Week #2

Hey yall,

Hope you had a super long weekend enjoying Australia Day. Heard it was a hot one! Aus day was not the biggest deal for us here (though there were folks with blow up surfboards in green and gold on the cold town!) but we were happy to remember home all the same!

So, another week has passed. I am entering my 3rd week here in London and my prayers are getting more and more constant to the Lord. Even before I wake up, my spirit is sending prayers to the heavens. I am ready to work and find my place here. I believe God has me here for a reason ... the faith bit..... is allowing Him the time to unravell this, without me taking over!

So, in the mean time, how about some highlights of the past week?

1 - A visit to Roehmapton hospital
Yes, I took a little day trip to the 'minor injuries unit' on Friday (Aus day!) after doing my favourite trick ..'the cut your hand on the glass washing up trick'. This is the second time I have performed this trick of late, The first being the day before my final exam for my whole entire degree, which left me unable to write for a whole month!

Being a true pro at this, I grabbed the tea towel covered my bleeding hand and did what any other normal person on the other side of the world would do .... I called my mum! Everyone needs their mum when something goes wrong!

In our block of flats there is ALWAYS someone home. Out of 8 of us, one is always around. Except for this day. No one was home and no one would be home for hours. I was all alone, bleeding in a foreign country with no idea what to do! (sob sob). I called everyone I knew (which isn't alot) and found their was a chemist down the street. I walked there with my tea towel and all, and was greeted by an uninterested lady eating her lunch. "Alright?" she asked. I replied, "Im bleeding, Im from Australia and I dont know where to go, can u help me?". She told me to walk to the hospital. Not where the hospital was, how long it took, what side of the road it was on or anything. Ahh, helpful London. Anyhoo, I got the details I needed and walked myself to the hospital. There I was helped quite quickly and easily, without any ID or money. No stitches this time, just gauze straps to hold skin together, bandages and 1 week water free.

2 - Sunday Lunch
The whole sunday lunch thing is big here, its just what you do on a cold, lazy sunday arvo. We (me, dave, sus, bron and rory) were invited to Dub and Tanya's house for lunch after church sunday. (Dub and Tanya are good friends of Bron and Rory, as their parents are old friends of Rob and Jill Anderson
from old days when they lived in London. Got it?). So yeah, we rocked over to their lovely 'little' home and sat around a great cooked ham with vegies, spuds, the lot. Amazing pudding followed, and at the end we were all very happy campers! Food has become a real highlight for me!

I've already mentioned the snow and sights, so I think that is about it at the moment!

Hope you're all well. Please let me know.

Love Melissa

Snow n Sights

Guess who woke up with snow on their door step yesterday?

Ok, well its not that hard to guess .. that's right ... me! Little 'ol Roehampton looked quite nice, with soft snow covering the trees, streets and cars. We awoke like excitited kids on Christmas day and ran out the the park, to take photos before it all melted.

While we unemployed Aussies were having fun in the winter wonderland, half of London was trecking through the snow on their way to work, as tubes and trains were severely delayed. The papers were up in arms about it. 1 inch of snow and the whole on London stops. Its a bit of a joke hey! Truly a crazy place.

Dave and I were not detered by the chaos in our plan to do a walk of the south side of the Thames. Sure it was cold, sure it was crazy but we did it! And I truly was so glad to be out of the house! I was going mental!! With my London lonely planet in hand (big thanks to Craig for this very helpful gift :) and lots of layers we ventured out. The aim was just to have a sqwiz at some of the sights. I hope to go back and do some tours at a later date, when I am earning some ponders. But it was so nice, just to enjoy the out doors. Its a bit surreal seeing Big Ben, Tower Bridge etc. Feels like I have been here before, but I think it is just all the photo's I have seen of others little journeys to the mother land!

It was a lovely day, finished off with a nice curry and a bottle of red at home.

Thinking of you all on the eve of Australia Day. We are a blessed nation. Keep praying for our great south land, that they Holy Spirit will continue to be an evident force in our communities and nation. We still have hope! London feels very hopeless and Godless. May we not follow in their footsteps!

