8 million gods in Japan

日本号称有“天神地祗八百万”，大至生育出产，小至柴米油盐，均有相应的神各司其职。求神问佛是日本人的癖好，三天两头就往神社，寺庙跑，祈求得到神灵的保佑，消灾免祸。据统计，日本列岛目前共有大大小小的神社13万座，遍布城市和乡村的每一个角落。每逢夜幕降临，一阵阵乌鸦刮噪声随风飘来，为肃穆、古朴的神社平添几分寂静、几分阴森。神灵，在这里聚散；亡灵在这里出没；生者的希望，也在这里寄托。
～ 李兆忠《暧昧的日本人》

It was said that there are 8 million of gods in Japan, there is a specific god for everything start from wood, rice, oil, salt, to production. It become a special interest of Japanese people, every three days or two, they would stream into the buddhist temple or shrine, asking for protection from their gods. According to statistic, there are a total of a hundred and thirty thousand of shrines, standing in each corner of villages and cities. In the evening, the sound of the crows swift with the howling wind, added to the extra silent and gloom of the old shrines. Gods, assembly and disperse in this place. Spirits, come and go in this place. The hope of the remain, is parked in this place. ～ 李兆忠《暧昧的日本人》

Though today, statistics shown that most Japanese do not care about religion so much in their daily activities. Yet, in areas like Aomori, Shiga, Akita, Toyama, Ishikawa, temples and shrines still deeply influence the people. Even in cities like Tokyo, where people seems casually dealing with religions, yet Asakusa is never always packed not only by tourist, but the locals. Higashi Temple, Asakusa Temple are still strong holds. People take time early in the morning to the temple before work and worship. Students rush into the temples, buying charms, drawing mikuji, for fun also for guidance.

People who still go to shrine and temple today, and put a lot of effort in it are good people who wish to see changes in their lives and society. People who thirst for GUIDANCE, LOVE and PEACE. Remember this, my friends! And off we go to point the TRUTH to those who thirst! May God bless you! Amen.

遗憾

我这一生最害怕就是和人永别。今天主医治了我的头疼，我给大家弄姜汤驱风寒。正要入睡的时候，想起了外婆。以姜作饭是外婆给我们传下来的秘方。我坐起来，看着窗外的星火夜帆，想外婆怎么也没料到我有一天也会到香江吧！外婆......

我这一生最错就是在外婆和爸爸信主的时候，没有给他们安慰的说话，没有支持，只有揶揄。最疼爱我的外婆和爸爸，我最爱的外婆和爸爸，在寻觅主和得着主的那段宝贵记忆里面，我只想把他们从主的身边扯开。当时没有信的我，是个很大的绊脚石啊！外婆，爸爸，你们都在天家吧？只要心里承认，口里宣告，耶稣就会把我们把守到底不是吗？爸爸，外婆，当年那条孤单的路，求你们原谅我。

我心里更大的遗憾是在外公最后的那一年，爸爸给外公传福音的时候，我就尽量碰砸，没有让外公得着福音是我毕生的懊恼。外婆，外公，大舅舅，相继去世的时候，我不但没有给他们传过福音，还因为不信也不想他们信。我当时的确是个很糟糕的人啊！

今天，我身边很多人信了主，但也有很多人没信。我但愿身边人人信主！我不想再和任何人永别，永别是多么哀伤的事！希望在天堂里，在耶稣基督里面。当我看清楚，内里有确据的时候，让人信主比什么都来得重要。我所爱的家人啊，盼你们都能信主，并在主里站稳脚步！

曾几何时我对所爱的人都抱着怨恨，甚至怨恨着自己。很多人，我都再也见不着了！我一直孤单地行着，醒着不比醉好。当身边的人一个又一个的离我而去的时候，我的怨恨反过来烧着了自己，毁灭销魂。

我感谢神！因为神，我今天不再一个人。因为神，我的罪得赦免。因为神，吞噬我的怨恨被净化了。耶稣的宝血洗净了我污浊的灵魂。

日本有一亿人口不认识神，渴望神但不认识神。年轻的一带啊，在涉谷迷茫的一群少年人，在新宿沉沦的青年，在秋叶麻醉的寓宅族，把自己锁在房里的隐蔽一族，他们和我一样是迷失的人啊！他们是不是和过往的我一样不晓得珍惜身边的幸福？不晓得珍惜父母家庭的付出？只看见冷酷和淡然的关系，理不出埋藏于深处的温暖和封锁的热情？怨恨啊，惆怅，悲苦，痛楚，只有靠麻醉再麻醉，就像恋上自刺的少年，在未愈的伤口上再划上一刀，以疼痛麻醉自己一般。悔恨会吞噬了他们的灵魂！

