There is one story from my class last week that I have been thinking about this week.

We were having a discussion on culturally-appropriate ways to use affirmation.  One of the pastors in the class had been an elementary ed teacher before being called into ministry.  It was the first day of school.  The children all had to line up in formation, three-persons wide.  Two boys had decided they weren’t interested in following the teacher’s instructions, and instead had stopped to draw some pictures in the sand.  The one teacher went over to his student, grabbed his ear, and pulled him back into line with some rough words.  My pastor/teacher friend knew the other student was in his class, and knew this boy had caused a lot of problems the previous year.  He stopped for a blink, and prayed that God would give him wisdom.  Then he went over to the other boy, looked at the sand, and said, “You made a really good picture.”

The rest of the year, this boy was his buddy, ready to volunteer whenever someone was needed to help out.  He said he was always so glad for that split-second prayer.  So, I’m sure, was that second-grade boy.

I flew in from Tokyo last night.  I don’t think I have ever missed my family as much as these past five days.  Being enveloped in their amazing flailing hugs and love at the airport was almost too much for me.  I thought my heart could not hold so much love.  It has been good to be back.

But this whole week somehow seemed so important.  In some ways I  was dreading the five long, full days of teaching– I had tried to get out of it (again!) but God seemed to confirm that he wanted me to teach this class.  Although the first day had its share of challenges (see entry below);  by the end of the week my heart was completely smitten by this class of Japanese pastors and lay leaders.  I love their hearts;  their souls that are committed to bringing Hope to this land that often feels hopeless.  I was so sad to say goodbye to each of them.

The eighteen members were a mix of men and women (7 or 8); older (most) and  younger (a few); pastors (14) and lay leaders ( 4).  There were three medical doctors in the class!  But all of the members are working on a Doctor of Ministry course in the midst of their very busy lives and ministries.   I think what touched me the most was that most of these students — many with years more experience than I! – soaked up the lectures like sponges.  I loved listening to them interact during small group time, and sharing insights and from their own lives.  It was really, really humbling though – one pastor gave me his book and said he had been our Japanese pastor’s teacher in seminary many years ago.  (What was I doing teaching him??).  The pastor who sat right next to me has written commentaries and translated the Bible used by most Japanese today.  He presented me with an autographed copy…. I could only pray each night, and each morning, that God would somehow use who he has made me and the wonderful teaching and preparation I have received at Fuller and since to bring renewal, healing, and perspective to make a difference to these dear saints.

Halfway through the class, my translator turned to me and said, “Sue, look!  Their countenances have changed so much since Monday!”  I noticed all of us getting more comfortable, and began by Wednesday to sense the Lord doing some good things in our class.

Yesterday, we had a time for each student to share what God has impressed on them that they are planning to apply to their own ministries.  This was such a touching time for me.  Interestingly, many had been touched by the lecture on Affirmation.  (All leaders need affirmation; we need to be leaders who receive affirmation from God and who readily give it to others).  We had had an interesting discussion on how affirmation can be given in Japan- different than in the U.S., but nonetheless important.  One female pastor shared yesterday that up until now she has been really strict/harsh with her church members and staff.  But God has convicted her of the need to use affirmation, instead, to encourage others.  One man said for the first time in forty years he had affirmed his wife that week — and was reaping wonderful results!

There was a quiet man who sat in the back.  My attempts to draw him out had not been too successful.  But on the last day, he shared that he has never been taught by a woman before… and he had gone through a paradigm shift that week (we had studied the need for and process of paradigm shifts to keep from becoming inflexible leaders) – as he realized how much God could teach him through a woman.  He brought me to tears.

I am very sure that God had me go to Tokyo this past week as much for me as for these pastors.  For my final speech to the class, I shared about a documentary that Eric and I had seen years ago called “Living Treasures of Japan.”  They showed sword-making; aizome (the indigo-blue dyeing process) — traditional Japanese arts that have become more and more rare among artists  in this country.  And I shared how each person in the room represents a living treasure of Japan, who God has called for His ways and His purposes.  The morning before, during our worship time, we were singing  “the Power of Love” in Japanese.  As I stood there singing and looking around the room, God reaffirmed our calling to be here in this country;  to be Hope-bringers not just to nonbelievers but also to these who have been laboring.  I have needed this kind of confirmation, quite honestly.  My heart has become tired and at times cynical of the traditional methods of most Japanese churches.  God melted my hard heart this week, and gave me His heart of love for these dear friends.  What a blessing it was and is to be co-laborers with them.  How thankful I am to God for how He uses us and brings reminders of our destiny (another of the talks I gave) and HIs calling on our lives  just when we need it.

