A Reunion A Celebration A Blessing
What a momentous occasion…a visit with three of our Wesley Pastors all in one place and at the same time! And in Japan even? How can that be? After a monumental amount of dedicated hard work and probably a year’s worth of planning, this reunion of Wesley Church and Rev. Hajime Yamamoto at Itami Church took place in Hyogo, Kansai Province, Japan this past April right during the iconic Japanese Cherry Blossom season. Simply marvelous!
With open and welcoming arms and broad smiles, Rev. Hajime and Tomoe Yamamoto, and Christ’s congregation of about 35 brothers and sisters along with Rev. Junichi and Mari Tsukamoto greeted our group of 32 travelers to their Itami home and beckoned us into the warmth of their 75-year old historic Christian church.
We felt embraced and despite all those cultural differences you can imagine with language, customs, and being in a different country, we were and are, all one, united in our Christian faith. We learned about Rev. Hajime’s historic church, his congregation, and the kindergarten of some 100 children for which he is the board president. And just so you know, Itami is not a small town. It’s a fairly large city and a commuter city to Osaka not far away. We prayed and sang familiar hymns, “As A Deer,” and the popular “Sukiyaki.” It was great to see Hajime with his infectious smile leading us in song with his familiar guitar in hand.
Rev. John offered words of greeting and thanksgiving for all of us, noting how he’s adjusted to Wesley life. Rev. Junichi, now a pastor at Ashiyahama Church near Osaka, spent time with close friends, Dave and Nadya Brown, and fondly remembered his time spent with us in California. He also mentioned his love, not for the Hanshin Tigers, but for the LA Dodgers and Shohei Ohtani!!! It was a rah, rah, moment of light-hearted banter.
They were so well-prepared for us…looking after our every need throughout our visit. We had an excellent interpreter…Akihiro Inoue…who spoke excellent English and gave us the skinny on the church and the Itami environs. They also shared that Japan’s reslience and success rests in having conformity in their culture in lifestyle and in particular dress. Uniforms seems to be the operative word from grade school to business suits. I am sure this would be an area where we Americans would need time to adjust to this cultural milieau. You know, the Japanese tend not to be overly loud or boisterous as well as we gush and guffaw at the slightest invitation.
We were, to be sure, overwhelmed by their graciousness, generosity and over-the-top hospitality. And no, lunch wasn’t like our Wesley pot-luck but it was equally as homey and relational, but different with a panache and style that was truly their own. We indeed sat down and shared a meal together. So, while yes… I am Japanese American and used to the dishes they served us, I was not used to the impecaable use of seasonings, vinegar, and light hand with soy, that enhanced their home-made chirashi and chicken karaage they served. To me, it was the best I’ve ever had…even perhaps better than my own grandmother’s. Wonderful and simply lip-smacking delicious!
Already sated, we were treated to a traditional tea ceremony, a unique and elegant cultural art, coming from a church member who is a practiced professional artisan of the craft. She spoke later about the ceremony, implements used and the various types of tea.
And oh my goodness, the gifts kept pouring forth: a beautiful happi coat for Rev. John, which I think one of the members, designed and made. In fact this entire family in Christ made gift bags for al of us containing a number of gorgeous hand-made items and the bag itself made of scintillating Japanese fabric. We all were quite overwhelmed, but also charmed in receiving such magnificent Japanese crafted items, so elegantly presented. Talk about the red carpet treatment!!!
With a graying church…the only children in Sunday school were Ko and Sumire…it truly is being in the mission field to finds ways to increase membership. Happily, the church received a new member just a week old whom we met because I sat at his table.
The time spent just flew by and while reunions are such joyous occasions, there is also a tinge of sadness when departing. We loved seeing Rev. Hajime and family doing well at his new placement. We loved seeing how his congregation has embraced him and his family as their journey in Christ continues together. We too separate and continue our journey as well full of new and wonderful memories and hopes of remaining in connection with Itami Church through Rev. Hajime. Go Hanshin Tigers! Go Shohei Ohtani!
