Ever wonder what life is like for Americans living in Tokyo? What are our homes like? What are our lifestyles like? What do our kids do? How do we enjoy life in Japan? Is our lifestyle anything like yours? Well no need to wonder any longer, because we are launching a new series of videos focused on American life in the greater Tokyo area. Come along with us and enjoy the ride as our family of six does Life in Japan.
In this first episode, visit our Japanese home — a home that has been modified to fit our needs. We love it here, even if it is completely different than any of our other homes we’ve lived in. Sure, you need to take off your shoes in the entry way, and the toilets and hot water heaters are automated and talk to you, but that’s part of the charm. If you get thirsty, you can can easily pick up something to drink as you head out.
In future episodes we will be showing our typical day (with 4 kids going in all different directions, it’s quite a blur), our typical weekends, getting around in cars and trains and on foot, Japanese stores and interesting quirks of pseudo American/Japanese living. Subscribe to our mailing list to get our news as it comes out.
Lake Yamanaka 山中湖 literally means “Lake (湖) in the Middle (中) of the Mountain (山).” And when you visit Yamanakako you see where it gets it’s name. It’s one of Fuji’s 5 iconic lakes, and it’s right at the base of the mountain. The view is phenomenal. We just recently discovered that around the lake the organization SEND has several cabins available to rent. SEND happens to be the organization my sister Amy works for — what a small world!
This past Christmas we had not only the privilege of having Ruth’s parents stay with us, but also Ruth’s grandpa Joseph Hrubik, who we lovingly refer to as Papa Joe. This amazing 96 year-old made the trek from Virginia to Tokyo to spend his holidays with us. We couldn’t have been more honored! Ruth’s sister Debbie and family also came so that the whole extended family could be together. To celebrate, we took a couple of days to go to the cabins together and make some very special memories. We stocked our cars up with good food and cameras for our time together. We got to see the sights around Fuji, including feeding the local geese and even going on a wild Fuji Safari (more on that in the video). Fuji in the winter is absolutely beautiful, and we got up early one day to watch it turn pink — a phenomenon similar to the sky turning red at dusk or before the dawn. It only happens for a moment — the moment before the sun comes up over the horizon. It was cold, but so worth it!
We took advantage of the time to hear Grandpa’s stories about growing up, about the war, about life in the States and precious stories about Grandma Sarah (who recently passed away). I asked him what the biggest change in technology was throughout the years — and there were many in his lifetime. Of all of the changes in society due to technology, he said the biggest was the smartphone! Wow. Our kids are growing up in a generation where smartphones are normal, but it was barely 10 years ago that the first iPhone came out. Things change fast!
Living so far away from much of our family, it is always so special when we get time together. We are so fortunate to live in the era of the smartphone and internet where people are a short video-call away. But still nothing compares to sitting down to enjoy a big dinner together as a family, reminiscing over Ruth’s great cooking. Ah! I’m already looking forward to our next big get-together!
Saying good-bye to many Brazilian friends It felt oddly familiar as, over the last 5 months, we have transitioned out our responsibilities in Santarém, sold everything and said goodbye to loved ones and friends to move across the world. Seven years ago, we did the same thing when we moved to Santarém. Now, our destination is Tokyo — plus 3 kids. Before our April 24th arrival in Japan, we will spend some time visiting family, friends and supporting churches as we look to raise additional support. Our goal is to raise $8,000 of monthly support. Our current remaining schedule looks like this:
Sun, Feb 16: 1st Free Moline
Sun, Feb 23: Crosspoint Eureka
Sun, Mar 2: Geneseo Free
Sun, Mar 9: New Life Morton
We just happened to return to the midwest for one of the worst winters in recent history, piling the miles on the van just as fast as the snow can fall. I missed experiencing winter after living in 7 years of eternal summer, but I’m quickly getting my fill of the wild weather and will soon be ready for Spring. While the girls like the snow, they also are experiencing the not-so-nice side of the 4-season life: cabin fever. We have been eating plenty of McDonald’s recently, or any other food place that offers indoor playlands — anywhere the girls can run around and burn some energy!
