A Little History!

Recently we were able to make a short trip to the city of Nagasaki, Japan. We really wanted to visit there because of all the history of war as well as Christian and European history. So, we played tourist for a day and soaked up as much history as we could.


It was kind of sureal to stand at the hypocenter of the atomic bomb that was dropped here in 1945. There is a tombstone placed here for all the lives that were taken and are continued to be taken by the aftereffects over the years. The number is 145,984 and climbing. As we visited all the musuems we noticed that everything includes the word "Peace." This memorial area was specifically developed so that all people and countries could see the devastation of an atomic bomb and promote Peace among the world. So, we did not feel any hostility toward us as Americans. However, we did feel a few peoples wandering eyes on us. It was very interesting to read all of the history leading up to this event and gain the perspective of the opposing side. Since visiting both Nagasaki and the Kamikaze Musuem in Japan we have a better understanding of the Japanese culture post war.

As we learned about the history of the war, the history of Christianity at this time was intertwined. There were at least two church buildings that were standing during the time the bomb was dropped. They have since been made into musuems. This Catholic church was completed in 1925 after 30 years of labor. Once the largest church in Asia which had more than 14,000 members! It was destroyed by the atomic bomb and rebuilt in 1959.


The other church building that remains standing in Nagasaki was built by French missionaries in 1864. This building is now a National Treasure and the oldest church in Japan. It remains as a symbol of Nagasaki's deep ties with Europe. It was very interesting to see these buildings in Japan. As most "Cathedrals" here are not and never were used to worship God. Most of the "Cathedrals" are just wedding chapels and that's it. In a believer's eyes the chapels are nothing more than empty shells. It was a little sad to see that there was a fee to enter these churches in Nagasaki. I'm not sure if I've ever paid money to enter a church! So, we didn't take the opportunity to actually go inside.


This is a picture of a memorial that was built for 26 Christians that were martyred in Japan during the 1500's. In 1597 six foreign missionaries and twenty Japanese Christians were crucified on crosses on a hill in Nagasaki. They had been arrested after the decree to outlaw Christianity in Japan. It was moving to pray at this spot for the spread of Christianity in Japan and for missionaries that live and work here now.


Japan has had it's fare share of war and battles. Even though the country is at peace with the world...the spiritual warfare is strong at hand! Continue to pray as God makes His TRUTH made known here.

Tent Camping In Japan!

This last Friday, our friend Hazuki said that she was going to take her daughter camping for their first time! Hazuki is a big city girl from Tokyo and wanted her daughter to have this outdoor experience. However, Angie was a little worried about them going for their very first time alone! So, she tagged along. We took all the basic stuff that we could...cloths, flashlights, sleeping bags, fireworks! As you can see, the campground gave us a cart to wheel it from the car to the tent! Of course, you are wheeling it on a paved walking path to the camping area. I don't think there are ANY dirt roads in Japan!!!

We didn't have to worry about a tent because you can rent them in Japan! They set them up for you and everything! I was so surprised to see that when we got there.

Hazuki was not familiar with the fine dining of camping and was just planning to boil water for the infamous cup a noodle soup! However, Angie could not go camping without grilling something. So, we also reserved a BBQ grill set from the campsite. All we needed to do was start the fire in it because there is also no such thing as Propane grills in Japan. So, we bought a handy dandy bag of charcoal that you place in the grill and then light the entire bag. I'm proud to say that it was the easiest way to start a charcoal grill that I've ever experienced. For the food...I'm proud to say that I introduced Hazuki to the art of marinated grilled chicken and also cooking corn on the cob in it's hust with butter!!! You have to understand that in Japan BBQing is quite different. There is no art form....just put it directly on the grill and let it burn!!! Hazuki said that she knew for a fact that we had the best food in the campground! Then.....toasted marshmellows...mmmmmmm!