主啊，你要放任他们不顾吗？主啊，我求你拯救他们的哀痛，成为他们生活的依靠，生命的凭据！
主啊，你不是我脸上的光吗？主啊，我求你如同爱我一般，爱我身边的人，叫人人都能得着那至美的福分！

Updates

1. This blog at the moment is still a mix of Roseline's personal journey and main issues of Heart4Japan, until we have enough funds and a committed expert to manage the website. The website will help to facilitate the missionaries and intercessors in spiritual mapping!

2. There is an outreach program organized by Lorraine Sakka! Keep an eye on it so that you can participate in it! Good thing is you just need to sit back, relax, read a letter, and respond at your desk. That's all it takes! Write to me, if you wish to participate in this program!

3. There is an outreach/ exploratory trip to Japan organized by OM, please sign up!

4. I had developed another group, "HIKIKOMORI Concern" in the facebook. I am hoping to develop a network/support group for Hikikomori. One need not to be a Christian to join this group, but experiences dealing with Hikikomori is the main target. Please intercede for this group and its members!

5. For the research of Hikikomori and the Japanese teens, I am working on BBS and manga as well as some drama series. At this time, I need to get closer to God more than ever! Please intercede for me, for spiritual discernment and wisdom in time management as well as language ability. Pray that my heart will not be wearied by worldly pressures.

Appreciate of your prayers

Manga and it's elements

In the Japanese manga, JUMP series is the top manga series that most welcomed by readers. Weekly Shonen Jump (週刊少年ジャンプ Shūkan Shōnen Janpu?), better known as Shonen Jump, with a circulation of over 3 million, is one of the longest-running weekly manga compilations in Japan.

Bleach, Gintama (Silver Soul), Hunter × Hunter, Katekyo Hitman Reborn!, One Piece, Samurai Usagi, Dragon Ball, Rurounin Kenshin, Slam Dunk, Death Note, etc. were all best selling manga not only in Japan, but Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, even the West.

The main theme that made it most selling item are always: Friendship, Strive, Victory.

Business make a good sense of desires, an item can only be good seller when it is catered to the psychology desires of the customers. "Friendship", "Strive", "Victory" drives the heartbeat of the readers! In another word, there are always these 3 elements in their dream, TEENAGE DREAM!

He knows my needs!

A friend dropped by my place this evening, and found my blanket was not good enough for winter. So, she bought me a 4LB blanket to keep me warm. It was indeed a great blessing!

I will have a warm winter this year, with all the blessings that you had given me! A room by myself, a warm blanket, storage of food and friendship etc., all these had given before I asked. He knows my need!

DEREGISTERED

Just as I thought I was happy to get an accommodation in the student dormitory, and "happily" being a Hikikomori, I was caught in another mess. I had been DEREGISTERED by the school for non-payment of the tuition fees.

Something about myself:

I am a missionary in Hong Kong, preparing to Japan. I am doing a master study in Hong Kong University, on the subject of Hikikomori, a phenomena where people live inside their rooms "only". A social withdrawal phenomena which is common in Japan and other mainly developed cities.

God had taken care of the financial part so far, and it was really by His grace that I had walked thus far.

I had finished almost all the modules, and left only the research and two more courses to go. However I had deregistered from the school because of not being able to pay my tuition fees.

Meaning = I can't go to the library; I can't join the class, nor take the exams.
( But one thing I can do: that is continue my research! :-) or being a Hikikomori! I guess no one can really stop that though.....)

I need to raise HKD 31,250 X 2 for 2007/2008. The first one within this month, the second one in Jan08.

I don't know what to do, and I don't know how to do about this... I can't borrow from people because I will continue to be a missionary which means I will not have a fix certain income even after I graduate, thus I might not have have means to pay back. Nothing really promised. Unless someone gives because of the good Lord.

Let's pray!