JapanLog

I’ve move to Posterous, but you can still reach me at my “permanent” URL:

www.robinwhiteonline.com

Wadaiko! Spotted while leaving Starbucks the other day…

And I just realized how apt a description of modern Japan that is. East meets west, ancient meets modern, all within a walk around the corner.

(2011/10/20)

Rev. Ozawa & Son.

I’m having a good time in Shizuoka, working with and getting to know the Ozawa family.

(2011/10/15)

Yaeba means double tooth in Japanese, but it doesn’t describe major dental deformities, but rather the vampire-like look obtained when the two molars crowd the canines pushing them forward to create a fang effect. According to some sources, yaeba gives girls a feline look which is apparently makes them even more attractive, while others say it’s this little imperfection that makes pretty girls look more approachable as opposed to the flawless magazine cover models of the western world.

Dr. Yoko Kashiyama and her staff at the Plaisir Dental Salon, in Ginza district, perform all kinds of cosmetic procedures, but yaeba is definitely among the most popular. Using non-permanent adhesive, she glues custom-made artificial teeth onto the natural canines to lengthen them and make them stand out.

(Source: istillcallthemscallions)

Acoustic duo I saw at a charity cafe concert last night. Good times.

In other news, I had 8 students show up for my new English class on Tuesday, and it looks like there will be a good crowd out for tonight’s English Cafe debut. Prayers appreciated.

(posted Oct. 7 2011)

Hi everyone,

I’m sending my October prayer letter a little early, as you can see.  This is because there are some new ministries starting in early October that need your prayers.  Please read and pray!  But first, some things to be thankful for…

This month I’m thankful because:

 • 2 new (non-Christian) students joined my Saturday English class this past week. We now have 30 students — over 1/3 of whom are from outside the church! 

• One of my non-Christian students came to prayer meeting for the first time last week.

• I had the opportunity to minister through testimony and music to the youth at our area reatreat a couple of weeks ago.  It was a fun and encouraging time for all!

• One of the guys from Nagoya-Higashi Church youth group recently gave his heart to the Lord!  You may remember me telling you about this group of about 10 teens, all from non-Christian backgrounds.  This is the first to make a profession of faith.  PTL!

Please pray for:

• 2 new English programs we’re starting at the Nagoya church: a weekly class for beginners (starting Oct. 4) and a monthly “English Cafe” (starting Oct. 7). The Cafe is an informal time of practicing English over coffee, snacks and games, and is aimed at people of a slightly higher level English abililty. Please pray that conversations turn naturally to spiritual things.

• I’ve been invited to another church in Shizuoka to do some kids ministry the weekend of Oct. 15-16. Pray for safe travel and effective ministry.

• Please keep praying for my regular English classes, worship leading, and Japanese studies as well.

Thank you for partnering with me in this ministry.  Spiritual bridges are being built in Japan, and you are helping to build them!

- Robin (2011/09/27)

Yukata Party. Okay, not really a party. Just me hanging out with some youth (in our hotel-provided yukatas) before bed Sunday night at the retreat I was ministering at. Good times.

(posted 2011/09/24)

The calm after the storm. Taken yesterday, from my balcony, after the typhoon had passed Nagoya.

(2011/09/22)

The Good News: I got my visa extension, and it’s good for 3 more years! Thanks for praying!

The Prayer Request: Tomorrow and Monday is Chukyo Seikai — an annual retreat for the Immanuel Churches in our area. I am helping out with the youth programs with music and a testimony. Please pray for my ministry and for all involved in this event; for safe travel and changed lives.

Thanks!

(Posted on Sat. Sept. 17 2011)

Nakamura Koen (park) 2011/09/05