Saturday, May 31, 2014
Language missteps
As I prepare for the Spanish language intensive to be undertaken in Asunción, Paraguay this August, my mind goes back to my early years with JEMS trying to learn Portuguese. Several of the more humorous events are detailed in my latest submission to Discover Nikkei. (Link to story)
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Sitting in LA's 36 degree angles
Now for something completely different.
Why is that section of the city canted in that direction?
So while the city's heart was laid out by the old Spanish colonial plan, the rest of the city would come under the cartographic plan outlined by Thomas Jefferson. The Jeffersonian plan was intended to lay out a nationwide street orientation with north on top, south on the bottom and east and west sitting at right angles, except in cases of coastlines or mountains.
So although America conquered the west, it didn't conquer the heart of LA. The Jeffersonian plan begins west of Hoover and south of Santa Barbara (now MLK). North and east are a hodge-podge of mountains and neighboring cities, with no topographic ties to Los Angeles, per se.
The downtown area has changed significantly. As a kid I can remember the Brew 102 building just off the 101 Freeway in the downtown slot. In fact, my dad got a ticket there once. When he told me that he "got pinched," I took him literally. I wanted him to show me where the cop pinched him.
The image below is taken of Aliso Street from the vantage point of City Hall. Aliso follows the route of the soon-to-be-built 101 freeway as it passes the Brew 102 building. Year: 1952.
Another photo of downtown faces the Civic Center with Brew 102 and the iconic gasholders that were featured as background in many old motion pictures. Early 1950s.
Just below, a nighttime image shows part of the panorama of downtown, including City Hall and the gasholders.
One of my hobbies is the study of old Los Angeles. Its buildings, its transportation systems, its way of life. I'm not exactly sure how this interest arose, but it has been pretty engaging.
An example is the presence of the JEMS building on a site just doors away from the old La Grande Station of the Santa Fe Railroad. It serves as an answer to the question, why is the street around the corner from us called, "Santa Fe Avenue?" In the photo below, the asterisk marks the current location of the JEMS building.
(Note: All photos in this post may be enlarged by clicking on the image).
(Note: All photos in this post may be enlarged by clicking on the image).
Anyone who has spent any time in downtown perceives the peculiar layout of the streets. Downtown Los Angeles is different from the rest of the city by virtue of its divergence from the norm of north and south running streets. In an LA Times article by D.J. Waldie, entitled "LA's Crooked Heart," Waldie pulls from different sources to explain the strange floorplan of the downtown sector.
A look at a closeup of a 1932 map shows this floorplan very clearly. (Please click on map to view an enlarged version).
Why is that section of the city canted in that direction?
According to Waldie and others before him, the tilt in the downtown area is an imprint of our Spanish colonial heritage. Long before the Americans "won the west," the area was founded by indigenous and later Spanish settlers. The layout of the city was based upon a 16th century organizational plan called the Laws of the Indies.
According to Waldie's article, the Laws of the Indies required that "the streets and house lots in the cities of New Spain have a 45-degree disorientation from true north and south to provide, it was said, equal light to every side of a small house throughout the day. Given the way Spanish and then Mexican Los Angeles extended along the bank of its uncertain river, only 36 degrees of compliance was possible."
According to Waldie's article, the Laws of the Indies required that "the streets and house lots in the cities of New Spain have a 45-degree disorientation from true north and south to provide, it was said, equal light to every side of a small house throughout the day. Given the way Spanish and then Mexican Los Angeles extended along the bank of its uncertain river, only 36 degrees of compliance was possible."
So while the city's heart was laid out by the old Spanish colonial plan, the rest of the city would come under the cartographic plan outlined by Thomas Jefferson. The Jeffersonian plan was intended to lay out a nationwide street orientation with north on top, south on the bottom and east and west sitting at right angles, except in cases of coastlines or mountains.
So although America conquered the west, it didn't conquer the heart of LA. The Jeffersonian plan begins west of Hoover and south of Santa Barbara (now MLK). North and east are a hodge-podge of mountains and neighboring cities, with no topographic ties to Los Angeles, per se.
