JAPAN // Testament to God's Goodness

TESTAMENT TO GOD’S GOODNESS //

DAY 1 of bicycle riding across JAPAN…

So I end up buying a bike from the re-use store. Hands down the BEST way to travel Japan. The grand plan was to gun it to Shikoku- a 9 hour car drive from Enoshima- where an old friend resides, & where surf was a guarantee. Let’s just say I was overly ambitious in wanting to achieve that in my 7 remaining days. But hey, when you step out & take action, when you trust & just go for it, when you take that leap of faith; God is absolutely beaming at you & your enthusiasm & he’s going to support you the whole way. And oh boy how he did…

Items onboard: hiking-pack, sleeping bag & a tarp. I was expecting to sleep on the beach. The night before I left I prayed over the whole ride & whatever the Lord wanted to show me through his word. I came to Matthew 9:35 // “Jesus went through all the towns & villages, teaching in the synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom & healing every disease & sickness. The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his field.”

This is the verse of scripture that Japanese people of faith are ALWAYS referring to- with a 0.8% Christian population, the workers are very few. You might be reading this getting slightly disgusted (if you’re a non-believer)…saying to yourself “you’re going to another country to pull them away from their beautiful culture & religion?!?.” Yes & no. Don’t worry, I used to be just as disgusted. Nothing should be spoken or preached without love, respect & a humble gentleness. Christ-like. Anyways do not let this sway you… this article is ultimately a personal testimony of my own walk & experience with God- seeing his provision, blessings & getting to know the full depth of his character in my own faith journey.

Below Matthew 9 was the scripture of Jesus sending out the 12 disciples. “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts- no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep.” Matthew 10:9

Straight up the Lord placed on my heart that there is no need to take my purse… and honestly I had absolute faith that he’d provide, but for safety purposes / emergency, or just in case, I bought it with me. I guess that’s not completely stepping out in faith but it is also wise. I didn’t even register the no spare clothes, but now I remember seeing clothes put out on the side of the road to be collected. I COULD have found clothes ha. A few hours into the ride I thought to myself ah wow Jem, this is actually a really long way… as soon as I looked up I saw a mural that said ‘No road is too long with good company.’ WOW. That right there made me smile so much. Who’s my company? God- my mate Jesus- who is loving on each one of us, in every moment, everywhere, all at once- all 8 billion of us. A beautiful reminder at a profound time.

"I am a God who is everywhere and not in one place only. No one can hide where I cannot see them. Do you not know that I am everywhere in heaven and on earth?” Jeremiah 23:23-24 GNT

When I saw a random lemon in the middle of the path at one point- after breakfast when I sat down under a beautiful tree and ate the leftover curry from the nights dinner. I was so content with what I had. So grateful. I had that thought / feeling inside of me like mm hmm I trust you Lord. I then managed to take a 2 hour detour up through the mountains haha. Sooo slow on the bike; it literally took me 10 minutes to come back down. Wild, but I was like ah whatever that was beautiful. Then maps took me the scenic route back up through the next set of mountains hahaaa. Had to trust the app that I could ride my bicycle on the 135 highway. Again, as I thought that, there was a painted bicycle sign stating yes, you can ride. Thank you Lord. Momentary & instant answers to my thoughts & worries.

BUT, anyway, I saw a lemon & rode straight past it. And it came to my mind hmm random. Nothing is random. That was an opportunity / invitation to pick it up and eat potentially haha. So I was like okay Lord, if you show me more fruit I 100% know you just want me to live off of what you provide me with today. Reading this you might think I’m the biggest fruit-loop, but God is always trying to get our attention and woo our hearts, in every moment. He is a humorous romantic! 5 minutes later, a grapefruit is on the ground on the opposite side of the road. I stop, go look at it- not good to eat, so I keep riding. Uh well next one. NEXT ONE- There’s a field of orange trees on the side of the road overlooking the ocean. Next corner- grapefriuts. Next corner- Umeboshis (Japanese apricot). Whaaaa! Thank you Lordd. I picked 3 oranges, 2 grapefruit & devoured about 10 japanese apricots haha. I didn’t store with me more for the next days, for God will always provide me with all that I need- just like the Israelites when they were wandering for 40 years in the desert. Exodus 16:4 “The Lord said to Moses, “I’m going to send you food from heaven like rain. Each day the people should go out and gather only what they need for that day. In this way I will test them to see whether or not they will follow my instructions.”

