Interviews

[theladydove]

Hey guys, so this is where I'm going to be posting any IM interviews that I might have with anyone that I couldn't record.

The first on is from a chat with LadyEm. If you haven't heard she went to Japan on a missions trip and here she is talking about her experiences there. Enjoy!

LadyEm: One, it is a perfectly normal place. You have people here with their jobs, their lives, and they simply live. But there are a lot of things that the writers of manga assume that you should know about the culture that most Americans do not know.

LadyEm: All Japanese understand the influence that shintoism has on their culture, so they don't mention it. And as that happens, it isn't shown. They just assume it

Dove: shintoism?

LadyEm: Shinto is the native religion of Japan. It is usually combined with Buddhism to create this almost perfectly complimentary mix.

LadyEm: Shinto focuses on life, buddhism focuses on death, so they work together, and most Japanese consider themselves both.

Dove: so how are people how believe in shintoism react to the gospel?

LadyEm: Honestly- it is really hard to tell most times

Dove: oh?

LadyEm: The japanese have a fake happy face that they wear all the time. This is what they show people. Because of confusianism, they have these set values that they are supposed to follow all of the time they are supposed to be polite, and listen to their teachers. They can sit there nodding and appearing to be interested, while on the inside, they aren't interested at all they are just trying to be polite. Just think of it this way- while the rest of Asia is currently experiencing a cultural explosion, and the church is growing, Japan's percentage of believers has never gone over 1%

LadyEm: *spiritual,  explosion, sorry XD

Dove: lol

Dove: its cool, sugar

Dove: So have you ever met anyone who gets really excited when you present the gospel?

Dove: Like you can tell right off the bat that they really want to know God?

LadyEm:   =P

LadyEm: Nope.

LadyEm: Japan is a really rough place spiritually, and it has chased out many missionaries because of how rough it is. And quite honestly, I may not see one of my new friends come to Christ this summer because of how blind they are. I just have to know that I have planted a seed, and perhaps God will continue that. Now, I am praying that that is not the case, but this is a tough place to be

Dove: So we know what to pray for then, yah?

LadyEm: Curious hearts? Yeah. That.

Dove:

Dove: So have you presented any manga bibles to anyone?

LadyEm: 1. The manga bible is seriously awesome. Currently to my left, I am looking at a whole bookshelf full of the Manga Messiah, and booklet versions of it. Most days of the week, we do five minute English, and manga booklet passouts so we literally stand on a street corner and try to pass out those things like hotcakes. Each one has a sticker in the back, so if they want to learn more, they can contact us

Dove: does it work?

LadyEm: Sometimes.

LadyEm: You know, it may not be until next year when they see the next group of interns that it actually starts to mean something to them. Two of our guys went to go meet with a Japanese guy who had become a follower of Christ about two months ago or so. One of them knew him, and the other didn't, but he hadd actually  come to Japan last year to the same place for a week. During their meeting, the Japanese guy pulled out a track, asking if it was from our ministry. They looked to the sticker, and it was. Turns out, he had gotten it at the same place that the guy who was here last year was passing them out. Both Nathan and this Japanese guy were at the same festival at the same time, and the track didn't have immeaddiate results, and the Japanese guy never contacted the people...but he kept the track all of those months. It had some significance to him

Dove: That is pretty awesome

LadyEm: But generally, with the manga messiah, my friends are pretty excited to get it. (Probably because usually they think *I* made it. I show them my sketchbook, and they all really like that)

Dove: lol really?

LadyEm: But my friends who I have given it to have all been busy, so I haven't been able to meet up with them again. And with the manga pass outs- usually the people taking the mangas are middle-aged if not elderly. I doubt a lot of them really know how to email (It is really awkward with the pass outs when a fellow gaijin walks by. >.< I don't like it when that happens. They totally know what we are doing, and ...yeah, it's not fun.)

Dove: aww

LadyEm: Usually as I am standing there, I just pray over the manga that I am passing out, and just have to trust that God will continue to work in the person's life. I will probably never see them again. But that doesn't mean that God is done with them

Dove: Thats good. We really can't turn them to Christ ourselves.

LadyEm: Only God can do that

Dove: lol right?!

LadyEm: Trying to do that by our own power would be like trying to make a plant grown by pulling it up. It won't work

Dove: yup

Dove: great analogy

LadyEm: =P

Dove: So please tell me you've done some actual touristy stuff while you where there

LadyEm: I have gone to kyoto! twice! Once was for shopping, and the other for going to Nijo castle and a heck of a lot of temples and shrines. :/ (And Gion! Love Gion. ) AND PURIKURA OH MY GOSH. <3 ...ok, that's not really touristy. All the Japanese girls do purikura.

Dove: lol

LadyEm: Just don't tell some of the CM girls about purikura. they will be jealous.

Dove: Too late, this is going on cmpodcast

Dove: lol

LadyEm: Ah snap

Dove: hahah

Dove: ok so i know what purikura is, but whats gion?

LadyEm: Gion is a section of Kyoto where the Geisha and Maiko live. It's pretty cool, it's one area where you pretty much step into the past. All of the buildings are super old, and the people who live there dress in traditional Japanese clothing. I got to see like....13 Geisha and Maiko that day....which is REALLY rare. My host family have been there plenty of times, and not seen one

Dove: wow you got lucky

LadyEm: I got some really good pictures from that, but facebook has been stupid, so I haven't been able to share them

Dove: aww

LadyEm: Yup

Dove: Well if you ever get them up I'm SO going to look at them several times

LadyEm: hahaha, ok!

Dove: well besides from being jealous but mostly excited for you planting that seed in people I hope that you have a Great time there

LadyEm: Thaaaanks! (Honestly, today is the mark of only having one month left...and I am sad. I don't want to leave)

Dove: I bet

Dove: Have you learned any japanese there?

LadyEm: pfffffft not really

LadyEm: Sumimasen!

Dove: ROFL

LadyEm: Seriously- that is the most epic phrase ever right there...When you don't know Japanese.

Dove: Lol how many times have you used it?

LadyEm: Uhhh....A couple times a day. It means "excuse me". And you can use it for everything, getting people's attention, apologizing, etc. very useful for this gaijin

Dove: Niiice

Dove: Now I know

Dove: lol

LadyEm: ja

Dove: Ok missy it sounds like you are having an awesome time.

LadyEm: <3 !

LadyEm: Ok, I need to get out of the house. I am going to go take a walk

LadyEm: Laaaater! <3

Dove: okie dokie be safe!!!

Dove: <3

[steenajack]

This is great. I'm so glad you posted this. It's kinda...inspiring.

[WingFoxGirl]

Wow, I SO want to go to Japan!

Two of my cousin-in-laws are Japanese and they are also Christians. Their names are Sayo and Tomoko. ^_^ I love them.

[LadyEm]

...You actually posted it.......And here I thought you were bluffing.


(Note: said interview is a little OLD. It says there that I have a month left. That was at the time of interview. I leave next friday )':  [the 6th] )

[thekawaiione]

Aww, you're leaving pretty soon Em! But I'm glad you were able to have a good time during this mission trip.

Thanks to both of you ladies, Em and Dove for sharing this with us. ^^ I will be praying for the people who've recieve tracts and stuff from you and your mission team Em.

....I kinda feel bad about my time in Korea... I really don't think I did any sort of outreach.... ><