Japan

[BeamMeUpScotty]

Ahhh, Ok. It's just something that I wonder about from time to time when I see atheist icons, as I can only imagine that if I were of that persuasion, visiting a board like this would be an unnecessary source of frustration. Anyway, thanks for answering, and thanks for taking the question in the tone in which it was asked.

No problem.

If you can read Japanese, here's a brief summary :
幕藩体制（ばくはんたいせい）とは、江戸時代の日本における封建的政治社会体制のことである。 江戸幕府を全ての武士の頂点とて最高の統治機関としながらも、各大名がそれぞれの領地においてある程度独立した統治機構（藩）を形成していることと、米などを現物で納めさせて年貢とする石高制をその基礎においていることが特徴である。諸大名を親藩、譜代大名、外様大名に分け、参勤交代や改易によってこれを統制した。また、士農工商などといわれる身分制度によって武士を支配階級に位置づけた（もっとも士農工商という言葉は当時の階級を正確に表してはいないと指摘されている）。

And if not, here's an even briefer one in English:

The bakuhan taisei ( 幕藩体制 ) was the feudal political system in the Edo period of Japan. Baku, or "tent," is an abbreviation of bakufu, meaning "military government" — that is, the shogunate. The han were the domains headed by daimyo.

(The above execerpts are taken from the Japanese and English versions of the Wikipedia respectively.)

I can get through some of it, but I've only passed level 3 of the proficiency test. I certainly would not wanted to have gotten on Tokugawa's (or any of the samurai's) bad side. Please don't think that I am an apologist for Japan's past--any of it.

Anyway, it's certain that not all of the missionaries came with the sole objective of spreading the Good Word...on that point we're in agreement! However we'll have to agree to disagree on the motivation behind the expulsion of missionaries and the slaughter of Japanese Christians that shortly followed.

I'm a pacifist, so I believe all violence should be avoided until the last resort. I just think missionaryism (is that a word?) has some fundemental problems at its core, mainly its motivations and perceptions of the people they are "helping" and "spreading the word to". I realize many people have only the best intentions in becoming a missionary, however historically, missionaries have caused lots of havoc and even destruction of cultures through their actions (well-intentioned or otherwise).

 

[Overtime_man]

I realize many people have only the best intentions in becoming a missionary, however historically, missionaries have caused lots of havoc and even destruction of cultures through their actions (well-intentioned or otherwise).

Quite true, and as somebody who has done their own fair share of criticizing the way in which many modern missions are handled, I share some of your concerns. It's all too easy for even the most well-intentioned of mission trips to veer off into the realm of cultural imperialism. However, I think that it's quite possible for missions to be conducted in such a way as to treat the native inhabitants with the respect and dignity they deserve, and as a Christian, I obviously believe in the necessity and value of the Great Commission. For me at least, the problem isn't missionary work, but rather the way in which some (perhaps a lot) of it is carried out.

 

[Alchemist]

Quite true, and as somebody who has done their own fair share of criticizing the way in which many modern missions are handled, I share some of your concerns. It's all too easy for even the most well-intentioned of mission trips to veer off into the realm of cultural imperialism. However, I think that it's quite possible for missions to be conducted in such a way as to treat the native inhabitants with the respect and dignity they deserve, and as a Christian, I obviously believe in the necessity and value of the Great Commission. For me at least, the problem isn't missionary work, but rather the way in which some (perhaps a lot) of it is carried out.

Very good point. From what I gather, the expulsion of Christians from Japan was not really about religion. Japan is indeed very rich in religious tradition, with Shintō, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Shamanism all having varying influences in it's history. Christianity was initially well received by the Japanese; there were not a few members of the imperial household who converted to Catholicism during the Edo period. Its later rejection and explusion was primarily for political reasons; the shogunate, observing the way many Christians had conducted missions in countries like the Philippines (i.e. with underlying imperialist tendencies), considered Christianity to be a threat to political stability.

It is a shame, because there are examples of missionaries who have made great efforts to assimilate into their country of mission, and have been greatly successful. One of the best examples would have to be the Orthodox Saint Nicholas of Japan, a Russian missionary who travelled to Japan in 1861. He spent years learning the language, embarking on studies in Japanese history, literature, mythology, and religious philosophy in order to understand and assimilate into Japanese society. Far from wishing to impose Western culture on the Japanese, he instead sought to preserve Japanese culture; during his mission in Japan he translated the whole Bible into Japanese, as well as numerous liturgical texts and prayers. Of course, not all of us could ever achieve those things, and certainly these things were only done by the power of the Holy Spirit. But it shows that a little sensitivity can go a long way, and that applies for anyone going to a new country, missionary or not. As they say, "日本にいると、日本人のようにして" .

Peace,
Nick

P.S. When St. Nicholas celebrated the 50th anniversary of his arrival in Japan, there were 33,017 Christians in 266 communities with 43 clergymen, including 2 bishops, 35 priests, 6 deacons, 121 lay preachers, 200 teachers, a seminary with 94 students, and two girls’ schools with 80 children. Praise God!

