Imagine 70 people sandwiched into a small train car, standing room only, shoulder to shoulder. In Tokyo, the crowds during the morning commute are nearly overwhelming. Yet, one of the easiest ways to travel in Japan is via the train. Thankfully, the trains moved so fast that the claustrophobia was only momentary.

You might imagine this as a noisy experience, but in Japan, people on the train refrain from talking out of a cultural desire for communal harmony. Talking on the phone or having a loud conversation can disturb others, so train rides are relatively quiet. This silence begins when they line up to board the train cars and continues throughout the ride.

Not knowing enough Japanese to start a conversation with anyone, even if we wanted to, Kwan and I used these opportunities to people-watch. We observed plenty of people scrolling on their phones. Some used the opportunity to catch a quick nap, while others stared out the window, watching the world go by. There were also people reading books; most wrapped in paper to protect readers’ privacy from prying eyes. Kwan and I cannot wait to read our unwrapped Bibles on the train as a subtle way to spread the gospel. We are certain God will show us other, less subtle ways to spread the gospel in Japan.

On behalf of our family, thank you to everyone who has helped us reach our launch goal. We are one step closer to moving our family to Japan, and we would be grateful if you could join our monthly support team so we can attend training in May. 

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