Another great feature about this place was it's ocean view. There was a beautiful beach just a short walk away. The water is still warm and now that jelly fish season is over it was great to swim in! I do have to mention the showers! Ok, so when you go camping...the shower is not the best in world and its free, right? Well, we've learned that hardly anything that is recreational in Japan is free. However, most of the time you do get what you pay for! The showers were 1.00/min. of water! Pretty expensive...I think it was the fastest shower I've ever taken:) AND then there was the church! There is a small church in the right side of this picture. Imagine my surprise when I saw it. But, it turns out that it's the toilet house. Apparently, there was a movie made on this small island and the church was built for it. How sad that the symbol of the church here has been resorted to toilets!!
All in all I would have to say that our camping experience was a success! It was my first time without Nick since we've been married. He has taught me well! Pray that God continues to build my relationship with Hazuki and that we have more creative ways to spend time together. I can see that God is working in her heart and thoughts. Pray that she allows Him to move into her life!

Climbing Mt. Fuji!

It's August in Japan and that means our annual trip to Tokyo for TEAM's Conference. This year we decided to go a little early and climb the tallest mountain in Japan, Mt. Fuji or as the Japanese call it, "Fujisan". Mt. Fuji is only a couple hours away from Tokyo and Tokyo is just a plane ride away from where we live in Kyushu. So, why not start the day at home on Kyushu and finish the day on the Summit of Mt. Fuji? We never do anything the easy way! The day we left our place was a full day of automobiles, shuttles, planes, monorails, trains, buses, and finally we landed on our feet on Mt. Fuji and this is what we saw.

Mt. Fuji is 12,395ft! Although most people don't start climbing it from the very bottom. Just like everyone else we started at Station 5. As you can see it's the main tourist attraction this time of year. The best season for climbing Mt. Fuji is in July and August AND we think the natives make enough money for the rest of the season during this time. In our opinion this Mt. was the most expensive one that we've ever climbed! The closer you get to the top....the more expensive it gets! When we first arrived we made a pit stop at the toilet. At that time we hesitated to pay $0.50 to use it. We quickly found out that was the cheapest charge for using the bathroom on this Mt.. By the time we reached the top it was $2.00 a person! But, I digress....
The plan was to start climbing Fuji at 8:30pm and reach the top by sunrise. This seems to be the most popular way to climb the mountain. So we figured while in Rome do as the Romans do, eh?
In total there are 8 stations and the summit. It took us about 3 hours from station 5 to reach station 8. We were making good time considering we don't usually climb mountains in the dark! We decided to take a rest for a while before ascending to the top. That's when people literally started coming out of the wood works! All along the way there are small "cabin like huts" that people can pay $70.00/person to sleep head to toe on a tatami mat floor for a few hours. We opted not to do that. Anyway, when we arrived at station 8 at around midnight....that's when all the people staying in the huts woke up. Everyone was getting ready for the hike to the top. We've never seen so many people hiking in one place. It took us 3 hours from station 8 to the top. We actually waited in line to climb a mountain at some points!
We watched the sunrise on the top of Mt. Fuji at 5:00am. It was beautiful to see God's handy work! It was also nice to see some sunshine for a change!
The object you see in the left of this picture is called a Tori Gate. Usually this Gate is placed at a site that represents the religion of Shintoism in Japan. Mt. Fuji is the highest point in Japan and is often highly revered. So it was no surprise to see a few of these placed on Fuji.
Here we are early in the morning! We came...we saw.... we conquered! 6 hours to the top and 3 hours later after this picture was taken we landed at the bottom! Of course, we spent a few hours on top looking at the volcano part of Mt. Fuji first! This mountainous part of northern Japan reminds us a little of CO.

Remember all those people that climbed the mountain with us? Well, most of them made it to the top so see the sunrise! The top didn't have quite the souvenir shops that were on the bottom....but there were a few! You could even send a post card from the the summit. We DID do that!
AND.....we couldn't leave the vending machine out! Japan has vending machines everywhere. You will never go thirsty in Japan...not even on the top of Mt. Fuji:)