A Rainy Day in Tokyo

So it's been raining off and on all day here. I had already not planned on venturing out (other than to Mister Donut this morning!), and that definitely solidified that line of thinking. It's been a good day of relaxing and hanging out, and I also got a chance to talk to my dad and to Shaun! Now, I think we're about to play some kind of board game, which I have honestly been waiting to do all day... :) I hope you enjoy these simple photos from earlier!

This is from across the street from the station

I bought this umbrella today because of the rain. Fortunately, I never had to use it. Right now it is traveling with my friends in Akihabara, otherwise known as Electric City here in Tokyo. I got the opportunity to pray with the guys before going out, setting a hedge of protection around them as they traveled into the enemy's domain. It was exciting, for one of them felt led to "get prepared" by anointing all of us with oil, but by putting it under our eyes as you would eye black before a football or baseball game. It was pretty legit. I am praying that their time was fruitful!

One of the more common parking lots!

A view from our back door.

Some pictures from Japan Part 3 of 3 - Yokohama

This past Saturday we visited Yokohama, the second largest city in Japan. It was about a 45 minute train ride from the station here in Senzoku, and the trip was made with three of the students from the DTS. This trip was probably one of my favorite days since I have been here, where the four of us ventured out on our own, with no prior knowledge of the area, and navigated our way to the things we wanted to do, plus a little of exploring of our own upon arrival! It was a refreshing trip, and I really am starting to love and bond with the other guys who went, not to say I am not doing that with any of the guys who did not go. The staff are also amazing guys as well, and it has really been a blessing to be here at this time!

These are the three other guys: Austin Bock, left, Tony Boyd, center, and Kaare (Cory) Thiessen, right. Austin is from Michigan, Tony, New Zealand, and Kaare, Canada. They are all super cool in their own ways!

The tallest building in this picture is the Landmark Tower. It is the tallest building in Japan.

Building line the opposite side of the street. You would be very hard pressed to find a one-story building.

The Landmark Tower

Me being a nerd.

This is a view from the top of the Landmark Tower. It has the world's 2nd fastest elevator, which reaches a top speed of 12.5 m/s. The white you see on the other side of the bridge is the sakura blooms falling. :(

A view of Tokyo from the tower

Kaare and Austin overlooking the city

Yes, that is a putt-putt on top of a five-story building.

In the mall downstairs there was a Pokemon center! It was filled with people, mainly small children. Nearby outside was a huddle of children playing on their Nintendo DSs, playing Pokemon. Seeing this was a delight to all of us!

This made me really want to Smash...

This is also the world's largest Ferris wheel. I really want to ride it at some point!

If you can see the white streaks, that is the sakura blowing! When the wind would blow really hard, it was almost like it was snowing. Sakura! It was a special experience!

More sakura blooms in the bay...

Austin, Tony, and myself on the train ride back from Yokohama. Earlier, when leaving Yokohama, the train was so full, we were afraid we were not going to be able to get off at our stop! Luckily, we did. It was crazy packed! And if you are wondering why I am not wearing my glasses, I've been meaning to tell you, Mom and Dad... Can you get me some more? I'm just kidding! I'm just wearing my contacts so I could wear my Costas! Love it!

I have only been here in Tokyo for two and a half weeks now, yet it feels so long! Getting to see the world, to see a different culture, to be surrounded by people who cannot speak your language, people who act completely different than you has been so incredible! I know God has some great things in store for all of us who are here now, and He is only getting started with us! I cannot wait to share more with y'all soon! God bless!

Some pictures from Japan Part 2 of 3 - Hanami

On April 10th, we went to a park for what the Japanese call Hanami - flower viewing. Every year the sakura bloom, and people from all over the world travel to Japan to see these beautiful flowers in bloom, so it was naturally a thing for us to do while here for the DTS.

Now, apparently some news veins have been reporting that Tokyo is a "Ghost town," and it certainly seems the case, and I'll use these pictures to prove it.

This picture was in one of the lesser populated areas of the park that day.

I do not know what the deal was with the cats, but it was kind of cool. Everyone was staring at them. The Japanese people really love cats.

Ghost town for sure

If you did not already know this, but the Japanese do not wear shoes inside the house. Instead, shoes are taken off in the genkan, an area right inside the door, and slippers are worn around the house and only in the house. So the same thing is done on these tarps that were laid out in the park.

The train system in Japan is expansive, intricate, and very impressive. They ask that certain people are given priority on seats, these four categories being the recipients: mothers with babies, expecting mothers, elderly, and people on crutches (with no order within these groups). I thought that was neat.

See the sakura in bloom will be something I will never forget. They were absolutely beautiful, and I am so glad I got the chance to see them in bloom.