my time is over? <br /><br />Am I making a difference here? Am I suppose to? Guess I’ll teach them how to fish, and hope I can find a new trade to teach somewhere else…Dana Dutcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11987801909557867808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354505139269043485.post-83481438310778792972011-01-25T07:49:00.009-06:002011-01-25T08:10:09.015-06:002010-2011Happy New Year! Okay, so New Years was three weeks ago, sorry for the delayed reaction. With a new year comes a time of reflection of what we’ve done in the past year, and what we would like to change for the upcoming year. These past three weeks I have been doing just that. I have been thinking about many things but one topic is weighing on me particularly heavy this evening, so that is the topic I will be writing about. <br /><br />I have been reflecting on my negative attitude at times about my experience here in Japan, my unwillingness to accept parts of the culture, and my desire of wanting to leave Japan every time I got a break longer than two weeks; and as much as I’d like to tell you I’m going to rid all of this from my life…I know me. (Although I am starting the New Year with a much better attitude than I ended it.) <br /> <br />I think a lot of my revelation came from my time in China. I traveled back to China for the holidays to spend 10 days with a friend I hadn’t seen in a few years. Being reunited with my friend and China was amazing. I also met a lot of new friends during my time in China. They were mostly other ex-pats who were staying in China for 1 or 2 months partaking in Internships. The newness of the Chinese culture still left some of them living a more comfortable western style of living…which kind of bothered me. I then began to reflect on why this bothered me, and I concluded that it bothered me because I was on vacation in China. If I had wanted the western experience I would have went home, I wanted to go to China to EXPERIENCE China again. It was so easy for me to critique the way they were experiencing China because I had lived there before and knew the “real” China. This then got me looking at how I spend my time in Japan… and realized anyone who has lived here before could just as easily critique the way I’m living. Everything I did while staying in China to absorb their culture, I realize I neglect to do on a daily basis while living here in Japan. It could be as simple as speaking Japanese instead of English when I know the phrase, eating Japanese food, or going exploring to see more of the rural parts of Japan. I live in my Tokyo bubble and surround myself with comfortable things, and English speaking people…which is rather easy to do. But when I move back to America that is not what I am going to want to remember. <br /><br />Therefore be it resolved that this year 2011, I intentionally spend more time speaking Japanese and exploring the culture. Be it further resolved that I realize I am living in another culture and learn to adjust rather than trying to make those around me adjust to MY culture. I hope 2011 will bring me more patience and acceptance than I was willing to have in 2010. And with that I leave you with some pictures of my recent visit to China! <br /><br /><br /><br />The Beijing Olympic Stadium: The Bird's Nest and Aquatic Center<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwf63pZQRIEgEnHDE6McYxJvd6eM6tKI1g5Cq_EXo_4-nEBQhY0lKV8w64PWrXm8brv_iuF4M1tt_yKkVfiIo6GAo3KsC6tD0UyXU7sfVpuMsBLIoHJ7GD2xd3Rf_d3TWys7XSQgz3H_k/s1600/12-26-10+Olympic+Stadium+Beijing+%25283%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwf63pZQRIEgEnHDE6McYxJvd6eM6tKI1g5Cq_EXo_4-nEBQhY0lKV8w64PWrXm8brv_iuF4M1tt_yKkVfiIo6GAo3KsC6tD0UyXU7sfVpuMsBLIoHJ7GD2xd3Rf_d3TWys7XSQgz3H_k/s320/12-26-10+Olympic+Stadium+Beijing+%25283%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566122123474429026" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmexRRbVKWAAUsH6V4NZ1NRjUklm1Zm8FAzdYf1svZ3sPY-Aqv_HCQtL_QYZWbXRBj5vmj0BH9yZjbphBDNPJxpE6apStA52GPwrdtFbwZOVDkvfAJQpy13O5yjA8YPB-cqNpASawa_OU/s1600/12-26-10+Olympic+Stadium+Beijing+%252831%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmexRRbVKWAAUsH6V4NZ1NRjUklm1Zm8FAzdYf1svZ3sPY-Aqv_HCQtL_QYZWbXRBj5vmj0BH9yZjbphBDNPJxpE6apStA52GPwrdtFbwZOVDkvfAJQpy13O5yjA8YPB-cqNpASawa_OU/s320/12-26-10+Olympic+Stadium+Beijing+%252831%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566121210781972674" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqU-sNZSZ61LBu-wvnAh-fUzwZlYG4xYL6N8dUqbAf7ctZy5h1HP5QUg8CZTawzit8NQOaLpSzxIlZpEDPprHptTdwrRFiXp47PV3OiljubH6pipO4sKbHU0eLvuPVnmapPbxmGhD9nGw/s1600/12-26-10+Olympic+Stadium+Beijing+%252823%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqU-sNZSZ61LBu-wvnAh-fUzwZlYG4xYL6N8dUqbAf7ctZy5h1HP5QUg8CZTawzit8NQOaLpSzxIlZpEDPprHptTdwrRFiXp47PV3OiljubH6pipO4sKbHU0eLvuPVnmapPbxmGhD9nGw/s320/12-26-10+Olympic+Stadium+Beijing+%252823%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566121201667740242" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYhyuyiRNiIb3Kz9fCs2fIBiVti44ey2EZOLGD5CAseO8KvLBWMEMhMdHhe9Ewldz5kgaRcD7DiJI7WwfiqBmgqIP-4_vX5REw_Gq6GQfsOjWOCHo5ajI1tuQBGdvVPrSxeUv390nuAM/s1600/12-26-10+Olympic+Stadium+Beijing+%25289%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYhyuyiRNiIb3Kz9fCs2fIBiVti44ey2EZOLGD5CAseO8KvLBWMEMhMdHhe9Ewldz5kgaRcD7DiJI7WwfiqBmgqIP-4_vX5REw_Gq6GQfsOjWOCHo5ajI1tuQBGdvVPrSxeUv390nuAM/s320/12-26-10+Olympic+Stadium+Beijing+%25289%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566121201416214946" /></a><br />Beijing's 798 Art District <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-uncpX7NYovFMRzQKky9xttyqBkDG7FGsQH1hYXI5kkYWNy0-Q-zsgHj7RxiphW7u6VAH9ecGPqHNqUNGnbpEqD_a5GrXdPug2crPodTF9SGd1DfO0FLUMjEbj2et-0Hdw2OxjsNaPM/s1600/798+Art+District+Beijing+%252820%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-uncpX7NYovFMRzQKky9xttyqBkDG7FGsQH1hYXI5kkYWNy0-Q-zsgHj7RxiphW7u6VAH9ecGPqHNqUNGnbpEqD_a5GrXdPug2crPodTF9SGd1DfO0FLUMjEbj2et-0Hdw2OxjsNaPM/s320/798+Art+District+Beijing+%252820%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566121221931775250" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhweZrAxv2gGZNIOcVo2d6FVOQk083Cx9q3qcBLRuZRGeL9tLBbee-AdS020Lp3PCY4dkvb0ovLABVlZv406lEJGo4tk_k5-wGYJQUsW6h5Ra678_KYz6GAVhltAy9C5xH1g02WtPSE6ro/s1600/798+Art+District+Beijing+%25282%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhweZrAxv2gGZNIOcVo2d6FVOQk083Cx9q3qcBLRuZRGeL9tLBbee-AdS020Lp3PCY4dkvb0ovLABVlZv406lEJGo4tk_k5-wGYJQUsW6h5Ra678_KYz6GAVhltAy9C5xH1g02WtPSE6ro/s320/798+Art+District+Beijing+%25282%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566121215555825394" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82EpZPS_DvI2jI26ccc-8HDE_Iveg38Ij65gBvoiLGRCI0A2vcg9OVUETINU176ZcqlRduMNY76Z_sWFjqLg0Qwd1huXgoqTrR-lw7F3Dy_EK19LgFQUCfy9FR4BSLsr0slPa71Ot8I8/s1600/798+Art+District+Beijing+%252827%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82EpZPS_DvI2jI26ccc-8HDE_Iveg38Ij65gBvoiLGRCI0A2vcg9OVUETINU176ZcqlRduMNY76Z_sWFjqLg0Qwd1huXgoqTrR-lw7F3Dy_EK19LgFQUCfy9FR4BSLsr0slPa71Ot8I8/s320/798+Art+District+Beijing+%252827%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566121768515775442" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSOP_zEjk6HqZ1QdgnWBXlc_t0j1zg7Zjvu88cuuy2bADf83VlLKcWKmStNKReU8rm2tGXTXIcjKwSmThfm9ET3ItzduQLIpfWjHRwsZiFeFJtV91TBtPxJovRxLD_S0P5_icZRv4XPU/s1600/798+Art+District+Beijing+%252813%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSOP_zEjk6HqZ1QdgnWBXlc_t0j1zg7Zjvu88cuuy2bADf83VlLKcWKmStNKReU8rm2tGXTXIcjKwSmThfm9ET3ItzduQLIpfWjHRwsZiFeFJtV91TBtPxJovRxLD_S0P5_icZRv4XPU/s320/798+Art+District+Beijing+%252813%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566121766919569186" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppJkjsxU56HbHnW4xO9F2z8WWX2yZEOPT-u1hXBT6YgNzvQqf1wRMGbbPuQjIwZ7xK8ZmmgPhhTGvDPaEWr9gfl1h1c0pp1hbanyrQlQfrY1jonHnmPm8kt-xChhyphenhyphenbsPcTL8GuAtsTEs/s1600/798+Art+District+Beijing+%25289%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppJkjsxU56HbHnW4xO9F2z8WWX2yZEOPT-u1hXBT6YgNzvQqf1wRMGbbPuQjIwZ7xK8ZmmgPhhTGvDPaEWr9gfl1h1c0pp1hbanyrQlQfrY1jonHnmPm8kt-xChhyphenhyphenbsPcTL8GuAtsTEs/s320/798+Art+District+Beijing+%25289%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566121755565856370" /></a>The Jade Buddha Temple in Shanghai <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggEHxISoMJXl1zMaaDeQz0LiN43MbyA9XNuWTj6XMJOvpoONM8jJJy6KKb5OL8UIQcInJTkrte5TrkVpmSWl3J_a7F1-CudxSp1vhb54fcXAGq9aETvSAleW_SIApqhutfdCFS13YfUig/s1600/Jade+Buddha+Temple+Shanghai+%252815%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggEHxISoMJXl1zMaaDeQz0LiN43MbyA9XNuWTj6XMJOvpoONM8jJJy6KKb5OL8UIQcInJTkrte5TrkVpmSWl3J_a7F1-CudxSp1vhb54fcXAGq9aETvSAleW_SIApqhutfdCFS13YfUig/s320/Jade+Buddha+Temple+Shanghai+%252815%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566122734708253410" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUe1S1DpcZqJEDUjngmt7vxNGK_nNSiel6cmbfAfB7j_liRQyY-y0D44rVM_7Y8SXTAeZwiDgEoPL1O4ki54Rep1PSEPquNLSpQuP_ybglNowhmyc_HJ3Na6OmtGRlcUhcXvlFYYDvwRk/s1600/Jade+Buddha+Temple+Shanghai+%252811%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUe1S1DpcZqJEDUjngmt7vxNGK_nNSiel6cmbfAfB7j_liRQyY-y0D44rVM_7Y8SXTAeZwiDgEoPL1O4ki54Rep1PSEPquNLSpQuP_ybglNowhmyc_HJ3Na6OmtGRlcUhcXvlFYYDvwRk/s320/Jade+Buddha+Temple+Shanghai+%252811%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566122726465378754" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJo8l37qraZC3RStEsHRzAoqHIDXb2xMbK2WdSVxScgbABixg_2ETnsvG5gImGWs6js3YUio5d6uu3GGNZM9MPioSTmm3SMaFpNo_VU11rQSfSlqFWnIGvqcuByvSnuhJjHeAyVzzQOfg/s1600/Jade+Buddha+Temple+Shanghai+%25286%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJo8l37qraZC3RStEsHRzAoqHIDXb2xMbK2WdSVxScgbABixg_2ETnsvG5gImGWs6js3YUio5d6uu3GGNZM9MPioSTmm3SMaFpNo_VU11rQSfSlqFWnIGvqcuByvSnuhJjHeAyVzzQOfg/s320/Jade+Buddha+Temple+Shanghai+%25286%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566122719679237074" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3TByZm6OGmz6ajZXkHoDvzCFa43pkyvtEmu5ISOE8WSQz21ww_DGnq7j8yQCZeOQAVC19LNS40Fh6GQwazNBLIfy_57yrjqs42qWDo1tGtAyr5HFDM-Ku7FSsOxVm3MmoM5ZbCogsUE/s1600/Jade+Buddha+Temple+Shanghai+%25281%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3TByZm6OGmz6ajZXkHoDvzCFa43pkyvtEmu5ISOE8WSQz21ww_DGnq7j8yQCZeOQAVC19LNS40Fh6GQwazNBLIfy_57yrjqs42qWDo1tGtAyr5HFDM-Ku7FSsOxVm3MmoM5ZbCogsUE/s320/Jade+Buddha+Temple+Shanghai+%25281%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566122717357288466" /></a><br />Random Assortment of Pictures around Beijing and Shanghai<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9JIPQQTN5wuj3SWeZXMYLHR5i8YEer1SGUo5y1iQNL-uXS1X__QQDHLrxfSX7_4YgaY50egpRPJZsDu2W5__az5KgwWFd3bjzKuA_1uvlnK8d8tSst_BnmO2iT8v1hfpCl-FPjUU_5I/s1600/Tiananmen+Square+Beijing+%252827%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9JIPQQTN5wuj3SWeZXMYLHR5i8YEer1SGUo5y1iQNL-uXS1X__QQDHLrxfSX7_4YgaY50egpRPJZsDu2W5__az5KgwWFd3bjzKuA_1uvlnK8d8tSst_BnmO2iT8v1hfpCl-FPjUU_5I/s320/Tiananmen+Square+Beijing+%252827%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566124498142758978" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIQ2XiJ0SdiBT3KJWPFULdxjEMGa-YeD8RvxfY2qM2XLIQEZvFq2w7bdhQPKdZQ2gMF0KO1k_RGiyRgpVgBIBo6ZhFeUpuLYh-i3kCjMJFh9wXiiqgx-dC1Gbsdzp_h-hsuqYlPGP7r0/s1600/The+Bund+Shanghai+%25283%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIQ2XiJ0SdiBT3KJWPFULdxjEMGa-YeD8RvxfY2qM2XLIQEZvFq2w7bdhQPKdZQ2gMF0KO1k_RGiyRgpVgBIBo6ZhFeUpuLYh-i3kCjMJFh9wXiiqgx-dC1Gbsdzp_h-hsuqYlPGP7r0/s320/The+Bund+Shanghai+%25283%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566124493327018722" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjimO5DzQPkTXtbT5TrWZH3IN4YlRNipI-GHCEl2jbhYGCkNCtgQ0ZUaMEAy9QvZI-M5mIJR1uhAiOuedX4Bz5xgm6V8eHcSPlEz7aJCR5GlQkqkZFOwPobc11DoAhguXYXBX3UcDqkk/s1600/Temple+of+Heaven+Beijing+%25285%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjimO5DzQPkTXtbT5TrWZH3IN4YlRNipI-GHCEl2jbhYGCkNCtgQ0ZUaMEAy9QvZI-M5mIJR1uhAiOuedX4Bz5xgm6V8eHcSPlEz7aJCR5GlQkqkZFOwPobc11DoAhguXYXBX3UcDqkk/s320/Temple+of+Heaven+Beijing+%25285%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566124490127316194" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbxzxZj3l8YgdQHtBt4eUomo2amhwhV2DuQ-WYkYKP473gjugAvoY4JBFDtWvDt-XccUesUwTsh7WaouOiwbE8WKmKAa9_PjYo7drBVOT-z1fDPr0W1a00KcNRwTOQ1MrDuBsa4G76Bo/s1600/Tiananmen+Square+Beijing+%252810%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbxzxZj3l8YgdQHtBt4eUomo2amhwhV2DuQ-WYkYKP473gjugAvoY4JBFDtWvDt-XccUesUwTsh7WaouOiwbE8WKmKAa9_PjYo7drBVOT-z1fDPr0W1a00KcNRwTOQ1MrDuBsa4G76Bo/s320/Tiananmen+Square+Beijing+%252810%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566124057973263650" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xDvnFctq7zX8FpLkeywS8XBqqAgp4jwiNb8epND35WMwUFaREPoppN-VxU1HF9iSm8zCF6ypJv-D8veBvF7XVtWhy7-G7HbYfw0AKFLTf1wW4l8I0HCiPAABu1VchyvfG7-37Z2FndQ/s1600/Pearl+Tower+Shanghai+%252815%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xDvnFctq7zX8FpLkeywS8XBqqAgp4jwiNb8epND35WMwUFaREPoppN-VxU1HF9iSm8zCF6ypJv-D8veBvF7XVtWhy7-G7HbYfw0AKFLTf1wW4l8I0HCiPAABu1VchyvfG7-37Z2FndQ/s320/Pearl+Tower+Shanghai+%252815%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566124054240869938" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0Luw-0KKEZnmv_PqroDPXGwGtwuD4lVugQIgWET8qsTG77n_n6sI2EWoKsgP97lVObytqZMgPvLzxlPrJMLH8rLs0WHNibL3-TbBfJFItpsDM7S_ZytXDOG0yrECq53CyY0jrvgY8A4/s1600/Lama+Temple+Beijing.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0Luw-0KKEZnmv_PqroDPXGwGtwuD4lVugQIgWET8qsTG77n_n6sI2EWoKsgP97lVObytqZMgPvLzxlPrJMLH8rLs0WHNibL3-TbBfJFItpsDM7S_ZytXDOG0yrECq53CyY0jrvgY8A4/s320/Lama+Temple+Beijing.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566124050461950418" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqO5cUYDOwH_d5ka0lre2IxxxOA8WKc2oB3SSw3Ov1BsrJ3t6n_B1cvlXmpmm10Fi4PUIn7eJaWRHSl2vdl6YnV3oKsmFpxD0m9YEsDK9Ow4KmDfGJMD9c-N1UJ6hMw0J5WZUGmd-Y12U/s1600/Lama+Temple+Beijing+%25281%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqO5cUYDOwH_d5ka0lre2IxxxOA8WKc2oB3SSw3Ov1BsrJ3t6n_B1cvlXmpmm10Fi4PUIn7eJaWRHSl2vdl6YnV3oKsmFpxD0m9YEsDK9Ow4KmDfGJMD9c-N1UJ6hMw0J5WZUGmd-Y12U/s320/Lama+Temple+Beijing+%25281%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566124041342526818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhXOYpXSwUR5b4JO5cDinHZpgLP7K5ZMrw57NkOykJ_aQWSPDfJ6Taa2FiWG9Bv9rxiDgYfQVbC4xjV0hARn1wgiQWUGK1Q7MLDuFHEEAibl-RdUNP1R9aF90syc5P6oj_ZqxFN4KDi0/s1600/Juicy+Bar+Beijing+%25282%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhXOYpXSwUR5b4JO5cDinHZpgLP7K5ZMrw57NkOykJ_aQWSPDfJ6Taa2FiWG9Bv9rxiDgYfQVbC4xjV0hARn1wgiQWUGK1Q7MLDuFHEEAibl-RdUNP1R9aF90syc5P6oj_ZqxFN4KDi0/s320/Juicy+Bar+Beijing+%25282%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566124036429239570" /></a><br /><br />Hopefully after looking at these million pictures you too can feel like you were in China! I hope you enjoyed these pictures as much as I enjoyed my time back in China!Dana Dutcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11987801909557867808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354505139269043485.post-64444377222363526992010-12-11T01:47:00.005-06:002010-12-11T01:50:14.883-06:00Advent versus ChristmasI love to travel; I think that is of no secret to anyone who knows me. For as long as I can remember I have loved being on the move and going to new places. When I was younger we used to drive from Wisconsin to Arkansas to visit family, but my parents were smart and did it at night while we were asleep. I also remember driving around Wisconsin and Michigan with my grandparents in their motor home. Also, taking into consideration I lived in Arkansas and went to college in Indiana, I’m pretty sure I could do that drive half way asleep and still make every turn on that 10 hour journey. Most families in America take road trips, and it’s become some what of a past time. After all getting there is half the fun right?<br /><br />Well…actually…. I am not one who subscribes to that philosophy of life. I do not enjoy long road trips; I enjoy getting to my destination in a fast, efficient way. Maybe it is because I’m impatient, maybe it’s because I become bored easily if I’m not driving, maybe it’s because I am in charge if I’m driving and there is too much to worry about. For me, getting there is a hassle not an enjoyment. To the chagrin of my best friend Valerie, I absolutely love O’Hare airport, the hustle and bustle of the people there, the different languages that are spoken, and most importantly the massage chairs at Brookstone in concourse C. I have my flying routine down, my frequent flier miles on several airlines, and have probably been to every major airport in the Continental United States, yup that’s me, I love flying. I love getting to the destination in under 4 hours, and I love the window seat. I am not one who enjoys the journey. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWC5qXPoYOwTcSLQtQnWf_19fbwquG6EwmgJsqYqXRH32xzRHzVEIusbvmXufaQzCZPNvEjZqTF8n7RKrZeFUXFBUDH32sNF76DupFZm3_u0aRYBePNj6rbTCQd5alyK13pCY5j4QG5g/s1600/O%2527Hare_Concourse_C.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 290px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWC5qXPoYOwTcSLQtQnWf_19fbwquG6EwmgJsqYqXRH32xzRHzVEIusbvmXufaQzCZPNvEjZqTF8n7RKrZeFUXFBUDH32sNF76DupFZm3_u0aRYBePNj6rbTCQd5alyK13pCY5j4QG5g/s320/O%2527Hare_Concourse_C.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549328274634250978" /></a><br /><br />With that stated, I have always loved Christmas. Advent was just a season where I got to tape up my animal up on our family’s advent calendar (I always had the cat on the third day) and eat my piece of Advent chocolate. Advent was something that was a chore, until the blessed day of Christmas when I got to open my presents. Advent was the journey and Christmas was the destination. I therefore looked forward to Christmas and counted down the days impatiently like most children do. