The Duster Today

Issue date: 8/28/08 Section: Editorials

Media Credit: Tanis Garrett Japan excursion included getting to know lots of different people.

<p>Japan. The thought of small people, crowds, Tokyo, tiny cars, and the latest technology comes to the minds of most people. While those are important aspects of the culture there is more than meets the eye with Japan. I was extremely blessed to have had the opportunity to spend six weeks in Hitachi-Taga. Taga is a smaller town right off the coast, where seafood is found in abundance and the mountains are only a train ride away.</p>

<p>When going to a different country, obviously you will run into many cultural differences. Japan gave me an awesome opportunity to embrace these differences. One example is the removal of ones shoes upon entering a home, church, or school. Along with this, one must not walk outside barefoot. I do not know exactly how far back this tradition goes or why it even started. However, it was explained to me that this was done as a way to keep homes clean. Well, that certainly makes sense! However, at times this act of removing ones shoes did feel inconvenient, especially when you are in a hurry and you forgot something, which means you have to take off your shoes and then put them back on (I formed a love for sandals). Let’s just say that it is due to times like these I learned the painful skill of walking on my knees. This is just one example of the many differences between Japanese and American culture.</p>   

One of the things I noticed right away was the giving spirit that thrives among nearly all Japanese people. Some people are under the impression that the giving spirit mainly exists within Christians. I have found that people in Japan are among the best examples of people who are good but are not necessarily Christian, or even religious. Wherever my fellow team members and I went, we ran into many random acts of kindness. Strangers would approach us with helpful information. We had countless excursions that would have flopped had it not been for the good deeds of those around us. These people did not have to help us; they could have easily ignored us or used the excuse of a language barrier as a means to not go out of their way for our expense.</p> 

<p>This entire experience helped me see, firsthand, how God’s love reaches to all corners of the earth. His love truly knows no bounds, no skin color, no language, and no religious background. It was during a retreat called Friends Camp that the truth of this really hit me. During one of our times of worship, we sang the Greatest Command. What made this seemingly simple song so special was the fact that it was sung in three different languages, Japanese, English, and Thai. Words can hardly explain the feeling that overcame me at that moment. Here was a group comprised of completely different people, who were all bound together with one thing- God’s love. While I can tell you stories of amazing places I saw, people I met, and memories made, this is the one moment that I firmly believe will forever remain in my heart.</p>

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