This time, I hooked up with my Mom’s side of the family. I haven’t seen Aunt Emiko and my cousin Akihiro in over a decade. She’s a remarkable woman — my uncle passed away when my cousins were not even teens, she worked to support them as well as providing for their care. We met in Ikebukuro, then took the train to Shinjuku.
This is anago (sea eel). Normally it’s covered with a teriyaki-like sauce. There’s no sauce necessary here — it’s already seasoned lightly, allowing the flavor of the eel come through. Wow — this was another culinary delight!
From the “Something Got Lost in the Translation” department.
Tommy, Casper, and me met up in Shinjuku. Tommy said to make sure I take this photo. I’m not sure if this one’s about a translation issue…it’s just bizarre. Tommy has already happily posted this on his Facebook as his profile photo.
We found this small, downstairs okonomiyaki restaurant — it’s sort of a pancake, sort of a pizza, sort of an omelette, but quite unique in Japanese cuisine. The venue sits about 10 people, a steel teppan grill right in front of you where the chef creates the meal fresh, right before you. Really good, really filling, and I was thankful that Casper (our resident philosopher) came along to help us finish our leftovers.
We were chatting with the chef and mentioned we were from Los Angeles. He asked us what brought us to Japan. We told him we were working with CRASH. He immediately knew about CRASH and thanked us for coming to serve. I mentioned this to Pastor Jonathan Wilson, the director of CRASH Japan. He was rather amazed…Shinjuku is hundreds of kilometers from the Tohoku area.
In statistics, we talk about using “multi-trait, multi-method” techniques…grossly oversimplified, it means you should approach something from as many angles and perspectives as possible. Watching the people that I’ve had the privilege to meet, they’re willing to do anything to bring the love of God to people in a country in need of healing. My humble opinion is that reaching Japan for the faith has been a challenge, which requires believers to find a variety of ways to engage with the Japanese. I’m observing how the CRASH staff and volunteers demonstrate how they’re connecting with the Japanese people through their work of helping churches clean up, provide meals and other needs, and start rebuilding the areas hit hardest by the saigai (disaster). More importantly, the people of CRASH are finding ways to connect Jesus with the Japanese. Even at an okonomiyaki restaurant in Shinjuku.
Over in Kamaishii, where most of the seaside buildings have been destroyed, this stain glass window emerged largely unscathed. I’m not profound enough to pontificate as to why this is significant, I just know there’s a message here.
Pastor Jonathan is sending me to his church in Ome to observe the training for Operation Safe, their five-day VBS-style program used with children who’ve been through trauma and loss. I’m going to help evaluate and assess the program so it can be shared with children wherever there’s a need. I’ll use that for the next offering here. Our last week here, please keep us in your prayers — it really does make a difference!