The downtown area has changed significantly. As a kid I can remember the Brew 102 building just off the 101 Freeway in the downtown slot. In fact, my dad got a ticket there once. When he told me that he "got pinched," I took him literally. I wanted him to show me where the cop pinched him.
The image below is taken of Aliso Street from the vantage point of City Hall. Aliso follows the route of the soon-to-be-built 101 freeway as it passes the Brew 102 building. Year: 1952.
From USC Digital Archive, but housed here:
http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/3543/la0521fromc1vbrewery.jpg
http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/3543/la0521fromc1vbrewery.jpg
Another photo of downtown faces the Civic Center with Brew 102 and the iconic gasholders that were featured as background in many old motion pictures. Early 1950s.
Source: USC Digital Archives.
Housed here: http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/4351/alisostreetviaductearly.jpg
Housed here: http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/4351/alisostreetviaductearly.jpg
Just below, a nighttime image shows part of the panorama of downtown, including City Hall and the gasholders.
Bringing this post back to South America, one of my favorite photos of early Los Angeles is one of Carmen Miranda in Pershing Square, selling war bonds for the US in 1943.
Credit: http://vickielester.com/2013/07/16/carmen-miranda-sells-war-bonds-photographed-by-ralph-morris/
Thursday, May 22, 2014
That's just nuts!
The news out of São Paulo is disturbing as a video released by the newspaper, Folha de São Paulo, shows overcrowding in a Metrô station due to a recent bus strike. The link to the article in English is posted below the video.
LINK to article.
LINK to article.
Pray for Brazil!!
Monday, May 19, 2014
Chamado por Deus
Como o Pastor John foi chamado para servir no Brasil? Várias pessoas tem feito esta pergunta. O outro dia, pensei que seria bom responder . . .
No domingo passado numa igreja em Los Angeles, California, durante o tempo de louvor, nós cantámos uma música chamado "Great is the Lord." Pensei na primeira vez que ouvi esta música. Foi no ano 1990 durante uma viagem de pesquisa da JEMS. Eu era um pastor servindo na igreja local, mas ajudando a JEMS como uma parte de uma comissão missionária. Fui para o Brasil para conhecer o campo missionário, mas não tive nenhum desejo nem disposição para servir em missões. Fui como um pastor que queria ganhar uma experiência diferente.
Não sabia nada do Brasil. Nada. Nadissima. Mas eu cheguei aberto para o que Deus queria me ensinar.
 |
| Encontro com missionária da JEMS, Tamie Kawashima, no retiro pastoral no acampamento Tabor, 1990 |
No primeiro domingo, fui com Pastor Key para o culto da noite na igreja de Casa Verde. Era uma igreja pequena, com mais ou menos 60 pessoas. Durante o culto nós cantámos em português. Eu não sabia nada das letras, mas gostei muito de ouvir o povo de Deus louvando o nome do Senhor. Durante este tempo de louvor, começámos cantando "Grande é o Senhor e mui digno de louvor."
Deve conhecer esta música porque é muito antiga. Mas durante este tempo de louvor, cantando esta música, eu senti fortamente a presença de Deus. Ele tocou meu coração e eu ouvi uma voz sussurrando em meus ouvidos, um convite para servir no Brasil. Não foi uma voz audível, mas um toque de Deus em minha cabeça e coração.
Deve conhecer esta música porque é muito antiga. Mas durante este tempo de louvor, cantando esta música, eu senti fortamente a presença de Deus. Ele tocou meu coração e eu ouvi uma voz sussurrando em meus ouvidos, um convite para servir no Brasil. Não foi uma voz audível, mas um toque de Deus em minha cabeça e coração.
"Que isso, Deus?" eu perguntei!! "Eu estou te servindo como pastor nos EUA. Por que tu queras que eu sirva no Brasil??"
Eu lutei contra este toque do Senhor e lógo esqueci este momento. Não falei nada com ninguém sobre esta experiência em Casa Verde. Mas durante aquela viagem, eu vi Deus operando em maneiras maravilhosas. Em Campo Grande durante um tempo de oração por uma moça, eu recebi uma palavra de sabedoria do Senhor que foi confirmado pela esposa do pastor. Mesmo que não queria ouvir sua voz, Deus estava operando em meu coração.