Go the green and gold

Love Melissa

What to say of London?

The difficult thing in writing about London is everyone has their own story to tell.

Most people can say, ‘I didn’t find that about London’, or ‘London is the best place ever” or ‘maybe they didn’t live in the right area’, or ‘my mothers, brothers, convict friend who made tea for the Queen loved it in London’.

Every person has a different story to tell. This is my story, written here on my blog. So, my preface to the beginning of my blogging about my adventures here in London, is to ask that you keep an open mind as you follow me through my times here. I’ve never been here, so it might be a bit up and down at times, but that’s the adventure!

1 - The number one thing
I think the number one thing that has surfaced for me here in London, has been my relationship with God. Everyone says it - travel stretches you. It exposes your need for him, and reminds you that he truly is your everything. Its like Psalm 23, its in the valley times that you become very aware that he is ‘with you’. It can be dark around you, you feel lost and your not sure what’s coming next, but you feel and know in a deeper way than ever … God, is right here next to me. He is ‘comforting me’.

Being away for the past 3.5 weeks, has brought all of these things up for me. But I have been very aware that he is good, faithful and sovereign. I have so much to be thankful for and so much hope for life here and now. So being a new year, my focus for 07 is to remind myself that “great is thy faithfulness’ (oldie but a goodie!). The song itself is so true for us as his kids.

I have been really blessed by a resource that my very interesting and clever brother in law matthew introduced to me. They are like 15 min reflective teachings that I have found very very encouraging, challenging and life brining! I love that the truth, like the real truth of Christ (not religious teachings or rules) is so inspiring and life bringing that you can actually feel freedom, peace and joy when you partake of it! If you are interested in checking some of these out please go to www.nooma.com. The teaching called "dust" is very good!

2 - My house & area
So my house, is a two bedroom 2 bathroom flat in a block of 4 in Roehampton. The other 2 are occupied by dish, leonie, al, bron, rory & dave and the third is free at the mo. It is newly renovated, so its all new which is nice. But it was done a little on the cheap (it’s the thing to get Ukraine people in, pay them a pittence and get them to build houses, but maybe not the best idea since skills and standards differ). Anyhoo it will do for now. Me and Susannah are currently tyring to set up house a bit, though going very basic. We have nice big windows that look over the street and a red couch!

Right at our door step is a 24hr bus that takes us to Putney tube station, there are 24 hour shops 100 metres from our house, library, internet café etc and then in Putney everything else we need is there.

I have found it difficult to do any walking or physical activity here, as everything is right near! In Japan, we did lots of walking and riding around, but here everything is right at the door! (good and bad!). I will be looking at the rec centre for some physical guidance soon and I’d like to get a bike to maybe ride to the station instead of getting the bus. It really really really is true that there is a Heathrow injection! I feel like I have put on weight already (not joking!) and its only been a week (I am scared matt!).

3 - The first 7 days
Has consisted of getting my head around the neighbourhood and getting used to this place. It really was a shock from Japan. Here, my experience of people so far is that they are rude and aggressive. The trick seems to be to keep ones head down and not make eye contact. Not really my cup of tea. Things are a lot more disorganised than home or Japan, and it is definitely dirtier. People don’t seem to have the same respect for their country, public services etc. However, I did go out into Shepperton and things were different there, so I suppose it is like any city verses suburb culture. My first experience of the tube, left a lot to be desired after the wonderful, clean, kind and fast services in Japan. It was dingy, old, dirty and the lights flickered on and off like an eerire horror movie. It broke down 3 times during the very slow journey and the announcer said they would let us know what the problem was, and never did. I did get to my destination though, so that’s something I suppose. Weather, hasn’t been as cold as Japan, but it rains, not much though yet. Since being here I have been able to get my bank account open, get an NI meeting organised, applied for a job, attended church and sleep in!

