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,
“How am I supposed to live as a missionary in a country where
I do not have to go without?”
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.
I was wrong. I am living in Japan; a wealthy, materialistic, highly populated, fully developed, politically stable, war free country.
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?!
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