 

[BeamMeUpScotty]

Very good point. From what I gather, the expulsion of Christians from Japan was not really about religion. Japan is indeed very rich in religious tradition, with Shintō, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Shamanism all having varying influences in it's history. Christianity was initially well received by the Japanese; there were not a few members of the imperial household who converted to Catholicism during the Edo period. Its later rejection and explusion was primarily for political reasons; the shogunate, observing the way many Christians had conducted missions in countries like the Philippines (i.e. with underlying imperialist tendencies), considered Christianity to be a threat to political stability.

It is a shame, because there are examples of missionaries who have made great efforts to assimilate into their country of mission, and have been greatly successful. One of the best examples would have to be the Orthodox Saint Nicholas of Japan, a Russian missionary who travelled to Japan in 1861. He spent years learning the language, embarking on studies in Japanese history, literature, mythology, and religious philosophy in order to understand and assimilate into Japanese society. Far from wishing to impose Western culture on the Japanese, he instead sought to preserve Japanese culture; during his mission in Japan he translated the whole Bible into Japanese, as well as numerous liturgical texts and prayers. Of course, not all of us could ever achieve those things, and certainly these things were only done by the power of the Holy Spirit. But it shows that a little sensitivity can go a long way, and that applies for anyone going to a new country, missionary or not. As they say, "日本にいると、日本人のようにして" .

Peace,
Nick

P.S. When St. Nicholas celebrated the 50th anniversary of his arrival in Japan, there were 33,017 Christians in 266 communities with 43 clergymen, including 2 bishops, 35 priests, 6 deacons, 121 lay preachers, 200 teachers, a seminary with 94 students, and two girls’ schools with 80 children. Praise God!

Not to be overly cynical, but could it be St. Nicholas realized one can catch more flies with honey than vinegar, so to speak? I still see no reason whatsoever that the Japanese needed or need Christianity.

As for the expulsion of the missionaries, of course it was political. They realized the majority (and I do believe it was a majority, as they tend to follow their leaders' orders) of them were not there for spiritual reasons or to save the "heathens' souls".

Japan is indeed historically very rich in religious tradition. Today, however, almost all Japanese, in my experience, are very a-religious. This is not to mean they are not spiritual. They mostly just don't hold to any particular religion. True they visit temples and shrines on various days of the year, but this is typically more tradition than steadfast belief.

And, just to add a personal note, I am not against missionaries as persons. I was raised a Moravian, and the Moravians are very active in missionary work. Indeed it was from my upbringing that I gained my belief in pacifism. When I was young, my best friend's father and mother had been missionaries in Alaska and S. Africa. They were both exceptionally kind and fine people. I just think the "missionary mentality" demands, either acknowledged or not, a sense of superiority in almost all, if not all, aspects of life and society.

On a side note, and please someone correct me if I'm wrong, but it was at the beginning of the Edo period in which the Christians were expelled and, in 26 cases, executed. During the Edo period is when Japan shut itself off and any remaining Christians went underground.

 

[Breetai]

I never encountered any problems staying in them. What were yours?

At the one I stayed at in Fukuoka (I'm definetely not saying that this is the case at every one. Just for this one... and all of the others that I looked at in the neighborhood), the door would lock from the outside. That meant that you could not get out without ringing the "front desk" and asking for your room to be opened. For a group of four people (only a max of three(?!?) allowed in each room) who wanted to hang out with each other and explore a bit at night, it was not a fun experience. We were constantly being locked out of our rooms and were having to repeatedly make trips down to the office to bag and plead and try to convince the manager lady that we had actually paid so that our our rooms would be opened and we could re-enter them. It was a real pain in the ace.

For what they are, a place to bring a "good friend" in to do your business with, they are fine I guess. They're probably okay if you just want somewhere to crash, but then the PC rooms there are cheaper and provide a room (sort of). We were basically a group of tourists that should've stayed in a "real" hotel. I'll admit to that mistake.

I don't plan to stay in another. I like to have somewhere that I can leave my backpack and actually leave and then re-enter without a hassle.

I'm guessing that capsule hotels aren't much different. I really don't know. They weren't much of an option since we had both sexes in our group.

 

[Breetai]

As for the expulsion of the missionaries, of course it was political. They realized the majority (and I do believe it was a majority, as they tend to follow their leaders' orders) of them were not there for spiritual reasons or to save the "heathens' souls".

I very much agree with that.

 

[Dark_Lite]

Not quite clear on what you're asking but I think you're questioning the legality or ability for minors to get a hotel room?

If so the first thing you have to understand is that Japan is not the U.S.. I lived over there long enough to see many Americans become disgruntled because the Japanese didn't do things like we do in the U.S..

A good example is beer machines. You can find them everywhere on the streets in Japan. That just would not work in the U.S. for obvious reasons.

So to answer your question, you will have no problem finding accomodation for your minors.

Yeah I was kind of spaced out while writing that.

The situation is: I have myself and two friend. Two of us will be 19 by at the time of travel, and the other will be 17 years old. We're all friends (not related in any way). The apparent problem/question is will we be able to get out of the country by ourselves (Even if it involves some extra paperwork for the minor) and how hard would it be to get accomodations (namely a four-star hotel that we're going to stay in...)?

