This week, a few of us had the opportunity to observe our witnessing guests receive an introductory PowerPoint of J-CARP. We also had Amy and Joanna join us in the weekend, new additions to our J-CARP family! It was really exciting to watch the member’s style of witnessing, sitting in the University canteen with some tea and watching a tablet screen. We tried to practise saying our witnessing lines in Japanese and could meet some really interesting people!
On Saturday, we met the 3rd year CheonIlGuk missionaries who are going to the UK soon. They treated us with some real Japanese sushi at a Tokyo restaurant. Totemo Oishideshita! Afterwards, we went to the Shibuya church centre to introduce ourselves to the leaders of the Japanese CIG missionaries and the missionaries themselves.
On Sunday, all the European J-CARP members went to the international Sunday service at the Tokyo headquarters. We experienced a service full of international members; the atmosphere and sermon were very bright and inspiring.
In the evening, the president of J-CARP and his wife visited Sousei Centre, along with the Tokyo block leader. They wanted to find out who we were and why we were here to do CARP in Japan. It’s inspiring that the leaders here have been making so much effort to make us feel personally welcomed in Japan. The European members performed a song for the guests, but we were soon outshone by the Japanese members who sang and danced as the evening turned into an enjoyable family night. Although it was extremely packed (and slightly claustrophobic!) with about 30 people confined in a space no bigger than 4 square metres we could feel the love in the room. What can we say, we’re all one big family right?
On Saturday, we met the 3rd year CheonIlGuk missionaries who are going to the UK soon. They treated us with some real Japanese sushi at a Tokyo restaurant. Totemo Oishideshita! Afterwards, we went to the Shibuya church centre to introduce ourselves to the leaders of the Japanese CIG missionaries and the missionaries themselves.
On Sunday, all the European J-CARP members went to the international Sunday service at the Tokyo headquarters. We experienced a service full of international members; the atmosphere and sermon were very bright and inspiring.
In the evening, the president of J-CARP and his wife visited Sousei Centre, along with the Tokyo block leader. They wanted to find out who we were and why we were here to do CARP in Japan. It’s inspiring that the leaders here have been making so much effort to make us feel personally welcomed in Japan. The European members performed a song for the guests, but we were soon outshone by the Japanese members who sang and danced as the evening turned into an enjoyable family night. Although it was extremely packed (and slightly claustrophobic!) with about 30 people confined in a space no bigger than 4 square metres we could feel the love in the room. What can we say, we’re all one big family right?
Click "Read More" for the testimonies
Hannah
I really enjoyed this week! I like the casual witnessing style here using a power point. They go through topics that might inspire young people such as volunteering and project work. We could do something similar in England, introducing WAIT and other activities. They also emphasise building friendships with the guests which makes witnessing more natural. Meeting the J-CARP International leader was nice- I felt really welcomed and appreciated coming to Japan as a European member. It’s touching that the leaders make so much effort with international members – I can’t say if the same would happen in England? I suppose it’s the culture here, but it makes relationships seem more personal which is always nice Looking forward to this final week of J-CARP, bring it on!
Jeungsun
The past week in CARP Japan has been very busy with various activities going on. We witnessed intensely. One day our group witnessed for over 3 hours which was testing, but it was satisfying to bring results. Witnessing made up the majority of the activities that we did. The days went so, quickly. I learnt a lot through my brothers and sisters and also through their personal experiences. I also felt humbled, by the attitude the Japanese CARP members have towards their responsibilities. It was good to see the new missionaries to Britain. It was a great week!
Michael
This week was intense! We witnessed a lot and managed to gain about 6 guests as a UK team. We have been meeting with them throughout the week. On one occasion I was extremely tired and I spend 2 hours witnessing in the rain with one brother who spoke nearly no English. We were rejected for the full two hours, until the final person we spoke to received what we were saying so well and so enthusiastically, I will meet him on Tuesday the 7th July; it was a special experience of will for me and trusting God will help you if you invest 100%.
