Aaaaand I made it.

Good morning from Tokyo, everyone. 

 

Limo bus ride from the airport through Tokyo

Yes, I am safe and in Japan. I hope no one's missing me too much, yet (otherwise, it might be a long three months). Currently, I'm sitting on my uncle Paul's couch staring at some very familiar objects;  a TV, a bookshelf full of movies, a cup of coffee, a kitchen table, a piano, a Lilo and Stitch Kleenex box. It's as if I just went over to my aunt and uncle's place to hang out. Oh, and by the way, their house is 17 hours away from my house (via plane; add 34 days via kayak) on the other side of the Pacific Ocean.

It's only when I look outside that things get weird. Two-story townhouses packed together in odd clusters, interspersed with tiny, meandering streets and precisely placed trees cloud my vision. It feels like I'm in Asian Boston. 

Asian Boston

Stepping off the plane into the airport, I expected to be overwhelmed and terrified. But Tokyo Airport, although large, didn't feel like it was nearly so foreign as I thought it would be. In fact, even stepping outside into the fierce urban jungle with my aunt, I didn't feel like I had just flown 6800 miles and landed in the largest city in the world. The only thing that really tipped me off was the face masks, which made me feel like I was clearly on another planet.

That's right, face masks. Just about 20 percent of people here walk around in broad daylight wearing what can only be described as white, hospital grade, nose and mouth covering masks to protect from germs, pathogens, and allergies. Everyone wears them, whether they're working in the supermarket or walking down the street. It's a cultural thing. Every time I start thinking I'm in the middle of a major pandemic I have to remind myself that this is actually cool and normal (trendy?) here. It's purely precautionary.. and MEGA creepy.

Lastly, I'm excited to say that I have already tried sushi (we went to the grocery store last night), and it was delightful, though the options were a little bit more diverse than Nebraska sushi.

(top) egg, eel, octopus, fish egg, salmon, (bottom) shrimp, shellfish, more salmon, and squid.

Let me just say it; eating octopus is like eating wet rubber. The eel was actually good. The shellfish was.. semi-crunchy. Oh, and fish eggs are more of an activity than a food.

Well, it comes time for me to wind this up and be a part of my Japan family. Japanfam. Japamily. Jamily. I just want to send a lot of love to you all back in the states and let you know that I've had a full eleven hours of sleep and am feeling great. Carpe Diem!

Michael Out.

Japanmas Eve

In about 7 hours I'll be getting on a plane to go to Japan. 17 hours later I'll actually be there. Sounds like waiting in line at the DMV. I feel like I'm about to step into a surreal world, wherein every comfort I know will be gone and I'll be in a foreign dimension where I have the vocabulary of a 2-year-old. I've worked really hard to get to level 2, guys, really, don't take this away from me.

All the work is done. All my dues are paid. My bags are packed and I'm ready to go. Sayoonara!

The departure process has been really positive. Seeing friends this week was edifying. To those of you who've showed your support in various ways, thank you. I obviously wouldn't even be to this point without you. Did I feel the love when you wished me well? SO many times, yes! I pray that in the next three months you will see the fruits of our labor.

Oh, and by the way, we have now raised well over $3000 toward my internship, which means I won't be returning emaciated anymore. If $3000 came in this soon, $6000 should be a cakewalk. Good job you guys!! Give yourselves a huge pat on the back. Treat yourself to an ice cream cone this week... I know I would. I have too many people to thank to do it here. You'll all have to wait until (what will probably be) next year when I slowly and laboriously write thank you cards (I'm hoping Dec. 2012 comes first.. muahhaha). Nonetheless, seriously, I am REALLY grateful.

The truth is, nothing is left to be said. I'm happy. I'm nervous. I'm excited. You all have done more than could ever be asked of you, and have proven that I have the greatest friends. And to Paul, Nancy, and Naomi, I must say I cannot wait to get to know you like I will.

Well kids.. see you in a few months. I'll try not to post too many pictures of REAL, FRESH SUSHI for you to look at, but no promises (you know how I get).. To my new family, nice to meet you!

Michael out.

=) <3 =)

P.S. I hope I don't fall in love with (and marry) a body pillow while I'm over there.
(See 30 Rock, Season 3, Ep. 9)

January Jitters

"Sometimes you have to depend on others to find what you need."