Eu lutei contra este toque do Senhor e lógo esqueci este momento. Não falei nada com ninguém sobre esta experiência em Casa Verde. Mas durante aquela viagem, eu vi Deus operando em maneiras maravilhosas. Em Campo Grande durante um tempo de oração por uma moça, eu recebi uma palavra de sabedoria do Senhor que foi confirmado pela esposa do pastor. Mesmo que não queria ouvir sua voz, Deus estava operando em meu coração.
Na saída de Campo Grande, uma pessoa que eu conheci durante aquele final de semana me deu uma fita de música. Eu a coloquei em meu Walkman e escutei quando o avião estava decolando. Uma das primeiras músicas que eu ouvi foi "Grande é o Senhor." Deus quebrou meu coração. Durante uma meia hora eu fiquei chorando em meu assento. Deus estava falando mais alto e com mais claridade.
Eu ainda tive que conversar com minha família, com outros pastores mais sábios. Mas depois de uma ano e meio eu decidi deixar o ministério pastoral e aceitar o convite de Deus para servir as igrejas e a comunidade Nikkei no Brasil. Para a gloria de Deus.
Tenho experimentado muitos dias bons e ruins. Até eu tive que passar um tempo fora do ministério por causa da perda de meu casamento. Mas Deus tem sido fiel e cheio de graça. Depois de seis anos de aconselhamento e disciplina pastoral, a igreja batista onde eu estava frequentando deu sua permissão e bênção para minha volta ao ministério. A igreja Nikkei brasileira também tem mostrado uma aceitação e graça a respeito minha situação.
Fico muito contente estar de volta neste ministério na América do Sul. E Deus tem aberto mais portas para que JEMS possa servir em outras países em América Latina. Deus realmente tem um coração para alcançar o mundo perdido.
"O Senhor não demora em cumprir a sua promessa, como julgam alguns. Ao contrário, ele é paciente com vocês, não querendo que ninguém pereça, mas que todos cheguem ao arrependimento." (2 Pedro 3:9)
Fico muito contente estar de volta neste ministério na América do Sul. E Deus tem aberto mais portas para que JEMS possa servir em outras países em América Latina. Deus realmente tem um coração para alcançar o mundo perdido.
"O Senhor não demora em cumprir a sua promessa, como julgam alguns. Ao contrário, ele é paciente com vocês, não querendo que ninguém pereça, mas que todos cheguem ao arrependimento." (2 Pedro 3:9)
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Putting faces on the ministry
One aspect of my ministry involves outreach to groups in cities throughout South America to share from God's Word, and to build bridges to communities by cultivating relationships and ministry partnerships.
Pictured here sharing with the Congregação Holiness in Dracena (top) and Oriente, both in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. January 2013
This particular trip in January 2013 involved a multi-city swing through the Brazilian state of São Paulo, which is the most populous in terms of Nikkei inhabitants. These types of contacts would not be possible without the open doors provided by local pastors and leaders.
Evangelistic opportunities:
Sharing about Jesus at the judo dojo (academy) in the city of Bastos.
Conducting home visitations:
Ministering to all ages and ethnicities, being responsive to doors that God is opening for us in key regions in Brazil and South America:
A large part of my ministry in South America involves waiting on God's timing. We move forward as the Spirit gives direction and opportunities to cultivate key relationships to reaching the larger community for Christ.
Please pray for workers to respond to those open doors and open hearts.
Adamantina
Bastos
Marília
A large part of my ministry in South America involves waiting on God's timing. We move forward as the Spirit gives direction and opportunities to cultivate key relationships to reaching the larger community for Christ.
Please pray for workers to respond to those open doors and open hearts.
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Nothing is wasted
More often than not, we find it difficult to imagine that God can re-purpose the broken and jagged pieces of our lives. In the shame- and perfection-based Asian culture there are those who, through their own failings or through ordinary and extraordinary circumstances, find themselves marginalized by the church. And there are always those people within our own communities and families who may remind us again and again of the insurmountable nature of our failings.
Some decades ago an article appeared in the now-defunct Tozai Times in which the writer who, acknowledging her non-church involvement, had visited several prominent Asian American churches.