Suitcase was found and delivered today – yeah!  I have clothes to wear and now two deodorants – one that I bought at a convenience store this morning.

I’ve learned a few things about humor teaching these Japanese pastors and leaders the past two days.  Yesterday I shared that I love practical jokes and shared one that I did (a fake wedding where the bride and groom came to the party and then found out that they were getting married to each other!).  I got a few obligatory smiles;  no laughs.  My second attempt at humor seemed to fail today.

This morning after I came into the room before class one of the men said to me, “Sensei (teacher) – I’m glad that you like jokes.  Please keep doing them.  I always include a good joke in all of my messages.”  So I honestly told him how I felt yesterday- that my attempts at humor had bombed.  He said, “Oh no, no.  We couldn’t laugh at you – it wouldn’t be polite.”  Another pastor who had joined in the conversation said, “That’s right.  Please tell us that it’s ok to laugh at your jokes ahead of time so that we know.”

It sort of takes the fun out of it all, but I guess if I want to use the humor thing I better do it their way.  “OK, everyone get ready to laugh!  I’m going to tell you something funny!…”

…there’ll be days like this!

Today has felt like a bad movie in the making:  leave at 6:30 am for the airport and discover halfway there I forgot my cell phone (can one EXIST for a day without one’s iphone?? It had my contact information for meeting the translator; the contact number and address where I was teaching and coming to stay tonight; the GPS to get me to those places; my phone to check in with Eric and email….It’s coming by mail service tomorrow); I lost my earring on the plane.  No big deal.

Meet my translator for lunch, worried because I had never received any emails of the handouts she was translating.  I assumed she had just sent them ahead to the seminary.  She had sent them only to me, but I never got them when our organization’s email server was down for several days last week.  Oops.

Teaching the course… my two opening “ice-breakers” broke absolutely nothing except my confidence.  They bombed.  absolutely.  Keep going.  I dive into the last one hour lecture around 4, confirm that the class goes until 5 and get panicked looks – they upped the schedule by half an hour from last time… it’s ending at 4:30.  I just went half through my lecture and ended.  (Catch up later?)

Get back finally around 6 pm to the place where I am staying and discover:  the suitcase I had shipped here by the ever-dependable Japanese shipping service (kuro-neko)  is not here.  Manage through the computer to skype a friend who happens to be online who is able to call Eric… he doesn’t know where the receipt is!   Our amazing friend Yasko goes to the store and gets a copy of the shipping receipt.  The shipping company is now searching for the lost bag…they said the tag got pulled off of the suitcase and they don’t know where it is…

But the cool thing about today – while I was on the plane feeling panicked about just the few morning incidents, the Lord brought to mind suddenly one of my favorite promises -Lamentations 3:22 – God’s steadfast love is new every morning and so is his faithfulness.  Even if I smell terrible tomorrow God’s love will be fresh for each of us.  My day does not need to depend on having my cell phone or a clean pair of clothes and pjs to sleep in.    Nor do I need to be overly worried about reactions in a Japanese crowd… I am really sure that God has set the agenda for us this week and that He is at work.  I’m looking forward to getting to know these amazing students who have given years and years of their lives in service of their Savior.  They have a lot to teach me.

Sooo.  will I be wearing the same sweaty outfit with  bad hair while teaching tomorrow?  Stay tuned…and pray that God will have His way in me and through me, even on days like this.

Tomorrow I will be flying to Tokyo for five days to teach an intensive class in Leadership to a group of eighteen pastors and church lay leaders.  I have packed and shipped off my “teaching suits” (not my favorite part about all of this — it is still quite hot here and in Tokyo)… my lectures and handouts are all printed out… almost finished catching up on laundry and getting all the kids’ school items ironed and put into backpacks for the week ahead.  Now I just need to finish preparing my heart.