-Old man in a yellow poncho, Bicycle

I leave for Tokyo, Japan in ten days.

I could not possibly feel weirder.

There are so many things for which I feel unprepared. Japanese. Dollars to Yen. Toilets. Speed trains. Tokyo airport. The list goes on. Thankfully, I'm not terrible with chopsticks.

I bought my ticket on January 10, ten days ago. I normally don't feel apprehensive about traveling, but this is a little bit outside the bounds of my experience. I'm getting excited. Keenly excited. Jittery. It's as if I'm not here anymore, already. There's so much to do, and so little time left in which to accomplish it. I think it makes even small tasks daunting knowing that I'll be leaving soon.

But everything has already been accomplished. I feel confident of that. The things I've been working toward in faith-partnership with those around me are coming to fruition, and it is mind-blowing.

A small update is that on Tuesday we hosted another screening of Bicycle and raised $250. I'm sitting right around $1900 right now, and I believe this to be excellent footing by which to set forth. I do not fear not being able to raise enough money. There is still time for many to contribute and I've been so blessed already by friends and loved ones. This has been a truly moving experience of faith.

The great thing is that if you missed your chance to contribute financially so far, you can still do so even as I'm in Japan.

For those of you who've partnered with me, thank you. I cannot wait to share this experience with you, and one of the key ways I'll be doing that is sending out bi-monthly email updates, as well as blogging. The 21st century has given this "partnership" a whole new dimension, to the point where we can all share actively in what God is doing in real time with email, blogs, twitter, and facebook. Hang on to your hats, kids. I'm going to be UPDATING you. That's right. And it will be fierce.

Please pray for me as this week transpires and I prepare for my 7 am flight on Sunday, Jan 30. Pray that God will prepare everything according to His purposes.

I love you all. Michael out.

Late December Update

Friends and loved ones,

December has been a very successful month for me, both personally AND toward Japan. It has been a time of reconnecting with estranged friends and family. My dear friends Lance, Amy, and Kelsey returned home in early Dec. after a three month absence. At the same time, I've had the wonderful privilege of reconnecting with my cousin Jacob after a decade of radio silence.

It was so brilliant to see my cousin after a decade and realize the ways we've grown together over a great distance. I've always felt like I didn't know my extended family, since I have always been the younger cousin, but speaking now as adults is incredibly rewarding. Last summer, I had my brother's wedding AND a reunion to see my relatives again, and the more of them I meet, the more connected I feel to my family and the big picture. I want my life to involve more connectedness from now on...

God has also blessed me this month with friends who are both supportive and generous, even though it's the holiday season and (let's face it), who REALLY feels generous this time of year? Only by faith. I've been  overwhelmed by friends who've stepped forward to help. So far, about $1200 has been raised toward Japan.

But not all gifts are financial. Just this Christmas, my loving/wonderful girlfriend, Alysondra, gave me some (MUCH NEEDED) new shoes to wear, which will no longer make me look like a homeless man. Even more, I have a camera to take with me now, thanks to the generous contribution of Mark and Stacy Hennings.. to one, to all, thank you, thank you, thank you.

I am incredibly psyched coming off this month to see what God will do in January. I am meeting with the elders from Grace Chapel and Rosemont Alliance in the coming weeks, and the number of people who have chosen to support me keeps increasing. Praise Jesus.


Michael

Early December Update...

Hello friends,

As I sit on my sofa with a cold watching old episodes of the office I am drawn my thoughts on Japan, and I feel an update is in order.

I know this is reminiscent of my last post, but, as my mind drifts back to it from time to time, I STILL find myself inspired by Bicycle. Part of this is because fund raising isn't exactly going as planned. Being a first timer, I am overcoming a large amount of challenges all at once. Contacting people, being tactful, planning events that are FUN. My friend group is mostly those who just graduated from or are still in college, it's not an easy fit for them to give monetarily (as it never is for me, either). It's taking some out of the box thinking. All in all, I've probably raised around $1000... five more to go... I feel like I'm chasing little bicycle parts all over town. But this is the world in which I live.

