13 November 2009

Rainy Days and Fridays . . .

Some of you may read the heading above and say to yourself, "Isn't the line 'Rainy Days and Mondays always get me down'? And . . .  you would be right, if you were singing the old Carpenters' song from the '70's. 

For me, though, its another rainy day, and its another Friday of yet another long week that has brought me yet again to near collapse, physically, as well as spiritual and emotional exhaustion. 

Or, as some followers of Christ through the ages have described it: "dryness"  Sort of ironic, don't you think?  Spiritual dryness in the midst of what appears to be incessant rainy days here in dark South Korea.

Consider this verse, as revised, from the song Richard and Karen sang over 37 years ago:

What I've got they used to call the blues
Nothin' is really wrong
Feelin' like I don't belong
Walkin' around
Some kind of lonely clown
Rainy Days and Mondays [Fridays] always get me down.

That just about sums it up.  Nothing is really wrong.  I have everything I need to "survive," but let's face it, "survival" is not really "living."  I think my short trip over to Japan last week may have reminded me a little too much of what its like to be around folks from the heart of America. 

Part of my problem seems to be that the few Americans that are here at Handong still strike me as quite distant and aloof (or is it me who's distant and aloof?).  So, I'm still feeling like I don't belong and I'm walkin' around some kind of lonely clown (at least, that's the impression I sometimes get from the Koreans who surround me and smile as I fumble with my chopsticks).

So, in the midst of this "rainy dryness" I'm experiencing, I read a few Psalms and say "Lord, I am yours, save me."  I'm hoping for a bit of soul revival this weekend.  I'll be teaching the kids in the KEBS class again at Joyful Church on Sunday morning.  Kids have an amazing way of refreshing your heart.  Even a heart that is rain-soaked, yet still so dry.

11 November 2009

"You Don't Need a Map When You Have a Guide. The Important Thing, though, is . . .


. . . stay close to your guide."  These wise words are from my son, Caleb Andrew.  I recall that he first spoke them to me over ten years ago (he'll be 30 on Dec. 6), when we would often go on hikes or back-packing adventures along beautiful trails in Missouri (like Pickle Creek in Hawn State Park near St. Genevieve and the Osark Trail in the Mark Twain National Forest near Van Buren). His words resonate with truth not only for outings into the wilderness but also for each day of our lives. 

As humans, though, we would much rather have a map that lines out for us all the paths lying ahead so that we can be alerted to the challenging roads and be encouraged by knowing our ultimate destination.  Its a bit unsettling not to know where you're going and having to rely upon someone else to lead you.  But, I was recently reminded while on my journey to Japan that it is indeed much better to have a guide than try to follow a map -- even one with detailed instructions.

I had been given (through a number of emails) wonderfully detailed instructions on how to proceed from Narita International Airport to the adjoining depot to then travel by train via Tokyo Station (the Grand Central of Japan's capital) and a transfer to another train on to Atami Station where I was to look for a bus to the conference center, or should I miss the last bus due to a late arrival, I was then to hail a taxi that would convey me up the narrow, winding mountain road from Atami to the Fuji Hakone Land Hotel.

That should have given me confidence.  I had the map.  My only problem was that I had never been outside of Narita Airport before.  My prior travels had only taken me to Japan for lay-over's and transfers to planes that flew me on destinations beyond in Asia and America.  So, even though I had all the information to show how I could get from the airport to the hotel, I had this sinking feeling that my limited ability to take that information and use it in a strange place to find the way would most likely result in my being "a mite bewildered" (since, of course, as an Eagle Scout, I would never get "lost").

To my great relief about two days before I was to travel from Korea to Japan, I received assurance that a dear and faithful sister from Tokyo would plan to meet me upon my arrival at Narita and serve as my guide to get me where I needed to go.  It is hard for me to express the peace that flooded my heart and mind when I knew that I would not have to rely upon my own efforts to read and follow a map (and an excellent map at that) but I could rest in the presence of my guide who had promised to be with me along the way.

In fact, my guide enabled me to understand the instructions I had been given and encouraged me to ride the express train that was headed for Tokyo Station.  I didn't hesitate when she promised to meet me again further down along the way she had set me upon. 

Caleb's words had proved true once again.  "You don't need a map when you have a guide."

"In paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them."
Isaiah 42:16

10 November 2009

Fuji Mountain's Majesty

Over the past five days, I have had the privilege of visiting Japan and attending a wonderful conference for missionaries and church planters. The conference was held at the Fuji Hakone Land Hotel, and this was the view of Mt. Fuji from the conference grounds. I felt beckoned each day to stay outside as I was transfixed by the mountain’s majesty.

I was invited to the conference by Laurie Siemers, my good friend and colleague from West Hills, our home church back in St. Louis. The church sends several people to serve with folks from churches in Virginia, Florida and a few other locales who together make-up the U.S. volunteer support team. The team handles the conference logistics as well as putting on a full children's ministry VBS-styled program for the missionary kids.

It’s a wonderful opportunity to serve those on the mission field and to encourage them in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:18). I met both young and seasoned missionaries from the States. In particular, I was greatly impressed by two young couples who had recently arrived in Japan and are currently in language training school. Their commitment and devotion to God's call upon their lives was a true challenge to my heart.


I also met several missionaries and seminary professors who are Korean and are now serving in Japan. I learned in much more personal ways how God shows the reality of His love to the Japanese people by moving these Korean brothers and sisters to serve them when the history between Japan and Korean has been one filled with evil acts against Korean men, women and children by Japanese soldiers, especially during the period of occupation in the early part of the 20th century. God has enabled many Koreans to love and reach out with forgiveness to those who were once their enemies and oppressors.


So while my eyes were filled with the awesomely majestic views of Mt. Fuji and the gloriously gorgeous colors of the autumn landscapes, my heart was even more encouraged by the dedication and devotedness of fellow followers of Christ who have heeded His call upon their lives and are now seeking to respond each day to the challenges of life in a culture that is in many ways is even more individualistic and self-focused than the ways of the West.

I will lift up my eyes unto the hills . . .