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April 23, 2011 Welcome Into This Place

I didn’t think I’d find a church in Japan. In fact, I had pretty much given myself over to online sermons and Fred Hammond CDs. I looked at the JET Christian Fellowship website for churches in Wakayama, and the only one listed was 2 hours away. I just knew there was no way the little town of Kishigawa had a church. No way.

Then, my predecessor told me about the little church that was easy to find at night because of the cross on top of the building. What? No way. I printed out the map he sent and went exploring.

I rode up and down the main road 5 or 6 times looking for that cross. Nothing.

So, I took to the map, and after about 20 minutes of getting lost on little back roads, I saw this:

Yes! Right?

Of course, it probably doesn’t mean much to you because of all the Japanese, but this is the church schedule. From left to right, there’s the phone number, the pastor’s names, the name of the church (Kishigawa Kyokai, which translates to Kishigawa Church, easily enough), the denomination (Wesleyan Holiness), and times for weekly prayer meetings, Sunday Service, and Sunday School.

This was everything I needed. I thought it was coincidental and wonderful that their Sunday service started at the same time as my church back home. I had to do some research though… What exactly is Wesleyan Holiness? After confirming that it wasn’t a cult, or some off brand Christianity, I figured I’d go for a visit.

After reading about holiness, which for women often translates into extreme modesty, I got dressed up in my most inoffensive outfit. A long skirt, turtleneck, low ponytail, no earrings, no makeup. Upon arrival, I was welcomed heartily by some of the nicest people I’d met in Japan. They greeted me with sincerity and excitement, and got me settled in. Their friendliness was my first impression. Second, I noticed that it was a pretty small congregation – less than 10 people. My third impression? I was the only one wearing a skirt.

The service was pretty straightforward: scripture reading, hymn, Apostle’s Creed & Lord’s Prayer, hymn, scripture reading, prayer, hymn, sermon, prayer, offering, prayer, doxology, prayer. All of this took a little over an hour. I didn’t understand much of what was said, but it felt great to be in the house of the Lord! After service, the pastor, Ms. Naoko Sugimoto, invited me to stay for lunch. We talked and ate, and just enjoyed our time together. I told her I’d definitely be back.

Since then, the church has become “my church.” It is one of the communities here in Japan in which I feel loved and at home. My pastor checks on me via emails and text messages during the week, and we have lunch together often. When I was heading home for Christmas, I asked her, if it rained, if she could give a ride to the station near my apartment. I was going to take the train to Wakayama City, and then take the Airport Bus to Kansai Airport. She did me one better, telling me that either way, rain or shine, she’d take me to Wakayama City, no need for a transfer. I was so humbled by her going so far out of her way for me.

The same hospitality and kindness they’ve shown me, they have also extended to my friends and family. I have brought many of my JET friends to church with me, and Pastor Sugimoto always asks about them and prays for them. When I went home for my brother’s graduation, and then for Christmas, Pastor Sugimoto sent me with gifts for my family from the church. When my boyfriend came to Japan for Christmas, they welcomed him with a lunch, and when my family came last month, they did the same thing. It was a beautiful reception, and my brother said, “She needs to come back to Seattle with us!”

My church has welcomed me with open arms. There is nothing like fellowship and community, and I feel so blessed that God prepared and provided a place for me, right here in my town.

Tomorrow (here at least) is Easter, and I’ll be singing during service. As I think about the sacrifice of Jesus, in His death, and the victory we have in His resurrection, I also think about who Jesus was as a person, and who he called us to be. In John 15:12, He says, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” This is something that I am continually working on: being a person who loves sincerely and unconditionally. This love, sincere and true, is the same love I have received from my pastor, and from my church. God is good.