Her conclusion? That these churches were nothing more than "well-baby clinics." The idea being that as long as you are a normal, functional, socialized, well-rounded individual, that you would be assured of welcome in the church. But if you were somehow touched by divorce, drugs, single-parenthood, spectrum disorders, gender confusion or any of a plethora of struggles, including just being "different," that the church was not where you might find a place for yourself.
The mandate for the church is to base its vision, not on cultural norms, but upon biblical foundations. We need the reminder again that men and women are blessed with great and wonderful potential. At the same time, we often suffer the brokenness of sorrow, guilt and rejection.
Our calling as the church is to take part in the mending of broken relationships, whether to God, to ourselves, or to others. We understand that this is what Jesus Christ has called us as his people to do. I am called back to Romans 8:28 which says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
All things God works for the good. All things. We often use this verse to speak of tragic circumstances like illness, job loss or death. But do you suppose that "all things" can include the shards of a life broken by our failings, our shame, our unbelief, our sorrow, our indecision, our sin?
As one whom God has redeemed from divorce and disgrace, and who has been restored to ministry, I think of God somehow weaving the flotsam and jetsam of our lives, our talents, our experiences, and re-creating something of remarkable worth and value. People - even Christians - are quick to point out where we have failed, where we cannot attain to some imagined level of righteousness. Whereas God is about repentance, restoration and pointing out our possibilities, pushing us in the right direction. As the Apostle Paul wrote the church in Philippi, "it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." (Phil 2:13)
Some decades ago an article appeared in the now-defunct Tozai Times in which the writer who, acknowledging her non-church involvement, had visited several prominent Asian American churches.
Her conclusion? That these churches were nothing more than "well-baby clinics." The idea being that as long as you are a normal, functional, socialized, well-rounded individual, that you would be assured of welcome in the church. But if you were somehow touched by divorce, drugs, single-parenthood, spectrum disorders, gender confusion or any of a plethora of struggles, including just being "different," that the church was not where you might find a place for yourself.
The mandate for the church is to base its vision, not on cultural norms, but upon biblical foundations. We need the reminder again that men and women are blessed with great and wonderful potential. At the same time, we often suffer the brokenness of sorrow, guilt and rejection.
Our calling as the church is to take part in the mending of broken relationships, whether to God, to ourselves, or to others. We understand that this is what Jesus Christ has called us as his people to do. I am called back to Romans 8:28 which says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
All things God works for the good. All things. We often use this verse to speak of tragic circumstances like illness, job loss or death. But do you suppose that "all things" can include the shards of a life broken by our failings, our shame, our unbelief, our sorrow, our indecision, our sin?
As one whom God has redeemed from divorce and disgrace, and who has been restored to ministry, I think of God somehow weaving the flotsam and jetsam of our lives, our talents, our experiences, and re-creating something of remarkable worth and value. People - even Christians - are quick to point out where we have failed, where we cannot attain to some imagined level of righteousness. Whereas God is about repentance, restoration and pointing out our possibilities, pushing us in the right direction. As the Apostle Paul wrote the church in Philippi, "it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." (Phil 2:13)
It is such a blessing to be reminded that God is at work in my life. That nothing is going to be wasted in God's economy. Nothing is wasted. Let that sink in for a moment. In the worship song of the same name, there is a lyric that says,
"You are loving, You are wise
There is nothing in my life You cannot revive
You are loving, You are wise
There is nothing too hard for our God."
Do we believe that? Do we live that out? Nothing is wasted.
No matter where you may be in your journey, broken or unbroken, we need so much to hear the message of repentance and grace. To share that message with others. To allow it to take root in our own hearts. There is nothing in my life, God cannot revive! Amen!
* I understand that there is a controversy regarding the Elevation Church pastor, Steven Furtick. Nonetheless, the song speaks to the redemptive work of Christ is our lives.
* I understand that there is a controversy regarding the Elevation Church pastor, Steven Furtick. Nonetheless, the song speaks to the redemptive work of Christ is our lives.