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2fkR8ZYrNjcv3yavmUU5BGZxX9_6K3YkdLK0AWhCyN9cTwzU14dbdRBkArskxtK7gkWFOlKx2dx-5xY0Fg17OTMLZMV2TGqyMJOutwB-R1c6EZrJfeE2QuVPRnyF520IIh9QPwMKmRA/s1600/advent+calendar.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2fkR8ZYrNjcv3yavmUU5BGZxX9_6K3YkdLK0AWhCyN9cTwzU14dbdRBkArskxtK7gkWFOlKx2dx-5xY0Fg17OTMLZMV2TGqyMJOutwB-R1c6EZrJfeE2QuVPRnyF520IIh9QPwMKmRA/s320/advent+calendar.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549328398466567234" /></a><br /><br />Christmas has a tendency to be quite commercialized these days. The Christmas ornaments, the Christmas lights on the house, who sent or received the most Christmas cards, the perfect stockings hung by the fire place, the candy canes, visiting Santa at the mall, the Christmas music constantly playing since the Friday after Thanksgiving….I think you get the point. We have successfully almost removed everything from the Christmas season that we are supposed to be celebrating, the awaiting and the birth of Christ.<br /><br />Christmas here in Japan has definitely taken on a different role for me, the commercialization is still here but in a form that is different from my usual traditions so the impact is slightly less. (But don’t worry Mariah Carey’s All I want for Christmas is You plays in EVERY store here) Christmas is a very important holiday but without the tree, presents, warm fireplace, and family it has taken on a new role for me. The holiday season has become much more about Advent for me. The waiting and the preparation for the coming of Christ. Much like the excitement when someone is expecting a child, we are expecting Jesus. The journey of Advent has meant more to me here in Japan, despite the fact I still can’t understand the Sunday sermons, you can feel the difference in the church. The advent wreath is lit with such reverence here, and the church color of purple is every where in my church. A color that symbolizes hope, the hope that our Savior’s birth is coming soon, a hope that we hold dear the true meaning of Christmas. <br /><br />So this year especially, it is about the journey for me. It’s about advent, and being with friends, decorating offices and churches, and spending time together. Having end of the year parties, as we await the New Year and the coming of Christ. This year Advent holds more meaning than Christmas Day will, for my Christmas Day will be spent in an airport…fitting, right? So this Advent I ask that you wait with me and look forward to the joy of our Savior’s birth, enjoy the journey. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfr6CC56FlVxqGKl30DCHv7LW-pmrtCDfMmH8ahses_GU4vhCyJKYQoUmxZdcPRZEKIjT-ApfrRYM_k7zDrQS4yW-W13W5KBrXiIzKrHR_Nez21Cz6ZGgtsNfJ_n7Y6Vs3I9B2qT8Q1CE/s1600/11-21-10+J3+Retreat+in+Hiroshima+%2528133%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfr6CC56FlVxqGKl30DCHv7LW-pmrtCDfMmH8ahses_GU4vhCyJKYQoUmxZdcPRZEKIjT-ApfrRYM_k7zDrQS4yW-W13W5KBrXiIzKrHR_Nez21Cz6ZGgtsNfJ_n7Y6Vs3I9B2qT8Q1CE/s320/11-21-10+J3+Retreat+in+Hiroshima+%2528133%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549328726825715650" /></a>Dana Dutcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11987801909557867808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354505139269043485.post-18257223481868429282010-12-01T08:43:00.007-06:002010-12-01T09:00:45.116-06:00I’m thankful for Retreats and Thanksgivings!Although Thanksgiving is technically over, I am still reflecting on what I am thankful for this year. This November flew by before I knew what was happening. However it is interesting to look back and reflect on how this November is different from last November, and how I’ve grown and changed from then. Last year I was struggling in language class, unaware of what the next year would bring, homesick, and did not have so many friends in Japan. I had only been living here for a few months and was not completely confident in navigating my way around Tokyo. NOW however, I feel confident in my Japanese language abilities to manage a simple conversation with most people, I can navigate my way around just about anywhere in Tokyo, I have plenty of friends I can call on to hang out with when I need it, and I haven’t been so homesick lately. I have traveled to several different countries, as well as traveled to quite a few places in Japan. This past year may have flown by but I have changed and grown so much in these past 12 months, its kind of surreal. <br /><br />This November I participated in two different retreats. The first retreat was the Hongo Bible Retreat in the Okutama Ward of Tokyo, out in the mountains. This retreat was run by the staff and J3’s in Tokyo and the participants were students and church members from Hongo Church. We went out to the countryside and had great fellowship while learning and having discussions about the Bible. Our participants were able to practice their English while getting a better grasp on the English language. Our theme for the weekend was “I am…” and we focused on Jesus’ statements in the Bible, such as “I am the way, the truth, and the life” “I am the bread of life” to name just a few. Our discussions for the weekend were focused on who is Jesus and what role does he play in our lives. We played ice breaker games at the beginner which are always fun, everyone running around, becoming more comfortable with one another and allowing us to bond on a friendship level, as oppose to the usual teacher / student dynamic that persists in most of those relationships. We also had quite time to walk around nature and reflect on our relationship with God, and for those participants who are not Christians, this gave them sometime to read the bible and try to come to understand Jesus. The retreat concluded with a BBQ and great fellowship fishing in a nearby stream. The fall leaves made Okutama the perfect location for a fall retreat.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IBPKW1tbDljyAyZr6g7r7olZ7BVLnu5fY8t7dfOlKXjRNdyywTwERmtTlps9zSShlqhpkn4yYilWQtppDw-tMRKHAvTxfumQqqGAtL0WwVXamVR3DEh_FoUS2wj4DVrFQkInveTyw2w/s1600/11-14-10+Hongo+Bible+Camp+%252845%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IBPKW1tbDljyAyZr6g7r7olZ7BVLnu5fY8t7dfOlKXjRNdyywTwERmtTlps9zSShlqhpkn4yYilWQtppDw-tMRKHAvTxfumQqqGAtL0WwVXamVR3DEh_FoUS2wj4DVrFQkInveTyw2w/s320/11-14-10+Hongo+Bible+Camp+%252845%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545725093040215778" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKaVxFvOC9dVuoEOBoKT6BfhVfQHgCQWcZhHAy-PiCWG-tBb5XR2bPf6mLD-OwYSNchU6w9-oh6GyXF3Q3BvoysM3_ClfcB877OHYS5d_ScbPA_6Z0OuLttYv9PnyiWs_Dwdc_7ccU3w/s1600/11-14-10+Hongo+Bible+Camp+%252841%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKaVxFvOC9dVuoEOBoKT6BfhVfQHgCQWcZhHAy-PiCWG-tBb5XR2bPf6mLD-OwYSNchU6w9-oh6GyXF3Q3BvoysM3_ClfcB877OHYS5d_ScbPA_6Z0OuLttYv9PnyiWs_Dwdc_7ccU3w/s320/11-14-10+Hongo+Bible+Camp+%252841%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545725083479373362" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtTO3KANtIsUPhhZ-hLxyhCQv8lauSb9Jc3FmjMzXlVHqqgwhpPoPdkuf1RJqvC3Y5sKOe42PK0fKXma0iG1EXmfUxBsEGvAg0FRTat8a9PTXMnW7IB2cRGOsQVB7_YZgo5jhZHJX1pk/s1600/11-14-10+Hongo+Bible+Camp+%252833%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtTO3KANtIsUPhhZ-hLxyhCQv8lauSb9Jc3FmjMzXlVHqqgwhpPoPdkuf1RJqvC3Y5sKOe42PK0fKXma0iG1EXmfUxBsEGvAg0FRTat8a9PTXMnW7IB2cRGOsQVB7_YZgo5jhZHJX1pk/s320/11-14-10+Hongo+Bible+Camp+%252833%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545725078671253202" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrwzjzBDpzgTyq6Io3zxznTQcgJgWjxtd2gKWsjQcVbkSq_VK1ettjqr9CCEEbadS04KjpnguAs7cD1RxaCm3UoBRr0HegKB1rpUME9SMDQxawmOxi0PLsduqCnLrDwvWQuIfORx6Z4Us/s1600/11-14-10+Hongo+Bible+Camp+%25286%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrwzjzBDpzgTyq6Io3zxznTQcgJgWjxtd2gKWsjQcVbkSq_VK1ettjqr9CCEEbadS04KjpnguAs7cD1RxaCm3UoBRr0HegKB1rpUME9SMDQxawmOxi0PLsduqCnLrDwvWQuIfORx6Z4Us/s320/11-14-10+Hongo+Bible+Camp+%25286%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545725067439424082" /></a><br /><br />The next weekend the J3 missionaries had a retreat in Hiroshima. This location was specifically picked by my co-worker Matthew and I because we felt that visiting Hiroshima was very important to us as Americans working in Japan. It gives us a better concept of what WWII means to the Japanese people, and also gave us a chance to read and better understand the dynamics from the war. Although WWII may be a distant memory in most Americans’ minds, it is a very pervasive thought here in Japan that shapes a lot of the way Japanese people view their lives now. It is very much still an important factor in how they view their international relations. I have had many conversations regarding this with my co-workers, students, and other friends abroad, which has brought up an interesting dialogue, which before moving to Japan, I was not fully aware of the drastic dynamics that still exist today. Many Japanese citizens do not know the causes that resulted in the dropping of the atomic bomb, they choose to ignore and disregard what happened in Korea and the Rape of Nanjing in China. Needless to say it was a very interesting and educational trip. It was also nice to see another part of Japan, and have a retreat with my fellow American co-workers. This was a time where we could come together and share our daily struggles, our job duties, how we are ministering in Japan and the joys we share on a daily basis, and we also came together to have English worship (something that has become a rarity in our daily lives). This retreat was a much needed break from the busy working life of a Japanese missionary. Hiroshima also had beautiful Christmas light displays, usually called Illumination in Japan, but Hiroshima calls their “Dreamination” A combination of dream and imagination? Don’t ask why…because there is usually not an answer, but it was beautiful regardless. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt951O_RcOlOGwQRSiOTDbOAtGVPYfH-WzNikq3iSqHRdy3wLzopfaMyUlzA9jhtQal2JioALsPywJ4l1sxsxfg79SBQf4cpj30Evv9iZ-EVspND3DCCjiHllqWDWesDmp67hKR7Fi1qU/s1600/11-21-10+J3+Retreat+in+Hiroshima+%252878%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt951O_RcOlOGwQRSiOTDbOAtGVPYfH-WzNikq3iSqHRdy3wLzopfaMyUlzA9jhtQal2JioALsPywJ4l1sxsxfg79SBQf4cpj30Evv9iZ-EVspND3DCCjiHllqWDWesDmp67hKR7Fi1qU/s320/11-21-10+J3+Retreat+in+Hiroshima+%252878%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545726226582665154" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDD7CcBz16qUwaL1cU16ELXQpFaoNCDpd7Iwfl0vOmz0ONzdPFUu6n1XjrhM9bEPbh7sQyrtAh4Pz9-52Rmwqu3vnCtyvika9BpV3LzRllC6RWHpdY3eoSCAw-y3ORhABYkF889azofA/s1600/11-21-10+J3+Retreat+in+Hiroshima+%2528104%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDD7CcBz16qUwaL1cU16ELXQpFaoNCDpd7Iwfl0vOmz0ONzdPFUu6n1XjrhM9bEPbh7sQyrtAh4Pz9-52Rmwqu3vnCtyvika9BpV3LzRllC6RWHpdY3eoSCAw-y3ORhABYkF889azofA/s320/11-21-10+J3+Retreat+in+Hiroshima+%2528104%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545726220186389186" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzsGuaylttpjROFAEkm3I1oY5mENPl82UV4A_6TZmznq6Upayuwv582nQoPalTgM0u299ILgKDVlbCziznsoWBrhUDEboOUn9p5NVZGmtfBhLciCXrxVFi6u5oFHPj4K97fbRNe3MecjA/s1600/11-21-10+J3+Retreat+in+Hiroshima+%252865%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzsGuaylttpjROFAEkm3I1oY5mENPl82UV4A_6TZmznq6Upayuwv582nQoPalTgM0u299ILgKDVlbCziznsoWBrhUDEboOUn9p5NVZGmtfBhLciCXrxVFi6u5oFHPj4K97fbRNe3MecjA/s320/11-21-10+J3+Retreat+in+Hiroshima+%252865%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545726211006533234" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGT_FxZt9epQqtmsSvatjLr_hsZYAXflSdgYSXuVYAOaCINCyHx917tXQShj1jMD3wZc8R7QDWCSEGwXz1xHYCISR7p7U86IzFvj-aHhHzDk23aKplTwipD6teqDyq2gov3df6G8Qgck/s1600/11-21-10+J3+Retreat+in+Hiroshima+%2528128%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGT_FxZt9epQqtmsSvatjLr_hsZYAXflSdgYSXuVYAOaCINCyHx917tXQShj1jMD3wZc8R7QDWCSEGwXz1xHYCISR7p7U86IzFvj-aHhHzDk23aKplTwipD6teqDyq2gov3df6G8Qgck/s320/11-21-10+J3+Retreat+in+Hiroshima+%2528128%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545726205066094242" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijBVnDjZuCDDh2R7EXnsrvfcl97BddnxUXoFsqwbNuyJa2-Ay-sDfd9d9TTzY-wlFAjrhPdxRi7ltuqeLjFlsCYxa5CJ27CQ9OK2pQ3QHhbOYANOS8kNVIo-JbkWcYRUd3Lef-PTj8piQ/s1600/11-21-10+J3+Retreat+in+Hiroshima+%25286%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijBVnDjZuCDDh2R7EXnsrvfcl97BddnxUXoFsqwbNuyJa2-Ay-sDfd9d9TTzY-wlFAjrhPdxRi7ltuqeLjFlsCYxa5CJ27CQ9OK2pQ3QHhbOYANOS8kNVIo-JbkWcYRUd3Lef-PTj8piQ/s320/11-21-10+J3+Retreat+in+Hiroshima+%25286%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545726199881313026" /></a><br /> <br />I am very thankful for both of these retreats. They allowed me to have time outside of Tokyo to be with friends in a more laid back atmosphere, while learning about the Bible together. It is also nice to spend time outside of Tokyo so I can explore and become more familiar with other areas of Japan, since Tokyo is a whole different thing in and of itself. <br /><br />This year I am also thankful to be able to celebrate Thanksgiving in a more traditional way, not once but twice this year. Last year, I along with two other missionaries went to Subway and ate turkey subs for lunch, and later that evening had wine and cheese. This year I had a more traditional dinner. I was invited to my friend Katharine’s international church in Yokohama, and Tokyo Lutheran Church’s Thanksgiving. Both places had a mix of Americans and Japanese people, and consequently American and Japanese cuisine. The vast majority of the Thanksgiving staples were present, along with French fries, sushi and a few other things I have never seen on the Thanksgiving table before. It made for a rather interesting dinner. I successfully found all the ingredients I needed to make my favorite dish, green bean casserole, and prepared and brought it to both dinners. It was a great success! Everyone loved it and I had no leftovers. But no worries, I bought enough supplies to make it for myself again! The conversations at both dinners were great; I sat around and made new friends and networked in Yokohama, played card games with children and gave advice on college life to a soon to be graduating American senior who is going to be living in America for the first time. At Tokyo Lutheran I practiced my Japanese and discussed the traditions of American Thanksgiving and we discussed cultural differences that were present during our meal. Both nights were a great success and gave me reasons to be thankful for my life in Japan. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2An4bxJ7Ev6vqQwkT6SVbu_kO81Fe7t9ERmzkWPKPBIa32rguRYLqI03mXm4Nhyp_SFb6B8RSuSQeqapYPbtezjKOF_M4KmYHRbf5VOuCmP_ZuXKAxI82vJlp6_x0hYNdD7yPLnqPNJU/s1600/11-23-10+Thanksgiving+in+Yokohama+%25281%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2An4bxJ7Ev6vqQwkT6SVbu_kO81Fe7t9ERmzkWPKPBIa32rguRYLqI03mXm4Nhyp_SFb6B8RSuSQeqapYPbtezjKOF_M4KmYHRbf5VOuCmP_ZuXKAxI82vJlp6_x0hYNdD7yPLnqPNJU/s320/11-23-10+Thanksgiving+in+Yokohama+%25281%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545728569755727298" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjqS6HT_iN4OyMIprwGTdOsAm1daCg5xEPMT4zL-KwP0pceMQIj9d9QgatW9BykYNHOanLkW6YlXsxDGmUrod27T1O4o5IsUMOyqReGGJ193taqpFUHK6mBFekpmg4LK-NS6vQaGCE6Q/s1600/11-23-10+Thanksgiving+at+TLC+%25288%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjqS6HT_iN4OyMIprwGTdOsAm1daCg5xEPMT4zL-KwP0pceMQIj9d9QgatW9BykYNHOanLkW6YlXsxDGmUrod27T1O4o5IsUMOyqReGGJ193taqpFUHK6mBFekpmg4LK-NS6vQaGCE6Q/s320/11-23-10+Thanksgiving+at+TLC+%25288%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545726872514965826" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOGtcaY_zfiPK3ra4HQTpQHSBG8UxG-n4FRS6mKWl0YdE8-j473F5E2qxYA2TlC4tqvaD34JYi8536bUhQuq3gqULw6NFW6qyBqtkk3cvLvt-hUj1-fbjbWjfV7OBUnGUIeTH0FPa-m7M/s1600/11-23-10+Thanksgiving+at+TLC+%25289%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOGtcaY_zfiPK3ra4HQTpQHSBG8UxG-n4FRS6mKWl0YdE8-j473F5E2qxYA2TlC4tqvaD34JYi8536bUhQuq3gqULw6NFW6qyBqtkk3cvLvt-hUj1-fbjbWjfV7OBUnGUIeTH0FPa-m7M/s320/11-23-10+Thanksgiving+at+TLC+%25289%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545726868047128290" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTCJL6bhUj4NMokPibnQsol4v6JVxrMRmrSRwBR5whOfiH0o43m371hhMsLFJCWgps1j2nvRAMS8nBdW9QklaUZ4E_HvwvJTqEgBmse6xNu0jEm7Wp_S5PkziJiDpqqgLisLCcKqLGh0/s1600/11-23-10+Thanksgiving+in+Yokohama+%252812%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTCJL6bhUj4NMokPibnQsol4v6JVxrMRmrSRwBR5whOfiH0o43m371hhMsLFJCWgps1j2nvRAMS8nBdW9QklaUZ4E_HvwvJTqEgBmse6xNu0jEm7Wp_S5PkziJiDpqqgLisLCcKqLGh0/s320/11-23-10+Thanksgiving+in+Yokohama+%252812%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545726861921327298" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAb3TBjPyYH0SX4rPLs1ZUVM7h-Dj3S7nickhzBeva4Ax0q9OHWfez2_7YkE2BeTSUhR2V0TMSAJ4WsZOFGFx_Fay-Q9xdXtJYNHcr5kTdcnhO-1vZPR0xaEVBdU51Ll0QpMXnkZR9FLo/s1600/11-23-10+Thanksgiving+in+Yokohama+%25284%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAb3TBjPyYH0SX4rPLs1ZUVM7h-Dj3S7nickhzBeva4Ax0q9OHWfez2_7YkE2BeTSUhR2V0TMSAJ4WsZOFGFx_Fay-Q9xdXtJYNHcr5kTdcnhO-1vZPR0xaEVBdU51Ll0QpMXnkZR9FLo/s320/11-23-10+Thanksgiving+in+Yokohama+%25284%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545726855700347778" /></a><br /><br />At times I may complain about trivial things here in Japan, but lets face it, I complain no matter where I am. Japan is a great country and sometimes I just need to be reminded of that. I have so much to be thankful for; my life experiences, my friends and family back home, my new friends here in Japan,the experience of living in Japan, and the ministry God has called me here to do. And so it is with this, I begin this December and the Advent season with an open heart a new sense of appreciation for the country I am serving in.Dana Dutcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11987801909557867808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354505139269043485.post-32433093304346021212010-11-12T06:53:00.004-06:002010-11-12T07:21:07.866-06:00October Recap: Part 2/2Picking up where I left off in my last blog…<br /><br />I have mentioned in a previous blog entry how my interest in Asia all began. It started when I lived in Milwaukee and went to an Asian emersion school and partially because of my friend Mariko. (Please read my blog entry from last December “Why Japan” for more back ground information) Mariko and I had lost touch, and shortly after I wrote a blog about that, I mentioned it to my students in one of my classes at Hongo. I then had an amazing student who helped me find and get in touch with her dad, and subsequently I was finally able to FIND HER!!! <br /><br />So the day after Oktoberfest, my friend Scott and I went to go meet Mariko and her family in the Hamarikyu Gardens in Tokyo. Mariko’s current job has to do with designing space for events and graphic designing, and was hired to be in charge of the event at the gardens. The Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony was being held that weekend and she was in charge of all of their graphics, so she invited us to meet her there and participate in the event. I was so nervous! It was weird to think that I was going to be seeing my friend whom I hadn’t seen in over 13 years. I’m glad I had Scott with me that day because I was a nervous wreck! He would ask me, “what does she look like?” and I thought to myself…I have no idea! But after a few phone calls and trying to figure out where we were suppose to meet, I saw girl running, and Scott asked me if that was her, and I replied YES! Mariko looked the same, and she said that I did too! How crazy is that?! It was such a great feeling to finally be able to see her again after all these years! I had always told her one day I’d live in Tokyo…and now I do. Crazy. <br /><br />This was a rather eventful day in itself. I was reunited with Mariko; we participated in a tea ceremony, saw a Geisha performance, listened to a traditional Japanese instrument performance, walked around the garden, and then finally had dinner with part of the Mizumura family. Kyoko, Tsuneo, Mariko, and Ana joined Scott and me for dinner that night. It was great to catch up with old friends who have known me for such a long time. I haven’t kept in touch with too many friends from Milwaukee because I was only 10 when we moved, but Mariko and I managed to stay pen pals and have been reunited after such a long time. It was really a great day!