We also had the opportunity to visit Tokyo more this week and experience life outside the Carp centre. I could also experience going to the video centre in Tokyo and witness to one of Atsumi's old friends, it was an insight into how non-CARP members witness and a stark reminder of the big division between CARP and the Unification Church, which for me personally feels very unnatural. We also could have dinner with the new 3rd year CIG missionaries that will be in the UK next year. We ate Sushi and discussed witnessing in our movement which was very interesting. We could meet the World Japan Missions Director who was so nice and kind; I was moved by his devoting to the CIG missionary program! He agreed with me when saying that the whole purpose of witnessing is for bringing people to the blessing, I was very pleased to receive his support. It was very touching to be encouraged so much with taking initiative in our church regarding witnessing. He truly wanted us to succeed in creating a CARP centre in the UK and it was an honour to be encouraged and understood by someone in such a high position.
On Sunday we were able to go to the International Sunday Service in the Tokyo UC HQ. We could meet a lot of international couples and families that were both visiting and also living in Japan. During the service, learning Japanese was emphasised several times and every time I really felt they were speaking right to me. They always looked at me when saying, ‘you have to do it to understand your spouse’ (even though not everyone in the room was married to a Japanese). One German lady who now speaks perfect Japanese testified to having had to shed tears on the journey of learning Japanese.
Joanna
Originally, I and my sister were supposed to be attending a 40 day summer workshop at Cheong Pyeong, Korea. However, because of the MERS disease virus, the centre was closed and all workshops were cancelled. This meant last minute planning for us and finally we came to JCARP, (even though they had many people to care for already) which meant we were very grateful to have been given this opportunity and experience at such short notice. I am only 16 years old, meaning I was the youngest participant there, which felt slightly daunting at first as I felt I was least experienced and had a lot to learn. However, I was really grateful for the things I was taught and was so inspired by all the older second gen who I looked up to a lot during JCARP. I was also really glad to be able to experience witnessing a bit more also and its importance as it is not so common in the UK for second gen (especially my age) to witness. I felt that my self confidence really increased through this and I could definitely feel part of the team despite my age difference and experience to everyone else. Learning Japanese was another challenge to overcome but I was only in the best place and surrounded by the best people to start to learn. The Japanese sisters also helped us a lot to learn the language and were incredibly patient and loving to us throughout the workshop. I have never met such dedicated, inspiring people of faith before and somehow felt I had a small responsibility to bring this inspiration and mindset back to the UK. Although, I felt slightly unprepared and nervous about coming to JCARP, I am very grateful to have come and really feel like my faith has become stronger in so many ways. There are so many things I was able to learn from everyone (especially the Japanese members) and I truly believe that God has a plan for everyone and works in ways you would not expect.
Amy
I came only a few days ago; it feels like I've been here for ages. The community here is really welcoming and friendly. And Japanese people are so cute!!
The culture shock was pretty interesting though, every day I see something new and strange. This morning, for example, I was watching one of the members eating their cereal with chopsticks.
From the first few hours I arrived, I have been especially inspired by the dedication and sincerity of the J-CARP members. Their level of faith and determination is really incredible; they work so hard every day for their guests, for each other and for God, on top of all their studies and part time work. I have so much respect for them. Not only for their dedication but I also really admire their organisation and witnessing system. I feel that the western world has so much to learn from these members.
I really enjoyed this week! I like the casual witnessing style here using a power point. They go through topics that might inspire young people such as volunteering and project work. We could do something similar in England, introducing WAIT and other activities. They also emphasise building friendships with the guests which makes witnessing more natural. Meeting the J-CARP International leader was nice- I felt really welcomed and appreciated coming to Japan as a European member. It’s touching that the leaders make so much effort with international members – I can’t say if the same would happen in England? I suppose it’s the culture here, but it makes relationships seem more personal which is always nice Looking forward to this final week of J-CARP, bring it on!