Monday, May 05, 2014
Falling into place
It all began with discouraging news on April 23. I received this email from our ministry partner in Asunción, Pastor Koki Nowada:
I am very sorry that today Hamanasu Center's administrator called me that the reservation for this August has been canceled because of changing the rules for travelers staying there. So I have just checked out some apart-hotels here in Asuncion. The cost is normally 80-90US$ per day. Expensive or not so much?
Wha-at???? It felt like the plans for August had fallen apart like a jigsaw puzzle dropping to the floor. Housing costs of US$90 per day for one month would have made this impossible (and really unwise stewardship!)
About now, I started asking you as my friends and supporters to pray again for my housing situation in Asunción.
On April 25 - I received this email from Pastor Koki:
I have just heard from Pastor Tim Kunkel that there is a guest apartment of German Mission here in Asuncion, where you can rent one room in low cost. I did not know of such a guest apartment, so I would like to see it there and check out the condition to rent in August, for 24 days. I hope you can wait for more information about this option.
April 27 - After exchanging emails, Pastor Koki sent me this news:
Today I talked with Pastor Tim and he said there are one more option of another guest apartment of SIM Mission with a clean room, shower, and kitchen including water and electricity cost. He will check out the more detailed condition and send e-mail to you directly up to this weekend. Is it OK with you that he helps you to look for and make sure the guest apartment?
May 2 - More emails between us and Pastor Koki, and then just before this past weekend, he sent me this update:
Today Pastor Tim and I went to German Mission (Senador Long 771, Asuncion) and checked out the guest apartment.
The location is a very good place near to the Carmelitas shopping (you know there are the spaghetti restaurant Bellini and ice cream shop Freddo). It is a small apartment room on the third floor, has a nice bedroom with a study desk and one living room with a sofa and a table, a little kitchen with tableware, a refrigerator and a gas stove, and a bathroom with a electric shower, having wifi.
This August it is completely available for you and next to the guest apartment, one Argentinian missionary's family is living, the missionary Walter Pelegrina, who is from Buenos Aires and can speak English very well, told me that he will welcome you there to German Mission. So strongly I can recommend you that place for your stay on this August.
If you need more information, I will ask Walter anything you want to know. If you would like to stay there, I can make a reservation for one month stay in August before you fix the dates.
My response to him was immediate! :
Such wonderful news, Koki sensei! Thanks to you and Tim sensei for looking at the guest apartment for me. It sounds like it will be a good arrangement for me. I have asked several people to be praying about this, and God has been so faithful. Thank you for the extra effort that you made for me. I am still waiting for confirmation for the Spanish class. I should be able to confirm the housing at the German Mission by this weekend (I hope).
Also, did you see if there was a common living area on the first floor of the mission? My Spanish lessons will be at the Mission. I want to make sure that there is a public area for us to meet that is open.
Thank you!!
John
May 3
Yes, pastor John, there is a nice conference room and a devotion room (every morning Walter is leading a devotion time for German Mission's people) with a small lounge as a waiting room on the first floor, I think of that conference room is open and best for your Spanish private lessons.
Sure, I will make a reservation for one month in this August there!
May 3
Pastor John, you have already a reservation of guest apartment for one month this August. Walter Pelegrina and the administrator of German Mission confirmed this reservation, and they told me that you do not need to pay the cost at all, but you can give a offering to the German Mission if you feel led. They are very pleased to receive you on this August!
Blessings, Koki
May 3
To: Koki Nowada
Wow! What a wonderful blessing! My plan will be to give an offering to the mission. Thank you also for the report about the rooms that are available to use on the first floor.
In the next two weeks or so, I will be finalizing the schedule for any JEMS teams that might serve in Brazil this summer. I will let you know what my itinerary and flight schedule will be.
Thanks so much again,
John
So this is where I'll be living in August. The street is named, surprisingly, after a United States Senator (and Louisiana Governor) Huey Long. It is not at all common to have a street named after an American in Asunción. I'll have to find out what that's all about.
Monday, April 21, 2014
The need to BE BRAVE
Sometimes we can imagine that pastors and missionaries have no fear as they embark in facing new challenges.
That's not at all true.