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqD73Bnr7CckiESxAFkLJt9kq4EkaJEWWOkZp_RQmd1YcP3C4jHVcLoscM_DK8I94HQI7lxlGL4fKtIpKVw2z936E_PVYMsAwdf2ndGiW5vIEZ5NeoAv_2v0JlltQavqncGKB-JHeBcw/s1600/Dana+and+Mariko.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqD73Bnr7CckiESxAFkLJt9kq4EkaJEWWOkZp_RQmd1YcP3C4jHVcLoscM_DK8I94HQI7lxlGL4fKtIpKVw2z936E_PVYMsAwdf2ndGiW5vIEZ5NeoAv_2v0JlltQavqncGKB-JHeBcw/s320/Dana+and+Mariko.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538647428087541874" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaugv4JwOmogFxBK3lZ_jvuCNlZ4V-YChvY8vctD67RcAEP3nUlbH4ZnYYz-u9B7RwmqWIUqmTUxoDSRNXaT3griInpZKfJ4HNJiS6MQJ6dIC0u_i_m93vGTz62Yziy9trRUPHfIcKGWE/s1600/Dana+and+Mariko+%25284%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaugv4JwOmogFxBK3lZ_jvuCNlZ4V-YChvY8vctD67RcAEP3nUlbH4ZnYYz-u9B7RwmqWIUqmTUxoDSRNXaT3griInpZKfJ4HNJiS6MQJ6dIC0u_i_m93vGTz62Yziy9trRUPHfIcKGWE/s320/Dana+and+Mariko+%25284%2529.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538647400550733778" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6CF6un7QIrpU4e5-nH304Vrfdf8wTm61kHWz4-3kBRX2caRwmbpRMJA3lRkuHjZQlPG4GpjeJl9DINER6zP3Hjcw9OwL2D0axISYSAwxeRBeLpqDbJQEy2JcXsNoej95lksImFEDNddM/s1600/Dana+and+Mariko+%25282%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6CF6un7QIrpU4e5-nH304Vrfdf8wTm61kHWz4-3kBRX2caRwmbpRMJA3lRkuHjZQlPG4GpjeJl9DINER6zP3Hjcw9OwL2D0axISYSAwxeRBeLpqDbJQEy2JcXsNoej95lksImFEDNddM/s320/Dana+and+Mariko+%25282%2529.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538647390213861826" /></a><br /><br />The following Saturday I had signed up to go on a retreat with another ministry site in Japan called the Lighthouse. The Lighthouse is a ministry that focuses on out reach to men in the Navy down on the Navy base in Yokosuka, about 2 hours south of Tokyo. I highly enjoy the people there as well as being able to be in an English ministry setting where I can finally be filled as well. The group was going on a tour around the Kanto area. We started off in Yokosuka, drove to Fuji, a beautiful lake in the area, Matsumoto Castle, and then drove up to Nagano where we saw many beautiful places and learned all about the history of Japan and Christianity in Japan. I had a blast with my new friends riding in the car for hours. We had some great conversations, and it was really nice to be around friends again; whether they have been friends for over a year, a few months or a few moments. It was also really fascinating to learn more about the Japanese context, history, traditions and it shed great light onto why some things happen and why some things within the church remain stagnant. Very educational. <br /><br />After we returned to Tokyo from Nagano, I quickly made my way to the airport to pick up my friend Laura who was visiting from Hong Kong. Laura was my college roommate in Valpo; it was quite nice to have her staying with me again even if it was only for a few days. It was just like old times at VU. A friend to talk with, watch movies with, lay around and do nothing with, and of course we went shopping. Laura’s time was brief in Tokyo but it was enough to get a lot of sightseeing in and to give her the real Japanese experience, last trains and all. We went shopping in several different areas of Tokyo, took purikura pictures and of course played the Taiko game at the arcades…I think we did pretty well. Overall we had a blast. Most of all it was nice to have a friend visit who really knows me, and someone who I don’t have to act different around or speak slowly with. I’m really glad she was able to visit. Its funny how after I moved to Japan, it seems a lot of my friends from college are also migrating to this side of the world….a welcomed move. After six days of rommie reunion it was time for Laura to head back to Hong Kong and for me to get back to work. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfApzW8czyFidua4nQj1cO0ryz79GJG5opWAVnt1JV89GuHf7ELUTCuHemMBbVKhxVy9EnYlbQWHXM37LRGT_V-ar1O99Jw-CLUMqxPtjsKmnFRihlXE33_iUw16m3akMFNGGYwz__8Tk/s1600/Dana+and+Laura+%25283%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfApzW8czyFidua4nQj1cO0ryz79GJG5opWAVnt1JV89GuHf7ELUTCuHemMBbVKhxVy9EnYlbQWHXM37LRGT_V-ar1O99Jw-CLUMqxPtjsKmnFRihlXE33_iUw16m3akMFNGGYwz__8Tk/s320/Dana+and+Laura+%25283%2529.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538652553954815186" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErYuGlz3TeQaahVfIsciuvWVmw3IQzwr7mfH5NdOXjpLgJNAXAnIY7dfulDK3eXibhkpPBl3hi7RjAdnbsi0yWENVVtBezXWunh8NMdWK5LtQsEp9nbS5UiZP4TFQExncDrK1xWtCTF8/s1600/Dana+and+Laura.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErYuGlz3TeQaahVfIsciuvWVmw3IQzwr7mfH5NdOXjpLgJNAXAnIY7dfulDK3eXibhkpPBl3hi7RjAdnbsi0yWENVVtBezXWunh8NMdWK5LtQsEp9nbS5UiZP4TFQExncDrK1xWtCTF8/s320/Dana+and+Laura.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538652555948883442" /></a><br /><br />That was the majority of my month of October, I might have left a few things out but with so much going on this fall its hard to write about everything that’s happening. These next two weekends I will be on retreats and after I return to Tokyo I will try to catch you all up on how those went!Dana Dutcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11987801909557867808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354505139269043485.post-23794380919333015672010-11-06T06:08:00.009-05:002010-11-08T00:17:41.111-06:00October Recap: Part 1 of 2I closed my eyes for a minute and when I opened them it was November! Where in the world did October go?! The days are beginning to get colder here in Tokyo which is welcomed at this point, it was a long and hot summer and I am glad to finally be able to pull out my sweaters and cozy up underneath a blanket... or four, while drinking some hot chocolate! The leaves in Tokyo haven't turned color yet, but I think within the next few weeks they should start! October was definitely a busy month and keep me quite occupied. My classes at Katerina resumed on the 1st of the month, so my nights filled up again really fast, which means my sleeping took another hit, but that's okay. As I learned in college, one doesn't need sleep when you have Red Bull and coffee at your disposal. Allow me to recap my month for you:<br /><br />The Tokyo J3's have Mondays off of work, to recoup from the work we do on Sundays. So the first Monday of the month, my co-worker, Matthew, and I along with a student (an adult student) decided to go sailing on Tokyo Bay. One of the joys of having older students is that they like to include us in their hobbies. Maruoka san enjoys sailing a lot and goes probably once a week. Matthew has been out sailing with him several times, but this was my first time to ever go sailing, and I must admit, I had a blast! Maruoka san highly enjoys having students come sailing with him as well because he doesn't have to do much. Matthew took care of all of the sails and tying them off while I manned the helm. I learned a few things about sailing but will be really excited to get back on the water again!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_KDTk827BnZ7JdvDQM42vKJPMub_Qnk3TEqqx7yXlctIBiY5dvKFmCtwCDDylWq4TO8LwQGb24j9MUjbDsgKZ8WKd3s2xmIg2v6kg1pxhtbLTcpWhiG-ZEHSy2BhuFpa9UjMFqYFkfQ/s1600/10-4-10+Sailing+(16).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_KDTk827BnZ7JdvDQM42vKJPMub_Qnk3TEqqx7yXlctIBiY5dvKFmCtwCDDylWq4TO8LwQGb24j9MUjbDsgKZ8WKd3s2xmIg2v6kg1pxhtbLTcpWhiG-ZEHSy2BhuFpa9UjMFqYFkfQ/s320/10-4-10+Sailing+(16).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536392363704535986" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShCamfUSP0FoHg2qY6qSY1G6B8cqz0bVa860kOqIrU45KA2y4IYq4br2DQy_q-WKj0Q6OSPqVWiypqqwKTfHzcPeka-_bcP2KbVI9Rdi7mp71-iVMvFDY3GXJQXIxKijzFiyfKME57yA/s1600/10-4-10+Sailing+(3).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShCamfUSP0FoHg2qY6qSY1G6B8cqz0bVa860kOqIrU45KA2y4IYq4br2DQy_q-WKj0Q6OSPqVWiypqqwKTfHzcPeka-_bcP2KbVI9Rdi7mp71-iVMvFDY3GXJQXIxKijzFiyfKME57yA/s320/10-4-10+Sailing+(3).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536392357888974706" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zmXsDK9exBvcHrVGrAv8Dba8SbH6QnyZAMXrKZhYecgYRqtdcyBE3bXj7fVAHasSTt6wjnOfY5085xcm-VjgxfM5sE9PV4HDEx9KM4-YakHxkLmoU_rEAoUpck5OCdEvqW2Ah3jqj40/s1600/10-4-10+Sailing+(4).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zmXsDK9exBvcHrVGrAv8Dba8SbH6QnyZAMXrKZhYecgYRqtdcyBE3bXj7fVAHasSTt6wjnOfY5085xcm-VjgxfM5sE9PV4HDEx9KM4-YakHxkLmoU_rEAoUpck5OCdEvqW2Ah3jqj40/s320/10-4-10+Sailing+(4).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536392350683012562" /></a><br />The following Saturday I participated in a Lutheran "youth" retreat in Nagasaki on the southern most island of Japan, Kyushu. The word youth here has a very loose meaning, and tends to mean, those who are marrying age, but remain single. The majority of the participants were college or graduate students, with a few older participants as well. The theme of this gathering was "We are the Peace Makers" and the gathering focused on peace, what this means to us, what it means living in the Japanese context and how we as Christians should apply that to our lives. It was a very interesting conference, partially because the entire event was in Japanese. I strained my brain trying to understand everything, but luckily for me many people did speak English so I had some help with interpreting some of the harder conversations. <br /><br />Nagasaki was a great location to have this retreat because of the historical events that have happened there. We, of course, went to the Atomic Bomb museum and visited the historical sites from the war, the bomb epicenter, relics that have survived the war, a museum about the Japanese-Korean conflict and the China-Japan conflict, as well as the Nagasaki Peace Park. Going through the museum was a very interesting experience for me, although there were a few other Americans or at least Westerners in the museum, I was amongst a sea of Japanese people. On my day to day living, this is no problem...but being in this museum it seemed to carry a little more weight on me than it usually does. It was weird to think that my country was responsible for this, and at that particular time, in that museum I seemed to represent everyone from American history...funny how that happens, huh. I have learned the history from the America perspective, but have not really heard it from the Japanese perspective, until now. It was fascinating to watch videos of survivors and hear their stories about what happened that dreadful day. After walking through the majority of the exhibits, on the way out of the museum there is a final exhibit about nuclear weapons now. It showed what countries had bombs, who had used them in war, and who has been practicing and testing these bombs; it was interesting because of course America was number 1 in all these categories. We have the most bombs and we have tested these bombs the most (be it above or below ground). It was interesting for me to see this and to think about what Peace means for me, being a Christian, living in Japan, and being an American…now roll all those up into one A Christian American living in Japan. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcd9ymIKybd4Rw5L1nDpL2UDb8BLpQXJ2xKS7naDqCtim1J_xNQ7Gs77AXUaKGfC_MlHJAKKKqzRu5IURt6BKEgSmMXjtL91ozUTbjo-P3Sf1FE8XV2Gds-TP5vhT1io_5Kte-oI5zwk/s1600/Nagasaki+Group.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcd9ymIKybd4Rw5L1nDpL2UDb8BLpQXJ2xKS7naDqCtim1J_xNQ7Gs77AXUaKGfC_MlHJAKKKqzRu5IURt6BKEgSmMXjtL91ozUTbjo-P3Sf1FE8XV2Gds-TP5vhT1io_5Kte-oI5zwk/s320/Nagasaki+Group.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536394887511017922" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHwRRqK1zg3A_-qJv6Iom4yIolC1lRK34rglOBlOOcF1fI-pIzWDiDP8ZDpkPNra_A0xn9vvmW7nQ96q857iO0NruDOtcoJ8zrgdqp9GLT3BxjPuxeVFY6LOtDoKgFQITLFA1R9PcOCQ/s1600/10-9-10+Nagasaki+We+are+Peacemakers+(28).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHwRRqK1zg3A_-qJv6Iom4yIolC1lRK34rglOBlOOcF1fI-pIzWDiDP8ZDpkPNra_A0xn9vvmW7nQ96q857iO0NruDOtcoJ8zrgdqp9GLT3BxjPuxeVFY6LOtDoKgFQITLFA1R9PcOCQ/s320/10-9-10+Nagasaki+We+are+Peacemakers+(28).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536394884180546738" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkS-snPEn4U-PZb-_sgY93hKmWcrjE2ZvZPAuGUa4Y1fL9ClubtiWjztOkGTLh3_4U2dSv-qlV8oAsmI0NL0P3iGk07S4OF8KyUnQHt-Hei1dNof4hMaiFKk7nUXb52kRFhwT2r25g6c/s1600/10-9-10+Nagasaki+We+are+Peacemakers+(16).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkS-snPEn4U-PZb-_sgY93hKmWcrjE2ZvZPAuGUa4Y1fL9ClubtiWjztOkGTLh3_4U2dSv-qlV8oAsmI0NL0P3iGk07S4OF8KyUnQHt-Hei1dNof4hMaiFKk7nUXb52kRFhwT2r25g6c/s320/10-9-10+Nagasaki+We+are+Peacemakers+(16).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536394881087550498" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAXEI_u6g1zxFQFtW4INHFmPiOu7olKoSy4h4sypvoYBnwHpB742t-pFA2tNELhoU-cGFOj1evzX2zwvU636pHFp1egAmxAAKLy88ewxxkO4UM2JXUTIjqBJPrFYA-QpKEH6KgvT3m3U/s1600/10-9-10+Nagasaki+We+are+Peacemakers+(11).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAXEI_u6g1zxFQFtW4INHFmPiOu7olKoSy4h4sypvoYBnwHpB742t-pFA2tNELhoU-cGFOj1evzX2zwvU636pHFp1egAmxAAKLy88ewxxkO4UM2JXUTIjqBJPrFYA-QpKEH6KgvT3m3U/s320/10-9-10+Nagasaki+We+are+Peacemakers+(11).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536394875714756754" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxHl51AXnCKfvXTYAYQUFeTNmLcfis87DPCOSMZMEF7dB-TBz4MmXRQg-jL9DN96nBkLPASfDzgekXPVVqqDWiYbu2h1G5S8qYnE7kBtJUkF6lLAMl5gJW7UTngE4do_o_RDfrMlFfvM/s1600/10-9-10+Nagasaki+We+are+Peacemakers+(10).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxHl51AXnCKfvXTYAYQUFeTNmLcfis87DPCOSMZMEF7dB-TBz4MmXRQg-jL9DN96nBkLPASfDzgekXPVVqqDWiYbu2h1G5S8qYnE7kBtJUkF6lLAMl5gJW7UTngE4do_o_RDfrMlFfvM/s320/10-9-10+Nagasaki+We+are+Peacemakers+(10).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536394872278962466" /></a><br /><br />Needless to say the entire retreat was very entertaining and I made a lot of new friends as well! Not all the topics were so heavy, we had free time at night where we stayed up and chatted about boys and the usual things girls chat about late at night. We also enjoyed onsen and the beautiful scenery Nagasaki has to offer. I rode the shinkansen down there by myself and rode back to Tokyo with a new friend, so overall the weekend was a great success and I’m glad I was able to go!<br /><br />As some of you may remember, back in May I attended Oktoberfest in Tokyo. Well considering this month is actually October, there was another Oktoberfest celebration, this time in Yokohama. A group of us from Tokyo decided to head down to Yokohama and take part in the festivities once again. This venue was much smaller than the one held in Tokyo, and subsequently we all consumed much less beer. But that is okay, beers can range in price from $20 to $35 depending on the size and which brand of beer you buy. Most of the beer on tap is imported from Germany which means its great quality compared to Japanese beer, but therefore is also five times the price. All for the sake of culture, right? After we had our share of beer and sausages, we headed to Yokohama’s Chinatown to catch a quick snack/dinner before heading home on the trains. It was a very successful night, always a good time with the missionary crowd!