Hannah
I am grateful that I could come to JCarp this summer. I have to admit, the first night at Sousei CARP Centre was an overwhelming one as we were loudly welcomed into a boxed room of over 20 people. I wanted to curl into a ball and disappear. There was some culture shock and it was difficult to settle in at first. However, over the next few weeks, I became moved by the amount of determination and sincerity the CARP members gave, taking care of us, despite having to witness every day and then stay up each night for studies. I was amazed every night by how desperately they prayed, as if they wanted to give ten times more than what they were already giving. The members really showed me how much a person can push themselves and how much a person can accomplish if they really try. They were doing things I didn’t think was possible e.g. sleeping 4/5 hours every night and still actively working during the day. They work so hard and they never complain. We Europeans can really learn a lot from them. Their humble and grateful attitude gives them a general positive outlook in life- they never seem to go through struggles! They are constantly living a public lifestyle – I don’t know if they even know the meaning of “me time”. The Japanese members serving and selfless natures showed me what living for the sake of others is really about. It inspired me to also want to be better, to think bigger than just myself all the time.
The most witnessing experience I have had was during STF in Albania. However, the witnessing methods were slightly different on JCARP. I liked the more casual form of witnessing, inviting guests to a short PowerPoint introduction over tea in the Waseda University cafeteria. The members really invested into each guest, trying to form a friendship with them first before introducing CARP, which I was impressed by as it makes witnessing more natural. At times, it was exhausting to pour out so much energy and love to each guest. I was amazed to see how warm and serving the members were. I guess witnessing is almost second nature to them! No wonder the membership numbers are soaring. During witnessing, I began to question my own motivation and desires for witnessing back in England. Do I really believe we have the power to change people’s lives? Why are many older BC’s not inspired to witness? What makes our church so special? Family values, marriage, relationships, making the most of one’s life. In England, we have a lot of inspiring organisations that we could use in collaboration with CARP, such as WAIT and WFWP. I think we could definitely utilise them to make witnessing activities easier back at home.
I am really happy for choosing to come to JCARP and would recommend it to anyone! If you’re looking to experience a whole new culture, get a deeper understanding of activities in our movement and making great new friendships then this is the place to be! Thank you Sousei Centre for everything!
The most witnessing experience I have had was during STF in Albania. However, the witnessing methods were slightly different on JCARP. I liked the more casual form of witnessing, inviting guests to a short PowerPoint introduction over tea in the Waseda University cafeteria. The members really invested into each guest, trying to form a friendship with them first before introducing CARP, which I was impressed by as it makes witnessing more natural. At times, it was exhausting to pour out so much energy and love to each guest. I was amazed to see how warm and serving the members were. I guess witnessing is almost second nature to them! No wonder the membership numbers are soaring. During witnessing, I began to question my own motivation and desires for witnessing back in England. Do I really believe we have the power to change people’s lives? Why are many older BC’s not inspired to witness? What makes our church so special? Family values, marriage, relationships, making the most of one’s life. In England, we have a lot of inspiring organisations that we could use in collaboration with CARP, such as WAIT and WFWP. I think we could definitely utilise them to make witnessing activities easier back at home.
I am really happy for choosing to come to JCARP and would recommend it to anyone! If you’re looking to experience a whole new culture, get a deeper understanding of activities in our movement and making great new friendships then this is the place to be! Thank you Sousei Centre for everything!