33

You know you haven't posted in too long when blogger has completed changed format...a month ago... and you didn't even know...

And no, this is not post #33. This is 33 sakura (cherry blossoms) provided. This is Jeremiah 33:3 (and 6-11). This is a reminder of Our Abba who answers prayer, heals, forgives, restores, supplies, reconciles. Some of my favorite reminders of those attributes of God are little things: seeing "33" on a tough day, or realizing how deliberately God plans even the little details. For instance...

Last week I was reminded of a Church I hadn't contacted yet. I did a week mission trip with them in high school, and still remember what loving, hospitable people they were. So I left just one message, and a few days later they actually called me back! (Which in itself is kind of miraculous). And our short phone conversation was filled with joy- it was a "work" call I honestly did really, really enjoy. (Thank you, God). "Too bad they're so far away," I think, "it would've been fun to meet with them in 'real life' instead of phone and email".

That Sunday I heard from a friend who is going right through that Church's town for a weekend trip soon. What are the chances of that? And moreso, what are the chances she would even remember this random church was on her way, and what made her think to mention it to me? But she did. Too good of a "coincidence" to pass up, I emailed the Church and asked if they would possibly be interested in meeting with me...in 1 week. (Churches, if they agree, usually ask me to come MONTHS later, but it can't hurt to ask: especially since I'd have a traveling buddy). But what are the chances it would actually work out? Besides, I'm working on Friday- I'd feel bad canceling on such short notice.

And you guessed it: they invited me to come meet, not just with their committee, but to present the ministry in Japan to their whole group, and talk with the committee afterwards.

Oh, but back up to Monday afternoon, just hours before the church invited me to come: I hear I have work off on Friday.

I don't know if this church will decide to partner with me. I'm praying they do, but if they don't it will be ok. Because God will supply: He has a plan, better than I could ever orchestrate.

Home

This video is the song "furusato/my hometown", at the 3-11 Memorial Concert in Ishinomaki, a community that has become closely connected with my (future) community in Tokyo.

1 year. It's crazy how much can change. But at the same time...it's gone by so quickly. A year has passed since the 3-11 Great East Japan Earthquake/Tsunami, and the work of rebuilding is just beginning in Tohoku. A year gone by and people are still missing; the thousands lost still missed. People who still need homes, jobs, community, Hope. Need to know that they are not forgotten. My heart aches for them to know the One who never forgets them, who promises never to leave or forsake them, who promises He is a Home for us, forever. How long, O Lord?

And my heart aches to be there. In Japan. A year ago, I was quite confident I would be in Japan by 3-11-12; that it would be beginning to feel just a bit like home. And as much as I've grown and learned and seen the goodness of God's plan of having me right where I am...I can't wait to go. To see and experience what I've talked and prayed about for so long. To get to know people and play just the smallest of roles in this pivotal time in Japan. I have so much to learn, and I'm ready to be there soaking up and pouring out. How long, O Lord?

But spring is on its way, and the sakura will bloom again. There is hope. There is time. People are being comforted, churches are being planted, my heart and mind are being prepared. This season will run its course. "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish" (2 Peter 3:9).

On a lighter note... my Mom pulled out this icey maker she bought in Japan years ago. She intended it for our nieces, but my siblings and I decided we didn't need 3 yr olds to enjoy the simple pleasures of life : ) Over 22 years old, and this little bear is still working beautifully!

Gospel!

A month later...I decided it's high time I gave you a few pictures of life! I had the privilege of helping out in Memphis last week as a dozen Japanese singers came to share Gospel music and see it at its roots. I loved getting to know them a bit and hear some of their stories...can't wait to see them again in Japan!
Other perks of the trip were hearing more about ministries across Japan (like disaster relief up North) and getting to spend more time with the Lowther family (see representative, below :) I'll be working/learning/living with them in Tokyo, so it's a good thing they're awesome! And I think we even successfully kept each other sane through a pretty busy week :)

Belgium (meanwhile in Tokyo...)

I have officially completed my training! Which means I now know, even better than before, that I know very little : ) But seriously, we received a lot of great teaching and experience, but the learning is just beginning (and will, I hope, never end). A lot of our days were spent in the classroom learning about church-planting, language acquisition, evangelism, culture-shock, cultural differences...