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJmqGWyvLP92Ofl-OLmksCCx6eDDglG5x_Z8evhO6G7ZsoHvHZdZo4bxGScG5Q8e-8f-6iaybR6XkKlb3DDKKxbisnwkXexqEULBZqK3iyKGRYxqvb4AvQbz8H0xBcFynSNMeYrvvWMQ/s1600/10-16-10+Oktoberfest+(1).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJmqGWyvLP92Ofl-OLmksCCx6eDDglG5x_Z8evhO6G7ZsoHvHZdZo4bxGScG5Q8e-8f-6iaybR6XkKlb3DDKKxbisnwkXexqEULBZqK3iyKGRYxqvb4AvQbz8H0xBcFynSNMeYrvvWMQ/s320/10-16-10+Oktoberfest+(1).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536396060545598674" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDk4vlft1xzVaEAFL31JubATiu88HLrE-NBo3hLoAu5F51nf4lfuXC7ip0caxwO-waBJx76qqrAZpMTFEPB5wPfo45GDAip9J8RhlMd5Rns4qi23dBZXAA5HOM0Nb5dnv5-X1WMJmSQg/s1600/10-16-10+Oktoberfest+(2).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDk4vlft1xzVaEAFL31JubATiu88HLrE-NBo3hLoAu5F51nf4lfuXC7ip0caxwO-waBJx76qqrAZpMTFEPB5wPfo45GDAip9J8RhlMd5Rns4qi23dBZXAA5HOM0Nb5dnv5-X1WMJmSQg/s320/10-16-10+Oktoberfest+(2).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536396057434793314" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhnrvWpsP8Iuy1SqaOEndNSUXe2vM2i8oqXTQX-6GE62H8sUWd9o82Fb4HkjARkRTWsFj1xPkHQ4Ri476_5n-cO50-gBAhqIVGXu49Su3F4drYQudK-rJxYigHAvqhdtdjq_te7SI9eHs/s1600/10-16-10+Oktoberfest.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhnrvWpsP8Iuy1SqaOEndNSUXe2vM2i8oqXTQX-6GE62H8sUWd9o82Fb4HkjARkRTWsFj1xPkHQ4Ri476_5n-cO50-gBAhqIVGXu49Su3F4drYQudK-rJxYigHAvqhdtdjq_te7SI9eHs/s320/10-16-10+Oktoberfest.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536396053962047906" /></a><br /><br />Well this is about half way through my adventures for the month of October but I’m going to cut this entry off here since it has gotten rather lengthy already, and I will finish wrapping up the second half of October in my next entry!Dana Dutcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11987801909557867808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354505139269043485.post-33834503965420880832010-10-13T02:35:00.012-05:002010-10-13T19:46:33.362-05:00CambodiaThis blog is long overdue and for that I apologize. I have recounted most of my summer adventures but have yet to recount my experience in Cambodia. Cambodia has been a country that I have been interested in since 2004 when I attended Arkansas Governor’s School. I heard a guest speaker who used to be a child solider under the Pol Pot regime. Her name was Loung Ung, and she has written two books about her experience as a child solider; First They Killed My Father was the book that I chose to read, and highly suggest you give it a read!<br /><br />Describing this trip will be hard because if you do not have a good grasp on Cambodia’s history, most of the significant cultural sites we visited will not mean too much to you. I will try to give a brief recap of their country’s history, as it is important to why we went. <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />History</span> <br /><br />The Khmer Rogue reached Phnom Penh and took power in 1975. The regime led by Pol Pot, changed the official name of the country to Democratic Kampuchea. They immediately evacuated the cities and sent the entire population on forced marches to rural work projects. They attempted to rebuild the country’s agriculture on the model of the 11th century, discarded Western medicine, and destroyed temples, libraries, and anything considered Western. Over a million Cambodians out of a total population of 8 million, died from executions, overwork, starvation and disease. (www.wikipedia.org)<br /><br />Cambodia used to be a thriving Kingdom in Asia and had the some of the top education and the most beautiful temples in all of Southeast Asia. The country was used as a “neutral” zone for the United States during the Vietnam war, and due to this we invaded and fought on a lot of their land despite not actually being at war with them. Millions of landmines were planted in the countryside, which still remain today, and have become a large problem for the people of Cambodia. Many children think they look like candy or toys and try to pick them up, which you can imagine does not end well. Due to this Cambodia has a large population of amputates. UNICEF has designated that Cambodia is the 3rd most land mined country in the world, and their health care is not of the best quality to deal with all of the ramifications of this statistic. In addition to their facilities not being adequate, 50% of the population is under the age of 20, putting a rather large strain on the adults and elderly to continue working in order to provide for their families. Needless to say Cambodia has more than their share of large problems. Cambodia's monetary system is also a bit messed up due to high inflation of their currency. This problem stems from a corrupt government, banking system, and corrupt police officials. Therefore they actually use U.S. currency over there, which made buying things very convenient for me. There is so much more to their history and I could go on forever, but I don’t want to bore you!<br /><br />Although Cambodia does have its fair share of problems, the country is BEAUTIFUL and full of a rich culture, amazing people, delicious food, and beautiful temples. I hope you do not get the impression that Cambodia is a desolate country because it is filled with so much hope and a general joy for life. It was a great trip and I highly intend on returning their one day! More than likely to work….<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">My Trip</span><br /><br />I went to Cambodia with a fellow missionary, Christie. Our trip lasted a total of 11 days, and 3 cities; Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Kep. We took off early from Tokyo and flew to Bangkok where we had a layover. We were able to enjoy mango and sticky rice while waiting at the airport for our next flight, very relaxing and gorgeous airport if I do say so myself.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8NZiZU3AGmJccWkXm6U37_cy9gjHvPyEfluCBEvjXg_2ry54NIybh0mBafzWhKXwXMc4v-owCElfxREs8Mv_7bRqTKOfcMYmCzARKYpY23b59Uxp0UIxlPH9bMLhHorCwlEM_oMfGxEY/s1600/Cambodia+(6).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8NZiZU3AGmJccWkXm6U37_cy9gjHvPyEfluCBEvjXg_2ry54NIybh0mBafzWhKXwXMc4v-owCElfxREs8Mv_7bRqTKOfcMYmCzARKYpY23b59Uxp0UIxlPH9bMLhHorCwlEM_oMfGxEY/s320/Cambodia+(6).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527431930183945762" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQg4Ged-EPhFGhboWOZjstU6RY1jEcHajJmVN2yfhcf7AXvy3FC_AQAg4YC8MvvNaDYt80ogI4o1cxsr4XRnFlwYOlyYa2mkyok4kcrcn4OtPdRBPionJa7JZwxeKl9N3YLKdt0yq5v8/s1600/Cambodia+(4).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQg4Ged-EPhFGhboWOZjstU6RY1jEcHajJmVN2yfhcf7AXvy3FC_AQAg4YC8MvvNaDYt80ogI4o1cxsr4XRnFlwYOlyYa2mkyok4kcrcn4OtPdRBPionJa7JZwxeKl9N3YLKdt0yq5v8/s320/Cambodia+(4).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527431928101929490" /></a><br /><br />Upon arrival in Cambodia we found our hotel in Phnom Penh for the night. It was rather late when we finally got there so we decided to just stay in the hotel and sleep for the night. The next morning we boarded a bus and headed up to Siem Reap where we would do the temple site seeing tours. The bus ride to Siem Reap was….bumpy to say the least. The road conditions in Cambodia are not the best, although I found the ride to be very fascinating. While driving from one city to another we were able to see a lot of the country side of Cambodia, and to see how people actually live their lives, and what real houses in the majority of the country look like. It was really interesting for me.<br /><br />Upon arrival in Siem Reap we checked into our hotel, The Kool Hotel. The staff there was absolutely fantastic! We were greeted with cool towels, tea, and a friendly staff member to welcome us and to go over a map of the town. Our rooms were great, clean, and spacious. We had all the accommodations you could ask for. The hotel also had a great place to eat and a pool out back! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4QuhCvRAhxjCpgN6gRqL11EbDu53UHYjMFbmtvsa7R3-aSt8rxJPux_kpLcvm9narmVzc5ZrXi6aDs97KOViBMA0SUnJQhGhgWwKkReCLRAuLoshoVrfaZ6q6nLulZl6_fFfCTJzQT4/s1600/Cambodia+(12).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4QuhCvRAhxjCpgN6gRqL11EbDu53UHYjMFbmtvsa7R3-aSt8rxJPux_kpLcvm9narmVzc5ZrXi6aDs97KOViBMA0SUnJQhGhgWwKkReCLRAuLoshoVrfaZ6q6nLulZl6_fFfCTJzQT4/s320/Cambodia+(12).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527432548965940754" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FpaQmQDThvqo_Qmu0DlROF5VP3f_xihSv2buMRvai8qR9__I9X6Dap2sxdTPlly3HSzC8wTGfT3yxDBkfit5P9TNI2uBw_q3Dy6zkfHdXYUDCEPIcjKZjUTJEuhSDn3Wtk3U30fatVE/s1600/Cambodia+(10).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FpaQmQDThvqo_Qmu0DlROF5VP3f_xihSv2buMRvai8qR9__I9X6Dap2sxdTPlly3HSzC8wTGfT3yxDBkfit5P9TNI2uBw_q3Dy6zkfHdXYUDCEPIcjKZjUTJEuhSDn3Wtk3U30fatVE/s320/Cambodia+(10).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527432548276148450" /></a><br />The next day in Siem Reap we toured Angkor Wat and many other temples in the general vicinity. They were beautiful! Due to the Khmer Rogue the majority of the Buddha statues were decapitated, which was rather unfortunate. These temples are very old so the mere fact that they are in the decent condition they are in was impressive to me. While touring Angkor Wat, we did hire a tour guide because I was very curious to know the actual history of the temple. Angkor Wat for example for built in the early 12th century for their King Suryavarman. This temple was originally built as a Hindu temple and dedicated to the god Vishnu. Then as the country progressed and changed the temple became a Buddhist temple, which it remains to this day. The temples were beautiful beyond compare and these pictures do not do them justice.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFof8r5MwgZW5hIJ0OhKEme6JQc_mlSQLSpIuhVYGL47NnfCj3KXYIDivR288llAzGzTqu006crzKxfjrwGO1UgZ4QM7k8h96L08_lkBTsW5Z_5oSdlCmyb4jVLpG8zcd7dcLtdfRi90/s1600/Cambodia+(81).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFof8r5MwgZW5hIJ0OhKEme6JQc_mlSQLSpIuhVYGL47NnfCj3KXYIDivR288llAzGzTqu006crzKxfjrwGO1UgZ4QM7k8h96L08_lkBTsW5Z_5oSdlCmyb4jVLpG8zcd7dcLtdfRi90/s320/Cambodia+(81).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527433252546112898" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8QgF-y59lGE0TJbIJ1ibnitRxXAMdtXsIjLyKZoj6AtA-ILs2NX897qgu7vEUzDdScQo83dsdOMjkAn2juxuh2-yAJmUrjXZeJXMwGt8rfp6A-zj9PLvuDzf_APGjPZKDi0CFAf1nOg/s1600/Cambodia+(57).jpg"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0Z8N5P3D8ndB5-9dvhAUTqwHs99AcZYYJx_pq7kixt1PQyuJc5gep1strNRfPSJTghYpjhvY3PHNfznrgS9L7p5tc-MWVgnyVEv54UJrhtyPxxUtDaU7g__gy1CRlnw_-vH6lkZV_qw/s320/Cambodia+(241).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527434621442276530" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74JJgW4Mc5dsVIEADNBn5PVoI8_1pAuNqt27L2fnlErENRNYxFOLG3waSOjVJpY9WtXCJhzLLOPysHdiSEzBfkR3dGr1hENSQATBs3b84vfhzVm2Gt6iIFK9BID-zZxA1I4wsdmGI2AI/s1600/Cambodia+(219).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74JJgW4Mc5dsVIEADNBn5PVoI8_1pAuNqt27L2fnlErENRNYxFOLG3waSOjVJpY9WtXCJhzLLOPysHdiSEzBfkR3dGr1hENSQATBs3b84vfhzVm2Gt6iIFK9BID-zZxA1I4wsdmGI2AI/s320/Cambodia+(219).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527434614098605858" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicc4tN7S9AC_Y2wgymP9a12HyuIc-8Y5_XGYQExqXkPZih6E-dGt9qR5rKEJWNZxLlU959SUM7Z74gMmyLQJP5blH0DVLxuAn3ubm9iA-MrupOLlSjnkFrfT_ymv1dERF-wX5HarcsFiQ/s1600/Cambodia+(230).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicc4tN7S9AC_Y2wgymP9a12HyuIc-8Y5_XGYQExqXkPZih6E-dGt9qR5rKEJWNZxLlU959SUM7Z74gMmyLQJP5blH0DVLxuAn3ubm9iA-MrupOLlSjnkFrfT_ymv1dERF-wX5HarcsFiQ/s320/Cambodia+(230).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527434607315102850" /></a><br /><br />The next day unfortunately I got sick, probably from not being as careful with the water I consumed as I should have been…oh well. So I rested for a day and hung out at the hotel. We also did our fair share of souvenir shopping and I purchased some beautiful paintings, which I think were grossly under priced. But I attribute my shopping there as helping stimulate their economy, so if you think about it, I was really just trying to help them out. (Pretty good justification, right?)<br /><br />After Siem Reap we boarded yet another bus and headed to Kep via Phnom Penh. This travel was a bit more difficult than we had expected. We were under the impression we could get a bus or a shared taxi…which proved to be false. We had a bit of trouble trying to find a bus going down there. But after awhile of searching and talking with several companies, and consulting my handy dandy Lonely Planet Book we found a bus that had open seats. This bus ride was B-U-M-P-Y and caused my stomach to turn a few times, which is a rather hard thing to do. Granted, we were the last ones to buy tickets so we were seated at the back of the bus which probably didn’t help either.<br /><br />We did not have accommodations in Kep, which I was a little worried about because I am very much a planner and type A personality so I was a little concerned. However there were two other foreigners on the bus who we quickly befriended and they gave us advice on where to stay and we ended up at a rather nice bungalow! It was great. God was taking care of us! This portion of our trip was rather relaxing, we swam, walked around the island, watched the crab farmers, and overall just relaxed pool side. It was a mini vacation within our larger trip.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_ywbSlB3L-0YSlvL9VZQQ-meyhjYjOAWSM9CEsd_UwR-LgjCGH1LIhyhizJ0KpYcyDpBcSjCBuzqJuQbw9HPXpx-VcOlxG9_AkMdoX9YSjIJgvTAsikRZXH0qWzI0t61IbGH2B9zAos/s1600/Cambodia+(276).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_ywbSlB3L-0YSlvL9VZQQ-meyhjYjOAWSM9CEsd_UwR-LgjCGH1LIhyhizJ0KpYcyDpBcSjCBuzqJuQbw9HPXpx-VcOlxG9_AkMdoX9YSjIJgvTAsikRZXH0qWzI0t61IbGH2B9zAos/s320/Cambodia+(276).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527435146029063106" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmZcx5q7AmPVmYbHqt9H55ZhLMElTztdRQxYpe2nVet4RJ2nx94KHVzONFxKQTjk2mkoCf3f6tmsQejX3m4lMoVCG9TKjPzEqzp_aQxnK5vP5-u9gGGYuSZmtCASljQJp01I98hwRW2c/s1600/Cambodia+(264).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmZcx5q7AmPVmYbHqt9H55ZhLMElTztdRQxYpe2nVet4RJ2nx94KHVzONFxKQTjk2mkoCf3f6tmsQejX3m4lMoVCG9TKjPzEqzp_aQxnK5vP5-u9gGGYuSZmtCASljQJp01I98hwRW2c/s320/Cambodia+(264).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527435135283822642" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOOBL2d8fhiRNLU-6TdkHcZwie7K1Ri1hw9B3cT96rgq2ECfG0z3Km9aE821vbG5d6IdyCQFGbcY8z4QOc_ToD0oUzexvpWVnZq6SgZkTsh0C1Ti7k2kzpZ5mPIvl4l5JjQ3h9wCQtpU/s1600/Cambodia+(268).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOOBL2d8fhiRNLU-6TdkHcZwie7K1Ri1hw9B3cT96rgq2ECfG0z3Km9aE821vbG5d6IdyCQFGbcY8z4QOc_ToD0oUzexvpWVnZq6SgZkTsh0C1Ti7k2kzpZ5mPIvl4l5JjQ3h9wCQtpU/s320/Cambodia+(268).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527435127689184914" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07fan-89NoB3wMrO_TdfyMf3zq1u64MDRwxETDlaje5irj9zRfBR2Zo98_5HyfDWNDxGp621zJD-VBluFERZgJ5yjAxc3TXTDkTEfb75fQQskPeOZks9ZWVwFvPip_n_j-h3zfUBg_bQ/s1600/Cambodia+(272).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07fan-89NoB3wMrO_TdfyMf3zq1u64MDRwxETDlaje5irj9zRfBR2Zo98_5HyfDWNDxGp621zJD-VBluFERZgJ5yjAxc3TXTDkTEfb75fQQskPeOZks9ZWVwFvPip_n_j-h3zfUBg_bQ/s320/Cambodia+(272).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527435123223739762" /></a><br /><br /><br />After a few days in Kep we ventured back to Phnom Penh. While in Phnom Penh we spent out last 4 days there and toured more of the depressing history of the country. We started our tour by touring the Killing Fields. The Killing Fields was the location where the majority of the people in the city were killed. It was rather depressing; I will include some pictures but am leaving out the more graphic ones as I do not think this forum is the best place to share those images. If you wish to know more about the history of this location, please ask. One things that makes this site so depressing is that the majority of the graves have not been excavated, and therefore during rainy season remains from the graves make their way to the surface. This was a very somber experience for me, one that surpasses all other horrific locations I have been (Nagasaki, concentration camps, etc.) <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRHxSl_ScN57c2uUxXSdPslhz5aVmJOKW7rFiCCzxD0XrmBEX8ZMl_fKjqP6BiHt4wYI5lZlsWJUCByuU9EnjeI-8LYBEEmnsNljqoQoyjTX7s5QMPUZoi7DOBD5DvCSMUuhwjMLe1xI/s1600/Cambodia+(297).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRHxSl_ScN57c2uUxXSdPslhz5aVmJOKW7rFiCCzxD0XrmBEX8ZMl_fKjqP6BiHt4wYI5lZlsWJUCByuU9EnjeI-8LYBEEmnsNljqoQoyjTX7s5QMPUZoi7DOBD5DvCSMUuhwjMLe1xI/s320/Cambodia+(297).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527435949946005122" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi66DtwwIiwLJvedzNgouI2UBSU2kaqTFk-xOKu1TkDzZM43Rs1ntUwnNM8HDvNOX9ZftSz3NWESXZ48FSKOqUPMiOKN38s537cAOgaVDgNLLAwCnye7596O-9IDxwd6GeyD8wk-W_2AuY/s1600/Cambodia+(293).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi66DtwwIiwLJvedzNgouI2UBSU2kaqTFk-xOKu1TkDzZM43Rs1ntUwnNM8HDvNOX9ZftSz3NWESXZ48FSKOqUPMiOKN38s537cAOgaVDgNLLAwCnye7596O-9IDxwd6GeyD8wk-W_2AuY/s320/Cambodia+(293).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527435938666076034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeSQdMVi5e9yUT0lDduxppWAQv9DjmTxcmjw_fcpCsbYckD-FJvbygQzKUyj-QELmPmqBx1xYYfvzibmUYUOTUArYqW54gh4vWKFdnwBPfKCku3jjzN4RTiDNRy-PrOIMehXaMsNog8A8/s1600/Cambodia+(290).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeSQdMVi5e9yUT0lDduxppWAQv9DjmTxcmjw_fcpCsbYckD-FJvbygQzKUyj-QELmPmqBx1xYYfvzibmUYUOTUArYqW54gh4vWKFdnwBPfKCku3jjzN4RTiDNRy-PrOIMehXaMsNog8A8/s320/Cambodia+(290).