Lack of Grace - Prelude

Have been long since I updated the blog....

Since September, I had been putting all my concentration on the thesis, and there is still about ten days to go for the thesis submission.

However, I just like to quickly update a message that is in my heart about being a Heart4Japan troops.
What I have learned from previous mistakes (mine and our fellow troops and earlier pioneers....) there is a very important message that we always need to remember while we reach out to others:- that we are all sinners, and we have no rights to cut down people.

I am going to discuss about this a little more if the Lord continue to prompt me on this issue...
"Lack of Grace".

Meanwhile, let me share with you one of the latest song by Casting Crown, "Jesus, Friends of Sinners".  Hope that will gives us all some breads for thoughts as we continue our journey.



"Jesus, Friend Of Sinners"

Jesus, friend of sinners, we have strayed so far away
We cut down people in your name but the sword was never ours to swing
Jesus, friend of sinners, the truth's become so hard to see
The world is on their way to You but they're tripping over me
Always looking around but never looking up I'm so double minded
A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours

Yeah...

Jesus, friend of sinners, the one who's writing in the sand
Made the righteous turn away and the stones fall from their hands
Help us to remember we are all the least of these
Let the memory of Your mercy bring Your people to their knees
Nobody knows what we're for only what we're against when we judge the wounded
What if we put down our signs crossed over the lines and loved like You did

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours

You love every lost cause; you reach for the outcast
For the leper and the lame; they're the reason that You came
Lord I was that lost cause and I was the outcast
But you died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet

'Cause You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks Yours

And I was the lost cause and I was the outcast
Yeah...
You died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet

Results of prayers and Urging for prayers

Reports of the results of your prayers

Teaching and fellowship on hikikomori and Heart4Japan
In both August and September, we had some guests in Japan to learn about hikikomori and Heart4Japan. There were good times in sharing and praying together for His work in Japan. Praise God, amen.

Then on the last few days in August, we had a series of hikikomori events including 光希屋構想説明会 (a small conference for vision on building a Hikikomori project), the last session of "Change" workshop, field trip to visit different support stations, and a farewell party for Midori. An encouraging result from the "Change" workshop, the anxiety/depression level reduced with a consistent attendance to the workshop, which mark a good mile stone for a start in CHANGE. Please continue to pray for the members involved.

Strengthening course and skill
In the 2nd week of August, I went up to Iwate, Yamada town with HGPI, the think-tank group, for an interpretation work on disaster relief effort. The work was very benefiting, that helped me to understand the course further.

In the 4th and 5th week of August, I attended a series of workshop about Prolonged Exposure in PTSD (Post traumatic stress disorder) treatment. The workshop and course helped me to understand PTSD further and a lot of other issues that involve avoiding behavior, numbness of feelings, and what does it mean about losing interest and sense of limiting future.

This week, I have an intense internship with different mental health facilities, learning about how the support of the facilities and how people cope with difficulties in life with such assistances. The internship this week helps me to gain an insight of how to run the hiki project (光希屋構想）that we are planning in the future.

Proceeding of the social phobia paper
The Lord had blessed me with two excellent editors to help me with my social phobia paper. A paper that had dragged for about one and a half year now since beginning of the analysis. I am now in the final stage of submitting it to the journal. Please continue to uphold me in your prayers.

His honor
The Lord had gave me a part-time job in helping a professor in another university to edit his papers. With His grace, both paper were accepted for publications. The latest was chosen for the focus topic of the month, and now he left to US to run an academic tour for the published subject. Hallelujah!!! The professor credited it to my work in helping him to improve his paper. But the Lord has more for me with that. This event was very encouraging to me, as I was on the binge of losing confidence of my research/comprehension/writing skills...... (because the long drag of effort in trying to publish my own papers)

Counting His blessings
So far, the Lord had blessed me with a lot of His gifting of good people, grace and success in the things that he laid on my hands. The most amazing gains in these two and a half year in Japan, i. the improvement of my Japanese comprehension and conversational skill, ii. friendships with the Japanese people, iii. trust and improvement of the social isolated people that I work with. Being a part of the effort in the rehabilitation of social withdrawn people is nevertheless the most encouraging event for me. Though I am still always having the thoughts that I am not being effective enough, I will try to remember that it takes time for things to happen, where I am now at a milestone and I should always surrender myself and my work into his hand and not try to rush.

Areas that I need your prayers:
I am hoping that you can commit the prayers for at least 3 - 4 months from now. 
(if you may, please form small groups to pray for me as you remember Heart4Japan and His work in this land)

Health
After 8 months of operation on the uterus fibroids, I still often feel the tricks of "hormones imbalance". When it attacks, I will have hot flush, depression and insomnia. Yet my brain will also be super alert, which provides me energy to work, but will often end in exhaustion.

