Why Japan continued...

Peanute Butter company? Coffee Company? Here's a few ideas we threw out there after too much joking, I thought seriously, why don't we? So I brought a Pb from Costco and the whole family is loving it! I decided to try making some on my own and Paul and Josh helped me shell the peanuts. Almost a success, minus no crushes but just a blender. Anyways, Josh said that the first missionaries who came about 100 years ago needed to finance themselves, and so they started a Peanute butter company and are still around today. However I haven't seen their brand in the stores, and if I find any PB, it's maybe Skippy with a ton of sugar and stuff added. They loved the simple peanuts and salt!

Yachimata where they're from is known nationwide for their peanuts; however Josh said they only sell main peanuts and nothing more. We saw the farms as it is prime season and even a factory with stacks of it. I thought, what a perfect source of protein, a fresh snack for kids, and even easy to chew protein source for the ever aging population without teeth :)

Then we've had the heart for Coffee company or coffee shops as well, and why not roast both nuts and beans? Something to think about and just me getting excited, having Paul do some PB research, he's like slow down, and let's take one day at a time. Aren't we a good balance :) Paul's right however, in desiring to have an investing firm where we buy out failing companies, and bring in love and new ideas to do what we'd like with them rather than reinventing the wheel. I'd LOVE my own PB company, and then I'd also make my chocolates, and heck why not my Decaf coffee hehe!

Monday Josh dropped us off at the train, we said our goodbyes for now to him and our dear family Momo, Raina and Ken (we'll for sure see them at Christmas) and we took off with our 4 heavy suitcases through Tokyo to Itabashi (Nishi Tokashimadaira station). First stop was at our hostel company to check in and let me tell you, I've learned my lesson in traveling, Pack LIGHT! I mean I left a few things at the Sasaoka but that was difficult as everything is so tiny! Even getting off for the orientation, this very kind young couple saw me look at this steep stair case with those pieces and helped pick them up, oh I was in such gratitude! The Japanese really are kind, such kind hearted people!

We met a young metal rocker from France at orientation, and with his bad day of his boot sole torn off, wheel on his luggage broke, we did our best to offer Paul's shoes (way too big) and even go buy him a new pair. None the less, he said he'd make it but appreciate our offer. This hostel company has over 400 houses in Tokyo!!! If we lose our key $100. The punishment in Japan seems to keep people in strict cooperation. That must be why I don't see a darn garbage can anywhere, no paper towels, etc., they just don't want trash or waste it seems.

Our room is about twice the size of Mama Shevchuk's kitchen :) Very cramped but we made it work, and at least love grows in small spaces! We have a mini fridge and we share the kitche, bathrooms, cubby for our shoes in the front door (there's a stoop at all houses where shoes with soil stay at the front, and never cross contaminates!

Already here we've met some friendly foreigners! Thos Asian nations really are very happy people as I'm noticing with 3 Tawain girls here, who I am surprised aren't Christians, and the Cambodian boys I met at the Startup Guide Tokyo last night. Also we've met Becks from Kyrgastan, studying business, not learning or liking Japan, but I guess the masters is very easy with really no grades, just research and a presentation. He was really fun to talk with as him and Paul speak Russian and we have another friend we know from his area who was saved by Jesus and we were able to share and to his shock, he was stunned with a heavy Muslim presence.

I asked Becks dream, and he said really to own his own business. His entire country and surrounding ones are all completely corrupt, and he'd even like to be in politics but not there. We could see his heart of gold that Jesus in him waiting to be revealed. Paul was excited to hear his dreams and inspire him. Which also he had the opportunity with another flatmate here, David.

David is from St. Petersburg Russia. I said hello on my way to the shower and when he said he was from Russia, I said wait! I grabbed Paul, knowing in my spirit I was bringing a spider to the fly (a heart of love to a heart in need of inspiration), and almost an hour later, Paul shared all about the real Jesus, following those passions, and lighting this boy on fire who was very hesitant obviously to religion and the world before. Paul of course was on cloud 9 afterwards, and I felt like the Lord said, it was a great warm up to get Paul's motor running for the Tokyo Startup meeting later that night, and I felt the joke between Daddy and I. ;)

Been fun trying to stop and talk, bless, pray for healing, even saying Konichiwa to most people, I get this look like, "do I know you?" They're not the most friendliest people at first, but once you crack them, they melt. But then again, people are people no matter where you go, and I had the honor of meeting Junko and Masako both yesterday.

