Through The Lens: Japan

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Our team was small: A father/son dynamic duo, Toby and Zack, from Kentucky (of all places), with a heart for people, snow, and a desire to learn about other cultures. Minori, a Japanese believer, uses skateboarding to love God, love people, and make disciples. Daiki, a Japanese skateboarder and a disciple of Minori's, has been on several trips with us, and while he has yet to believe in Jesus, every time we see him, he gets closer. And finally, our fearless leader and host, JP, a German missionary who loves Jesus and snowboarding and has been in Japan for over fifteen years. 

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In Japan, we stayed at an Airbnb and shared the space with its Mormon-American owners. We shared with them about life, The Bible, and why we came to Japan.

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It hit me: this is what Jesus did! He met people where they were. He went wherever they were. For us, that was the mountains of the northernmost island of Japan.

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There's much to be said about being able to jump off the side of a snow-covered mountain on a plank of wood, and one of those things is freedom. For many Japanese people and those who travel specifically to Hokkaido during this time of the year from all parts of the world, the mountains are one of those places they feel free. Yet, we know there's a more profound sense of freedom, one only Jesus can give. So we prayed—a lot, asking God to open hearts and doors.

Many nights, we sat in the onsen (Japanese hot springs or bathhouse), sharing deeply about the day, ourselves (good, bad, and ugly), and the many people we met or reconnected with on the mountain. Amidst all of it, I just kept thinking: this is ministry. It's not flashy. It's not a big event.

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It's just real people doing life intentionally and vulnerably with one another while riding, eating, laughing, crying, and slowly encountering the love of Jesus.

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While being around us, Daiki experienced Jesus' love once again. He continued to ask questions about our faith and why we love the Japanese people. We continued to share that it is Jesus, and He alone, who allows us to live life to the fullest. It is He who set us free and changed our lives. As a result of that and so much more, we can't help but love Him and love people, whether Japanese, American, or German. It's not something we have to do; it's something we get to do!
We didn't see a revival in the mountains of Japan, but love was shared. Seeds of God's Word were planted, deep conversations were had, and Jesus was made known. And that's all He asked us to do. Obey. Go. Love. Speak the truth. And trust Him with the rest.

So yeah, we snowboarded, but the true joy wasn't in the Japow (Japanese dry, light, and fluffy powder snow). It was in the vulnerable moments—sitting on a lift with a stranger, praying silently for them. It was in the long days driving and talking about Jesus with each other and around those who had never heard His name.

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In the simple, ordinary, unplanned moments, we reflected on the privilege of being in love with Jesus.

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And for me, that's the mission, whether in Japan, at home, or anywhere else. Though it's not always "easy," it's simple. Love God. Love people. Make disciples. And watch what God does.

Pray for the people of Japan and those we met. Pray that they keep asking questions and seeking truth. Pray that God waters the seeds. Most of all, we pray for the endurance to keep living lives that make God known and look good wherever we go.

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Love God + Love People = Making Disciples.

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