As I look ahead to the unknown of this coming summer, I admit that I'm struggling with some anxiety as I anticipate my month of study in Asunción, Paraguay. While I have several ministry partners in that city, I will likely be less engaged with them this August as I undertake my language intensive. Where I have homestayed in the past with Pastor Koki and Mari of the Japanese Free Methodist Church of Asunción, this visit I will be taking up residence in Nikkei communal housing called the Hamanasu Center. The accommodations sound good, a clean room, a bed, a desk and a shower. But I don't know where it is situated relative to my school, and transportation in and around Asunción is a bit of a puzzle for me.
I am spending a month in Asunción, not because I'm adventurous. I do this despite my sense of anxiety over doing something completely new and different, away from the relationships that I've cultivated over the years. As I've reflected about this new challenge over the last few days, many concerns seem to enter into my thoughts. "How will you get around?" "How will you cook?" "Can you figure out how public transportation works?" "Will taxis be expensive?" "What if you get lost?" What if? What if?
As you might imagine, my heart needed some calm. I needed to hear the voice of the Lord speak assurance to my heart again. While convinced that this is God's purpose for me this summer, there is so much unplanned and uncharted.
I heard a song tonight. It's a song I needed to hear. The lyrics go as follows:
I stand before You now
The greatness of Your renown
I've heard of the majesty and wonder of You
King of Heaven in humility I bow
As Your love in wave after wave
Crashes over me crashes over me
For You are for us You are not against us
Champion of Heaven
You made a way for all to enter in
Into Your love that's wave after wave
Crashing over me crashing over me
For You are for us You are not against us
Champion of Heaven You made a way
For all to enter in
I've heard You calling my name
I've heard the song of love that You sing
So I will let You draw me out beyond the shore
Into Your grace
(Bridge)
You make me brave
You make me brave
You call me out beyond the shore into the waves
You make me brave
You make me brave
No fear can hinder now the love that made a way
You make me brave
You make me brave
You call me out beyond the shore into the waves
You make me brave
You make me brave
No fear can hinder now the promises You've made
- -You Make Me Brave; Amanda Cook (Bethel Music)
I do this ministry not because I'm brave. I do this because I am walking with the One who makes me brave! It is a ministry of faith and dependence on God. It is a faith that may plant the seed for others to follow
Update: April 23
So it turns out that the Hamanasu Center in Asunción has changed their policy about travelers staying there and I will no longer be able to be housed there. Please pray with me as I try to find other housing options. The Hamanasu Center seemed to be ideal, pricewise. It also was in the center of the Nikkei community in Asunción, which would have been a great contact opportunity.
The local pastor (Koki-sensei) is working hard to find a suitable place for me to stay during my studies. If worse comes to worse, there are some economy hotel options, but the prices are not as reasonable. Let's see how God will provide for this summer!
I do this ministry not because I'm brave. I do this because I am walking with the One who makes me brave! It is a ministry of faith and dependence on God. It is a faith that may plant the seed for others to follow
Update: April 23
So it turns out that the Hamanasu Center in Asunción has changed their policy about travelers staying there and I will no longer be able to be housed there. Please pray with me as I try to find other housing options. The Hamanasu Center seemed to be ideal, pricewise. It also was in the center of the Nikkei community in Asunción, which would have been a great contact opportunity.
The local pastor (Koki-sensei) is working hard to find a suitable place for me to stay during my studies. If worse comes to worse, there are some economy hotel options, but the prices are not as reasonable. Let's see how God will provide for this summer!
Monday, April 14, 2014
Mahalo for a restful vacation
The simple joy of Hawaiian shave ice!
Thanks to great pricing on airfarewatchdog.com and the generous hospitality of my friends, Rick and Kelli, I was able to enjoy a weeklong vacation in Honolulu without a great strain on my wallet. Without their kindness, this would not have been possible.
It was a restful time much needed after two months in four South American countries.
In addition to visiting with various friends, I was able to spend time with the Nakano family(s). Machiko, pictured right, is a fellow Brazil alumnus, having served several years as a Honolulu Holiness Church missionary to Brazil.
Speaking of Honolulu Christian Church (formerly Honolulu Holiness), the church was kind enough to invite me to share in their morning worship services and with their college-young adult Sunday School class.