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527435933414819602" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOMqr8smVpKBE6rVCnJCljEywizyCZkTnbLI58JNYjiGJSw7KuXswdYUnLAMp-tQR7v6Gj41fANzuJQQA6Hlrysar2F2jmEBEx-iItNvUNOxJ7fBWOsO-MTvZ-vSyN2-eZGONYBLdtTk/s1600/Cambodia+(288).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOMqr8smVpKBE6rVCnJCljEywizyCZkTnbLI58JNYjiGJSw7KuXswdYUnLAMp-tQR7v6Gj41fANzuJQQA6Hlrysar2F2jmEBEx-iItNvUNOxJ7fBWOsO-MTvZ-vSyN2-eZGONYBLdtTk/s320/Cambodia+(288).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527435925139277394" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxG3FB7VKGz1BpdfYk4AE2Nd9AbTd31VZ4W9Z4I17uSh-QhWewMk5nluBl8EtOYeSsNC7wPsp99lGrzPbdourMV2RtwYX1ZY7Au3Lkc2QA57qLGefwC2UsfQCx2sF7h7CfisFzeXvFCU/s1600/Cambodia+(286).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxG3FB7VKGz1BpdfYk4AE2Nd9AbTd31VZ4W9Z4I17uSh-QhWewMk5nluBl8EtOYeSsNC7wPsp99lGrzPbdourMV2RtwYX1ZY7Au3Lkc2QA57qLGefwC2UsfQCx2sF7h7CfisFzeXvFCU/s320/Cambodia+(286).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527435923422970946" /></a><br /><br />After touring the Killing Fields we moved to S.21 or Tuol Sleng. This is the former high school in Phnom Penh which was used as a prison/ torture facility before people were moved to the Killing Fields. Yet another sombering experience. Seeing all these places and knowing the history about Cambodia left me with many questions about my life, their history and the state of their country. With the vast majority of their adult population have been killed, they are lacking many educated, doctors and teachers. Without these important people it makes it rather hard to develop a country.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2CLKh8amizGOdE9SrvL_zzgadCkM2Ir4U3ErHvf4C0jyjfBy_2PUqtKFF7o00f-xzaBp14lKNCLoYjnPFQ2wb0qKmkDczZ9ifbhVJut_8riBhkq3r3i8i12fxQFhxUnJ84ooda4d2y0/s1600/Cambodia+(303).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2CLKh8amizGOdE9SrvL_zzgadCkM2Ir4U3ErHvf4C0jyjfBy_2PUqtKFF7o00f-xzaBp14lKNCLoYjnPFQ2wb0qKmkDczZ9ifbhVJut_8riBhkq3r3i8i12fxQFhxUnJ84ooda4d2y0/s320/Cambodia+(303).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527436346889444306" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2pciy4-ved18rmZcvPMwLAIg2jrEnfiCO8spZDS1_7yaDTq3YZCPHt1KloKwUq-GqZsSIVJGWM16k0ebfIyHoX5o_hltRpUDj4_S6Yi8UxM2areiXB5Pk3OHKjOsCVm31rlKrNKl8kU/s1600/Cambodia+(302).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2pciy4-ved18rmZcvPMwLAIg2jrEnfiCO8spZDS1_7yaDTq3YZCPHt1KloKwUq-GqZsSIVJGWM16k0ebfIyHoX5o_hltRpUDj4_S6Yi8UxM2areiXB5Pk3OHKjOsCVm31rlKrNKl8kU/s320/Cambodia+(302).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527436343000034450" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkQ5x7pRbZIBeudRR-gspXoH0Koya7UwjqQsgoxvfxQMJRgL565G11SvKlId9HZ5bt-2iQcGY85xaVW2HeXHxmyT8B82_xOBYpqW93NiXwWncS-bwyPMh4OQ9TQU4FPhb8rKj0zVCBfQ/s1600/Cambodia+(299).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkQ5x7pRbZIBeudRR-gspXoH0Koya7UwjqQsgoxvfxQMJRgL565G11SvKlId9HZ5bt-2iQcGY85xaVW2HeXHxmyT8B82_xOBYpqW93NiXwWncS-bwyPMh4OQ9TQU4FPhb8rKj0zVCBfQ/s320/Cambodia+(299).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527436338244470098" /></a><br /><br />Cambodia was a very eye opening experience, and very humbling. I realized how many things I have taken for granted, and how lucky I am to have what I do. God has blessed me in so many ways I never thought about before. The country of Cambodia is beautiful country, with beautiful people and full of life. Their history would make anyone depressed yet they have tried to move past it and rebuild their country the best way they know how. I could write easily 5 more pages about Cambodia, but considering how long this entry already is, I think I’ll end it here. I highly encourage everyone to research and learn more about Cambodia and learn what you can do to help! If you have any questions regarding my trip or the country, or anything at all PLEASE do not hesitate to ask! I love talking about Cambodia!!! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCfNcb6EkrlvZJ5nNNi1Cz8DUBaYfbwDKVZuMfaNoNoEVxT9dvZ-O0dJf2-Y68-NKib1pKe1w2Abqm57VYy7ajhYyxSmj9gtk98UDJh7YiAZzuW3_yDK-fnkWDcpZInWE5piHwIXVtKM/s1600/Cambodia+(307).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCfNcb6EkrlvZJ5nNNi1Cz8DUBaYfbwDKVZuMfaNoNoEVxT9dvZ-O0dJf2-Y68-NKib1pKe1w2Abqm57VYy7ajhYyxSmj9gtk98UDJh7YiAZzuW3_yDK-fnkWDcpZInWE5piHwIXVtKM/s320/Cambodia+(307).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527436734486537170" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH0Y4QRXKqAiA7a-j6D2YW-05t_oZYE1dDmF6rQ5pe818VFfYkwoa3I0vehfi2C12B2dpSzIgwUTLdKCvS84A3vxmYpSO4JHzrmws8XoIMNPngBfxkmE0S92_nk65Fu00k1hpvRZrXSrA/s1600/Cambodia+(218).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH0Y4QRXKqAiA7a-j6D2YW-05t_oZYE1dDmF6rQ5pe818VFfYkwoa3I0vehfi2C12B2dpSzIgwUTLdKCvS84A3vxmYpSO4JHzrmws8XoIMNPngBfxkmE0S92_nk65Fu00k1hpvRZrXSrA/s320/Cambodia+(218).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527436724122400498" /></a>Dana Dutcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11987801909557867808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354505139269043485.post-49884303653744219812010-09-26T01:16:00.005-05:002010-09-26T01:26:48.905-05:00Summa Summa Summatiiiiiiiiiiime!The school year is back in full swing here in Japan, so I thought I’d take the time and recap how I spent my summer vacation. The calendar may read Fall but the weather here in Tokyo still feels like summer. Things have begun to cool off a little bit these past few days, but I’m not sure how long that will last. As many of you know, I was a bit worried about this summer and having so much free time, (what a horrible thing to worry about, huh?) I was sure I was going to go insane from boredom. However, to my pleasant surprise this was not the case. I managed to have quite a full summer with people visiting, traveling to several places, and catching up with friends; this summer was rather enjoyable. Granted this summer was also the hottest on record here in Japan, so quite a few days were also spent inside in the air conditioning. <br /><br />The school year ended with our traditional end of the year party and many of our classes going out to nice lunches. My co-worker Matt, had a friend in town for a week so the three of us were dined rather nicely the last week of our classes. I then spent the next week hanging out with Matt and his friend, and doing some touristy things in Tokyo. Most of the time we just hung out and stayed in doors since the weather was extremely hot during this part of the summer. One day we also ventured down to Yokohama. Yokohama was having their annual summer fireworks, which was about an hour long and quite impressive. There were millions of people there, well that might be a bit exaggerated but probably not by much. The fireworks were beautiful and then we wandered around China town for a little while, and grabbed some food before we headed back to Tokyo. It was nice to have another American around that we could hang out with, and joke around with. Visitors are always welcome in Tokyo!<br /><br />Next two of my friends from college, Luis and Matt were on their way here. They both accepted jobs with the JET program, teaching English in Japan, and had a 3 day orientation in Tokyo. While there were here, we mainly hung out at night because they were busy during the day, so they got to see the night life of Shinjuku. It was rather refreshing having more friends from home around here in Japan, people who actually know me, it’s quite nice. The three days they were here seemed to go by pretty fast and then they were off to their new locations in Japan.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXhyITZzi8I2z7zAcC0D8kdBmO989-ILO_F0HWE6cVhb9-wraNSdBbGMYqVJJthg01M3sIPdCDaCs8hF4UXBiJvzoA_ATb7w3rVgdMR3KPuMj897AJWt1QIbQenk4ecpqv4EwuMiXS6Y/s1600/7-25-10+Luis+comes+to+Japan!+(1).jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXhyITZzi8I2z7zAcC0D8kdBmO989-ILO_F0HWE6cVhb9-wraNSdBbGMYqVJJthg01M3sIPdCDaCs8hF4UXBiJvzoA_ATb7w3rVgdMR3KPuMj897AJWt1QIbQenk4ecpqv4EwuMiXS6Y/s400/7-25-10+Luis+comes+to+Japan!+(1).jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521103609217158738" /></a><br />After Luis and Matt left, another missionary Carolyn came up to stay with me in Tokyo for a few days. The first night Carolyn arrived we went to a club in the Roppongi part of town with another friend of mine from church. It was a very nice club with a roof top garden, and big plush couches to sit on outside. Rather nice if I do say so myself. We had a lot of fun at Feria and made some new American friends there as well. The clubbing atmosphere is totally different in Tokyo than anywhere else I’ve been, and makes for some long nights once you take the trains into consideration…. But overall we had a great time!<br /><br />The next day Carolyn’s friend Sarah from college flew into Tokyo and also stayed at my place. So many Valparaiso Alumni in Tokyo! I loved it, I feel I had my share of Valpo talk that I haven’t been able to have for awhile. While Carolyn and Sarah were here we explored around Tokyo, and also spent a few nights in Shinjuku. We managed to “get lost” one night, but happened to stumble upon a festival in the Golden District of Shinjuku. There were streets with tons of little bars, with many enough for 10 people to sit comfortably. We made small chit chat in Japanese with the bar owners, and they were impressed we spoke Japanese. At times, I’m rather confident with my Japanese and while Carolyn’s friend was here, I managed to do quite well. We had a great time at this summer festival, and just happened to stumble upon it, sometimes the best adventures come about when you’re not trying.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEbLKf94_lQ9FQmskm-SIIJ9Hg98_W00grA9IWEb29ldWxXuvZ2jRCcD3LlhJZ6xbk0c-j39cuPkf5NrVkeAH0S_ZDzcTbIsMTscKWy4R7ElSBWx3QnIwZv4PZTzC9zylxWwnYGld-8g/s1600/8-1-10+Day+in+Shinjuku+(2).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEbLKf94_lQ9FQmskm-SIIJ9Hg98_W00grA9IWEb29ldWxXuvZ2jRCcD3LlhJZ6xbk0c-j39cuPkf5NrVkeAH0S_ZDzcTbIsMTscKWy4R7ElSBWx3QnIwZv4PZTzC9zylxWwnYGld-8g/s400/8-1-10+Day+in+Shinjuku+(2).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521103098587283442" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDnVQh61_DFloW5pXPF4CN_OB9RXiGKLPSVFMJBBaB8J2d1Wvncdg_dYWAIeBn-X6EOZThGI2Woa3sIxN7XCtvVDbIe_yVtEkpCIcd8t53qzjfT6y3Xv9qb5M03ZfNX11bQZmliRWYJC4/s1600/8-1-10+Day+in+Shinjuku+(4).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDnVQh61_DFloW5pXPF4CN_OB9RXiGKLPSVFMJBBaB8J2d1Wvncdg_dYWAIeBn-X6EOZThGI2Woa3sIxN7XCtvVDbIe_yVtEkpCIcd8t53qzjfT6y3Xv9qb5M03ZfNX11bQZmliRWYJC4/s400/8-1-10+Day+in+Shinjuku+(4).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521103097063049682" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjXmD768tl1iYKGOHNrGlpWr3_k-QSmLXndwbBWmTamdpuLr5RuiC3ypMbs0cb4ylWKkIEKKELlGVUAldMa9sdj8DMKmk93uzclzHyIDCpN0ZKdaYkSvEPj6IF5medNYIeE_YpusKwNU/s1600/8-1-10+Day+in+Shinjuku.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjXmD768tl1iYKGOHNrGlpWr3_k-QSmLXndwbBWmTamdpuLr5RuiC3ypMbs0cb4ylWKkIEKKELlGVUAldMa9sdj8DMKmk93uzclzHyIDCpN0ZKdaYkSvEPj6IF5medNYIeE_YpusKwNU/s400/8-1-10+Day+in+Shinjuku.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521103089212845442" /></a><br />During the time Carolyn and her friend were here, I also went to another fireworks show in Tokyo with some other friends. This fireworks show I’ve been told is the largest one in Tokyo, and is located in the Asakusa part of town. This fireworks show was CRAZY!!! I have NEVER seen so many people in one location in my entire life. To say there were a million people here would probably be an understatement. Police had to control the trains as far as 5 stations away in order to control the hoards of people that were coming in town. I met up with 3 of my friends there and we began a 30 minute walk to just try and find seats for the fireworks. This show however, was by FAR the best fireworks show I have ever seen and lasted a little over 2 hours. I’m not sure fireworks in America are going to cut it for me anymore… Tokyo has this down pretty well. <br /><br />Then sadly, all my visitors departed and I was able to spend the next week, just hanging out with some new friends in Tokyo and decompressing from all the business associated with having guests in town. This week also happened to be rather hot, so I was glad to stay in doors for a little while. After a week of rest, I was ready for some adventures again, and then departed for Cambodia. I took a trip with a friend to Cambodia and was there for a total of 12 days. It seems like a long trip, but realistically I could have stayed there for a few more weeks. I have wanted to go to Cambodia for a loooooooong time and it finally happened! I was so excited. I would write more about that but Cambodia deserves an entry of its own, so I will write more about that later!<br /><br />The day AFTER I returned from Cambodia I immediately took another trip with a friend from a different church and ventured down to Osaka and Kyoto. Maike, her baby Leo and I traveled around the Kansai area for 4 days. It was still quite hot there, but we managed to get in some good site seeing. We went to several temples and walked around the famous shop streets in Osaka. I really enjoyed this part of Japan. Tokyo tends to be rather strict and conservative in their culture, where Kansai tends to remind me more of America. I rather enjoyed being in this type of atmosphere where I didn’t have to worry about talking on the trains and other trivial things I have to worry about in Tokyo. It was a quick trip, but one that definitely made me want to explore Japan more!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqa9EFHZw8qOzBltoNw-l_nzP7clMqtnMcDad1va-v5nswercDnkR9ha2Q8j26DNOPUq5U_SVA8TucxmwY70xUkbpIGS5Avv2vEztn5B1loDgNEXG8Vke6JJDzJM0waJm7OJqalLmHrE/s1600/Osaka+and+Kyoto+(112).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqa9EFHZw8qOzBltoNw-l_nzP7clMqtnMcDad1va-v5nswercDnkR9ha2Q8j26DNOPUq5U_SVA8TucxmwY70xUkbpIGS5Avv2vEztn5B1loDgNEXG8Vke6JJDzJM0waJm7OJqalLmHrE/s320/Osaka+and+Kyoto+(112).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521104416620626882" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwLeN38hsBzfVi87C1h3CzqGqPPPSavnYfWb3XJccvq3Wi-ysyq6yJ7sFsaUH6qG-sgqrDzr6USYD5mVK0SMQKtJw-V3Pyq_3Nc-Oh3j9Em6LMxld8-ikJiiiIkQzcoCZpjtVk4zQxy-E/s1600/Osaka+and+Kyoto+(95).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwLeN38hsBzfVi87C1h3CzqGqPPPSavnYfWb3XJccvq3Wi-ysyq6yJ7sFsaUH6qG-sgqrDzr6USYD5mVK0SMQKtJw-V3Pyq_3Nc-Oh3j9Em6LMxld8-ikJiiiIkQzcoCZpjtVk4zQxy-E/s320/Osaka+and+Kyoto+(95).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521104408120835474" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4r-eYOAPgOSiFs_-fO7cXl4ZNgaj8bMO4bAv6Fc8yBWstc01gkxOBPxQkuc4W5T6DIdKKynY6GzjB-1k76M_7rVKzbyBnuxiRN-I_85pOvTVq-cEUoxoXeJ_xEvrZoq2Zx0G_CgwTDQ/s1600/Osaka+and+Kyoto+(35).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4r-eYOAPgOSiFs_-fO7cXl4ZNgaj8bMO4bAv6Fc8yBWstc01gkxOBPxQkuc4W5T6DIdKKynY6GzjB-1k76M_7rVKzbyBnuxiRN-I_85pOvTVq-cEUoxoXeJ_xEvrZoq2Zx0G_CgwTDQ/s320/Osaka+and+Kyoto+(35).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521104406970104114" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QxoyjrMM2gj8hBD_P94nHis1AGq3Ay00tKnCNxYnEwROcKhmkEGK8KPhwxOi5x0efODwoIapuJUrsHIYSwoYFKIw-YscARLk6UAnKTVhZA0-u2R8U8IYZhQ1R6qRsLB-dwT98e7IzNI/s1600/Osaka+and+Kyoto+(18).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QxoyjrMM2gj8hBD_P94nHis1AGq3Ay00tKnCNxYnEwROcKhmkEGK8KPhwxOi5x0efODwoIapuJUrsHIYSwoYFKIw-YscARLk6UAnKTVhZA0-u2R8U8IYZhQ1R6qRsLB-dwT98e7IzNI/s320/Osaka+and+Kyoto+(18).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521104398533864338" /></a><br />After returning from Kansai I had one more week off before our special interest classes began at Hongo. These are classes, or activities, offered to returning or new students as a way to get to know their teachers better. Whether its making pancakes, a game day or a trip bowling, we had several students come for these activities and enjoyed ourselves very much. That was basically my summer. A lot of traveling, a lot of friends, and a lot of fun. And to think I was worried about not having anything to do! I am sure there is stuff that I left out, but it was a rather busy summer so there is no way I could have possibly mentioned everything. I promise to post a new blog soon about my trip in Cambodia!Dana Dutcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11987801909557867808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354505139269043485.post-33675467588393642302010-09-08T04:20:00.003-05:002010-09-08T04:23:35.864-05:00Tis the season… To be homesick.Allow me to apologize in advance, this entry is going to be all over the place.<br /><br />Christianity in Japan is slowly growing, I do not know the specific numbers, but missions over here are slowly doing their job. Some churches have had life long members and others are conducting baptisms on a regular basis. One huge difference I notice in Japan, in regards to church, is that specific denominations do not argue with one another. It is hard to focus on the minor details of a specific denomination when the larger portion of your audience is hardly acquainted with this Christ fella. Although I recognize the importance of some of these differences, you have to lay the foundation first. <br /><br />However, when we return to America these are issues that we are going to have to deal with again. Several of my colleagues are beginning to worry about their transitions back into American life and with this challenge comes the new dynamic of the ELCA church back home. Something that for the larger part of our mission here, has unaffected us in our daily work. However, I am constantly reminded by e-mails from Global Missions, and friends who are graduating seminary the difficulty of the church back home. People from my home congregation are leaving and finding else where to worship, Pastors are coming and going, and the “church family” I once had is slowly beginning to dissolve. This bothers me on several levels, but most of all because everyone will not be exactly where I left them 1 year ago. Things have changed.