Happy New Year!

Just like the Minnesota State Fair!
Vendors sell food on a stick on the way to Meiji Shrine.

Tokyo is a little less crowded these days.  The first few days of the New Year are a huge deal in Japan.   Millions of people have traveled home to spend the New Year with their families.  They will then go to worship at the temples/shrines so they have good fortune in the new year.  We decided to experience a bit of this.  On New Year's Eve we went to Meiji Shrine.  On the way to the shrine the sidewalk was lined with vendors selling food, treats and even beer.  Once we got to the park, there were huge crowds of people.  We never actually made it into the shrine.  We waited with the crowd as we all counted down to midnight.  Then the shrine opened and the line began to move.  We've both been to the shrine on a 'regular' day, so we decided to head home.

New Year's Day we heading to Tokyo Lutheran Church for the New Year Worship Service (all in Japanese).  Along with worship, there are multiple parties during the New Year.  We've been invited to different congregation members homes.  Last night was our first house party.  I've learned that every experience I have in Japan, I really cannot predict.  I really just have to go with it and accept that I don't know what will happen, who will be there, what I will eat, or how long it will last.  I just need to be observant of those around me and listen extra hard for words I do know.

So here's how it went.

We had instructions to meet at NishiOkubo Station.  When we arrived, several other members at the church were there waiting.  (My expectation was we were just meeting the Japanese pastor).  They immediately recognized us, the only Americans in the train station.  This happens often.  As soon as the whole group had arrived, we walked to the couple's house.  The party was hosted by a wonderful older couple, who I have decided to call Obaasan and Ojiisan (Grandma & Grandpa).

We sang a Japanese Hymn and then share what we would do for God in the New Year (I said to work really hard planning/teaching Bible study and Erik said get to know people and hear their stories).  Then began the feasting.  We sat on the floor around a table.  Each dish was passed and we picked up food with our chopsticks and put it on our small plates.  We had many traditional Japanese New Year Dishes which I promise to learn the names of in the future. Most were fish based and tasted salty.  We even had ichigo (Japanese strawberries) and dragon fruit.  I must have felt extra brave, because I pretty much ate everything in sight.  When I was eating my gohan (rice) with kinoko (mushrooms), Erik asked me, "who are you?"

Crowds of people gather outside Meiji Shrine for the New Year.

In the middle of our feast, a story that was written by Obaasan and Ojiisan was read aloud to us.  Through some miracle, I understood that the story was about baby birds that had been rescued by the couple.  The couple saved these birds because it's important to preserve life.  They even have a rescue cat named Gloria.  I felt very much at home hearing the story and being with this couple and their family.  Ojiisan reminded me of my great grandfather John who passed away a few years ago.  My grandfather also had many cats and rescued animals.  In our short time here in Japan, I've met many people who remind me of our loved ones back home.

I know I keep saying it, but that's because it's true.  I feel very blessed to be here in Japan.  I am thankful for the many Japanese who have invited us into their lives and even open their homes to us.  I am also grateful to you: our many family, friends, sponsors and partners in ministry.  Thank you for your support and prayers.

May you each have a blessed New Year!

Blessings,
Tauna & Erik