4 - My job hunting
I have been a bit up in the air about what I actually want to do here. Originally I wanted to do youth work, but I have been kinda scared off this in terms of 1:1 casework. So God will have to speak to me quite clearly if this is exactly what he wants me to do. I am also having thoughts again about coming back and studying more in Australia. But something you can pray for me about, is a job with Tearfund that have applied for. I think I would really like it, and it brings together my love for youth, justice, and my skills in administration and networking. Also it is a Christian agency and coming from Fusion I would really love that! So, God willing I will get a job pretty soon and can get working! I think then I will see a different side of London, meet some people etc!

I will be applying at a temp agency this week to, in order to do something on the side if this doesn’t come through.

5 - My friends and community
It’s a pretty big blessing to arrived at this new place and to have people around me that can be of help and support. Bron and Rory invited me to Shepperton Community Church on Sunday and that was really lovely. Totally like Forrestfield a few years ago, it felt like home and that was so nice. They have some good friends there who were very welcoming and we had a lunch together after church. I hope to attend the cell group with Dave on Thursday. Those in the other flats have been very helpful to me and sus, offering us things that we don’t yet have and inviting us over for dinner. The band guys have a van too, and kindly took us to Ikea for an arvo so we could get the stuff we needed. So much to be thankful for in regards to genuine people, with listen, offer support and give us a helping hand.

Thanks for prayers for my family; dad is home now but still got a long road of recovery. He will continue to need your prayers and love.

Please keep me updated in your worlds.

Miss you all lots

Melissa x

Next stop .. London

Hi everyone!

Hope lots of fun things are going on for you :)

Thanks for reading my blog, and special thanks to bec for being my most active commentor! Woohoo :)

So, just a real quick one to let you know I have arrived in London. Quite a rude shock compared to Japan (which I loved so much).

Its not been as cold here as in Japan, but it rains so a bit sloppy! I am living with an old church friend Susannah and we have a nice little pad in a 4 apartment block. Very good frieds of ours rent the other two apartments so it is like a real life version of 'friends' here!

May I just ask you, as my friends at this time to keep my family in your prayers at this time.

I will write again soon

Love melissa x

Highlights of Japan!

Here are some highlights of the past week for you to enjoy! Hope you're all well!

1 - Skiing and Snow!

The three of us flew up north to Hokkaido, apparently world renowned for its powder like snow! Jessica’s cram school sensei’s and good friends the Ohnama’s had helped to planned an awesome holiday for us.

Unlike us Aussies who pack the day before and have a ‘she’ll be right’ mentality to travel, Japanese people research everything! The best places to eat, the famous places to see, the special produce of the area that must be tasted! The key is not to miss out on anything!

So, with our print outs, maps, coupons and directions from the Ohnama’s we set off to see the snow, eat the famous mutton of the area (they call mutton Genghis Kahn!), drink the famous Sapporo beer and taste the chocolates & ice cream made from famous Hokkaido milk!

Day one, we wondered lost in the snow. It was pretty cool, to have real snow falling on my head. But particularly annoying when it gets in your eyes! We visited the Sapporo beer museum and had tastings. So cheap, $4 for 3 middies! Matt was a happy man.

Day two we waited in the lobby in our ski (space like) clothing and were told our ski field was closed due to too much snow! Thankfully they took us to another ski field and it was open. It looked like a winter wonderland. I have never seen snow falling so it was so cool! We had a 1.5 hour lesson, thankfully the trainer could speak some English so matt and I didn’t have to stand their looking stupid! It was such fun. A few falls here and there, but after our lesson we tackled rainbow course all on our own! We made it down the 20min track and felt like pro skiers! It was such a blast, covered from head to toe, with only our noses showing, trekking through the snow. Definitely want to do it again!

The last day, we caught a train to Otaru. It was -3.3 there and snowing like crazy. It is a more ‘touristy’ place. We spent most of the day inside a beer house that resembled the Sherwood Forest, home to Robin Hood. The staff were dressed like Maid Marion etc. It was pretty fun! So we were there eating and drinking for about 3 hours. Firstly for relief from the cold and secondly because we forgot money! We sent matt out in the crazy weather to find us cash (no one does eftpos in Japan).