<br /><br />Things are different. People have moved, friendships have dissolved, friendships have grown, loved ones have passed away, babies have been born and life continues to move right along. <br /><br />The comforts of home do not always last, and this evening I find myself reminiscing with a friend online over the simple things of home. Right now the focus is on the fall season. We’ve discussed everything that we are homesick for, including but not limited to: NFL football, ΓΦΒ, college football, hoodie and shorts weather, and most of all Pumpkin Spice Lattes from Starbucks (well most of all at this given moment). A simple joy that had me waiting in line at Starbucks these past few years. Japan has not been so quick to catch onto the joys of Pumpkin Spice Lattes. <br /><br />I am enjoying my time here, but it’s hard to fully enjoy everything when you’re constantly reminded of what you’re missing at home. Although the notion of being homesick got me to thinking this evening as well…I’ll never be able to go “home” again. Its cliché but you never really can return home again. I’ve been trying to define home, and I can’t quite get it down. I have been away from my physical home many times, and spent the past 5 years pretty far away from Rogers, so I’m not sure why this should be any different. People have changed, places have changed and nothing is quite how you remember it. <br /><br />Maybe this is all to say that we should enjoy our pasts but not look to recreate them, to live in the moment and look forward instead of looking back at your past. We often chose to only remember the good times, but I so easily chose to forget the times I was bored to tears in Rogers, the nights I thought if I had any more homework I’d go insane. They all seem like pleasant memories now…but at the time they were not. I’m sure I’ll look back at my time in Japan and choose to only remember the good times, which there are many of, and I’ll forget about all this homesickness business. But at the moment…I’m left wanting a Pumpkin Spice Latte, that is all. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOsvHTEMqc_n3kP8pssg_r-iBmczTU8Q__cZ3GzqE6v0v333Z3yxlFpnfcVzDKeMI-bAHYDOFLef3dd9AtJL_bvWflAlrhGJT8YG3CHNcxfb8-uHtD5HG5exZbxnONEdgVF9zfQDcZOA/s1600/Pumpkin+Spice+Latte.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 305px; height: 363px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOsvHTEMqc_n3kP8pssg_r-iBmczTU8Q__cZ3GzqE6v0v333Z3yxlFpnfcVzDKeMI-bAHYDOFLef3dd9AtJL_bvWflAlrhGJT8YG3CHNcxfb8-uHtD5HG5exZbxnONEdgVF9zfQDcZOA/s400/Pumpkin+Spice+Latte.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514470797701786930" /></a>Dana Dutcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11987801909557867808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354505139269043485.post-88879251670935753022010-07-06T11:28:00.006-05:002010-07-06T11:31:32.331-05:00Putting it into Perspective: Materialism versus the Missionary<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHdZMMjFSCbeVGsfx6Fyd1wa9IlBPQnTPO2ACRGt3d5bhShTVR1LcGHsC8gqRzmDbk29uHxiv4X_i00O_HoRzoJvoyGPnl9pVeV0XpNaMgtZwAWoBXkrmlwFpxZA8I596rW2Y61axIVM/s1600/Designers.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 78px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHdZMMjFSCbeVGsfx6Fyd1wa9IlBPQnTPO2ACRGt3d5bhShTVR1LcGHsC8gqRzmDbk29uHxiv4X_i00O_HoRzoJvoyGPnl9pVeV0XpNaMgtZwAWoBXkrmlwFpxZA8I596rW2Y61axIVM/s400/Designers.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490831571345116658" /></a><br />During orientation in Chicago last summer we had the opportunity to attend many workshops. These workshops served to prepare us for some problems we might face while in our country of service. One of the workshop sessions did not offer workshops that particularly pertained to me and my mission in Japan, so I decided to attend the “Living Simply” workshop. This workshop focused on the changes many people were going to be facing; moving from the United States to less developed countries and learning how to live without- the exact opposite of my experience. As I listened to the presentation there was an opportunity to ask questions. I listened to those around me and when the group fell silent I raised my hand. My question was slightly different from everyone else’s around me, <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">“How am <span style="font-weight:bold;">I<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span> supposed to live as a missionary in a country where <br />I <span style="font-weight:bold;">do not</span> have to go without?”</span><br /><br />When I asked this question I had no idea how much of an internal struggle this would become while I lived out my time here in Japan. When I first envisioned doing mission work, I pictured going to an under developed or developing nation, as I’m sure most people did. A country where my education and willingness to work would make an impact on the lives around me. I was prepared to sacrifice my daily comforts and live a life without. I thought I would learn to live humbly, and walk the walk and struggle with those around me.<br /><br />I was wrong. I am living in Japan; a wealthy, materialistic, highly populated, fully developed, politically stable, war free country. <br /><br />On an average train ride, while I look around at the women who ride with me I can see Louis Vuitton purses, Coach Umbrellas, Burberry scarves, Jimmy Choo heels and designer outfits. Everyone is clad in designer labels and thousands of dollars of merchandise. I need to remind myself I live in Tokyo, which is the equivalent of living in New York City, but still, how much does everyone make in Japan?!<br /><br />I struggle with materialism everyday. How do I live in a society where labels make the person? And I thought America was bad… Not to say I am without flaw, since moving to Japan I have acquired a few nice things as well. Are any of these things necessary? Absolutely not. In a country where I am surrounded by designer items everywhere I go, do I feel these purchases are out of the norm? Absolutely not. When I read blogs from other missionaries in less developed countries or from friends living in Africa, I can’t help but feel bad.<br /><br />I complain about not being able to eat at more American restaurants, and not having access to a Taco Bell. While a friend in Africa informed me she hardly gets to eat fruits and vegetables because the animals in her village eat them before they can be harvested. I complain about the air conditioning not being strong enough in my apartment while a friend in Haiti informs me of the rolling black outs he endures in order for the country to conserve energy. I complain about missing my car, where many people in the world have never even ridden in one. I complain of a high water bill, when others do not have clean water to drink let alone enough water to warrant a high bill. I complain of the high prices of clothing in Japan, while I have a full wardrobe, while those in less fortunate countries hardly have enough clothing to keep them warm.<br /><br />Not to say I live a plush life, I am still paid a missionary’s salary and owe the better portion of that salary to the U.S. government (yay go college loans!), but I have plenty to eat, enough clothes for a lifetime, a solid house, electricity, cable, internet and an overall safe environment to live in. I am by no means struggling. <br /><br />I am however struggling internally. How does one live and minister in a country where everyone is focused on materialism? How do I continue to care for those who are less fortunate than I am, where all around me it seems I am the less fortunate one? How do I save money and decide I really don’t need that new Burberry wallet I yearn to purchase, when many don’t have enough money to warrant the need of a wallet? How do I stay grounded, when it seems no one around me is?<br /><br />It is hard to answer all these questions and I don’t expect anyone to do just that. I am merely sharing the struggles I do face on a daily basis. It is hard to tell people why they need Jesus, when they cannot think of one thing they actually need… besides salvation of course. Materialism is something many countries of the world struggle with, and something that is now a challenge I face daily. As humans we always want more, and I know I do not need these things, but yet I still want them. Some days I think life would have actually been easier if I had been called to a mission site where I truly had to go without. <br /><br />I have always had a desire to help the less fortunate, but now I am wondering how I should actually do that? Move to another country once my time is done in Japan? Work for a non-profit upon my return to the States? Maybe living as a missionary in Japan is more of a benefit for me. Maybe this experience is to teach me that I am blessed and have more than I’ll ever need. Maybe I am to learn from this that I should give back to the less fortunate and stop complaining about such trivial problems. <br /><br />May God help us in the struggle to understand why some are blessed and others go without. May God be with the people in dire situations where hope is hard to find, and strength is running out. I hope that as you read this you are thinking about what you can do to help. Please pray for the countries where people struggle to survive, and pray for the people of Tokyo and Japan that they may learn life is more than a label.Dana Dutcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11987801909557867808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354505139269043485.post-45398018877119518092010-06-26T08:54:00.004-05:002010-06-26T12:46:53.694-05:00Soccer and Classroom DiscussionsGreetings from Tokyo! Things in Japan have been moving right along at a rather quick speed lately. Everyone in the country, as I’m sure the rest of the world, is swept up in the World Cup excitement, vuvuzelas and all. Both Japan and the U.S. have had some great games and last minute victories. I have been keeping up with soccer for the first time in my life and it’s a little better than what I had imagined :) Last week I went out and watched the US game at a local sports bar and met many new American friends living here in Tokyo to cheer with. Then the next night I was invited to go to the Tokyo Dome with some friends, and about 20,000 other people to watch Japan play the Netherlands. Both games were exciting even though they did not end in the most desirable way. The World Cup and its crazy hours have kept me awake at night to watch 3:30 a.m. matches, but hey it only happens every 4 years, right? Nothing a good cup of coffee or a Red Bull can’t fix!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidBG6lhG0z7VdbYMK9SCOSNFYQRasDGDyr_TTua3_gyszEJ7zKoUbKtLvP0hApURV4_ybOZF0wYLh5fdK2Hg1W8_W8HD9vJZXXaosE-Oe6r9fLb2TTon_hGBEydC4dPYS0pQ0f1v8CcmU/s1600/6-19-10+World+Cup+Game+(6).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidBG6lhG0z7VdbYMK9SCOSNFYQRasDGDyr_TTua3_gyszEJ7zKoUbKtLvP0hApURV4_ybOZF0wYLh5fdK2Hg1W8_W8HD9vJZXXaosE-Oe6r9fLb2TTon_hGBEydC4dPYS0pQ0f1v8CcmU/s320/6-19-10+World+Cup+Game+(6).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487081113352694258" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaAr3DLqxyyWt3VsPjbxqKLJb5Xx1_8mk0U8DGaoNDm_-MAnr0ykQpv9hrqnu6n5utclxRLxgSeNUUCYAV3SHVsyeEECyEVDVI8uUQStMyj-TzdPd9uuFXZJ0NlMKG1Yzy3mSujI0usM/s1600/6-19-10+World+Cup+Game+(3).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaAr3DLqxyyWt3VsPjbxqKLJb5Xx1_8mk0U8DGaoNDm_-MAnr0ykQpv9hrqnu6n5utclxRLxgSeNUUCYAV3SHVsyeEECyEVDVI8uUQStMyj-TzdPd9uuFXZJ0NlMKG1Yzy3mSujI0usM/s320/6-19-10+World+Cup+Game+(3).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487081105935064402" /></a><br /><br />In the last entry I described to everyone where I was teaching. I feel as though that entry was a little late because as I am typing this entry I only have 3 weeks left until summer vacation, yay! Teaching has certainly been challenging and time consuming for me. I had the new teacher energy, and signed up to teach quite possibly too many hours a week after all that’s why I’m here, right? My teaching hours usually are from 10am to about 11pm so the days are quite long. The classes, however, have proven themselves to be very interesting. I can have a lesson plan ready to go and know precisely what I’m going to be talking about and what lesson we will be studying, and I walk in the classroom and everything changes. My adult morning classes are two hours, and at the beginning we usually begin by talking about our weeks and just catching up with one another. It provides the students a chance to start thinking in English since for most of them this is probably the only time they actually use their English. The adult classes are very interesting. Students often come in with topics they want to talk about and then my plans go right out the window. Last week I had two such occasions rise up in my adult classes and one with a student at Katerina, all proved to be fantastic conversations! <br /><br />I have been feeling quite intellectually stifled in Japan lately and haven’t felt that I can have an intellectual conversation with any of the students, which can prove to be quite frustrating. However the girls at Katerina are really making some great progress. Last week in one of my classes we talked about Russia’s political problems and their government’s deconstruction during and after the Cold War, the potential for decentralized political power in Japan, their budgetary concerns as well as the need to shed some of their traditional views, it was a really interesting conversation much better than what I had planned for the lesson!<br /><br />Another instance arose in one of my adult classes; we talked about social advocacy, health care and the differences between Japan and the United States and then touched on the homeless population and the problems Tokyo faces, amazing huh? Then the same class the next week I had a student point blank ask me what the point of religion was. The atmosphere where I teach is very loose so we can talk about religion very freely, there are no restrictions. After the student asked this question it opened a great dialogue between the class on religion on why we feel it’s important and how it affects our lives. I had a chance to share some of my beliefs with everyone, but the truly amazing moment came when one student started to go on “the attack” about Christians and instead of me responding with a comment or defending my religion I asked if anyone in the class had anything to say. There are a few Christians in there, and a few non-Christians ALL whom defended the Christian religion…it was a really astounding class. Not everyone we teach is interested in Christianity, and not all the students who are interested will ever convert…but there are those students who are very interested and are asking all the questions which makes this job so enjoyable. They may only be baby steps…but steps none the less. <br /><br />Teaching has been a pleasurable experience some days and quite daunting other days. Either way, I’m learning a lot and I hope my students are as well. Even with all this said I am still counting down the teaching days until my summer vacation starts (12 days!) and looking forward to reuniting with friends and having some personal time to recharge and reflect on my time here so far. It hass been just about 9 months since I arrived in Japan and sometimes that seems like a short period, and yet in many ways it seems as though I’ve been here for a long time and have had so many experiences already. I have also decided to finally post pictures of where I am living since many people continue to ask me. This is the apartment I moved into during March and where I will remain for the duration of my stay in Japan.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYj0f3vHSuC8MKa-udSMPBm1pdwQ7KMu1ftmhstjLKIoLXTxt7O3Yi2fd01YO7PXX-LRuWwiMQH93AtU4GIytKK8fedC_lNzUcrBdSZ_Nv3GIzkwiHEtb4wMR58dmcfHlR2EQeg393z1s/s1600/%E5%8D%83%E7%9F%B3+House+(4).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYj0f3vHSuC8MKa-udSMPBm1pdwQ7KMu1ftmhstjLKIoLXTxt7O3Yi2fd01YO7PXX-LRuWwiMQH93AtU4GIytKK8fedC_lNzUcrBdSZ_Nv3GIzkwiHEtb4wMR58dmcfHlR2EQeg393z1s/s320/%E5%8D%83%E7%9F%B3+House+(4).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487081982782926066" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhJT1-V-0s37lUqsFMyVcE1Fp5FOlA1LYQTTJ4cJKNniFLeC4Zj5fYbpc70i7mUW_VVYYWBytRFoSpUHu0s20tNG5BekYQI3jYoS4MdECljRAgmLtYpXgrARObzYBl1GkDE6ukRkjTJA/s1600/%E5%8D%83%E7%9F%B3+House+(3).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhJT1-V-0s37lUqsFMyVcE1Fp5FOlA1LYQTTJ4cJKNniFLeC4Zj5fYbpc70i7mUW_VVYYWBytRFoSpUHu0s20tNG5BekYQI3jYoS4MdECljRAgmLtYpXgrARObzYBl1GkDE6ukRkjTJA/s320/%E5%8D%83%E7%9F%B3+House+(3).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487081969933706914" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxyAR7O5Jd9ZJ4ofFcrU4PL1lC_YDa5H7fhq2J5SqAUDhx6vl0DSm9ddsyudYU4-rOp1ptUPvvzkaP_d3dwlaXmKTmjZuK4njUF5HaHXqV1j2rQQR43Tbsx36UvyHAiIFYce-vIrP8nA/s1600/%E5%8D%83%E7%9F%B3+House+(2).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxyAR7O5Jd9ZJ4ofFcrU4PL1lC_YDa5H7fhq2J5SqAUDhx6vl0DSm9ddsyudYU4-rOp1ptUPvvzkaP_d3dwlaXmKTmjZuK4njUF5HaHXqV1j2rQQR43Tbsx36UvyHAiIFYce-vIrP8nA/s320/%E5%8D%83%E7%9F%B3+House+(2).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487081961178161842" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfV6bBBc4ZnolGUWPSUZB_29RlQEIFm_xAZ0yyHm2MNFWuhqowlwFIahk3iHkr9Pl7133Z0KAUKgWaDCSawb8O8UrVxR7l_jq20yqklenbRappGZUgC2uBPlbT3-hd3k8HUBJ8AIb-5M/s1600/%E5%8D%83%E7%9F%B3+House+(1).