PhD work
From July onwards, there were also another project going on that related with my PhD course.
I started to collect the data for Internet Addiction study after 9 months of preparation of the questionnaire. Then, I started the analyses from end of July. The Lord again had granted me kind and reliable people to help me to learn statistical skills (which the subject that I always feel helpless) to proceed with the analyses. There were a lot of ups and downs in playing with the figures....... As I was convinced that I did see a pretty good result that may suggest a practical implication for the study, I presented it to my professor yesterday, and he told me that was not the major result for this study, and he didn't see much usefulness of the finding. (; - ;) ....... this is depressing....................


I just realized that to earn my PhD degree by next March....
From now,
I would need to summit the title and page and selection of panels by 7 days,
finish my first draft by 40 days,
submit the complete draft by 60 days,
set up my presentation file by 80 days,
attend oral defense by 90 days,
paper review by 110 days.

I haven't started a single word,
analyses are still far away from completion.
Logic of course still need to be strengthened...............


I remember every time when I was writing my thesis (bachelor work, master thesis), I always felt  endless struggle with pain and depression. I guess this is "academic blues".... :-)


However, even I understand that this is quite common and usual with many people who are at the end of their academic courses, I just want to be very honest with my feelings, and make a humble gesture in asking you to pray with me in these areas.
Please pray for :
1. wisdom in learning statistic tools, and understanding
2. His hands on me
3. I will feel the presence of Lord every second in this project
4. the relationship between my professor and me: trust and support
5. the relationship between all my instructors and me
6. excellent time management
7. sharpness in His spirit in analyzing the findings
8. confidence (I am losing confidence)
9. determination
10. calm
11. no other distractions (e.g. financial stability, good interpersonal relationship, continuous love/trust/support from the hikikomori and people that I work with, etc)
12. Selection of panels ( the academic committee for the oral defense, I will select 7, they will will take 2-3 out of my list, and the faculty will assign another 3 professors to the panel) expertise and kindness.



RJC (Reaching Japanese for Christ)

I was still praying about the invitation to RJC conference next February in Seattle, for the workshop on Hikikomori. 

There were a few things in concern, 

1. time 

2. finance

I would love to go, as I would no longer live in Japan as a student, but most likely to start my full time missionary work on hikikomori. It would be a good time to share vision, encourage others, and gain support. 

But then, as it would be a new season, finance is extra crucial. 

We are planning for a hikikomori project that would incurred a huge amount of fund, just try to start something that will ease the rehabilitation of hikikomori, setting up bridges for them to re-engage with the society.  But traveling is expensive. And if I travel, I would like to have them to come with me. 

The deadlines with the thesis submission make the trip to RJC seems impossible. 

I am now praying instead of 2013, maybe we should go in 2014. 

and hopefully we would have started something by then, and have more practical things to share and teach. 

Please pray together with me in making the decision. 

May He gives me a clear direction.

Hikikomori paper

I have submitted the hikikomori paper to the Journal of Quality Research of Health in July, and there is still no feedback yet. My friend told me some journals take about 4 - 6 months for peer reviews. Please pray with me for the success of the peer reviews, and publication. The voices of the hikikomori had long dueled to make known to the world. 

Discovering TALENT in HIKIKOMORI - 1

An Original Art done by Y-kun, a hikikomori now coming to his 40. His mom died of cancer few years back, he stayed alone with his dad and his sister. He never made eye-contact when he talked. I thought he was probably mentally challenged at the first glance. YET.....

H said, 違うよ、Y君は優しいよ。絵うまいし〜　

Then the Lord led me to the inner world of this man, by showing me his piece of art. 

This piece of art always strikes me when I look at it.

The art itself speaks about the life in a rural small town in Japan. The drawing is about 6 ft long, hung on a wall of the house of an artist who volunteers himself in the hikikomori outreached. He certainly admires it, yet undervalued it. (This piece of art could make a huge impact in at least 2 fields, one in the support of disable/underprivileged, another one is perhaps the school.) Imagine if Y is channeled probably to the right KEY person, he could have live a different life.

It maybe difficult for you to imagine,

the damage that a long withstand isolation brought along to the victim.

Someone may like to think that hikikomori could be a golden period of reflecting self, yet when it gets longer, you stuck with the stagnancy!

Without the right RESOURCE,

God-gived timing,

there is no way out!

