Several nights in a row, I heard the same unfamiliar song. In Yokohama, Japan, where I’m still learning the native language, it wasn’t particularly surprising that the song was unfamiliar to me. But it definitely seemed strange to hear the same song playing over and over, day after day, drifting through my apartment window from the street below.
I wondered widely about the source of the song. It seemed to always start playing around sunset, I thought. The sustained and rhythmic notes were definitely chanting the same words, from what I could piece together. I still had no idea what it was trying to convey, but I finally landed on a guess: a short distance from my apartment, on the other side of the hill, is a small Buddhist temple. Maybe there was some kind of prayer call being held! I made a mental note to research the possibility, and prayed “God, I’m still not sure what this song is, but please bring whoever is listening to worship You instead!”
Just a couple days later, the mystery of the song was solved. Walking through my quiet neighborhood at dusk, I heard the song begin to play as I approached home. Anticipation mounted. I tried to muster up enough Japanese memory for a basic gospel explanation, should the opportunity arise. Turning the corner, I saw the large speaker blasting music… attached to a small white truck… with an oven attached! A few children were stopped by the truck when I got closer. Curiosity piqued, I slowed down to try and catch a glimpse of what was going on. The kids handed some money to a man behind the oven, who then handed back several small foil-wrapped items. The meaning of the slow, repeating song was finally revealed: “Sweet potatoes! Sweet potatoes! Stone-roasted sweet potatoes!”
With a little curiosity, I learned something (however small!) about the culture and customs of my new home — and I gained a delicious new snack!
This particular story happened last year, during my first winter in Japan, where I work with Mustard Seed Network. I’m pleased to report that now, in my second winter, I have at least a little bit more language and cultural awareness to draw from. But there is still so much for me to be curious about! And there are so many people who have yet to hear about Jesus’ love for them.
I am coming to believe that when we are genuinely curious about the people around us, God is endlessly creative in the ways He uses those relationships for His glory (and our good). Maybe such earnest curiosity is part of what Jesus meant when he encouraged his disciples to be “like little children” in Matthew 18:3! Whether in our own hometown or in a totally new place: when we ask good questions of the people we encounter, when we seek to truly know them better, when we approach with open arms, we get to show the love of Jesus in action. How can you show Christ-like care with your curiosity this week?
Nathan Storms
Nathan has just finished his first season as a missionary to Japan, where he completed language school, engaged in cultural acquisition, and became established with the church family at Mustard Seed Christian Church in Yokohama. He’s now returning to Japan where he will join the staff of Mustard Seed Christian Church in Yokohama, leading out in various ministries that help people experience completeness in Jesus.