...then we put on as many coats as possible and walked/train-ed/bus-ed into the city (even the Belgians said it was really cold last week!)


I had the privilege of worshiping with and getting to know some beautiful and brilliant people at St.Andrew's church...


and a summary of the month, no matter how brief, would not be complete without a shout-out to my little friend, Hannah, and a group shot of the whole crew! They really were a fantastic group of people: love 'em!




Meanwhile, this is a little bit of what's been going on in Japan (article on a 2 day learning experience, "Gospel in the City", of about 30 leaders in Tokyo: super exciting!) I cannot wait to join Grace City Church, and if you follow this link you can even see pictures of the event (aka, some of my future leaders/coworkers/pastors). Could you take just a few minutes to flip through some of the pictures and join me in praying for God's blessing, strength, and wisdom over these men?

Week 1

A week in the life...it's hard to know where to even begin, so I'll just list some happenings and highlights:

-chocolate. waffles. tea. European food. Need I say more?
-as a gross generalization, Belgians are extremely helpful and nice, and their English is fantastic.
-getting to know all the great people I'm living with- they're awesome, funny, and have so many stories.
-after a few days with those absolutely fantastic people I'm surrounded by/learning with, recovering from jet-lag and such, I needed some introvert time. Taking a morning alone to tour the Musical Instrument Museum, followed by leisurely wandering the streets of Brussels, was incredible!
-classes on: Belgium, team development, cultural measures/differences, a pastoral approach to evangelism, culture shock...
-writing my first ethnography (observe, make a hypotheses, analyze/"prove", repeat. This week I observed the Roma/Gypsy beggar women in downtown Brussels.)
-worshiping with St. Andrew's Scottish Church. (Want cross-cultural? Go to a Scottish church, in Brussels, full of everyone from Africa, to Ireland, to US, to Japan! 3 of us even got to spend a few hours eating/socializing with their 20s-30s group afterwards)

That's probably enough random tidbits for now...more pictures and stories to come!


Meanwhile...
Japan is, of course, very much on my heart and mind. Below, a video from my team in Japan. This is Ishinomaki: the city they are focusing on loving and serving, the people they know.

Then and Now from Paul Johannessen on Vimeo.

Zaventem

I'm trying to stay awake a little bit longer before I give up and fall asleep, and the next few weeks will very likely be very busy. So, here's what's up so far! I arrived (travels included: a pigeon strutting right past me in the Newark airport, spending my 6 hour lay-over with an awesome guy named Jose who was about to study abroad in France, and having one flight delayed because United ran out of ink cartridges- haha!) safe and healthy, and am getting settled into our dorm: the OM ZavCenter in Zaventem, an adorable little city/neighborhood outside of Brussels. Oh, and of course getting to know the 15 or so people here, who are an absolutely fabulous bunch (to stay awake, we spent our first day exploring Zaventem, then took the train into Brussels for just a bit before dinner. Which was perfect in the overcast, 48-ish degree weather). Tomorrow our classes begin, I should get a better idea of what I'm doing the next 4 weeks, what church I'll be connected with...and who knows what else! Prayers for my classmates/colleagues and I are very appreciated!

the bedroom view...














sampling the beautiful architecture...




























Special thanks to my roomie Katherine, who definitely gets the photographer of the day award.

Bon Voyage!... to me : )

Tomorrow I head out for the completion of my training: a 1 month Cross-Cultural Ministries Internship in Belgium! I'll do my very best to keep you guys updated, and hopefully have a few pictures up later this week. This picture is obviously not Belgium since I'm not there yet: it's from my flight to Tokyo last summer. However, I think the icy view is very appropriate: as silly as it sounds, the biggest "worry/fear" my brain keeps coming back to today is: I'm going to freeze my butt off! : )

Prayer is, as always, welcome and very appreciated!
-for good, strong relationships to grow with the 10 others at the training, our mentors/leaders, the church I get connected with...
-for health, strength and perseverance, especially the next few days as I begin adjusting to the time change, weather, and culture shock.
-for a good attitude and open mind to soak in every second of this month: learning from everyone I come in contact with. As a dear lady told me this morning- keep my eyes open for God: His presence, His work, His amazing providence, His beauty (or something along those lines).

And now...time to start this journey off right: with a good night's sleep!