If only I have the RIGHT contact,

if only I have the hikikomori FUND,

if only I have the full support from PEOPLE,

I could build a house,

I could build an exhibition hall,

I could build an office,

to work out a PLACE for the hikikomori,

a place called HOME,

a place that can allow them to try and error of their potentials

a place that opens up a conversation

a place to learn TRUST and HOPE.

pray with me!

Need Prayers for 2 Things Concerning the Work on Hikikomori

Dear Friends,

Need your prayers for those who are concerns about the work with hikikomori!
2 things going on at present:

1. the hikiya 光希屋 project, a project that hopes to get the social withdrawn youths to "initiate" something on their own, to experience challenges that require them to be on their feet. (will explain more later hopefully by Sep)

We will need:-
 i) a place to do that, please pray for sponsors!
ii) the social withdrawn youths who are involve will be lifted up by the Holy Spirit, as there will be physical and psychological barriers where the enemy is definitely using those as schemes against them.
It is amazing that there are some people who are willing to "dream", I need your prayers to uphold them! "Openness" and "Trust" are the keys, which are coming forth, but still far to go.

2. I have sent a paper to Qualitative Health Research on July 17, and they are slow in responding. The report is a result of the effort in these 5 - 6 years working with hikikomori. I owe them this. Their voices need to be heard. There are many more reasons that the paper need to be published, including if I can continue to be of a position to work with these people in the way that I am working now.

The study attained a lot of attention of peers in the field, some senior editors, but the paper never went through the junior editors on the reasons that the focus of the topic was not of their interest. Most feed back that they were hoping that I could revised it in a way that fits the current theory. But that is not my intention in this study. I figured out the response was out of poor understanding and misconception of this topic. The rejection may due to 3 main reasons: i.) my poor presentation, ii.) the bias of the editor, iii.) my reluctance to appeal. 

Would this also be the devil scheme? I don't know. I see a lot of obstacles and hindrances these years while working in this area, sometimes it nearly kills me, sometimes it makes me depressed. But at the same time, the Lord opens doors and enables me to due with the impossibles. I am also getting a bit anxious, as my study visa is coming to an end by next March. Where should I go, and how should I work with the Japanese will become an issue. While continue to have faith in God is one point, having at least some assurance of being able to continue to work in the field is another point. Without published papers, it is difficult to get a teaching nor research position in the institutions.

Please pray with me.
Please share with me if the Lord tells you something. Sometimes, I might miss out what He says. Thank you, and lots of love.


Peace,
Rose

System

It is strange to me that it is only in the 3rd year that I began to feel strange with "systems" in Japan. Systems that are supposed for people are not for people but for the black and white paper rules. What was supposed to be good, and was set up to assist people to overcome problems, becomes a "job" that only function well with the written "manual". Though the technology is so advance in Japan, that a suica/passmo can be tabbed in whatever way and you still get through the gate as long as there is enough balance. Yet the system to assist people has not give any thoughts towards outliers, where the outliers actually represents a real need. It just doesn't work.

For example, in a requirement of a certain position, you may be overqualified in experience with what they are looking for, but your resume will never be considered if the system considered some other technical issues. No particular concern will be paid to your qualifications nor experience nor your passions. Another example is about scholarships. The system actually sets age-limit as well, the system decides who is a scientist, but not the passions of the students, nor the value of research topic.  Exemption of school fees is a system that set up to facilitate people with financial difficulties, yet the decision will be made according to the income in previous year rather than the actual income and the expenses to be made this year. Therefore a 1st year student with a handsome scholarship gets an exemption of school fees, where a final year student without a scholarship has to pay in full. There is no way to appeal, no windows for you to talk, because the system said no reverse decision should be made after a decision is made. A student help center is set-up for you to "talk" about your problems, rather than set up to help you overcome the problems. The dormitory is given to a student with handsome scholarship and is rejected to another student with no scholarship, and when you check with them because you are pretty sure that in you are qualified with the prerequisite, yet the staffs will tell you that everything follows the system, and that there will be no change.  Customer service appeared to be a job, it doesn't originate from a serving attitude.
 

I could even remember when a travel company called me to clarify my attendance and payment to a tour, and my Japanese friend was furious with those comments that they made. I was surprised with his impatience, but then now I think I can grab the reason behind his frustrations after I myself have to deal with the customer service people. I began to understand the "kindness" and the "kind act" works only within the system. Then I slowly realized perhaps that is the reasons why many Japanese are indifferent with systems, policies, and often react in a cold way.  I may probably come to understand the theory behind of social isolation, social indifference on a more human basis, if I happened to see and deal with these things more often. (and I hope I will have the wisdom from above to skillfully deal with situations, and hopefully the avoidance attitude in me will not be deepened. )


A research finding from a friend disclosed that areas with higher trust has higher suicide rate. It should be interpreted very carefully, if the trust refers to trust towards the system? or the trust towards man? I realized this about a year ago, that the word "trust" about system is an ambiguous word, which it might not has anything to do with interpersonal trust. The system said that is it, and that is the system. If the system says that certain people gets help, then certan people gets help. That is the trust that they are referring. But do they trust the system will actually offer real help when they are in real difficulties? In fact, many people who needs help do not turn to the system. So, what does trust really means?


