A few months ago, we were able to spend a week in Tokyo with a team of incredible people. During that week we got to meet so many amazing individuals and get to know some of the few missionaries who are living their lives devoted to sharing the gospel in Japan. Our task was to create a short film to show the need of missionaries in this area, and to share a little bit about those who are there to spread the message of God‘s love to those in Japan.

We spent our time there traveling around the greater Tokyo area, visiting Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. Once I was able to function like a normal human after a lot of coffee and a good nights rest (the jet lag rocked my world), it was so cool to spend time in Tokyo and learn from our friends about different areas and all about those who live in this beautiful country. We were able to explore different parts of the city and take the time to watch people in their daily lives.

The train was a great place to observe, because we were on it a lot. Most people kept to themselves as if they were in a bubble of their own thoughts. There was only one instance on the train that we saw a few kids goofing about (and barely, especially compared to the American stereotype of being very loud). As we walked down the streets, it was rare to meet eye contact with anyone older. We learned how rules and structure dictate so much of their everyday lives, but they see these things as respect. While the culture is progressive in many aspects such as business and technology, there is a great pressure to remain the same, consistent, excellent beings. Always strong, and never losing face. This felt like such a culture shock compared to an average American life that I’m used to where communication is everywhere, all the time.

We were lucky enough to spend time inside the city as well as a few hours outside in a town called Nikko. Nikko National Park was one of the best highlights of the trip for me. One of my favorite parts about the Japanese culture that was so evident when we were in Nikko was the connection to nature that seems to be everywhere. We could be in the middle of the bustling city and be just a short distance from a peaceful shrine. The Shinto religion is a huge part of the Japanese culture and it revolves around welcoming their gods into the surroundings through nature.

There is no mistake that life in Japan is significantly different than the life I live in America. Not only are there great religions differences, but tradition plays a major role in the way people live their lives more so than I‘ve ever seen in my life. Virtue, honor and reverence influence the lives that people lead which creates a clean, efficient way of life, but also an impersonal one. Certain characteristics like being strong, polite, helpful, and composed are some of the most valued traits. While these traits are also important in other cultures, the Japanese value these things to the point of perfection, which no human being can ever accomplish. Vulnerability, insecurity, failure, and communication is looked down upon and the importance of group harmony is always placed above personal needs, which creates separation and people feel alone.

We were able to sit and talk with several people that we met as we continued on our trip. It was incredible to be a part of a Christian church while we were there and talk with others about what living life as a Christian is like in Japan. Less than 1% of the Japanese population believe in Christianity, and there are very few churches that have more than 100 members, let alone 15. Stew and Lissa (the missionaries that were kind enough to show us around the city they call home) are so gifted at interacting with strangers and sharing their faith, and I learned so much from spending that week with them. It was such an incredible experience just to immerse myself in another culture and observe and document others living their lives as if I was a fly on the wall.

But it really hit me when we were trying to fall asleep one of the nights while we were there. It was 4am and I couldn’t sleep because I was so jet lagged (12 noon the day before on my regular schedule) and I realized just how far from “home” I was. Not only had we traveled all the way across my own country, but across an entire ocean to a different country that lives/eats/travels/interacts completely different than anything I’ve ever seen. I was able to meet so many amazing souls that I never would have had the chance to encounter if it wasn’t for God’s hand that put me there at that moment for a reason. The people of Japan are so kind and have so much to offer. It was truly a blessing to meet so many special people that I will surely never forget.

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The thing is, I feel like I could go on about this experience for a while. I’m not sure if I fully understand everything I saw and learned while I was there, but I’m ok with that. There are so many people in this big world of ours, and each one has a story to tell. I would never be the kind of person to force an opinion on someone or try to make them believe what I believe because its “right”. All I know is that God’s love changed me forever and made me new, and I want to share that love with anyone who is willing to listen.

So why Japan? Because just like you and me, they need Jesus.

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” -Isaiah 6:8

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