I was able to share a video designed for church presentations during their morning worship time. You can watch it here, if you wish:
Thank you for your prayers for the ministry. Prayers and planning are underway for summer of 2014. This will include a three-week Spanish language intensive in Asunción, Paraguay in August. Please pray for me as I undertake this challenge. I'm well outside of the language acquisition sweet spot due to my age. But we serve a great God. Amen?
Mahalo and aloha!
Thanks to great pricing on airfarewatchdog.com and the generous hospitality of my friends, Rick and Kelli, I was able to enjoy a weeklong vacation in Honolulu without a great strain on my wallet. Without their kindness, this would not have been possible.
 |
| With Rick and Kelli |
It was a restful time much needed after two months in four South American countries.
In addition to visiting with various friends, I was able to spend time with the Nakano family(s). Machiko, pictured right, is a fellow Brazil alumnus, having served several years as a Honolulu Holiness Church missionary to Brazil.
Speaking of Honolulu Christian Church (formerly Honolulu Holiness), the church was kind enough to invite me to share in their morning worship services and with their college-young adult Sunday School class.
 |
| This was actually after church, at lunch with some young adults. |
Thank you for your prayers for the ministry. Prayers and planning are underway for summer of 2014. This will include a three-week Spanish language intensive in Asunción, Paraguay in August. Please pray for me as I undertake this challenge. I'm well outside of the language acquisition sweet spot due to my age. But we serve a great God. Amen?
Mahalo and aloha!
Saturday, April 05, 2014
Do you love to travel?
Do you understand that traveling is not just to see the sights?
Travel is about smelling the fragrances, hearing the sounds, feeling the heat, the rain on your face or the people jostling against you.
You have to be willing to smell the experience: the odor of unwashed bodies pressing up against you in a crowded and poorly ventilated train.
You have to hear the sounds. The noise of the million cicadas that do a great imitation of chainsaws, the honking of taxis, the begging of the little children asking for a small coin or two.
You have to get used to how people in other cultures view time. If travel included handing out tardy slips, I would have run out of them. In South America, they will get there when they get there and no LA boy is going to change culture!
Travel is to taste and feel the textures of food that you simply can't get where you live. The sickly sweetness of the jaca fruit that can choke you to death because it is also very slimy.
Remember:
(reposted and edited from an earlier entry by Pr John)
Travel is about smelling the fragrances, hearing the sounds, feeling the heat, the rain on your face or the people jostling against you.
It's touching the roughly hewn stone of statuary or the delicate texture of a flower petal.
You have to be willing to smell the experience: the odor of unwashed bodies pressing up against you in a crowded and poorly ventilated train.
The heavy scent of dung left in the road by a horse or cattle - and hopefully not on the bottom of your shoes. The pristine smell of the rainforest just after an equatorial thunderstorm.
You have to be willing to feel the place. The humidity. The sun beating on your clothes and burning your skin through the fabric. And sometimes, quite frankly, it's about feeling the tiredness. The aches in the muscles and joints from a strenuous three-mile walk or sitting too long on that cross-country bus.
You have to hear the sounds. The noise of the million cicadas that do a great imitation of chainsaws, the honking of taxis, the begging of the little children asking for a small coin or two.
You have to get used to how people in other cultures view time. If travel included handing out tardy slips, I would have run out of them. In South America, they will get there when they get there and no LA boy is going to change culture!
Travel is to taste and feel the textures of food that you simply can't get where you live. The sickly sweetness of the jaca fruit that can choke you to death because it is also very slimy.
The unusual flavor of the açaí fruit that has the color, texture and when unsweetened, has the taste of cordovan shoe polish.
It's the robust experience of the Brazilian all-you-can-eat steakhouse (called churrascarias) with some of the best beef in the world!
If travel was just about sightseeing, we'd be better off with a postcard.
No problems with odors, discomfort or inconvenience.
That's travel! To love South America (or anywhere for that matter) is to take in the place with all of your senses. Memories come not just from what we can see, but what we experience and encounter with all five of our senses.
(reposted and edited from an earlier entry by Pr John)
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