Homeless yet Hopeful

Since about February, I've been fortunate to help out with ministering to the homeless in Sendai through the church I attend here, PCC. To be completely honest, around Japan the normal person may never even notice homeless people around town. But when everything is closed down, they pop up all over the place. I went for a walk in Asakusa around 9PM after everything closed and where I saw thousands of people sprawling across the streets, I found homeless men in sleeping bags and boxes right in front of the shops. From what I see, it seems to be different than homelessness I've noticed in America. They seem too proud to beg for things like you might see in big cities. Most don't seem to want attention and are ashamed.

Often, stereotypes of homeless people cause us to fear them and ignore them. Luckily, for me what I have found is something more. Our ministry regularly visits several shacks in a park to keep their spirits up and provide them with essentials they need to better survive. Beyond what they need, we've also been able to get to know who they are. The people that we visit are genuine people that are down on their luck and have been for years. They've caught bad breaks and deal with demons that many of us struggle with but just don't have the right support system. A few of them love to talk and joke around, just genuinely enjoying someone visiting. One guy told me I should be a male model because I have good teeth and look young (I didn't ask about his eye health). He also tried to explain the exact cities for the prettiest Japanese girls to date.

Over the past few times another guy caught my attention. My first interaction he wouldn't even get up to greet us. He may have even been passed out. But this last time, he was up and with it. We all talked with him for a while... well I listened. As I was listening, I could see a look in his eyes as he kept staring at me probably because I was American. It was a look of sadness but ultimately a look of desire for God. He talked about how he's been praying lately and asking God for healing. This is pretty remarkable when you realize that less than 1% of Japan is Christian. On top of that, here's a guy that society might even mark as hopeless. Yet he's coming to God with his struggles. In listening to him talk, you could tell there was a sense of belief in him. Yet he also felt that he was undeserving and too late at times to be reached. But as Ecclesiastes 9:4 says "But he who is joined among the living has hope."

Today was a good example of that, not only did I see him in church but I saw that glimmer of hope in his eyes grow brighter. Granted its just one day in church but a great feeling to see the seeds of God finding soil. I just continue to pray that his plant gets nurtured. All my Christian friends out there, I ask that you continue to pray for this type of ministry all over the world and that people from all walks and struggles with life can come to know Him and His love no matter what their issues may be. 

Why do I believe?

Quick disclaimer: I'm only providing my opinions and feelings on this subject. I have never been a Bible scholar or do I pretend to have all the answers. If you disagree, I respect that. I just hope that you respect my opinion as well. Its my hope that again by sharing that some random person might accidentally read this and relate.  I was very encouraged by the  all the feedback for my previous post and am thankful there are so many encouraging people in my life.

Over the past year, I've been doing a lot of growing in my faith. Not in a man I know everything about God kind of way, but in a God has a grip on me and even when I stumble I feel Him calling me. To be completely honest, I don't even come close to understanding why I feel the way I feel about God or even at times that I am even worthy of Him. Yet for some reason, I know God is calling me. At times, its just this feeling I can't control. To be completely honest, having no control in any situation is something that scares the life out of me. Going from being "Christian" to wanting to be Christian has been anything but in my control. For me, the hardest thing about being a Christian is understanding that God is in control. One of the hardest things for me in general is to trust.

 Proverbs 3:5 is one of the most difficult parts of the Bible for me to follow. It states "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understandings." If I followed this simple message, there really would be no need to worry or have anxiety. Ultimately, it says if you are truly seeking God, he will take care of you even when you're down and things aren't going your way or bad things happen. I could really go on and on with Bible verses that reiterate this simple message. Here's a few for your reading pleasure: Psalm 55:22, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 121:8, Psalm 37:23, Psalm 29:11 (just read all the Psalms haha.), Isaiah 41:10, Romans 5:5, Galatians 6:9, and the most simply applicable 1Peter 5:7. I actually have a bunch of cards with Bible quotes on them, its not all off the top of my head haha.  The moral of the story is God has got your back if you believe.

So this gets me to my point...Why do I believe? For any Christian this is a question that is bound to come up if you have friends who are questioning, in other faith, or just plain don't believe.   Its one that as a follower of Christ, you could get caught off guard and start stumbling and even getting defensive. A simple "because I do", doesn't really cut the mustard. But as I start to think about it other questions pop up. Do I believe because I'm afraid I might go to Hell if I don't? Do I believe because other people make it look cool? Do I believe because I gotta believe in something? Do I believe because it makes life less complicated? To be perfectly honest,if my answer to any of these questions is yes, then I don't truly believe.

The simple yet profound answer is: I believe because I know. What in the world does that mean?you might say. The answer, Paul really says it best: "If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are all people to be pitied" (1Corinthians 15:19). Ultimately, the paradigm shift for me is that I don't hope God is real. I know he is. I know this because the way he's taking a hold of me even when I want to pull away. From the little things like the fact that I just got back from working out and had no plans on typing this and Boom! here it is. To the of rush  emotion of God's presence I get in worship music and at church. Its become rare that when I'm alone and got my headphones on that I'm not listening to Christian music. I believe because I'm clueless and lost and have no idea what to think yet I still know. I believe because when I'm down and don't have the answers He still has my back. I believe because even when I get attacked or distanced from non believing friends for what I believe, I still know. I believe because of God's grace he gives.

I believe because God loves me...God's got my back.