Note: probably understanding the system is crucial for ministry. There may be a need to make a decision to fight the system, or to skillfully work within the system. What would Christian penetration be?

A note of thanks

I would like to say thank you to everyone who had invested and investing in my life, though you may think that you gift is small, but you encouraged me by your anonymity, your love, your prayers, and I believe whatever the Lord had touched you to give, is definitely sacrificial and pleasing in His eyes. God bless you!!!

I will update you again soon about my work here in Japan, stay tune!

Thoughts to ponder about......

Tentmakers are more of spreading God's words through relationship making, as well as life testimony. However sometimes, I can be very "preachy". Talking about Jesus and hikikomori had become my habit, sometimes it could seems nice, but sometimes these could be "noises", causing people to be defensive. Just today, a friend was angry that I kept talking about Jesus. He was sharing with me about some ideas, and as usual I related these ideas to what I believe.  He was tired, and felt bombard. He said he dislike the concept of religion, and he didn't want to have one, and many people are approaching him from different religions and backgrounds. I heard about some stories that he went through, and it was really ridiculous, and often they are "Christian brand".  He said, (also a rather fair comment also made by an experienced Japanese pastor, that I am too "noisy" with my Jesus stories, which he was surprised why I had not experienced much trouble by doing that in the laboratory), "Your life had testified much about God, and it is often that I can sense and make clear that there is God through your faith. You don't need to speak about it, its not necessary." But I also have this compulsive act/thought that I MUST talk about Jesus, which I can't help much...... and I acted more aggressively when people tell me that "I can believe in God, but not Jesus, because I don't want a religion" like emphasizing what I believe which the person may had heard more than ten times from me... :-p

SO,  I do breach the rules of being a Tent-maker unfortunately.... 

I used to take defensive acts that I encountered as a spiritual warfare.

BUT today after talking to one of my friend, I learned something...

This friend is an Austrian, and he used to be hikikomori for about 3 years. Even before his total withdrawn, he never really make any contacts with his classmates during his school time. He called himself misanthropy. I met him in his 3rd year of hikikomori, and we shared about our principles in lives and values. Soon after that, he took his first challenged. He applied for a job, went for interview and got it. I convinced him to get a bible then, we moved on to online bible study once a week, though he always claim that he wouldn't believe in God. Then, this evening I was surprised that when he told me he shared about Jesus with his colleagues and took his bible out and pointed to them for what the holiday seasons in Europe means. He said he did it for fun, but it was a real SURPRISE and encouraging change for me. The clue in all his changes, was that he said he never felt that I was pushing him, but he made his own decisions. He always took my opinions positively, and made a step ahead himself. He is now reaching out to other hikikomori friends that he meets online, and convince them that they should get out of their home and start working. His story encouraged me the best!

He told me this evening that he was attacked by his sister's hamster. 

He tried to take away the hamster's toilet, and then the hamster jumped on to his finger and bit him. He bled for 15 minutes. 

I guess he was probably trying to clean the toilet, but the hamster felt that something is going to change, and it didn't want it. OR maybe it was afraid of the change. It didn't know my friend. My friend P, was just taking care of it in his sister's absence. Though my friend fed him, but defensing what you are familiar with, is basic instinct of living creatures. 

So, what happened this evening was probably an act of defense rather. I was telling my friend A, that I believe that Jesus will take one step at a time, to replace the negative substance with positive substance in him. Then, he questioned me why must I always talk about Jesus, and why can't this take place naturally. Perhaps it was not "Jesus" that offended him, but rather the thoughts of "needing to change" that irritates him (though he himself wanted a change).... I am pondering on this now.... Yet, what he questioned was also valid, as "why can't this take place naturally?" 

There are many non-Christians that changed, and treatments, as well as other faith had released people from depression.... so "Jesus Changing Life" is a catching phrase for us who had experienced and tasted His goodness! We know no others but Him. But when there are people who are exposed to other similar phrases with other religions/faiths/treatment, being taught that religions are useless, or does more harm than good.... HOW could we distinguish Jesus from these things? THAT again is a life learning course for many missionaries in the field, I believe......