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfV6bBBc4ZnolGUWPSUZB_29RlQEIFm_xAZ0yyHm2MNFWuhqowlwFIahk3iHkr9Pl7133Z0KAUKgWaDCSawb8O8UrVxR7l_jq20yqklenbRappGZUgC2uBPlbT3-hd3k8HUBJ8AIb-5M/s320/%E5%8D%83%E7%9F%B3+House+(1).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487081949823166066" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6wIVhWfKVqAQxRh88YQiOAmNUOFytVc-r1xCX8S72K67Z7U7wrhwZCCho5I1HhgMrTvTuS1PDDF9I39elLXZLFgQF6CISBy_sAb9-KlEZ0I5Ka9wXIj-d4yAsMTC6ordm9ys34QtILU/s1600/%E5%8D%83%E7%9F%B3+House.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6wIVhWfKVqAQxRh88YQiOAmNUOFytVc-r1xCX8S72K67Z7U7wrhwZCCho5I1HhgMrTvTuS1PDDF9I39elLXZLFgQF6CISBy_sAb9-KlEZ0I5Ka9wXIj-d4yAsMTC6ordm9ys34QtILU/s320/%E5%8D%83%E7%9F%B3+House.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487081941360551906" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHifHvvZEl5W_F9omlzLPrwjLE49_EOayO6nBPcVUgeaLupA0KVICw-6QNIpFi2wLRLSPW6tyk-4bIVG7TObymcXgV3jV9_g_Yfuu-sDRbu5rwVAU2Wt9Bt7Va3Y-e5PG3EDZESDLpCc/s1600/%E5%8D%83%E7%9F%B3+House+(8).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHifHvvZEl5W_F9omlzLPrwjLE49_EOayO6nBPcVUgeaLupA0KVICw-6QNIpFi2wLRLSPW6tyk-4bIVG7TObymcXgV3jV9_g_Yfuu-sDRbu5rwVAU2Wt9Bt7Va3Y-e5PG3EDZESDLpCc/s320/%E5%8D%83%E7%9F%B3+House+(8).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487082769081758930" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_QP_MvS7-Re-ihLHhNgaGL8L8TcBhtvzJoiKmqpJ3YeYei7vpBht63cOi_T8YY5kBDdl0p4slf7twrpDCNLG_O6iED3X-j5fz8Ive8qP99rjWtIukT3eqbtk38mIwHzMiczuigcNErY/s1600/%E5%8D%83%E7%9F%B3+House+(7).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_QP_MvS7-Re-ihLHhNgaGL8L8TcBhtvzJoiKmqpJ3YeYei7vpBht63cOi_T8YY5kBDdl0p4slf7twrpDCNLG_O6iED3X-j5fz8Ive8qP99rjWtIukT3eqbtk38mIwHzMiczuigcNErY/s320/%E5%8D%83%E7%9F%B3+House+(7).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487082757073678242" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7b7iUFtS4rvOfv2H4sOn786Enouo6lki2eLPevIEwoqV5-S7EXGCWhA-1TUXbmOEGqY7v-FCFZocEJ1B_N5W_LCiCNW4JbBicK8kpmzGJbDsl44h5Y4M79npoGBQuN6m6OuAo7QL_7kg/s1600/%E5%8D%83%E7%9F%B3+House+(6).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7b7iUFtS4rvOfv2H4sOn786Enouo6lki2eLPevIEwoqV5-S7EXGCWhA-1TUXbmOEGqY7v-FCFZocEJ1B_N5W_LCiCNW4JbBicK8kpmzGJbDsl44h5Y4M79npoGBQuN6m6OuAo7QL_7kg/s320/%E5%8D%83%E7%9F%B3+House+(6).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487082751942271634" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcmtJ9kFbdq4ew8S1QwAdV_FEIAF_WRmuO6hjK6C8HjtHlOX0ibnkhtHWnjkFIUbfCaeys2Ur1-ttTZL344vHYIrwXu8DpV4ILUe7kcuKlhgmPyhzYBwEHiPWZX12sYKElqtcUWsJ4a4/s1600/%E5%8D%83%E7%9F%B3+House+(5).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcmtJ9kFbdq4ew8S1QwAdV_FEIAF_WRmuO6hjK6C8HjtHlOX0ibnkhtHWnjkFIUbfCaeys2Ur1-ttTZL344vHYIrwXu8DpV4ILUe7kcuKlhgmPyhzYBwEHiPWZX12sYKElqtcUWsJ4a4/s320/%E5%8D%83%E7%9F%B3+House+(5).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487082743444765010" /></a><br /><br />God Bless everyone and I hope summer in the States is going well!Dana Dutcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11987801909557867808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354505139269043485.post-20549252433633383452010-06-04T07:19:00.001-05:002010-06-04T07:20:31.763-05:00Welcome to Summer!For most people reading this blog (those in America anyways) summer and summer break is in full swing, in Tokyo things are a little different. The school year here started in April therefore I am still in full teaching mode. Our summer vacation starts around July 17th and ends in the middle of September, although some schools in Tokyo do not resume again until October. This makes teaching a bit strange during September and once I explain where I work, you’ll understand why.<br /><br />I began teaching the beginning of April, and realized I haven’t had a blog entry since then so I will attempt to catch everyone up on where I’ve been working and what I’ve been up to these past two months. For starters, since I moved to the Bunkyo-ku Ward (文京区) I have been attending a new church called Koishikawa Church (小石川 教会). This congregation is much different from my last one. The church building itself is quite a bit bigger and in my mind resembles more of a Western style church with stain glass windows and a pulpit. The congregation is also composed of a large deaf community and therefore the service is conducted at a slower speed, so the sign language interpreter can keep up. The service is also shown on an overheard projector with everything written out so the deaf members can follow along as well. The congregation is quite accepting and accommodating to those who are different, and this consequently helps me understand and follow along a lot better myself! <br /><br />I am currently working at two different locations; the first site is the Hongo Student Center (本郷学生センター). I work there Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays teaching several different classes. I have two beginner classes, two intermediate classes, and three children's classes. The beginner and intermediate classes are composed of mainly adult students. The beginner classes tend to be older women's classes and the intermediate classes tend to be graduate students from Tokyo University, which is located across the street from our center. These classes are very enjoyable to teach because having older students means that conversations flow much easier, and there are many things to talk about. The children's classes are team teached by me, Matthew Linden (J3), and Eric Anspach-Hanson (longterm ELCA missionary). Children's classes are new as of this April, but so far have been a huge success. We teach children from ages 3 to 6 years old. It’s amazing to watch their progress, and quite rewarding for myself and the others teachers as well. <br /><br />The second site I work at is the Katerina Dormitory (カテリーナ). I teach at this location on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday nights due to the girl’s regular school schedule. Katerina is a girl's dormitory located next door to the Koishikawa Church. High school and college aged girl's live here while they are attending school in Tokyo. I teach small group and private lessons there each week. Currently I have 19 students, which is a lot of time considering most girls have private one-on-one lessons for an hour. This assignment is really rewarding because due to the small classroom size we can really talk about anything the girls want, which makes individualized lesson planning a lot of fun. The girls get a lot of focus which has allowed for some interesting conversations to come up about life in Japan, different cultures and we've even talked quite a bit about religion!<br /><br />So I hope I’ve answered your questions about “What has Dana been up to lately?” She’s been teaching! I hope this gives you a better insight to the locations I’m teaching in, if you have any other questions please feel free to post! I’ll try to write another entry about daily life soon!Dana Dutcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11987801909557867808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354505139269043485.post-14023183852158775592010-04-07T06:42:00.012-05:002010-04-16T22:51:37.143-05:00Spring has Sprung and changes are a bloomin’!Okay, so maybe the title is a little corny but it has been awhile since I’ve written in this blog! When I do not write an entry for a long time it is usually because I’ve been really busy, so that’s a good thing, right? The busier I am, the happier I tend to be and feel fulfilled, so March was a good month…. And we’ll take things a month at a time. March was a crazy busy month; and also my birthday month! Considering it was such a busy month I probably took over 1,000 pictures between Kayla's visit and Thailand so there are quite a few pictures in this entry! I had intentions of writing several blogs about the month’s activities but considering I am so far behind I’m going to roll everything up into one long blog entry. The events will still be in their abbreviated version, but if you wish to know more about any specific activity or event please comment or send an e-mail and I will give more details!<br /><br />March 5th was the last day of language classes for our orientation group. Being it was the last day of course we had to give some kind of public performance so everyone could judge how much Japanese we’ve actually learned. It serves as an end of the year party as well as an evaluation of how the teachers have done. So our group decided to do a skit in the form of a new J-Pop band being interviewed on a talk show. We each created a persona (which were quite amusing) and dressed accordingly (yes that’s why I am dressed so obnoxious, but believe it or not that’s not too far off from how some of the girls dress here) we had a lot of fun with that. My name was あめAme, which translates to Candy. Some girls in Tokyo dress in all pink such as I did, and it is thought to be ‘cute’, the hat is borrowed from a friend and is QUITE popular at Tokyo Disney. Skit day was a good time had by all, and officially marked the end of our formal Japanese study and phase one of our missionary term in Japan. We “graduated” from school and received certificates (yes I formally received mine in that outfit) and then it was time to begin our real jobs here in Japan. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKOUBV1eUSRjUJR89LVw04jzsihK_ZoHzZzpfrb9N6FcARhSA2ExCTNRKy8m3Y6MI-8SlODAfr7kn878hQVgXkl8Cr4eo7e9cv6ZYYgzJyw1KRSbBOK-EjKFWvKu35x8ASASOjBLMGCNs/s1600/3-5-10+Skit+Day+(62).JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKOUBV1eUSRjUJR89LVw04jzsihK_ZoHzZzpfrb9N6FcARhSA2ExCTNRKy8m3Y6MI-8SlODAfr7kn878hQVgXkl8Cr4eo7e9cv6ZYYgzJyw1KRSbBOK-EjKFWvKu35x8ASASOjBLMGCNs/s320/3-5-10+Skit+Day+(62).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457362913777638034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzcO-bARLVy76WPIcDrxSpH4rYmVUI4-WD6mHADaguKFRv3HfQvM-EKcLn0H8Bxzgdn5mAoFHhyphenhypheneQMdhk37KQhkj44YtWr86YhgbJgJ_2H8rxvu_jmOW0yD1W_crYle8MHnYwcl-2-94/s1600/3-5-10+Skit+Day+(51).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzcO-bARLVy76WPIcDrxSpH4rYmVUI4-WD6mHADaguKFRv3HfQvM-EKcLn0H8Bxzgdn5mAoFHhyphenhypheneQMdhk37KQhkj44YtWr86YhgbJgJ_2H8rxvu_jmOW0yD1W_crYle8MHnYwcl-2-94/s320/3-5-10+Skit+Day+(51).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457362904924697474" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-t-Mj6f3Ptb66gJARs3FAZmbtYFROgcgBezOLQ6pweL5bTu69gFSmaofs-7WuMrAQpIyY1BSQtsSYDtpnp9aLkjLO5058oO3-UdPEBKW5IuslIBMxSCuO_2H9Kk6m6B0TujXx_CIglnQ/s1600/3-5-10+Skit+Day+(8).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-t-Mj6f3Ptb66gJARs3FAZmbtYFROgcgBezOLQ6pweL5bTu69gFSmaofs-7WuMrAQpIyY1BSQtsSYDtpnp9aLkjLO5058oO3-UdPEBKW5IuslIBMxSCuO_2H9Kk6m6B0TujXx_CIglnQ/s320/3-5-10+Skit+Day+(8).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457362900501701570" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6rE-cjbV1orJz9CoPJ4s420Oo5UA9zZi0-YPROqKPueqd4g8QN9iMhwnVEruTQWNq6EmGMraQite9pS-OW2NNOdxguD__HaQYG0tbie21kXxyZgYBhQpRFHUQ77jTi5mhO9bGySqifUo/s1600/3-5-10+Skit+Day+(9).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6rE-cjbV1orJz9CoPJ4s420Oo5UA9zZi0-YPROqKPueqd4g8QN9iMhwnVEruTQWNq6EmGMraQite9pS-OW2NNOdxguD__HaQYG0tbie21kXxyZgYBhQpRFHUQ77jTi5mhO9bGySqifUo/s320/3-5-10+Skit+Day+(9).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457362889625659746" /></a><br /><br />After the hype of classes ending had worn off, I was lucky to have my friend Kayla come visit from the States. Having Kayla stay with me was awesome; she brought a sense of home with her when she came to visit (not to mention she brought me some stuff from America, which was fantastic!). <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZ1Zs6TDvKzXth6NxzBEhjyThba2uImj6TPmyOCx-q_AueKt8G708R5gKn6JDCuavN8igcAmS50d1769KmpRGyh3enZ-8EgTmJ-ywQ6LT60K2H1HG6_oo4hB6nHKIOytH5qiozTzeP3g/s1600/3-13-10+Kamakura+(94).JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZ1Zs6TDvKzXth6NxzBEhjyThba2uImj6TPmyOCx-q_AueKt8G708R5gKn6JDCuavN8igcAmS50d1769KmpRGyh3enZ-8EgTmJ-ywQ6LT60K2H1HG6_oo4hB6nHKIOytH5qiozTzeP3g/s320/3-13-10+Kamakura+(94).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457365484164654370" /></a> I could talk in English at my normal 90 to nothing speed, and she understood every word I said. It was great! Doug and Sue took Kayla and I to Tsukiji (the largest fish market in the world) where we enjoyed an early morning. And to all of you who know me well… I got up at 4:45 am willingly to go, impressive, huh? The four of us had a blast together, and it was a mini foster family reunion (although Rebecca was missing) so it was nice to sit around the dinner table, or to grab a coffee and talk about religion, the current ELCA situation at home, current economic events or dive into a deep philosophical conversation. While Kayla was here, we went on a tour of Tokyo, everyday brought on a new adventure and new things to see. We went to Kamakura to see the second largest Buddha in Japan, Tsukiji, several different gardens, the Hotel New Otani Gardens, Tokyo Tower, Harajuku, Ginza, Tokyo Abercrombie ♥ and a million other places! It was a world wind tour for sure, and I hope Kayla remembers everything we did! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixz2P2J4jAjkl29hEi5Rs14CZlr9YWnRPsH5hDzDRB_nJrB1VIk0id8W7bkUQ9YGySY5ysAU_XotlC3xOBbfOqgs_gAwhSydQoS3ccJTfUgy4N-f_IuWAC_7DRzeet-XGmbyUr7axrg14/s1600/3-13-10+Kamakura+(79).JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixz2P2J4jAjkl29hEi5Rs14CZlr9YWnRPsH5hDzDRB_nJrB1VIk0id8W7bkUQ9YGySY5ysAU_XotlC3xOBbfOqgs_gAwhSydQoS3ccJTfUgy4N-f_IuWAC_7DRzeet-XGmbyUr7axrg14/s320/3-13-10+Kamakura+(79).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457364584099098786" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPx28ikUyjNXpacmicdyviIxVW86WNTwj6RSQ7-79UtItcqNNn_SFw3c6P5783c2a_lvjUUZ0B0zv1rip7yRBFC04g5WV9q5v_CnEFzMKXYFyiiw2RmULz5Zy-d3_uagz3fp4OX_3VIig/s1600/3-12-10+Hotel+New+Otani+(7).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPx28ikUyjNXpacmicdyviIxVW86WNTwj6RSQ7-79UtItcqNNn_SFw3c6P5783c2a_lvjUUZ0B0zv1rip7yRBFC04g5WV9q5v_CnEFzMKXYFyiiw2RmULz5Zy-d3_uagz3fp4OX_3VIig/s320/3-12-10+Hotel+New+Otani+(7).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457364576306928498" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkK_MngR_-hcKiaWgUVaRwOVdidgaLVUVXxjggIuuXunX4IRI8ECmX2_QQ6Q-0WRq8bFoi_axv-gr0ZTb_HpZXBiNVzVNVWZGyRW4eJ_tkXBM0U7EnIVr_1VCvK4hieNSVR4a1dP2pWJ8/s1600/3-11-10+Tsukiji+(63).JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkK_MngR_-hcKiaWgUVaRwOVdidgaLVUVXxjggIuuXunX4IRI8ECmX2_QQ6Q-0WRq8bFoi_axv-gr0ZTb_HpZXBiNVzVNVWZGyRW4eJ_tkXBM0U7EnIVr_1VCvK4hieNSVR4a1dP2pWJ8/s320/3-11-10+Tsukiji+(63).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457364571445636674" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzv-T986n2My399D_DT8BciI7tND-TiQPGHsZ2WINqhNFViMo-W3RDCKqbEHdLpFF_eJ6xOPxhP3hvoQ3StR4NE8GQODvWh_vHpMYoPEjSAnmrqsLTcEHzUV9Ewj5XAubusNdygRDRzDw/s1600/3-11-10+Hamarikyu+Gardens+(51).JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzv-T986n2My399D_DT8BciI7tND-TiQPGHsZ2WINqhNFViMo-W3RDCKqbEHdLpFF_eJ6xOPxhP3hvoQ3StR4NE8GQODvWh_vHpMYoPEjSAnmrqsLTcEHzUV9Ewj5XAubusNdygRDRzDw/s320/3-11-10+Hamarikyu+Gardens+(51).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457364555785897666" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEe9aQCY9vcg7wJRgyI6QTV3Hw_n_6L3fDzmfyojX8L_o9pedt0SxqCTtwUOyLKoL4a3_Ays7C0RTwmCm4OljyiDslhALsq-MWGeuH2HbjyLAptPHnroJgHnbolP3gUs-dsq3n_f4IukY/s1600/3-11-10+Hamarikyu+Gardens+(3).JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEe9aQCY9vcg7wJRgyI6QTV3Hw_n_6L3fDzmfyojX8L_o9pedt0SxqCTtwUOyLKoL4a3_Ays7C0RTwmCm4OljyiDslhALsq-MWGeuH2HbjyLAptPHnroJgHnbolP3gUs-dsq3n_f4IukY/s320/3-11-10+Hamarikyu+Gardens+(3).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457364547969757298" /></a><br />We were also lucky enough to be able to participate in a traditional tea ceremony at our language teacher’s house. We even got to dress up in Kimonos, which I must say I rather enjoyed. The Japanese tea ceremony is very detailed, from how you hold the bowl, to how many times you must turn it before you can drink and in what direction, to how to pour the water; it was very beautiful.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGEc6QERff0uCRM1EY2Yn4VqFDN8G9DrZQ6sYpBMT45P5mpZGhsMujvwEhvPS8RmNRKcuOS0f-Fxgo6BfyiY74g7cznMtklH-_5Bwv_SODPuNSxUDh4NxmsBBoAWDUcdRIqmFhixlq3g/s1600/3-15-10+Tea+Ceremony+(22).JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGEc6QERff0uCRM1EY2Yn4VqFDN8G9DrZQ6sYpBMT45P5mpZGhsMujvwEhvPS8RmNRKcuOS0f-Fxgo6BfyiY74g7cznMtklH-_5Bwv_SODPuNSxUDh4NxmsBBoAWDUcdRIqmFhixlq3g/s320/3-15-10+Tea+Ceremony+(22).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457365281506594818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzqBWL-cP3MEI7slQKF959nJeX1LIQP04Axcp3orjEs1CfNASqWOKRj3rZQNPiG0-wWLUsxYwV4uVjN544WLsnVpSDwUR-ExJpEqBynqe9WpUaYkWn7dGEoV8CrKqhf8yRcTB1PEmldM/s1600/3-15-10+Tea+Ceremony+(26).JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzqBWL-cP3MEI7slQKF959nJeX1LIQP04Axcp3orjEs1CfNASqWOKRj3rZQNPiG0-wWLUsxYwV4uVjN544WLsnVpSDwUR-ExJpEqBynqe9WpUaYkWn7dGEoV8CrKqhf8yRcTB1PEmldM/s320/3-15-10+Tea+Ceremony+(26).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457365123809114610" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODpg_yrYhaxN4DsPN0Eg_uf1HXI4L0J-je50GRFB0nnKOzxgQrlHa_ll6I722np8dROzY6kJraweV2sSjVT1lyOPeHhOoZgb4vf0G0W8Gglg8uplt_wrAvTkYQsyvtAfImpGLV6tIkZ0/s1600/3-15-10+Tea+Ceremony+(17).JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODpg_yrYhaxN4DsPN0Eg_uf1HXI4L0J-je50GRFB0nnKOzxgQrlHa_ll6I722np8dROzY6kJraweV2sSjVT1lyOPeHhOoZgb4vf0G0W8Gglg8uplt_wrAvTkYQsyvtAfImpGLV6tIkZ0/s320/3-15-10+Tea+Ceremony+(17).