MEUER CLAN IN JAPAN
Thank you all for your patience! Life has been busy as we settle into our new home and get used to life here, but we already see the fruit of ministry. This will be quite a long newsletter!
SETTLING IN
I can’t believe its already been/has only been four months since we first arrived. The Lord has provided us with the perfect house, neighborhood, vehicle, schools, and much much more. Since arriving, we have been settling into our new home, enrolling kids into school, and getting used to the little quirks of living in Japan.
Our Home
In Japan, housing is very limited for large families. Finding a decent home with enough rooms and parking is difficult let alone finding one with these things in a good location. So, when we found a house with a kitchen, dining room, office, play room, and three upstairs bedrooms that fit our budget, we were amazed. Not only this, but it is right next door to the elementary school our older two kids go to, has parking for two vehicles, is across the street from the big park in our area, and less than a minute walk from the store. I have had multiple friends say something along the lines of, “this house has been on the market (renting) for so long, I think God was holding it for you.”
Because of how big our space is, we have been able to host leadership meetings and other small get togethers very comfortably. We look forward to using this home for ministry for years to come.
Our home in Japan
Kids and School
One of the biggest time investments lately has been the kids’ schooling. Enrolling them into school has been a long, but good process. We got all the paperwork settled, bought the needed supplies, and they are doing really well.
The three younger boys (4 year old and the twin 6 year olds) are going to Yochien [Yo-chee-en] (Japanese Kindergarten). Most of the time, Yochiens are associated with the local shrine, but our city happens to have a Christian Yochien! It is also the oldest Yochien in the city. The principal is a super nice older lady that is happy to see new missionaries come to Gifu. Every day, the Yochien bus comes by to pick up the boys. They love their teachers and are coming home saying all sorts of random Japanese words.
The oldest two kids are attending the Shougakou [Show-ga-ko] (Japanese Elementary School) that is next door. It has been a little rocky getting started with them, but they come home everyday excited to be there. Our oldest girl has made a lot of friends. We have gotten to know some of the parents as well. I (Cody) even got to go on a class trip for our oldest girl! I met a lot of parents that I see from time to time around our neighborhood and at the park.
Our Neighbors
While getting to know the neighbors has been a slow process (most people tend to keep to themselves), we have been able to make some connections. We went door to door with a “moving in gift” introducing ourselves to the neighbors. We see them from time to time and say “good morning” or “hello”. While waiting for the bus with the boys, we have met a handful of neighbors walking in the morning. There is a sweet older lady that lives two houses down that we met this way. She comes by and talks to us once a week. Her uncle used to own the house we live in now. This last week she gave us some Kaki [Ka-key] which are Japanese Persimmons. They are very abundant this time of year.
Because our house is right next to the school, we get to see a lot of kids and parents (kids walk to and from school and their parents sometimes walk with them). We have made a few friends waiting for our kids as well. We have been walking around our neighborhood and hear kids say, “Oh, that’s [insert kids name] mama and papa.” Right now we can’t hold conversations, but we smile, wave, and say hello.
LANGUAGE LEARNING
We are continuing to study Japanese using the same strategies and methods we started in the States. There are no language schools here in Gifu, so we are left to our own devices. Despite this, we are making really good progress. There is a natural ebb and flow of language learning, times when we grow and times when we “regress”, but overall, we are beginning to have simple conversations with people.
If you are interested in our method, then feel free to read the rest of this section, otherwise, skip to the next one =)
(honestly, Cody just likes talking about language…)
We are focusing on six different areas of language learning: deliberate study, speaking, listening, reading, writing, and fluency training. In deliberate study, we memorize words, sentence patterns, and kanji. As we memorize, we then spend time in the four communication modes: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Unlike memorizing words or kanji, these communication modes are skills to be trained through repetition and they solidify anything we have been memorizing. Once we have a good grasp of words and patterns in the four modes, we begin to train fluency by doing mass repetition and timed sessions in the four communication modes.
There are major phases of language learning that occur. We, of course, are in phase one. In this phase we are laying the foundation, trying to get to a level of basic communication and working towards using natural language material instead of “learner material”. After this phase, we continue to learn new words and patterns, hopefully reaching a total of 5,000 words and being able to read “Elementary” grade material. At a certain point, we should know most words and patterns in material we “imbibe”. It is at this point where we can begin to learn from context more easily, and our language can grow, more or less, like it did when we were in school learning our first language.
Our end goal in this process is not just to learn Japanese, but to build a resource for others to learn as well. If we are going to reach Gifu prefecture, then we will need more Christian workers, which means more missionaries. If we are going to have more missionaries, then they are going to have to know Japanese to effectively communicate the Gospel, disciple, and train. So, please pray for us as we not only learn, but work hard to develop resources for others.
MINISTRY
Despite being here for only four months, we are already seeing the Lord move in our community and our church. Our church has grown too big for our current space and has a mixture of ex-pats, Japanese, believers, and non-believers. Every week we have 30-40 people in our service and more we could invite if we had space.
Establishing
Cody and Ethan are currently working on writing bylaws and establishing how our church is governed. This is not only an important step in making sure the leadership and members work well together, but is important for our standing with the Japanese government. In order for our church to have a bank account and own property (something we will need), we need to have meeting minutes and bylaws and then register our entity with the government. This process takes 2-3 years!
Please pray for wisdom and guidance as we draft the bylaws and bring them before the leadership and church members.
Thanksgiving Event
We just had our Thanksgiving event this year. In total there were about 70 people in attendance! This was a chance for us to meet new people and share the Gospel with them. Everyone enjoyed the event and there was a good response to the message. Our goal with this event is mostly to meet new people and to get them thinking about Jesus. As we build a relationship with them, we will be able to share more and more as well as care for their needs.
We are currently working on our Christmas event, so please pray that we continue to improve and build relationships through these events.
The Coming Year
This next year will mainly be focused on two things: building up our team and resources to better equip our people in evangelism and discipleship, and writing/keeping the necessary documentation for our church’s governance. While it may seem slow paced, taking the time to lay a strong foundation is important for moving forward. Our ultimate goal is not to build a church to lead ourselves, but to establish something that is strong and outlasts our involvement (and then do this again and again in many more communities). Please pray that we stay focused and keep our hands to the plow. The Lord is moving in our area, it is palpable. May we be good servants to Him!
THANK YOU
Thank you everyone for your continued support. I say this regularly, but this is a group effort. Through your prayers and support we are able to serve the Lord here and reach our community. May the Lord continue to bless you as you serve him where you are as well!
“And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.””