We had a fun little adventure away & got quite comfortable with one another sharing a room in the hotel! lol

2 - Tea Ceremony

One of Jessica’s friends took me out to her grandma’s place to see traditional tea ceremony. I sat there in the seiza position (my legs going dead!) and watched the very graceful and beautiful process of making the tea. With the very green and bitter tea, sweet sweets are served. It is an art that Japanese people study for their whole lives. This lady has been a teacher for 50 years. She says the process is about beauty. Everything is to be done in a certain way e.g. only three step moves are allowed in order to go forward to receive the tea, and you must turn the bowl to the right before drinking. Also remember not to step on the blue line in the tatami mat!

It was a lovely experience and the lady was very kind to take the time to teach me.

3 – Visiting Jessica’s School

I was the first and only special guest Jessica has had to actually attend her classes! Thursday saw 6 classes back to back with 35 – 40 students and Friday 4 classes. Jess began the lesson with the students asking me questions in English. After they stopped shrieking and staring at me (asking if jess and I were twins?) the questions started. Number one most common question was ... ‘Do you have a boyfriend?’ When I answered “yes”, they all screeched and clapped! It was lots of fun, they are lovely girls but it is very tiring. Jess works hard, and does well being the cultural experience educator at the school. We then did a group work challenge, in which I got to go round and speak to some of the students to help them. This was fun.

I attended the junior school two days, because it had to be ‘fair for all students to get the chance to have an English speaking guest. Fair is very important in Japan. I also looked around the senior high school that Jess works at, and was a previous student at when she was on exchange. Very eye opening to see her desk and think of her in class with a whole bunch of Japanese people for a year, eating her home made lunch box of rice etc every day! Jess is a very talented and wonderful teacher here!

4 - Going Drinking

Sounds dodgy but its not! In Japan there are drinking houses called ‘Izakaia’s’. They are small shops, usually attached to someone’s house. There is a hostess, the shop owner who serves you for the night. They are warm, welcoming and homely places. When you arrive a small bite size dish is served, so you don’t get affected by the first drink J. You order your drink and right before you, the hostess prepares it. You then order off the menu and the same lady gets to work on your food. It is truly amazing food, so tasty, so fresh and prepared with such love! The lady who owned the shop was the sweetest most hospitable lady I have ever met!

We were taken to this drinking house Jessica’s cram school teacher friends and it was such and enjoyable night! We shared dish after dish or delicious food, had a few drinks to warm us up and enjoyed the company.

It was so fun. I also tasted hot sake for the first time .. and fried oysters! All good J

I leave for London on Monday, and God has been good as I have a house all sorted out, right near some good friends and some of Dave’s family!

Keep safe y'all

Melissa

Meijijingah Temple – New Years Day

In Australia, on New Years Day we normally go to the beach to chill out. Not religiously but often. But in Japan, people spend the first day of the New Year visiting the temple.

We visited a temple in order to see what this looks like and I suppose to see how dedicated or involved people really are to this tradition. We traveled to Harajuku and awaited the line at Mijijingah Temple (the lanterns on the right looked amazing as we walked down the big long entrance .. but don't be fooled, its just fancy advertising! Cool hey!)

Sure there were a lot of people and the line was long and wide, but we thought hmm maybe an hour and we will see the temple. But….once we joined the line we had no idea what we were up for! 2 hours and 45 mins later we left the temple! It was insane! The line that we thought was entering the temple was only half the length and it was the same length again around the corner (that we could not see from where we were!). Once we were in the sea of people, police man on mega phones announced “once you’re in the line please do not turn back”. So we were stuck! And in Japan you don't break the rules :)

Crazily everyone waited quietly and calmly, seemingly not phased by the wait. However, they do line up for cold stone (like our cold rock) in 7 degrees for 50mins to receive their ice-cream! (The other day we looked at the Krispy Kreme line and it indicated with a sign you will wait over 1 hour to get to the counter!)