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457365113150575858" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-0SUkcAIWhg8VMcsYQJBXLTUPAAcHVD9qVdjrxVy40-VyIrryiLuIMiX-qYOi61SiriT-aKf2RzcimmjWAUMqrvxhcYZMl6wmC1g_YdTlz3U3VECYq6_DSuwes0nXG49cyrh762uNps/s1600/3-15-10+Tea+Ceremony+(2).JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-0SUkcAIWhg8VMcsYQJBXLTUPAAcHVD9qVdjrxVy40-VyIrryiLuIMiX-qYOi61SiriT-aKf2RzcimmjWAUMqrvxhcYZMl6wmC1g_YdTlz3U3VECYq6_DSuwes0nXG49cyrh762uNps/s320/3-15-10+Tea+Ceremony+(2).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457365103244440434" /></a><br /><br />After Kayla left it was time to move! As soon as she packed up her bags, I started to pack up my apartment. Moving was an interesting experience to say the least. I was currently living in Adachi-ku, which was located in the northern part of Tokyo. It was a great neighborhood and I grew to love my little apartment very much, but it was not exactly in the ideal location for where I was going to be working, so I moved to more of a central location in Tokyo, and am now living in Bunkyo-ku. I now live 3 minutes from my church and the Katerina Dorm where I work. The other site where I work, the Hongo student center, is approximately 20 minutes by bicycle, so it is a much nicer commute! My new apartment is quite larger than my last as well. I will put pictures up once I’m satisfied with how it is arranged. There are still a few things I need to purchase in order to make the apartment my new home for the next two years, but I am settling in…again. <br /><br />After I was moved in (by that I mean my boxes were physically there) I picked up and flew to Thailand for a vacation with my friend Carolyn who is also a J-3 here in Japan. She lives in Kumamoto so we flew in separately, and our travel dates were a BIT different, all but two days we were traveling Thailand together. We landed in Bangkok and spent the first night there, and the next day we left for Koh Chang our island resort for the week. All I can manage to say is wow…the beach was beautiful, the food was delicious, the accommodations were great, (albeit very much so what I like to call authentic) and the country in general was rather inexpensive. We could take taxis places,<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPg1nDtdEh3l22aH4LaVx0Q-DauSFY1K4kJojnLU9d7IGA1tELg2xJ9DeGCdcPyWhCVK_16JJOd26fqsqWcTjvBI3pkhDi8rfDwaoppepPQw5s1UwYvfKrVrN3TjiQjnAQMMZMxDafg4E/s1600/2010_0120Thailand0010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPg1nDtdEh3l22aH4LaVx0Q-DauSFY1K4kJojnLU9d7IGA1tELg2xJ9DeGCdcPyWhCVK_16JJOd26fqsqWcTjvBI3pkhDi8rfDwaoppepPQw5s1UwYvfKrVrN3TjiQjnAQMMZMxDafg4E/s200/2010_0120Thailand0010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457370255175726130" /></a> and a good majority of the people spoke English, which was refreshing. I have nothing but great things to say about Koh Chang, it was amazing and I was rather sad to leave. After leaving Koh Chang we traveled back up to Bangkok for the next few days. We went on tours of the Grand Palace, the temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Wat Phra Kaeo, got scammed on a tuk-tuk, I rode an elephant, played with a baby money, found and successfully opened a coconut and did many more things in between. It was an adventure to say the least! Thai massages are also quite fantastic and I am sad to not have those in Tokyo. Thailand was a beautiful country and quite possibly our favorite part were the food vendors on the sides of the roads. The roads are packed with vendors’ stalls selling food, and it is cheap too! I had the most delicious meals and snacks of mango and sticky rice from these food vendors; it’s a great way to eat in Thailand. It was a very relaxing trip and a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, which also made it rather hard to come back to this style of life after living on an island. I also met quite a few foreigners in Thailand which was nice; the whole way in which people interact is different thus making it a lot easier to make friends in Thailand which made for a fun week, but once again slightly harder to leave. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xJprgNGd1rGMLB48Gn5Fm188robrGPY6yE8CZ2QTxJ1jpJGbYTti4mXeRpPzL9IzT9CUo2rMEe-relaX1Mu7c7DOh6MN4ewMmrZZS_zIqjLvxD_qtavshH1-EGrO2AVvc3T_p_3C9TY/s1600/2010_0120Thailand0132.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xJprgNGd1rGMLB48Gn5Fm188robrGPY6yE8CZ2QTxJ1jpJGbYTti4mXeRpPzL9IzT9CUo2rMEe-relaX1Mu7c7DOh6MN4ewMmrZZS_zIqjLvxD_qtavshH1-EGrO2AVvc3T_p_3C9TY/s320/2010_0120Thailand0132.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457371974231880546" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAtza-y55X9Tn7ZIRFx7Dc6cIKykDb4YVDmhyphenhyphenkyahKDaY8lXRFUHoHmMoWYWrkNcBS_tOsnDKgsvfeuFpAHNzQZTsv_UVAImTS8CHaZ8Vf2JrVWvHV7ncmyuep9NeCeb0chZC2o8YzWg/s1600/2010_0120Thailand0135.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAtza-y55X9Tn7ZIRFx7Dc6cIKykDb4YVDmhyphenhyphenkyahKDaY8lXRFUHoHmMoWYWrkNcBS_tOsnDKgsvfeuFpAHNzQZTsv_UVAImTS8CHaZ8Vf2JrVWvHV7ncmyuep9NeCeb0chZC2o8YzWg/s320/2010_0120Thailand0135.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457371969965396354" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiudys21fhCXpsST30MZ6r2KQeUevegcj67vL2BanTMzK2oCncSp9mxz5s2NewjbacYJxPzxYw_ueRGXPv2e99h-JUW5_qdyS3CVx73Qex23LmKD2pAZLHsjeoVBxXK_no5-mtqwdFdn94/s1600/2010_0120Thailand0144.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiudys21fhCXpsST30MZ6r2KQeUevegcj67vL2BanTMzK2oCncSp9mxz5s2NewjbacYJxPzxYw_ueRGXPv2e99h-JUW5_qdyS3CVx73Qex23LmKD2pAZLHsjeoVBxXK_no5-mtqwdFdn94/s320/2010_0120Thailand0144.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457371961704948418" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jORh0FIaiGGfAAR6pgJ1y_llCzRXDvVBktAv_OFMhIFMwJhuPInqis-B0tND8s16039jd7nFF5mrcCJJfyl0SNHAK8mVxF3JZG8GrNkxcV7y2eqlBdIsAF9BJV8hHaPK_X84NAlGsME/s1600/2010_0120Thailand0092.JPG"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6E0KSDM7FMMe5TMgTfU6NdnDARQiiWdMhYvH3qQUBzuXioR_LBmEiAsla4RSGmX_WndPRaEW5sKFmB_dY6CluiIptKfDMwtr9dBSKTwQhLQVRwtCUbvQdgNYC3GVTXVLbInnde9zOZss/s320/2010_0120Thailand0048.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457371197074915410" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurlwdF294bSUxbqlBN84dmkMgWjF8jSh4Yeqn2wT7Mj8wznOvMw_xh0JO5mlArRCrwkGiRoJmj62qnTNp7LuBhDowxFghjl0JN34biwGItjL-WVdc_s-dxZhh5pqpFcyY2zNHOml5Bok/s1600/2010_0120Thailand0023.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurlwdF294bSUxbqlBN84dmkMgWjF8jSh4Yeqn2wT7Mj8wznOvMw_xh0JO5mlArRCrwkGiRoJmj62qnTNp7LuBhDowxFghjl0JN34biwGItjL-WVdc_s-dxZhh5pqpFcyY2zNHOml5Bok/s320/2010_0120Thailand0023.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457371186596777602" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgJUmUAvomGOWmf0KsXtT1zQIpGsg3Z0xZ_GLlBWRbazycWhdjmRrxhyphenhyphenP_GEzg84kLzOnhuKQt8ZjTWUvGbic-NaI0fjTz_PjT5qwu7rqWl5Vx2leQTYOZZn9Ag7v8wVf7FQNdRkPtRA/s1600/2010_0120Thailand0018.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgJUmUAvomGOWmf0KsXtT1zQIpGsg3Z0xZ_GLlBWRbazycWhdjmRrxhyphenhyphenP_GEzg84kLzOnhuKQt8ZjTWUvGbic-NaI0fjTz_PjT5qwu7rqWl5Vx2leQTYOZZn9Ag7v8wVf7FQNdRkPtRA/s320/2010_0120Thailand0018.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457371181942760466" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhO4bMOFl0v23pORYfIapQBzdLftIC_6cEXqArjC5l9rKYw-Q0edFI_kTKWEb4PUgprDWqgQN1sHbXjee1ySkBSPQajqWLEjepwx_4YCJWLw0pdwDZdMJ2talPiQXBmXyaZtwDkugB8aM/s1600/2010_0120Thailand0267.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhO4bMOFl0v23pORYfIapQBzdLftIC_6cEXqArjC5l9rKYw-Q0edFI_kTKWEb4PUgprDWqgQN1sHbXjee1ySkBSPQajqWLEjepwx_4YCJWLw0pdwDZdMJ2talPiQXBmXyaZtwDkugB8aM/s320/2010_0120Thailand0267.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459238807040663938" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvh-7WdikSXYVMzOEqu738mep3BbNt0h8OAvLlcxUTUz31w-xGGtna3BTeU7CPXgF63ZxNSDXMh30OquWbM0NXkcou-Ekn3YMrV6MfQhvD_niOaqFyBXWrhrAjHFCkTp2UtsC0fZnIpsQ/s1600/2010_0120Thailand0181.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvh-7WdikSXYVMzOEqu738mep3BbNt0h8OAvLlcxUTUz31w-xGGtna3BTeU7CPXgF63ZxNSDXMh30OquWbM0NXkcou-Ekn3YMrV6MfQhvD_niOaqFyBXWrhrAjHFCkTp2UtsC0fZnIpsQ/s320/2010_0120Thailand0181.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459238795173997058" /></a><br /><br />I am now back in Tokyo and work has started, but I’ll save that for my next blog entry, which hopefully will not be as late as this one was!Dana Dutcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11987801909557867808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354505139269043485.post-83391159305090569382010-02-21T05:00:00.009-06:002010-02-21T05:07:25.718-06:00The Past 3 MonthsFirst of all let me begin with an apology for not writing in here for a LONG time. A lot has happened and I have been a lot busier which I guess is a blessing in disguise. First, let me jump back to December. December was a busy month with various Christmas parties at churches I’ve been actively participating in since my arrival in Japan. From last picture entry there are pictures from various Christmas parties, I even went caroling in Japan. (Unique experience to say the least!) <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGllqHdXGggErOQ8wzwLVPXoIYVLUXF9z2Ao1908uuIZ1UA3RbY9kRbpYhD9h3Hm8ddGpHuJiKe0kUhWFLlof1jGjFK3uLDChbP66ZB_xVO7Cz8AIXPXToQKDkflyP4zNIutWBFoB0dU/s1600-h/Caroling.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGllqHdXGggErOQ8wzwLVPXoIYVLUXF9z2Ao1908uuIZ1UA3RbY9kRbpYhD9h3Hm8ddGpHuJiKe0kUhWFLlof1jGjFK3uLDChbP66ZB_xVO7Cz8AIXPXToQKDkflyP4zNIutWBFoB0dU/s320/Caroling.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440650429703286034" /></a><br /><br />Even with all the Christmas festivities going on, Japan just didn’t feel right for Christmas. I’ve been away from my physical home before…but never have I been without family on Christmas…it just didn’t feel right. So I made the decision to go home for Christmas. It was a hard decision to make considering I had only been here for three months, but it was right what I needed at that time. I had begun to be a little burnt out on things here, and my battery was running on low and was not being recharged…I needed to fix that. After going home and spending time with friends, family, going to a Razorback Bowl game with some friends, and attending an ENGLISH church, I finally began to feel recharged. Going home was just what I needed in order to remember why I came to Japan in the first place and was a good chance to recharge my spirit, and to become rededicated to the mission I’ve been sent here to do, granted its still hard but has become easier since I came back in January.<br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLiHyGnV1O2w3f8DU89YUejdHJ_Rzkv8lOWHBem1x5QlWtUzUQDa2oWUVG_SWQkY-WvL_V-9kNiKKvyBSi-ABQfaSiMejAiK2T-uIpqB1bYzFGX1A9bUzHKuv9Ute5mi0HAC9bziICKc/s1600-h/Girl's+night!+(17).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLiHyGnV1O2w3f8DU89YUejdHJ_Rzkv8lOWHBem1x5QlWtUzUQDa2oWUVG_SWQkY-WvL_V-9kNiKKvyBSi-ABQfaSiMejAiK2T-uIpqB1bYzFGX1A9bUzHKuv9Ute5mi0HAC9bziICKc/s320/Girl's+night!+(17).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440650708349372530" /></a><br />After spending time back in Arkansas I was actually excited to come back to Japan and to return to my life here with a better attitude. Since coming back to Japan I have had some more “traditional” experiences. My language class has gone to a Kabuki Show, a Sumo tournament, and had my class even had a calligraphy lesson.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXr6TaPyxk94FvXt77ReBfjztYkofeY_HVxaK7lWARZaYcqHqw3orZ7XkzYlv5rM9Tdv7_6nVMrQQZuyAcZqNhuYtPLUuMHFnX-4Qvpc0b9KomwQiL3xFS4GYqAAbjyQt7ZKweOSxmCR0/s1600-h/2-4-10+Calligraphy+Day+(11).JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXr6TaPyxk94FvXt77ReBfjztYkofeY_HVxaK7lWARZaYcqHqw3orZ7XkzYlv5rM9Tdv7_6nVMrQQZuyAcZqNhuYtPLUuMHFnX-4Qvpc0b9KomwQiL3xFS4GYqAAbjyQt7ZKweOSxmCR0/s200/2-4-10+Calligraphy+Day+(11).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440650998158873986" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQ2Sj_AXI8D06WqZVsMVRzFsTN0gypZ3ApcnAiHzhyphenhyphenV985nkhzV6V0CqLPPMcg2O-u39ySdogMZ0l8P6utocT3N7319X6S4g-tCvQyhVvqY2PIsTGyZ93UZkmieW52ppAqKsV-w3ULEY/s1600-h/2-4-10+Calligraphy+Day+(9).JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQ2Sj_AXI8D06WqZVsMVRzFsTN0gypZ3ApcnAiHzhyphenhyphenV985nkhzV6V0CqLPPMcg2O-u39ySdogMZ0l8P6utocT3N7319X6S4g-tCvQyhVvqY2PIsTGyZ93UZkmieW52ppAqKsV-w3ULEY/s200/2-4-10+Calligraphy+Day+(9).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440650902756689298" /></a><br />I also went to Hakone, which is a area known for their hot springs close to Mt. Fuji with a friend from church. That weekend was AMAZING and very relaxing. We rode there in the front car of what they car the “romance car”; I’m still not sure where the name comes from, but it was a gorgeous view, and we even got to see Fuji.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4omUK274YoDw2IP4YyP2jN9IKHJ7s9AycqO317Bj9Ais41GMRCu6jxTYWLUYNidjdjBENzkE24iPzriY4o67ntENLkuOiAJh_Jw3IhaDto_8f-x0b7NieE_g83t-KmO_QMt8WoU97_q0/s1600-h/1-25-10+Hakone+(22).JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4omUK274YoDw2IP4YyP2jN9IKHJ7s9AycqO317Bj9Ais41GMRCu6jxTYWLUYNidjdjBENzkE24iPzriY4o67ntENLkuOiAJh_Jw3IhaDto_8f-x0b7NieE_g83t-KmO_QMt8WoU97_q0/s320/1-25-10+Hakone+(22).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440651144005464242" /></a><br />The onsens (hot springs) there were very interesting. We got massages, laid in a stone sauna type place and I even got a chance to be submerged in Green Tea, Coffee, Wine and Chocolate to name a few. Its something you’ll have to come experience for youself if you ever come to Japan! But it was probably the most relaxed I’ve been in a long time.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XkArOoQZs4TtSFNVCP4cHM3C-nBdDCJ90HADm5_LyC6sznWgQ2r70_nLrG3lIVNY8s_eJcocItAMP1XTAx02Ru0s8DFaetxdH_x6HGjgC6PMiKd-SD3ob_XSSSNf5otRq0PSL4aK5Vs/s1600-h/1-25-10+Hakone+(36).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XkArOoQZs4TtSFNVCP4cHM3C-nBdDCJ90HADm5_LyC6sznWgQ2r70_nLrG3lIVNY8s_eJcocItAMP1XTAx02Ru0s8DFaetxdH_x6HGjgC6PMiKd-SD3ob_XSSSNf5otRq0PSL4aK5Vs/s320/1-25-10+Hakone+(36).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440651549014564850" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTUVAEdntCpkN2k9N7Vazf0t0h4unuodSDIQiyvDOa256FaYeNmY_9_rsXXfUC1ID0y7X8rNyVXfm_xwKL_kJf1jw7JU50hvR_sB5DsBMrVtHx-t5IFGrOnlfkaMYWhn7q9OUZwufMEA/s1600-h/1-25-10+Hakone+(38).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTUVAEdntCpkN2k9N7Vazf0t0h4unuodSDIQiyvDOa256FaYeNmY_9_rsXXfUC1ID0y7X8rNyVXfm_xwKL_kJf1jw7JU50hvR_sB5DsBMrVtHx-t5IFGrOnlfkaMYWhn7q9OUZwufMEA/s320/1-25-10+Hakone+(38).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440651467039021986" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMB3HJtLJ8aAOTegQsKELKxJpAFsyS_5EzpO6rf6VNIYwbJiUM304vz1D0drl4IvlTTE_BQjcLRAhrNvrB09oG_r38BOshCbH7rH6OMwqelx_c30ozIcEwPGurdArT7PHLhje-f0dKKM/s1600-h/1-25-10+Hakone+(39).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMB3HJtLJ8aAOTegQsKELKxJpAFsyS_5EzpO6rf6VNIYwbJiUM304vz1D0drl4IvlTTE_BQjcLRAhrNvrB09oG_r38BOshCbH7rH6OMwqelx_c30ozIcEwPGurdArT7PHLhje-f0dKKM/s320/1-25-10+Hakone+(39).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440651458985128162" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJMbFyqySaynsvcyaTu41xEp5GhEQSa8fyHtS9IomY-CmE8xKFgO4ANJmmdGS0wUFyyPcTgqBOjKLYUNS0JZ5YjqS5P6t4IG8YXnSn-vGT1SuWvwSpSNtZiemyiFuFmcsn2jzKo-it90/s1600-h/1-25-10+Hakone+(34).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJMbFyqySaynsvcyaTu41xEp5GhEQSa8fyHtS9IomY-CmE8xKFgO4ANJmmdGS0wUFyyPcTgqBOjKLYUNS0JZ5YjqS5P6t4IG8YXnSn-vGT1SuWvwSpSNtZiemyiFuFmcsn2jzKo-it90/s320/1-25-10+Hakone+(34).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440651444021605442" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFjCh8-nvaaPoDG00rVOjCQcnuFx0I4hCgli6Wtd9GO0pGNNAyyS8bohJ-ilcUtIOpVhymjaCJplC6Rx5AAr_SMaJ7Gh31fI8hn8tHwDQl0DSCZzhkVJg-eXnb0SF8fnSyGwesnweY8Y/s1600-h/1-25-10+Hakone+(25).JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFjCh8-nvaaPoDG00rVOjCQcnuFx0I4hCgli6Wtd9GO0pGNNAyyS8bohJ-ilcUtIOpVhymjaCJplC6Rx5AAr_SMaJ7Gh31fI8hn8tHwDQl0DSCZzhkVJg-eXnb0SF8fnSyGwesnweY8Y/s320/1-25-10+Hakone+(25).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440651435003630642" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvMEUqeFLvkHkd2mr6IMoErAbq0H3VTZTOHfrw7l6WO-PisF5KOopsNQl-SFEeIL-_Ou4GrwKyScSGSbf9UbV-wFN8t4P6QL7Sr-wTQv0o5mPQ18BH__v2nYImptEbGC6LcpSu_Zt7QYk/s1600-h/1-25-10+Hakone+(19).JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvMEUqeFLvkHkd2mr6IMoErAbq0H3VTZTOHfrw7l6WO-PisF5KOopsNQl-SFEeIL-_Ou4GrwKyScSGSbf9UbV-wFN8t4P6QL7Sr-wTQv0o5mPQ18BH__v2nYImptEbGC6LcpSu_Zt7QYk/s320/1-25-10+Hakone+(19).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440651424537651474" /></a><br /> I have been trying real hard to make myself busy in Japan since I’ve been back, and think I might have succeeded a little TOO well in that area. Things have picked up very much so lately. Classes are coming to an end on March 5th, culminating with a skit we will be putting on. Pictures will come soon…its going to be good. Then everyone will be moving to our new assignment areas, and preparing to start teaching the beginning of April. During that break time my friend Kayla is coming to visit from the States which I am really excited about. Hanging out with a friend around Tokyo and being able to show her around is going to be really great, and I’m looking forward to it very much. Then shortly after she leaves I will be moving apartments, and then another missionary, Carolyn, and I will be going on a vacation of our own to Thailand and getting a chance to relax and eat some amazing food before teaching starts again. <br /> I promise I will try to update this blog more often and on a more frequent basis!Dana Dutcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11987801909557867808noreply@blogger.com1