Picking Fruit

Back at the end of September I walked up the hill near our church building and reflected a little upon the mandarin orange (or tangerine) orchard that was full of weeds and decaying trees. The reason for its pitiable state was a lack of workers to tend it. As beautiful as the view was from the orchard (seen here), the orchard itself was rather depressing to look at. It reminded me of how great the need for workers (disciple-making believers) is in Japan.

Fast forward two months and I find myself working five or six days a week as–Can you guess?–a mandarin orange picker, a job which gives me eight or nine hours a day to reflect on what it means to be a laborer, a harvester. It has been a real blessing and is helping me to gain a different perspective on Japan, on what it means to labor, as well as on the value of the food and drink that I have often taken for granted.

In the past two weeks I have been up ladders, on branches, and under branches, picking tons (literally) of mandarins with people from all walks of life: a man who just came back from 30 years in a European country as an interpreter, a tough former factory-worker in her 70s, some former “salary men” in their 60s and 70s, and so many others. The job has put me in touch with people with whom I would never have an opportunity to meet otherwise. For this I am thankful; and I want to use this season to reach out to them with the good news of Jesus Christ.

This past Saturday, while taking a short break, one or two of the workers began commenting on the adjacent orchard. It was in a terrible state and, without looking closely, was not recognizable as an orchard. It was choked with weeds, overgrown with vines, and seemed to have more withered branches than fruit. Then the older woman who had been a factory worker–cigarette in mouth, if I recall–made a comment to this effect: “You know, it only takes a year for an orchard to get into that state if it isn’t cared for.” How much more the hearts of men and women!

Praise:

• for a wonderful ABWE Kyushu Thanksgiving celebration here at our home/church on December 2nd
• for Nate’s seasonal employment
• for the kindness of friends here in Japan

Please Pray:

• for us to be able to get all the legal/paperwork done and in for Azusa’s visa
• for strength for Nate as he works six days and leads the church
• for our car situation: Our van has been in the shop for about three weeks; and we are hoping for a clear solution to its mechanical problems and a reasonable bill.
• for a way (ways) in which we can put more time and effort into church ministry, discipleship, and evangelism
• for financial support

We thank you for your prayer support!