Lord you know I've been ruminating over your words to me about ministering and loving young women, or women in general and I thought, how the heck am I going to do that and with this language barrier. I've felt stuck with only a few words I can speak, no one place to invite them to, no real phone number to give them, and no church to send them. But there's a way, oh I know!

So back to Junko, I was worshipping my way to the park and saw this woman on her bike delivering something. We passed each other a few times and she was so friendly I had to go talk to her. Her English helped out so much and we conversed and shared a bit with joy, and I felt I was keeping her from delivering Yogurt, but she insisted it was no problem! I asked her number and she wrote down her name and WhatsApp ID, and I said coffee or tea, and how I'd love a Japanese friend. She has a 3 year old boy and 8 year old girl and lives nearby. Sadly after that I found out we can't add her to our phone without her age or something like that since we don't have a number yet, but I won't give up, she said she delivers Mon-Fri and we shall meet again!!!! A person of peace, yes yes Lord!

Then at the busy park in the sunny yet Samui (cold) day, I was beaming with Joy at my encounter so easily with Junko and these young pre school kids running around the track exercising. Many elderly people out sitting in the sun, chatting, and I approached a single lady on a bench, Masako (the name of the queen). Masako responded to my friendliness instantly and I saw with her for a good half hour chatting in part Japanese and part English. She still work 2 days in an elderly care home, and I asked if I could at least volunteer but she said not without a license. Anyways, we thoroughly enjoyed each other and I of course was able to mention why Japan!
Masako walked me to the library and we hugged goodbye!

Quick funny note, our first venture this this nearby park our first night here (was like 70 degrees out) I met a kind young woman with her dog and I was petting him and started talking to her and sharing Jesus loves her, Iesu Curisto, etc., and I thought she was comprehending, but then she said, "oh yes I love Clint Eastwood!" Oh that's one for the books for sure!

In Japan, supposedly the name of Jesus has hardly been named and if it has been, it's been abused and there's a stigma against Christianity. I won't accept any of that, rather keep going and doing what I know for His name's sake!

Tuesday I had heard about YWAM doing a Living Room worship at night, so after exploring that day, meeting/praying, enjoying the restaurant own with blue hair (gave us his card to visit but we can't really read it nor find the restaurant). But we made our way easily through the train to where the worship was, and felt right at home! The lord has told me I'm not yet done with YWAM :)

We worshipped for 2 hours, and some in Japanese but mostly English. I met a young girl, similar story of giving it all up and coming here, as she pioneers the Osaka base. She came and prayed so powerful with me and I felt compelled to pray for her but not just share God's heart and backing for her to follow HIm, but show her with some money. I slipped $50 to her and she said everything the Holy Spirit prayed through me was exactly what things were going on in her life, so what power in agreeing together with the spirit to allow the word to come to pass!

We met the leader of the Tokyo base, JP from Mississippi, and another leader Mark from Wisconsin. They invited us to visit them at the base, sit in on a DTS speaker and fellowship. We decided not to since it was so far, but we would/will connect soon, possibly again this Tuesday as Mark has these incredible cards we need to evangelize. These business cards have a QR code that these techi Japanese can scan and it's all in Japanese to an English Bible online, the Jesus movie, so many resources, even contact for more support. They even track the analytics, and for us that would be such a relief to have something to leave with them with this language and interpersonal barrier that seems to happen sometimes.

Had some good Ramen with Paul afterwards, gosh they make the best broths! With that being said....

Here's my real heart and take on everything so far:
I couldn't care less truly, about the food, beautiful scenery, unique places to go and tea to drink, it all seems to mundane and pointless to me. My heart is for people. My heart is to love and love the Lord. I don't think I'd even feel right if I was here sending pictures of just scenery and food, but that's about the best we can do for now, as even Qiu didn't want her photo taken. But none of this matters, this new unique place, if it's not for people!