Rebecca and Anna go sledding for the first time with their cousin Sophie
We very-much look forward to visiting our churches, friends and family and connect and catch up. We’ve been encouraged by many who have increased their support and others who have just started supporting. We are excited about this new chapter God is writing and your love and support is more critical than ever. We’ll see you soon!
We recently went with a team of Brazilians from our PAZ churches to minister an Encounter with God in Japan — the first one ever for our PAZ churches there. The Encounter with God is a powerful weekend with the purpose of bringing each and every person face to face with their loving Savior. It’s one thing to hear about God and know about Him, but it’s another thing entirely to experience Him. Here in Brazil, people come away from the weekend on fire for God, and there are always testimonies of how God breaks the power of sin, bad habits, addictions, unforgiveness, bitterness, failed marriages, homosexuality, prostitution, rebellion, witchcraft, unhealthy dependencies, hatred and just about any other vice you can imagine. The team that ministers the Encounter spends at least one month in prayer and fasting for this to happen, and the results have been nothing short of tremendous for the Brazilian church.
Arriving in Tokyo
One of our big prayer requests was that God would pour out the fire of what He is doing in Brazil on the Japanese. As we prayed, we all sensed that God would move powerfully and that this is the time of harvest for Japan. And that’s exactly what happened. We heard several testimonies of how people’s lives were transformed when they met with God face to face, and those that didn’t get to go are already wishing they had. Several people were called into ministry, some to reach their friends and family for Christ, and others as missionaries to closed countries! Others experienced release of forgiveness and bitterness, receiving healing for past traumas and deceptions. Missionary Tim Huber said that in all his 20 plus years in Japan, he had never seen such a powerful response as this!
The church hears powerful testimonies of what God did at the Encounter
But our purpose wasn’t just to bless Japan in the short-term, but to also be praying about long-term missions in Japan. Japan is an unreached country, with less than 1% Christian. In fact, Japan remains one of the most secular nations in the world according to the World Values Survey. PAZ Japan leaders Tim & Christine Huber have been praying and requesting a Brazilian missionary team in the explosive ADM vision of cell group and discipleship for some time now. Already Paul Hrubik, Ruth’s brother, is there with a several year commitment to pastor one of the churches and transition it to an ADM church. He is doing a tremendous job, and the church is soaking it up, well on their way!
Anna and Becca with cousin Paul
The Japan Team would ideally consist of 5-10 couples and is slated to move in the summer of 2014. We have been selected as one of the couples to go, so we covet your prayers for this to be completely confirmed for us. Interestingly enough, as a little girl, Ruth used to dream about serving with her Uncle Tim (Huber) in Japan, but never got a chance to go. Now we have seen with our own eyes the overwhelming need of the Gospel in Japan, and our own hearts go out to them. We feel like God is confirming in so many ways. Thank you so much for all your love and support. We need it more than ever! God bless,
Christmas Eve marked 6 years for us in Brazil! Wow, what a time it’s been. Just looking back on 2012:
The girls rode their tricycles down the hill at Grandma & Grandpa’s house 1,967 times (more or less).
I recorded and produced the church’s 2nd worship CD: Adoração com Propósito
We spent some time in the States going to the weddings of Debbie & Ben, Jed & Susan
Ministered alongside Reinhard Bonnke in the Congresso da Paz, bringing over a thousand people into the Kingdom
Had fun missions teams and great visits from Geneseo, New Life, and several friends
Continued in disciple-making and leading/supervising our ever-multiplying cell groups!
Had one of the best MDA conferences yet with participants who came as far as Japan and Italy
Became the Leader of Praise & Worship at the PAZ Church when the leading pastor (Pastor Welson) went to a new base to take over leadership
Became pregnant with our next baby! That’s right, #3 is coming along, due early July!
For more on our 2012, click to open our Christmas newsletter
All this week are Christmas celebrations, next week is new years and right afterwards the Leadership Conference. Then we have a week or two to prepare for Japan — yes Japan! We are going there on a vision trip with the possibility of going to help the PAZ churches there over the next several years. Looks like our first 3 months of 2013 are set 🙂 Enjoy these picture highlights from 2012! Click on your favorites to see them full screen. We love you and appreciate your love and support so much!
