I was in Osaka for a couple of hours on a little errand, and I brought my D700 with the 24mm lens mounted on it along for the ride. So while I was going between the train station and where I needed to get to I took a few snap shots. It was in this same underground area in Osaka five years prior (2005), that I first felt a call to come to this part of Japan. I remember back then seeing the crowds moving by and noticing so many faces sad and without hope. The following verse came to mind:
"And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things." - Mark 6:34 (King James Version)
It's a curious thing, but Japan is one of the most wealthy countries on earth, but it's also one of the most saddest, it's hard to see people who are happy. Many people don't even realise how good they have it, they think they are poor and have to keep working very hard. Not that hard work is a bad thing, but people need a balance, we need family time, we need spiritual time. I've been to places in the world which are much poorer financially, but the people are happier because they keep the balance better.
Also on that day in 2005, in this same underground area inside a smoke filled cafe/bar, a Christian friend who had returned to Osaka after three years in Perth, lamented to me "God is not in this country, I can't find him here, I want to go back to Perth". At the very moment the words came out of her mouth, a song buy a Christian Band named "Plumb" started playing on the sound system in the cafe/bar, the words went like this "There's a God shaped hole in all of us...". I encouraged my friend "Listen to the song, God is hear, people are searching for him." She's know found a great church to fellowship in and works as a teacher in a little Christian school.
But, who am I, what do I have to give? Unlike going as a missionary to a third world country, we can't impress the locals with superior technology and knowledge (but then that's not the point of the Gospel anyway, but sadly it's done too often). I many ways Japan is more advanced than the west. I'm only a messenger witnessing to the power of God in this world, I'm not coming here to change people to westerners. Rather I come here pointing out God's works to others and testifying of the "Hope" He has given me. It's not about me, it's about Him.
"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." - 2 Corinthians 4:7 (King James Version)