On the plus side, I've got a super-fun Christmas Party/fundraiser coming up on Dec. 17. It should be a big shindig, with live music and a raffle.. I'm hoping that will bring in $500. Every little bit counts.. And it will be fun. Which is the whole point. And yes, I love ugly sweaters.

So, the biggest thing I need at this point is just for people to stay tuned.. and show up to my Christmas party. The fact that you're connected with me right now means the world. If you're interested in seeing Bicycle, there will be a few more showings coming up this month, and I'll be sending out invitations soon. In the meantime, much love muchachos..

Michael

Crunch Time

I want to start this note by saying a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who showed up to the movie screening on Saturday. It's a truly amazing feeling to have your friends come see and support what you're doing. I felt the warmth and love of the people in my life in a way new and amazing way. It's surprising and inspiring to see twenty-somethings get together to give not only spiritual and emotional, but financial support to a peer.

We raised about $180.. for a fundraiser of fewer than twenty young people, that's not too shabby. It's not about the money--It was such a blessing to have people partner with me. Here are my shout outs to the people who made this event possible: Alysondra, Haley, Toni , Amber, my loving mother June, Natalie, Ian (the sound guy), and of course Jesus C. (deity).

Today is sort of a nervous day for me because I find out if I got into the MDS pharmaceutical study or not. This is pivotal, because I could earn up to $3,000 toward Japan.. if not, I'll have to do a lot more fundraising. I know God will provide the money. At the same time, in my book, money earned is better than money requisitioned.

However, I am honored to have the partnership of my friends and loved ones on this adventure into the unknown. Allowing others to give includes them in the entire process, and this is just as important as having the funds. This is something I have even been challenged by in my uncle's movie, Jitensha (Bicycle).

In Bicycle, Mamoru encounters an old man at the beach that helps him discover his last lost bike part. In passing, the old man (sporting a yellow poncho, a long, gray beard, and a metal detector--I dream to look that classy someday, but I guess to be Japanese you've got to be born Japanese...), admonishes Mamoru that "sometimes you have to rely on others to find what you're looking for."

It's true for me as well. In this instance, I have to rely on others to accomplish these big goals. I don't have to do everything myself. At the same time, personally, I feel it is necessary to earn everything. But I simply can't, and shouldn't have to.

I am reminded again about how simply inspiring I find this movie to be. Having watched it 7 or 8 times now, I am drawn to how it speaks to me over and over. He's closed up, inside his shell ... this is the world you live in ... sometimes you must rely on others ... your handwriting sucks. All these things and more I find context for in my own life. As much as I am hoping to minister to others, I have already been ministered to in greater abundance.

In less than 2 hours I'll find out about the medical study. If that's not the ticket (I've never succeeded in getting into one), then I know God will make another way. I guess it's a lesson in trust waiting to happen.

Stay tuned.
Michael

Postage Paid

If you're tuning in to this today (or any other day) it is probably because I sent support letters this week. First of all, THANK YOU for reading. A double huge thanks to anyone who clips out my picture and sticks it on their fridge.

It was a gigantic relief to finally see the letters go this week. They had been weighing on me, and I just wanted them to be perfect. I spent so much time meticulously fine-tuning them down to the tiniest detail--I wanted to show an excellent portrait of my vision. If I hadn't put my heart into them, I would be selling myself, and ultimately everyone, short. Having done that, there is a certain point at which you have to let things go, let things be themselves, and wash your hands of it. I had reached that point, and, now that I've contacted you, I hope you can capture my vision for this project.

Japan is still two and a half months away, and though that seems far off, time is short. I know the holiday season is difficult, but I am hoping to raise the $5,000-$7,000 that I'll need by 2011. This would be another giant relief, and a huge answer to prayer.

On my end, I've also been working with my brother, Mark, to learn video filming and editing. I made a trip to Omaha last week and filmed some footage with Omaha Video Solutions, and, under Mark's guidance recorded some of the material that appeared in the final video here.

Mark is so talented--it's awesome and awkward to be having my younger brother wow me with his knowledge. We always joked about how Mark would be a millionaire when I was growing up. But we were always secretly serious. And now I see why. So much love, bro!

My weekly update is concluded, so I would just like to emphasize an enormous THANK YOU to everyone who read their letters this week. I'm excited to see you all subscribe.

Peace, love, and Happy Halloween.

Michael