Jeungsun
The past week in CARP Japan has been very busy with various activities going on. We witnessed intensely. One day our group witnessed for over 3 hours which was testing, but it was satisfying to bring results. Witnessing made up the majority of the activities that we did. The days went so, quickly. I learnt a lot through my brothers and sisters and also through their personal experiences. I also felt humbled, by the attitude the Japanese CARP members have towards their responsibilities. It was good to see the new missionaries to Britain. It was a great week!
Michael
This week was intense! We witnessed a lot and managed to gain about 6 guests as a UK team. We have been meeting with them throughout the week. On one occasion I was extremely tired and I spend 2 hours witnessing in the rain with one brother who spoke nearly no English. We were rejected for the full two hours, until the final person we spoke to received what we were saying so well and so enthusiastically, I will meet him on Tuesday the 7th July; it was a special experience of will for me and trusting God will help you if you invest 100%.
We also had the opportunity to visit Tokyo more this week and experience life outside the Carp centre. I could also experience going to the video centre in Tokyo and witness to one of Atsumi's old friends, it was an insight into how non-CARP members witness and a stark reminder of the big division between CARP and the Unification Church, which for me personally feels very unnatural. We also could have dinner with the new 3rd year CIG missionaries that will be in the UK next year. We ate Sushi and discussed witnessing in our movement which was very interesting. We could meet the World Japan Missions Director who was so nice and kind; I was moved by his devoting to the CIG missionary program! He agreed with me when saying that the whole purpose of witnessing is for bringing people to the blessing, I was very pleased to receive his support. It was very touching to be encouraged so much with taking initiative in our church regarding witnessing. He truly wanted us to succeed in creating a CARP centre in the UK and it was an honour to be encouraged and understood by someone in such a high position.
On Sunday we were able to go to the International Sunday Service in the Tokyo UC HQ. We could meet a lot of international couples and families that were both visiting and also living in Japan. During the service, learning Japanese was emphasised several times and every time I really felt they were speaking right to me. They always looked at me when saying, ‘you have to do it to understand your spouse’ (even though not everyone in the room was married to a Japanese). One German lady who now speaks perfect Japanese testified to having had to shed tears on the journey of learning Japanese.
Joanna
Originally, I and my sister were supposed to be attending a 40 day summer workshop at Cheong Pyeong, Korea. However, because of the MERS disease virus, the centre was closed and all workshops were cancelled. This meant last minute planning for us and finally we came to JCARP, (even though they had many people to care for already) which meant we were very grateful to have been given this opportunity and experience at such short notice. I am only 16 years old, meaning I was the youngest participant there, which felt slightly daunting at first as I felt I was least experienced and had a lot to learn. However, I was really grateful for the things I was taught and was so inspired by all the older second gen who I looked up to a lot during JCARP. I was also really glad to be able to experience witnessing a bit more also and its importance as it is not so common in the UK for second gen (especially my age) to witness. I felt that my self confidence really increased through this and I could definitely feel part of the team despite my age difference and experience to everyone else. Learning Japanese was another challenge to overcome but I was only in the best place and surrounded by the best people to start to learn. The Japanese sisters also helped us a lot to learn the language and were incredibly patient and loving to us throughout the workshop. I have never met such dedicated, inspiring people of faith before and somehow felt I had a small responsibility to bring this inspiration and mindset back to the UK. Although, I felt slightly unprepared and nervous about coming to JCARP, I am very grateful to have come and really feel like my faith has become stronger in so many ways. There are so many things I was able to learn from everyone (especially the Japanese members) and I truly believe that God has a plan for everyone and works in ways you would not expect.
Amy
I came only a few days ago; it feels like I've been here for ages. The community here is really welcoming and friendly. And Japanese people are so cute!!
The culture shock was pretty interesting though, every day I see something new and strange. This morning, for example, I was watching one of the members eating their cereal with chopsticks.
From the first few hours I arrived, I have been especially inspired by the dedication and sincerity of the J-CARP members. Their level of faith and determination is really incredible; they work so hard every day for their guests, for each other and for God, on top of all their studies and part time work. I have so much respect for them. Not only for their dedication but I also really admire their organisation and witnessing system. I feel that the western world has so much to learn from these members.