I want to invite you to ponder with me on this!!! Its' fun to think and reflect!!!

Please feel free to SHARE with me of what you think! (^_~)  OR

How would you handle this situation?

Thank you! GOD BLESS!!!

Remember Mar 11, 2:46pm

Let's remember Japan together on this day, Mar 11 (3/11) 2:46pm (Japan time). 


Do join us in prayers, at your place, spend a minute or more at that specific time if possible.


Let us raise our hearts and hands together to the Mighty Lord of heaven, for Him to grant us the peace in this land, restore His people, and may He reach out to the orphans and homeless! 


There is a little movement going on here, where we will raise our voices together, theme "Amazing Grace". May the Lord bless you, and lead us all into His glory. Amen.

an urgent prayer request!

A japanese girl that I went out last night with is missing. She hasn't gone home last night. 

I merely caught the second last train back home, and she seemed to had called home at about 11.30pm, informing that she was on her way back.

It seems that her phone is out of battery, and all calls directed to rusuban (voice mail)

the father had called the police. 

We were out for a music session and chat last night, and God is certainly has an eye on her I believe. There was about 1 hours of discussion about mental distress and having faith in God to stir the wheel in our lives. She told me at the platform as we went on to the train, that she went to a Christian pre-school, and though she is not a believer, but the practices had a huge impact on her, and whenever she is down, she remembers. 

Do pray for her SAFETY!

and may God bring her back SAFE!

May God bless you as you pray, Thanks!

CHANGE

CHANGE workshop

In another 19 hours, we will have our first hiki workshop this year in
Tokyo, theme "CHANGE". It should be a commitment of 5 months (one month
once), with the aim of using mind-map in getting to the root of the
problem, and fix it.

The workshop is meant for those who wish to change, and for those who are
at a cross road. We have 4 participants right now excluding me. Each of
them had some sort of experience with Christians or Church, yet
non-believers. Some are at particular down mood. I hope that this session
will be a great time of sharing and that they will change for better (and I
will change for better too).

Please keep them in prayers, and keep me in your prayers! May I have the
wisdom of the Lord, and may Holy Spirit at work before, at and after the
session.

Love, Rose

Tohoku Weekend Trip Continued.......

"24 HOURS IN TOHOKU" - WHAT A DIFFERENCE ONE DAY MAKES!


「東北に２４時間」 - たった一日でも、本当にたくさんのことが出来ます！


Please sign up a week earlier if you like to join the trip!
"24hrs in Tohoku" Weekend Schedule ／「東北に２４時間」ボランティア活動スケジュール

=========================================================================

金曜日 Friday : 9:30pm - 10:30pm : CAJから出発。Depart Christian Academy in Japan



土曜日Saturday:



5:00am: 石巻市に到着。Arrive in Ishinomaki City

5:30am: 石巻港を見る/Visit Ishinomaki Port

6:30am: 「ジョイフル」すきやで朝食 / breakfast at “Joyful” (a family restaurant).　 (about 500 yen a person)

8:00am: サマリタンズパース・ボランティアセンターに到着／Arrive at Samaritan's Purse Volunteer Center

8:30am - 12:00noon : ボランティア活動。Volunteer work

12noon - 1:00pm: 昼食 - サマリタンズパースがお弁当を支給。Lunch break - Lunch box provided by Samaritan's Purse.

1:00pm - 3:00pm : ボランテイィア活動。Volunteer work

3:00pm : ボランテイィア活動を終了/End the day's Volunteer activities

3:30-4:00 pm: 東京へ出発。RAで休暇をとる。Depart for Tokyo, stop in rest stops along the way

10:30-11:00pm: ＣＡＪ駐車場に到着（朝霞台（東武東上線）・北朝霞（ＪＲ武蔵野線）経由 Return to CAJ Parking Lot via Asakadai (Tobu Tojo Line)/Kita-Asaka (JR Musashino Line).



途中で　（10:00-10:30pm）、東武東上線の朝霞台駅／武蔵野の北朝霞駅（同 じ駅）に一部の参加者を降ろします。Around 10:00-10:30pm), we drop off some participants at Kita Asaka station, Musashino line /Asakadai station, Tobu Tojo Line. These 2 stations are side-by-side.

14. 家に帰れない方は、東久留米の作本さんの家で一泊できます。出来るだけ11:00pm迄にCAJに到着する予定にしていますが、交通事情によりますので、確約は出来ません。東久留米にある家に宿泊希望される方はお申し出ください。Those with no means to get home can spend the night at the Sakumotos' house in Higashi Kurume. Let us know if you will need this service. Of course we try to arrive by 11:00 at CAR, but this is not guaranteed.