At the temple the Japanese people who have been waiting so long, move to the front to throw money at the shrine and say a prayer. They then move on into a side show area where they do the following things. 1 - Write their prayers or wishes on wooden blocks and hang them in on big boards. Of the ones we read, they ask for things like health, family protection and world peace (one person asked to become ‘the best’). These wooden cards are blank on one side and have a picture of a boar on the other as it is the year of the boar. 2 - Following this, they go to another area in the temple where they buy things. Not quite sure what they do but they are arrow like things and small ornaments which are symbolic of something to do with the New Year. 3 - They also buy a ‘good luck card’. It comes on a small piece of white paper and it predicts your luck for the year. It would really suck on the first day of the year if you got a bad one! 4 - After reading them, each person ties it to a string line and leaves.

It was an interesting experience, and I don’t think I can really explain what I thought about it at this time.

I suppose one thing we can learn from this, is the value maybe of starting the New Year before

God. Reflecting on the year that has been, bringing our heart desires and prayers before Him. Taking time out, to put aside the New Year to Him. The good thing is, we do not have to line up for 2.5hours with 1000’s of others to be near Him! Nor do we need to buy his love. He is

personal and He already paid the price! He lives with us everyday, showing His commitment, love and desire to be known by us, through the sacrifice of his son Jesus. He is good, loving and faithful. May we all know this a bit more in 2007!

I hope you are all well,

Melissa

Akemashite Omedetou

Akemashite Omedetou, “Happy New Year” to you all

My second day in Japan fell on New Years Eve. Being a Sunday, Matt and Jess took me to their church. We trekked there on foot and train today, leaving the bikes at home. We walked along the Edo Gawa (the river near their house) where a few homeless people live. They create tents on the river, fishing and washing in the river. They are very clean apparently, upholding normal traditions like having tatami mats in their tents and never wearing shoes inside. Many of these people became homeless after the ‘bubble’ (an economic boom during the 1908’s) broke and there were no jobs available anymore. Many people became unemployed and there is a large shame associated with this. Suicide is an option that occurs a lot, as families at least receive insurance payments. However, some people just withdraw from the family and live alone. Along the Edo Gawa we could also see the Tokyo Skyline and a few of the local birds.

We caught the train then to church, grabbing Starbucks along the way. The church matt and jess attend is a bit of a mix with roots in Baptist and Lutheran. They describe it as ‘bible centered worship’. It was very refreshing to walk into this little down stairs room where the piano was being played and people were reflecting on the verse on the screen Ps 80. There were about 10 people in total (the biggest service they have had!). It is encouraging to realize that all around the world people are worshiping Jesus in their own ways. The service follows a clear guideline with interesting things I had never seen before such as the Catechism questions and the Doxology. Each week they read a chapter from the old and new testament (which matt and jess read out this week, big words and all!) and there is a short message after each. It was a very ‘meaty’ way to learn and I found it encouraging. We had a quick meal at “Yoshinoya” which is like traditional Japanese fast food, my meal of beef, rice and salad cost $4.80. Nice.

Matt took us to his studio at MLS where he works with Japanese children from age 2 -14 ‘teaching English through drama’. It was cool to see a bit of his world!

Being NYE in Japan we were to be eating at home, as it is a time for family and reflection. Jess invited her neighbor Haruko over for dinner. On the way home we went to the shops and markets to get food. It was busy and loud. Food is very expensive! Rice, being their staple is $10 for 2 kg! Go figure! $20 will get you two small pieces of meat, or a small packet of grapes or a rockmelon. However alcohol is cheap as, 4L of whiskey is $30. Great if you are an alcoholic, but it certainly doesn’t fit in a brown paper bag!

We shared “Shabu Shabu” for dinner. A gas plate is placed in the middle of the table, and a pot of boiling water on top. Vegetables and meat are placed inside by those at the table and taken out when cooked, then dipped in sauces and placed on a bowl of rice. It’s a nice sharing meal.

We greeted the New Year with champagne and kitted up in Eskimo clothes to go into the 1 degree cold to do fireworks! Matt showed me how and I did a few which was fun J we then trekked to a Shintu Temple, where many people were out getting blessings. There was music, sake to drink and a fire to keep warm by. We had lots of fun with Haruko who showed us the way.

I hope your New Years Eve was great fun and that you enjoyed celebrating with family and friends!

Welcome to 2007 people! God bless

Melissa