Hello from Japan!

The team has safely arrived in Yokohama and had a wonderful first day in Japan! It was spent hanging out with our host family, the missionaries we are working with during our time in Japan, Gordon and Lee Ann Hwang and their three children, who got us oriented around the city, transportation systems, and Japanese lifestyle.

The first thing we did after changing clothes and getting our schedules was make our way to learn how to use the bus system. Gordon let three of us borrow bus passes, and Ben and I (Abigail) bought our own and learned how to put Yen on them. We took the bus to the train station and learned to navigate it on our own after being shown what to do, then we took the bus back to the Hwangs' house. The station was crowded and full of voices, footsteps, and things to see. We got to walk through a department store in the station and it was an amazing cultural experience. The food was what I could only describe as beautiful and vibrant. The vendors were happy and made friendly eye contact as we passed, their faces were equally vibrant and beautiful.

After learning the transportation systems and successfully getting back to the house, we got ready for dinner at the Hwangs' favorite Indian restaurant before going to the sento (Japanese public bathhouse) before bed. The sento was a cultural plunge we were all excited for, regardless of slight nerves because of how different it would be for us as Westerners. The sento was a building down from the restaurant so with stomachs full of curry and rice, we ventured to our nice, warm dive into Japanese life and culture. Men and women get separate floors (they alternate between the lower and upper floors each night), and there are multiple pools at differing temperatures. At first, there was a shock but soon, that drifted away as I got to thank God for my love of baths that helped me welcome a new aspect of a different culture that would have otherwise been uncomfortable
(however briefly).

Vulnerability is often absent in Japanese culture but sentos are widely used as ministry opportunities because it is a universal place of vulnerability and equality that is deeply ingrained into the culture. People are open and welcoming in sentos, and the atmosphere was quiet and perfect for prayer and meditation. After our baths, we all enjoyed a small bottle of milk coffee and cream candies which is a way many families end their night at the bathhouse in the sitting room.

I'm happy to say that I look forward to the evenings of going to the sento and diving into Japanese culture as the trip continues!

Abigail