<p>John Timothy in Hokkaido describes daily life and ministry as far more exhausting in Japanese, including praying and speaking about Jesus accurately. Liz and Mike, still struggle with language and understanding cultural reasons behind behavior after 15 years here, while AJ compares the transition to feeling “reborn as a baby,” describing frustration and humiliation when he can’t do familiar ministry tasks.</p><p>Workers also highlight cultural dynamics like honne and tatemae, making it hard to discern genuine interest, and a reluctance to correct mistakes, alongside common barriers like busyness.</p><p>Margaret and others reflect that these trials become “God’s sandpaper,” deepening humility and reliance on God’s work rather than performance.</p><p><a href="https://omf.org/uk/east-asia/japan/#resources">Visit our website for resources and more information on OMF Japan⁠</a></p><p><br></p><p>00:00 Welcome</p><p>01:06 Why Language Exhausts</p><p>03:31 Feeling Like a Baby</p><p>05:38 Culture Honne and Tatemae</p><p>08:44 Busyness and Time Barriers</p><p>10:12 God Uses the Friction</p><p>10:42 Humbled Into Reliance</p><p>13:27 Trials and James 1</p><p>15:29 Next Episode and Farewell</p>