It is intimidating at times to teach these veteran Christian saints, most of whom are older than me with a lifetime experience in Japan.  But I trust God’s calling and thank Him for the wonderful training and preparation He has given me.  Last time I taught this class I was amazed and thankful for the vulnerability and sharing that happened by the end of the class, and pray that God’s spirit would again prepare and work in all of our hearts.   Often when I teach I find God does a great work in MY heart;  may it be the same this week.

Some have asked what it is that I actually teach for such classes.  Here are the lectures I have prepared for each day.  Every morning I will begin with a spiritual formation followed by 3 or 4 lectures… Here they are listed below (not in correct order; or there is a pdf schedule you can click on):

Servant Leadership 1: Jesus’ Four Leadership Models

Spiritual Formation: Pauline Leadership – Deep Processing

Destiny: A Key to understanding our Leadership Path

Servant Leadership 2: An Overview

Spiritual Formation: Pauline Leadership Openness & Honesty

Servant Leadership 3: Laws of the Teacher (Part I)

Servant Leadership 3: Laws of the Learner (Part II)

Spiritual Formation: Pauline Leadership & Word-centered Leadership

Servant Leadership 4: Mentoring

Leadership Transformation 1: Affirmation

Leadership Transformation 2: Understanding Boundaries & Transformation

Leadership Transformation 3: Unlocking Paradigm Shifts

Leadership Transformation 4: Understanding Life Purpose & Ministry Insights

Spiritual Formation: Paul’s Life Lessons & Finishing Well

2010courseschedule

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We do appreciate your prayers.  It’s hard to leave my family;  and I know it will be a stretching week for Eric.  Thankful for the friends who have volunteered to help when he has other responsibilities!  We have also re-instituted Daddy Dollars –previous entry here– it’s a great way to get back into fall routine and the novelty of rewards/bribery/call it-what-you-will should give Eric a lot of help this week!  Loved seeing the kids so incredibly anxious to clear the table and clean the house tonight.  I hope my heart is just as eager to serve this week.

One thing that is true with little kids – you never know what a day will hold!
Yesterday, I was off studying for the class I’ll be teaching in Tokyo next week, when Eric called my cell.

“The girls came home.”

“Are they sick?  Did you go pick them up?”  It was 1 pm;  they should have been at the youchien/kindergarten until 2:30.

“No.  They ran away from school.  Together.  And snuck the whole way home.”

We live about a twelve minute walk from the school.  It’s not close.

After lunch, the two girls were playing together (not usual since they’re in different classes and grades but Annie’s teacher has been letting her go downstairs to Livvy’s class lately).  Annie had the idea to run away — “We didn’t like such a long day at school.”  They snuck out into the hallway;  switched into their outside shoes, down to the teacher’s room, and out the teacher’s private entrance that happened to be unlocked for some reason.  (“But even if it had been locked I knew how to open it!”  Great.)

“Together they went out to the street and began the walk home.  “We ran the whole time until Livvy had to stop and then I held her hand to help her go faster.”  They came to a bridge and then they saw him — a policeman!  “We knew he couldn’t see us so we snuck up over the bridge and ran home.”  (It actually was a construction worker directing traffic).  Thus they arrived in the entranceway of our house.  Much to Eric’s surprise – dismay – to say the least.

Eric walked the two girls (and Ian) back to the school.  The teachers were perhaps even more surprised than Eric – they hadn’t discovered them missing yet.  (And I’m guessing they paid for this later)… When I went back an hour later to pick them up, I was met with sincere apologies and bows.  They all felt really bad, and the head teacher said, “Please don’t punish Annie because she’s been through enough today.”  (Whatever!!)  They have since announced that Annie’s class is not allowed to leave the class after lunch, and Annie and Olivia know very clearly that they aren’t allowed to play together at school.  (We really want them to be bonding anyway with others in their class, rather than with each other).

Last night was a gloomy night in the Takamoto house.  Annie went to bed right after dinner, no dessert. (Our take:  Annie was the instigator;  Olivia was the accomplice).

We talked to our friend Megumi late last night who knows our children quite well — and  laughed hysterically, (though still acknowledging the worrisome parts of all of this) saying she has NEVER heard of any children figuring out how to run away from youchien and actually doing it! She decided that I have met my match in my sneaky ingenious little daughter and  thatperhaps they have watched too much Spy Kids?  (Only 1, 2, and 3-D…Are there more?)