With open and welcoming arms and broad smiles, Rev. Hajime and Tomoe Yamamoto, and Christ’s congregation of about 35 brothers and sisters along with Rev. Junichi and Mari Tsukamoto greeted our group of 32 travelers to their Itami home and beckoned us into the warmth of their 75-year old historic Christian church.
We felt embraced and despite all those cultural differences you can imagine with language, customs, and being in a different country, we were and are, all one, united in our Christian faith. We learned about Rev. Hajime’s historic church, his congregation, and the kindergarten of some 100 children for which he is the board president. And just so you know, Itami is not a small town. It’s a fairly large city and a commuter city to Osaka not far away. We prayed and sang familiar hymns, “As A Deer,” and the popular “Sukiyaki.” It was great to see Hajime with his infectious smile leading us in song with his familiar guitar in hand.
Rev. John offered words of greeting and thanksgiving for all of us, noting how he’s adjusted to Wesley life. Rev. Junichi, now a pastor at Ashiyahama Church near Osaka, spent time with close friends, Dave and Nadya Brown, and fondly remembered his time spent with us in California. He also mentioned his love, not for the Hanshin Tigers, but for the LA Dodgers and Shohei Ohtani!!! It was a rah, rah, moment of light-hearted banter.
They were so well-prepared for us…looking after our every need throughout our visit. We had an excellent interpreter…Akihiro Inoue…who spoke excellent English and gave us the skinny on the church and the Itami environs. They also shared that Japan’s reslience and success rests in having conformity in their culture in lifestyle and in particular dress. Uniforms seems to be the operative word from grade school to business suits. I am sure this would be an area where we Americans would need time to adjust to this cultural milieau. You know, the Japanese tend not to be overly loud or boisterous as well as we gush and guffaw at the slightest invitation.
We were, to be sure, overwhelmed by their graciousness, generosity and over-the-top hospitality. And no, lunch wasn’t like our Wesley pot-luck but it was equally as homey and relational, but different with a panache and style that was truly their own. We indeed sat down and shared a meal together. So, while yes… I am Japanese American and used to the dishes they served us, I was not used to the impecaable use of seasonings, vinegar, and light hand with soy, that enhanced their home-made chirashi and chicken karaage they served. To me, it was the best I’ve ever had…even perhaps better than my own grandmother’s. Wonderful and simply lip-smacking delicious!
Already sated, we were treated to a traditional tea ceremony, a unique and elegant cultural art, coming from a church member who is a practiced professional artisan of the craft. She spoke later about the ceremony, implements used and the various types of tea.
And oh my goodness, the gifts kept pouring forth: a beautiful happi coat for Rev. John, which I think one of the members, designed and made. In fact this entire family in Christ made gift bags for al of us containing a number of gorgeous hand-made items and the bag itself made of scintillating Japanese fabric. We all were quite overwhelmed, but also charmed in receiving such magnificent Japanese crafted items, so elegantly presented. Talk about the red carpet treatment!!!
With a graying church…the only children in Sunday school were Ko and Sumire…it truly is being in the mission field to finds ways to increase membership. Happily, the church received a new member just a week old whom we met because I sat at his table.
The time spent just flew by and while reunions are such joyous occasions, there is also a tinge of sadness when departing. We loved seeing Rev. Hajime and family doing well at his new placement. We loved seeing how his congregation has embraced him and his family as their journey in Christ continues together. We too separate and continue our journey as well full of new and wonderful memories and hopes of remaining in connection with Itami Church through Rev. Hajime. Go Hanshin Tigers! Go Shohei Ohtani!
A warm welcome to Itami Church. (See Mari and Junichi to the far right)
All seated comfortably as Rev. Hajime introduces us to his Church
Our former and current pastor and familes: Mari and Rev. Junichi Tsukamoto, Rev. John, Rev. Hajime Yamamoto, Sumire and Tomoe.
Our hosts and our Wesley group.
Ko and Sumire (they've grown up) with the church mascot Denisu
Elegant Japanese Tea Ceremony
The beautiful gift to Rev. John with Tomoe ensuring the proper fit.
Nadya Brown shows off the gift bag everyone received.
Bev Acuna and Junichi share photos.
A familiar site revisited...Junichi on keys and Hajime on guitar.
Posted in Newsletter 2024-05-23