Tatel, Howard , OMI – For a new missionary arriving in Japan, orientation to the country is not learned only through explanations, schedules, or information about culture. Japan is gradually understood by walking through its streets, entering its sacred spaces, listening to its sounds, observing its people, and sharing life with others.
Our journey together in Kyoto became, in this sense, more than a simple excursion. It became a form of community animation. As we travelled together by bicycle through Kyoto’s historic places, we were not only discovering Japan; we were also discovering one another as a community. Through the places we visited, the experiences we shared, the conversations we had, and the laughter that accompanied us, we began to experience something of the rhythm of life and mission in Japan.
One of the first lessons that Kyoto offered us was the beauty of silence and contemplation. As we rode our bicycles through the historic areas and visited its temples, we encountered places marked by serenity, simplicity, and a deep sense of harmony. The gardens, trees, stones, pathways, and ancient structures seemed to have their own proper place and purpose. Each small element contributed to the beauty of the whole. In these sacred spaces, I felt invited to slow down, to look more attentively, and to allow silence to speak. For a missionary, this is an important lesson. Before we can speak to people about God, we must also learn how to listen—to the people, to the culture, to the silence, and to the movements of the Spirit. The temples reminded us that mission requires a contemplative heart, one that can recognize beauty and meaning even in the small and simple things of everyday life.
This quiet serenity was beautifully contrasted by the energy of Japan’s cities. Moving through the country and experiencing its busy streets and subway stations, we encountered another rhythm of Japanese life. People hurried to catch their trains, carefully watching the signs and announcements so as not to miss the next stop. Trains arrived and departed, footsteps echoed through the stations, announcements filled the air, and the different sounds of the pedestrian traffic lights guided people across the streets. There was movement everywhere. Yet, in the midst of the crowds and noise, there was also order, discipline, and purpose. The contrast between the quiet temples and the busy subway taught us something important about life in Japan. A missionary must learn to live within both realities: the ability to be still and contemplative, but also the ability to move, adapt, observe, and participate in the fast rhythm of daily life. Japan teaches us that silence and movement do not have to be opposites. Both can become places where we encounter people and discover God.
Our journey also taught us that community is not built only through formal meetings or common work. It is also built through shared experiences. After travelling, walking, cycling, observing, and discovering together, we gathered around the table to share meals in the Japanese style. We enjoyed eating and drinking together, including the joy of an “all-you-can-eat” and “all-you-can-drink” experience. But the real richness of the experience was not simply the abundance of food. It was the joy of being together. Around the table, stories were shared, laughter came naturally, and relationships grew stronger. We were able to relax, to know one another more personally, and to enjoy the simple gift of companionship. In these moments, the community itself became animated—not by a program or an activity, but by the shared joy of life.
Looking back on our experience in Kyoto, I realize that the journey itself became a beautiful image of missionary life. We travelled together, sometimes moving quickly and sometimes slowing down. We encountered beauty, noise, silence, confusion, laughter, and moments of rest. We learned that each person sees and experiences the journey in a different way, yet we are able to share the same road. Like the carefully arranged elements of a Japanese temple, each person has a unique place and contribution within the community. The beauty of the whole is enriched by the presence of each individual.
For a new missionary in Japan, perhaps this is one of the most important lessons: mission begins by learning how to be present. We must learn to see before we speak, to listen before we judge, to appreciate before we criticize, and to walk with others before trying to lead them. The serenity of the temples teaches us contemplation. The busy subways and streets teach us attentiveness and adaptability. The shared meals teach us fraternity and joy. And the journey we make together teaches us that community is itself part of the mission.
Our bicycle ride through Kyoto therefore became more than a journey through historic places. It became a journey of community animation and a small orientation to life in Japan. Through silence and movement, beauty and busyness, reflection and laughter, we began to discover not only the country around us but also the community with whom we share the mission. In the end, the most beautiful part of the journey was not simply reaching one destination after another. It was discovering that, when we travel together with openness and joy, the journey itself can become a place of encounter, communion, and mission.