Movin' on up and to the 5th Grade/Golden Week

I've been horrible lately about keeping up with my blog and whats going on here at MeySen...but a lot of changes have happened. At the end of the school year, I had to say goodbye to some good friends that came on this journey from the beginning with me. That group of us that came just before the earthquake have remained pretty close out here as friends. Its always tough to say goodbye but I know they are all going to do great wherever they end up. For me, the end of the year always brings the challenge of what am I going to do differently and how am I going to grow? My biggest fear here or with anything is to just be complacent and never growing or moving forward.

Luckily, we've got a few changes that made things different around here. First, I no longer work as an Immersion Friends Club teacher. I've always thought the name didn't quite fit exactly what we do. So now, I officially work at MeySen Academy Premier School. Its a fancier name for a resume that I may someday need to update (hopefully not very soon).

The second major change for me is that I made a change from 3rd grade, which I've been teaching for 2 years, to 5th grade. This is the second year for 5th grade in the Premier School program (still weird to say) so there are a lot of changes and new things to implement. Its just been great to actually feel slightly clueless and at times overwhelmed by the fact that I don't really know what we are doing. Some might think thats crazy but it adds some excitement. I also hate feeling complacent so I need the challenge.

...GOOLDEN WEEK

(The previous post was typed up a long time ago but I'm fat and lazy so I thought I'd put them together.)

This year for Golden week, I literally had no clue what I was going to do until about Wednesday of Golden Week. I was looking pretty much anywhere I could get to that was cheap and not sitting in my apartment in Sendai. I decided on the only interesting last minute place I could afford...Tokyo.

My childhood dream if this was a MegaZord

Tsukiji Fish Market

Of course, everybody and their mom decided Tokyo was also a great place to go. If I could describe Tokyo in one word it would be crowded but crowded doesnt really begin to describe it. I'm talking every single place you ever think of going there are 43 people standing in that exact spot you want to be. Heck just a line for popcorn in Harajuku was 90 minutes around the block (yes it was Garrets popcorn but still).

look at all the people

Waiting in lines is one thing I just don't get about the culture here. Anytime there is something new or a place gets new siding, there is a line around the block for it. But honestly, I think if I created a line with about 50 people at some random store. Within minutes there would be people lining up to see what people were lining up about.

In America, you wait 2 minutes at the express checkout at WalMart and you start freaking out about how slow the customer in front of you is. In Japan, you open your book meditate or just stare off into space for hours.

Another side note, there are probably about 5 million Starbucks in Tokyo but for some reason there is one in Harajuku that people will line up for an hour to get into. Exact same food/drinks! There isnt even enough room to sit. I went across the street to the train station Starbucks, there is no one there.

So outside of lines for the bathroom, lines to get a coffee, lines to walk down the street, Tokyo was still a great time. It was the first time I got to go on vacation with my brother and his family and probably the first time we've been on vacation together since my dad was busy getting us lost in the middle of nowhere (which always happens) as kids.

The most important difference between Sendai and Tokyo is the chain restaurants and stores Americans crave. I spent my weekend going to TGIFridays, Burger King,  some Mexican Restaurant, Auntie Anne's, American Eagle, GAP, Old Navy, Hard Rock Cafe and of course Starbucks everyday. I easily spent most my money on food and probably gained 50 pounds but it was well worth it.

Nice and Cozy

The other random adventure I can gladly strike off my Japan bucket list was sleeping in a Capsule Hotel. Most people have probably heard of these. I always pictured it being much like a morgue. It was truly an interesting culture shock experience:

I walk into the building that looks like a big 1950s clubhouse locker room. I honestly, felt as out of place as when I first came to Japan. I have no clue what to do but luckily there is a sign that tells me to take off my shoes and put them into a locker. This is where things get a little bit prisony. I go to the counter and pay. The guy gives me key to lock all my clothes in locker and a uniform to sleep in. I even put the shirt on wrong. Everybody is staring at me anyway because I'm not the usual 40 year old Japanese business man that is all over the place here.

Honestly, between the constantly naked Japanese men, the stench of moldy, smoky musk that was everywhere, I was pretty uncomfortable the whole time I was there. Some might ask at this point, "Why are naked Japanese men everywhere?" Pretty much everywhere outside of your 6 foot by 3 foot high prison cell is like a big locker room/bathroom.

I finally make my way to my cell block after scrub down time in the public showers/bath and no I didnt drop the soap. My bed number was 2040. I think there are like 600 beds in this building by the way. I make my way to my bed and realize there are no outlets, no fan or A/C,  and the TV doesn't work unless you pay for it. To top it off its a hotbox in there. Its also definitely not for the claustrophobic  There were times I just wanted to run away and sleep on the street but I finally fell asleep and actually slept pretty well.

Tokyo Sky Tree

The other Zietlow's

It was definitely a unique experience. Its definitely not worth it. You could easily get a cheap hotel with better facilities than staying in one. I think its more for the convenience of staying for a few hours and  while in transit.

The time in Tokyo was a lot of fun overall, we went all over the place and rode many, many trains.  It was also a great time to hang out with my family. I won't say too many nice things about them because I know they will read this and get big heads haha. It was also a lot of fun to spend time with my  3 year old nephew as he grows in this culture. He's hilarious and now speaking in random Japanese! I actually let him take some pictures from his perspective. I would love to know whats going on in his brain as he sees everything. Next adventure Mom and Dad are coming to join in the fun! See ya in August!

Zachary's Picture

Zachary's pictures