I'm going to write more later about my experiences yesterday with a drunk man in Aji. But for now, I need to outline it:
-Was distributing in the yellow area of the gym. A lady yelled at me and told me to stop giving her gomi (trash).
-I ran out of fliers (maybe missed 2-3 houses) and went back to my car to get more. I was surprised that I used probably at least 100 in that single area.
-As I neared my car, two men who were sitting on folding chairs in a vacant lot and smoking beckoned me in the palm-down, Japanese beckoning fashion (which I always feel is rude, because I feel like I'm a little child being beckoned, but that's just because I'm not used to the mannerism).
-Basic info about me; trouble understanding them; told them I lived in Tadotsu; was a missionary; one was offed by this; the other seemed interested and told me to stay at his house.
-I felt this was an opportunity from God Himself. Earlier, I'd been praying for a good interaction or a few good ones while distributing, and God answered that prayer through this man.
-Told him I had a car and drove him to his house, next to PO.
-He asked if I could park there.
-Went in, saw around; he fed me some dinner (rice and some others). Ice coffee.
-Daughter's family lived next door (didn't meet, though I heard kids)
-Kept telling him that I don't drink.
-He kept saying the whole night that we'd get suki-yaki the next day.
-TV on the whole time (always, it seems).
-He drank lots the whole time. He fell down a couple times throughout the night, but wasn't hurt.
-My Japanese was much better than usual, especially understanding
-Played piano for him (he has one upstairs). He was so impressed, though it wasn't that good.
-Eventually took a shower and went to bed. Emailed a few people from my phone asking for prayer.
-Got the name of his religion. Invited him to the Friday event, but he said he was the wrong religion.
-Had a miserable time sleeping: couch looked comfortable, but it was awful. Resorted to going on the floor. Also hard, because we went to bed about 9.
-Miserable night, kept feeling like people would think I was a burgler or that he would forget who I was in the morning (because he drank so much). I also smelled, because I was wearing the same shirt. He'd offered me others, but that seemed a little funny, to me.
-The whole place was black like the coffee. The smoke and coffee and food all left a bitter, dirty taste in my mouth. It was very dark in there. That man is miserable, even if he wouldn't admit it. That place was oppressive, and the whole experience left me exhausted throughout the next day.
-At 6 AM, the Aji town alarm went off, and so we got up. He gave me some somen and pan for breakfast. His friend came, and they started drinking again: at 6 AM! And he smoked about 3 cigarettes in a row. That really left a bitter taste in my mouth, especially because the windows were closed. I could't really spend time with God, either. What a morning.
-We didn't do Suki-yaki. I left at 7:30 or 8, but he invited me back, anytime. I like having a place to stay in Aji as I need it, but that one is oppressive. At least it was very clean. Someone else must clean it.
-Took the expressway back, though I had to go through rush-hour Takamatsu to get to it (and I finally see why that is a "big city").
-Pray for this man! He sure needs it! And still, despite that it was hard, it was good language-wise and a great ministry opportunity. Hopefully this guy can be a contact we can share the gospel with, though he seems somewhat dedicated to his religion: Tenrikyou (see wikipedia for info on it). Pray he comes to the Friday event!
-The work in Aji is so slow that drastic steps like this are needed if a church is to be planted there. This is the advantage to being a single, male missionary. No other demographic could have done what I did yesterday.
Incidentally, I'm really tired of people saying how young I am. I taught a class of four women today who all have kids who are older than I am, and I'm a little tired of them pointing that fact out!
