Burning middle age! Ouch!

Missionary Diary

2022.07.162023.09.11

Twenty-four years ago, when I was in the U.S. for agricultural training, I attended San Jose State University for just one month. At the time, the university's judo club was one of the best in the U.S., with an Olympic bronze medalist on its roster, and women's judo members from All-Japan also coming for training camps.

I had been a member of the wrestling team in high school and college, so I had some confidence in my martial arts skills, and I boldly entered the training sessions of these fierce competitors.

I also went to practice with a friend of mine who had come from Japan to study agriculture (former sumo wrestling club captain), but we had an accident during sparring (practice in the form of a match) that resulted in a torn knee ligament.

1998年アメリカ・カリフォルニア・フレゾノにて　親友と

It was very painful for him and not a pleasant experience, but the accident led him to go to a Japanese pastor who was his only sponsor in the U.S. I took his luggage and went with him. I went with him, carrying his luggage.

It was the first time for me to meet a "pastor.
But through this encounter, both he and I became Christians.

The first time I met a Japanese pastor (Rev. Nakamura), myself and my best friend Shimoda at the baptismal ceremony @ San Diego

Judo in America. And then to Christianity. The Lord's leading is truly unique and surprising.
The reason I did judo was because I was wrestling, and I was also involved in wrestling in this deputation to Yamaguchi Prefecture.

Visit to the wrestling team of Shunan Public University (former Tokuyama University), Shunan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture

Through a friend, I was able to connect with the director of the wrestling team at this university.
I then joined the wrestling team's practice to burn off my middle-aged fat.
Shunan Public University is a university where some of the wrestlers are so talented that they have become champions in western Japan.