We were/are concerned about what they did, but also are praying that God will change their hearts about going to school.  We know that the language is still a hard barrier, and that in particular making friends is hard for Annie because of the language.  Last week she and I were leaving the school and we saw two of her classmates walking away hand-in-hand.  She said, “Mommy, I wish I had a special friend here in Japan.”  We talked about her special friendship with Olivia, and she acknowledged that – but I knew what she meant.  Would you pray with us for our girls as they continue to adjust to the language and culture and relationships at youchien?  We are praying that God would provide a special friend for Annie — who might help keep her out of trouble even!

(Below- with two special friends  in Pennsylvania who they DID bond with):

The large box that held gifts that we brought back from the U.S. has finally been retired from the dining area to a closet.  I’ve realized that it can take a number of weeks to finish giving out the gifts we bring back from trips.  Buying “souvenirs” from places you visit to give to your friends, neighbors, teachers, associates, etc. is part of this culture and we are sure that the little trinkets and individually-wrapped cakes and snacks sold in any possible tourist area across this country make up half of the Japanese economy!

Each time we return to the U.S., we are always thinking about what we can bring back for the various groups of people in our lives.  And once in a while, I find the need to do things a bit out of the ordinary.

For my ladies’ English class and some of my mom friends, this summer I got a large supply of spices that are difficult to find in Japan:  Italian seasoning, apple pie spice, garlic powder, taco seasoning.  When the ladies’ gathered after English class for tea time around our dining room table the other day, I put out brown bags that each had several of these American cooking aids in and let each friend choose a closed bag, open it, and if they wanted to exchange the spices for a few extra that I had.

What they didn’t know was that one of the bags had a bonus — a pair of bright orange, lacey see-through underwear.  I decided to just see who randomly choose the bag.  Much to my secret delight, T., the oldest but perhaps most delightful lady in the class picked the bag.  I held my breath as she opened it.  She pulled it out with her spices but set it aside… one of the ladies sitting next to her was curious about this brightly- colored piece of fabric and asked her what it was.  T. then realized that she had been given something that no one else had, and she held it up — then quickly turned red and sat on it!  Everyone had quite a laugh, and T. obliged us all by holding it up for all of us and my camera.  She winked, and promised to wear them to class next week.

In addition to keychains and stationery, I also bought similar (perhaps a bit more modest) gift items for the female teachers of Owen, Annie, and Olivia.  I told them they may not want to open their gifts in front of colleagues or parents (or students!)….

Gift-giving may be an ancient practice in this culture, but sometimes perhaps we can add some new flavor to the custom…

Although our kids started back to school a week ago, it feels like we are finally getting into the routine of it all.

There are two things that I distinctly dislike about summer vacation in Japan:  a) the shortness of it (about five weeks or so);  and the piles of homework given to each child requiring a good amount of time spent daily during the vacation to get it done.  We were so thankful that Owen’s teacher was happy with all that he completed in the U.S.

One thing that I really like about Japanese summer assignments, however, is the project that all school children do.   It is very loosely defined (surprisingly so for this highly-structured and detailed society), and allows the kids (with parents help of course) to be creative and to enjoy the process of creating.  This week the parents from the elementary school could go into the school during class hours and see the student’s summer projects.  Here are a few that I enjoyed seeing:

This is an oil-crayon portrait done by a boy in Owen’s class – second grade! – of his dad, who designs teeth for his job.  I was SOOO impressed.

Then there were some in which the students used common objects (like shells or buttons) to create a picture:

Then there was 3-D food made out of various mediums.  Love that sushi! (made out of felt)

Our 4th grade friend Y. came with his family to visit us in Montana for a week this summer.  He did an amazing album detailing their trip and the many things he learned about American culture.

Owen chose to feature the Lincoln Memorial for his project.  This summer our friend Sarah gave he and a Japanese friend visiting a special tour of the monuments in Washington D.C..  He really liked the Lincoln, and afterwards we did some research with him about it.  (Do you know why there are 56 steps?  Or why there are 36 columns?)  We were happy with how his project turned out:

He had a magnifying lens so that students could look closely at the penny and the five dollar bill — did you know you can see Lincoln inside the memorial on both of these currencies?  One of the best things about going to see the projects was the joy of the two brothers when they met each other in the school hall:

The other back-to-school event for me was starting back up with my duties as a school mom.  Today I had patrol — me and five other moms had to walk three different courses for an hour while all of the elementary school children were walking home.  The hope in this daily routine by all the moms is to help keep our neighborhood safe.  Having just come back from the U.S., I HAD to take a picture of two of my mom friends as they prepared for this hour-long walk in the hot sun.  I prepared for the walk by putting on shorts and a t-shirt and grabbing sunglasses;  all other five ladies came wearing hats,  long pants (protecting their legs from UV rays); carrying sun umbrellas, and of course — the arm gloves.  No sun penetration here!