Paul wanted to go to these botanical gardens, yes beautiful, but as soon as we were led to the Huge Japanese Shrine, I couldn't hold back tears. I cried and cried and declared over that place for God to answer their prayers, to come into their lives, to park his angels and HS there to intercede and meet these lost people looking at statues and Givin their money! We saw the monks with brand new Mercedes Benz out front, Come ON! What a joke. With graveyards on almost every corner like a visitors viewing center, they go and I believe pay money, pay tribute to the dead What a money making system, plus a huge fat deception!

I burn to show them real truth, real life, real love and hope. after worship night, it's about 10pm and there's so many getting off work, the trains are packed it's insane, on a Tuesday night!
Engaging with this young drunk girl not he train, almost to protect her, I tried to ask her questions, and she said her dream was to go to America and study english! She openly shared it over and over and Paul even felt intercession of answering these people's pure dreams but only with the foundation of Jesus, who is the true peace, joy, happiness and hope!


One walk through some gardens that same day as the Shrine, (through the cold cold rain) I saw an obviously sick woman holding a napkin to her mouth, and I approached her and asked if she was hurting and she said yes and I prayed and realized she's pregnant! Woah so I had the joy to pray for her and her future and she said "Genki" after which means good!

We're trying to be more diligent to apply styding Japanese on free time, it's very much needed.

They Japanese truly keep admiring my white teeth, not sure what they do to make theirs look decaying, but sadly, many cover their mouths, mostly the women, when I try to engage with them.

Finally, I'll end with our first visit to the real business heartbeat of Tokyo last night for Start Up Guide Tokyo book launch, which they said out of all of them around the world, was the fastest and easiest one to kick off. It was free and all in english; in fact I'd say half were Japanese.

It was inspiring in the sense that more than 4-5 times I kept hearing this is such a prime time of change, shifting in Japan, specifically they there, meant the change in mindsets and business with younger minds coming in for change and growth with hope and liveliness to start new things. I even heard that from foreigners who have been here for many years. They realize the shift in the education spheres, culture in general and again, the business world.

In the past, Japan has truly been a closed off company, wanting to only invest in their own, their own people and own products. Their advertisements are everywhere as they really market to their own. One admiring older gentleman who was from Mistubishi shared how there was, I think, let's say 100,000 new companies or something like that and about 2-3% were foreign. But the startup scene is growing, as we could tell by all these orgs coming together to sponsor this book, event and looking for help in their nation.

After the open mic with pioneers who have started their own in Japan, we mingled and everyone swapped business cards. I felt back at Yahoo with a mix bag of partially suits, punk Retro looks with tats, and foreign attire that is very unique, but casual. We mingled and let's just say we have a stack of business cards and as I mentioned earlier, it was fun trying to tell our story and why in the world we were even there, let alone what we felt called to do :) Change the world, and start in Japan :)

I believe it was a great start, Paul got his feet wet, heard lots of new things/perspectives and took away even a free Startup Guide book, (I prayed we would be chosen for it's very useful)! We have lots to connect with, events to further ourselves in, but honestly, I sat there thinking, I used to feel ambitious in this world, but if I even tried, I'd have to go all out like these entrepreneurs and women who are pushing to be someone and do something, and I felt the Lord reassure me, that I'm right where I need to be, in His hands to love and keep the purity of his word and life to lighten places such as this. I don't need to prove myself to get their attention or start my own business just to feel I fit in; I'm not here to fit in I'm here to show Jesus. I'm confident that's what's eternal and brings eternal fruit that I can come alongside anyone of them and bring that out and bring real life!

One woman did allow me to pray with her as she said she was visiting her mother in Japan who was sick, and she joined right in like it wasn't strange! Met some boys from the Google Startup team who are pretty much begging us to come visit their cool campus (which they even allow dogs) and have lunch or dinner. Paul's pumped about that.

Today there is an Alpha meeting with Andy Gain downtown for Christians in the workplace. I said Paul, I"ll let you handle this if you don't mind me staying back. So I enjoyed a walk with Jesus, getting a few things, preparing food, and sitting here letting you all know what's going on across the world.

Thank you for your huge love, and I appreciate all the Thanksgiving videos and hellos :)

Love you, talk soon, I hope...

Noel

PS
Japan needs dryers for their clothes!