I’m writing this down in a little Nepalese restaurant, post a stranger handing me 50,000 yen ($50) & saying order whatever you like & keep the change for your travels. For context- I was at a crossroads of whether to head down the coast to Izu or continue Shikoku way. This guy was walking across the road, we locked eyes, struck up a friendly conversation. Turns out he was studying in Melbourne years ago. He says goodbye, I say goodbye, & earnestly “Jesus loves you.” 30 seconds later he walks back around the corner & asks if he can buy me lunch.

The Nepalese waiter came over again (first time I was sitting there in awe for 5 minutes) second time he asked what I was writing about & I just started balling haha. I said I’m reading the bible and writing about it because God has shown me everything that he said in it today (par casting out demons & physically healing the sick). He has shown me his faithfulness, his goodness, his love & blessed me with so much abundance & more than I need. I am grateful for one grapefruit, then he brings me a whole field and a whole orchard! I am grateful for 3 oranges, one grapefruit, then he shows me a whole row of apricot trees nestled amongst a bamboo forest, with fruit that is so juicy and ripe. I am in awe of his blessings and goodness. And when I say grateful, I mean content too. BUT, God wants to give us the BEST. He provides us with MORE than our daily bread. That’s what made me start balling haha.

The next part of the scripture is…

“Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person & stay at their house until you leave…” Matthew 10:11

‘Okay Lord, I trust you on this, not going to lie there is fear of not, but I KNOW that you are trustworthy, good & true, and that you will provide for me more than I need. So thank you Jesus. Thank you in advance for wherever I end up. Even if it is a patch of dirt! You are good & faithful & true & I trust you. I’m going to start crying again.’ Ahhh more tears hear we go… Just remember I got up at 4am & had been riding for 7 hours on a mummacita cruiser bike with a 20kg pack... I’m allowed to cry.

3hrs later I ride into Atami. I was kind of kicking myself because the town before was so much more petite & culturally raw, with a sick little A-frame down the front beach! Atami is stunning but it is resort cityyyy. No-where to discreetly sleep on the beach in this upmarket part of Japan! Palm trees & high rise resorts lined the beachfront and ascended up into the mountains behind. I got changed into bathers & thought oh well , I mose well go for a swim, God would want me enjoying this and not stressin, I might end up in some swanky hotel you never know.

Parked my bike, had a yarn with one couple who could just speak English, then we finish, I lock eyes with a lady who’s come down with her dog, but I keep walking down the path. After readjusting my bike spot I turn around, she wants to go but the dog does not want to move; straining against the lead. I was like ahh I should have a yarn. We have a really nice conversation and then she asks so where are you staying? I say, ah to be honest I don’t know, I was just going to sleep on the beach. “Do you want to come & stay with me?, come come grab your things.” When I turned my mouth dropped in awe. Ha- Lorddd. What!! Next thing you know I’m welcomed into her & her partner Getch’s apartment. Handed an ice cold Asahi beer, showered with all different types of Japanese snacks, “have you tried this?” & shown my room which is a classic Japanese style bamboo floor with a thin matt- a futon. So cool. We then go out to a spanish restaurant & meet up with their friends who can also speak a bit of English woohoo! A tapestry of fine seafood- shrimp, scallops, abalone, oysters, & a seperate dish of tripe (cows stomach) lines the table, complimented with white wine from Spain. Then out to a bar & back for an onsen spa! A hot spring communal bath where women all bathe naked together, & men in their own separate room. A cool cultural tradition & a beautiful thing to embrace!

Eriko even gave me my own wash bag with soap & shampoo & a little towel. Honestly after a 10 hour bicycle ride this just made my day. So kind & generous.

Next day Eriko & I visit a local temple. Shintoism & Buddhism are Japan's two major religions. Shintoism is as old as the Japanese culture, while Buddhism came from the mainland in the 6th century. Religion / spirituality does not play a big role in the everyday life of most Japanese people today. The average person typically follows the rituals at ceremonies like birth, weddings and funerals, they may visit a shrine or temple on New Year and participate at local festivals like matsuri, but for the most part- it is done out of tradition. So it was fascinating going there and & then going to church, which just happened to be 300 metres from her apartment. Eriko was stoked. “Let’s pray.” I was like wow, she’s so open to Jesus, but I think that’s because they have sooo many gods- literally a god for everything- that it wasn’t an abstract idea. I pray that we can all come to know the one true God & his profound love for us.

Ahhh so that was DAY 1 of my adventure riding across Japan (and a small snippetof day 2.) That first day alone grew my relationship with God SO MUCH. Just to be a living testimony to his goodness, his provision, his trustworthiness, his faithfulness, his blessings, and above all his love.

Psalm 100:5 “For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”