It’s good to be back;  we’re thankful for the gift of routine, even when things are a bit different.

Just a short entry today that may be good timing for someone.

One of my missionary heroines is Isobel Kuhn, who served with her family in China in the mid-twentieth century to the Lisu people.  I love reading and re-reading her life, as it reminds me of the importance of intimacy with God — drawing close to God and listening to His voice.

In the early 1950s, as the Communists where taking over China and coming towards their province, Isobel was warned to escape while she could.  Most other foreigners had already left the country.  Her husband John was on a ministry trip.  She wrote:  “I was ready to flee in every respect but two.  The lord had not told me to go.  And I did not like to go without seeing John again… the flesh loves excitement.  It is always ready to jump up and run somewhere!  It pushes and hurries us into action.  The Holy Spirit does not.  He is from the God of peace and His directions are always on time.”

One writer says of this decision:  “Not only did Isobel stay, but when John unexpectedly returned from his trip, they held the last of their Rainy Season Bible Schools in spite of Communists roaming the area.  Each weekend, as the students evangelized in neighboring villages, hundreds converted to the Lord.”

Isobel wrote:  “Sometimes His door opens only for a very short period, and if one is not fully ready to enter in, it will close perhaps permanently.”

China closed its door to foreigners shortly after that, and the Kuhns were forced to return to the United States.  What a difference it made that she listened to God’s guidance!

Isobel died relatively young from cancer caused by an accident on the mission field.  She wrote this to her brother near the end of her life:  “my own life has been too full of faults and failures to be worth anything … I am so grateful He led me to Himself when I was young so that I could have this long earthly walk with Him. I recommend Him as a peerless Master.”

Me too.

E.N.U.

That’s the fun way to write out Ian’s name (Ian Yuu).  We can’t believe he has turned one already!

Our co-worker Peter reminded us that it was just about exactly a year ago that we called he and Wendi while they were in Seattle, and told them that we were getting a baby from the adoption agency.  Before we could explain that it was just a foster situation for a month or so, Peter was already crying tears of joy over the phone.  We felt bad for deceiving him, knowing his joy for children.  Of course he was still excited to hear about us fostering Yuu…. but as we talked about it this weekend, I think his tears were prophetic — how God brought this little baby into our lives and had our whole family fall in love with him… and then we had to give him away…. then through a lot of strange twists God brought him back to be a forever member of our family.

(BTW- for those of you who have prayed for the family in Okinawa who couldn’t keep Ian because they became pregnant — they had their baby!  A beautiful, healthy little girl named Julia Megumi.  We are overjoyed).

So, this weekend we celebrated his first year.  And we also celebrated that the Japanese judge has approved his adoption into our family.  (Please pray — the birth mother needs to sign the final paperwork within two week’s time to complete the process).

Ian’s favorite thing right now is a truck that has become affectionately called his “zoom zoom” around our house… Here he is with his buddy Joshua, who was adopted by our friends from the same agency several months before Ian…both wanting to play with the same favorite truck:

So he needed a truck birthday cake to celebrate his first year.

It was also great just before leaving the U.S. to have an early birthday celebration for him with my family two weeks ago.  Here are some photos — with my Dad, affectionately known by his grandkids as “GiGi Bill”…

with Eric, after they both got hit with Silly String (a first for our kids – they thought it was the greatest stuff!)

… and Ian enjoying his first birthday cake — the red velvet color made for an interesting mess.  He went for it!

And on those non-birthday days where we feel tired (!)  attending to our four active children, Ian comes around the corner with his truck and –zoom zoom!  I am so utterly delighted at the joy God has given us with this special little one.  The verse on so many children’s cards and announcements is certainly true: “Children are a gift from the Lord.”  On his birthday weekend, truly we know that we have been blessed with this gift of life.  This is one good-lookin’ hot tamale who’s cooking up something special!