From what you've said it doesn't sound like a problem.

 

[Overtime_man]

Not to be overly cynical, but could it be St. Nicholas realized one can catch more flies with honey than vinegar, so to speak? I still see no reason whatsoever that the Japanese needed or need Christianity.

Since you're an atheist, it would be rather amazing if you did see a need for Christianity in Japan, or anywhere else.

As for the expulsion of the missionaries, of course it was political. They realized the majority (and I do believe it was a majority, as they tend to follow their leaders' orders) of them were not there for spiritual reasons or to save the "heathens' souls".

But it wasn't just the missionaries who were expelled from Japan, it became all non-Japanese. Kind of like the ultimate ethnic cleansing.

Japan is indeed historically very rich in religious tradition. Today, however, almost all Japanese, in my experience, are very a-religious. This is not to mean they are not spiritual. They mostly just don't hold to any particular religion. True they visit temples and shrines on various days of the year, but this is typically more tradition than steadfast belief.

True, I've lived here for quite a while now, and I've yet to meet a Japanese atheist; most Japanese have a sense that there's a god, but don't try to define who or what that god may be. Although, there is a relatively large group of people, mostly centered around Ginza, who are quite convinced that god resembles a Louis Viton handbag.

On a side note, and please someone correct me if I'm wrong, but it was at the beginning of the Edo period in which the Christians were expelled and, in 26 cases, executed. During the Edo period is when Japan shut itself off and any remaining Christians went underground.

Yes, it was at the beginning of the Edo period that the Tokugawa shogunate shut off Japan from the outside world and began to expel and execute Christians. It was a gradual process, which reached a climax around 1629 when thousands of Japanese Christians were slaughtered by their own government.

 

[Overtime_man]

Yeah I was kind of spaced out while writing that.

The situation is: I have myself and two friend. Two of us will be 19 by at the time of travel, and the other will be 17 years old. We're all friends (not related in any way). The apparent problem/question is will we be able to get out of the country by ourselves (Even if it involves some extra paperwork for the minor) and how hard would it be to get accomodations (namely a four-star hotel that we're going to stay in...)?

From what you've said it doesn't sound like a problem.

Yeah, I don't think you'll have any problems. Be aware that there are certain "business hotel" chains in Japan that will only let you have a room if you can provide a Japanese telephone number and address. As the name would suggest, they're mostly geared for travelling Japanese businessmen, and often don't have any English speaking staff. The one that I was in a few weeks ago had tiny rooms, but was quite cheap...around 6000 yen a night. But you seem as if you're planning on a four-star tourist hotel, so you won't have any problems!

 

[BeamMeUpScotty]

Since you're an atheist, it would be rather amazing if you did see a need for Christianity in Japan, or anywhere else.

Touche.

But it wasn't just the missionaries who were expelled from Japan, it became all non-Japanese. Kind of like the ultimate ethnic cleansing.

Yup. Except for in Nagasaki, where they still allowed trading. And the sex industry boomed. Again, I'm not defending them.

True, I've lived here for quite a while now, and I've yet to meet a Japanese atheist; most Japanese have a sense that there's a god, but don't try to define who or what that god may be.

I'm not quite sure I agree with you. Many of the people I know, while not chatting on Christian forums as an "athiest", do not necessarily "have a sense" there's a god. Still this difference could be to our individual biases/perceptions between you and I.

Although, there is a relatively large group of people, mostly centered around Ginza, who are quite convinced that god resembles a Louis Viton handbag.

For my ex-girlfriend, it was Prada. Last time I spend $200 for a change purse.

Yes, it was at the beginning of the Edo period that the Tokugawa shogunate shut off Japan from the outside world and began to expel and execute Christians. It was a gradual process, which reached a climax around 1629 when thousands of Japanese Christians were slaughtered by their own government.

Kinda scary when an overly-powerful government goes and starts killing innocent people for whatever reason, ne?

I bow to your obviously superior knowledge of Japanese history.

I just about to start Embracing Defeat by John Dower. Its about post WWII Japan. Looking forward to it.

Cheers

 

[Breetai]

Yeah, I don't think you'll have any problems. Be aware that there are certain "business hotel" chains in Japan that will only let you have a room if you can provide a Japanese telephone number and address. As the name would suggest, they're mostly geared for travelling Japanese businessmen, and often don't have any English speaking staff. The one that I was in a few weeks ago had tiny rooms, but was quite cheap...around 6000 yen a night. But you seem as if you're planning on a four-star tourist hotel, so you won't have any problems!

6000 yen isn't cheap!

Then again, Japan is bloody expensive. Not that it stops me from going there every few months to get away from the insanity that is Korea.

 

[LadyCoyote_Fin]

Fascinating

Please describe the circumstances in Japan that LEAF deems necessary for missionary presence.

There are so many people around world haven’t ever heard anything about Jesus.

The majority of Japanese has never heard about Jesus either. They need the Gospel as well.

We hope as many as possible are able to reach eternal life.



Jesus has asked us to do… “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit…”



Christianity is one of the official religions in Japan. However, there are Christians in Japan less than 1%.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Japan (JELC) is very small. Baptised members about 22 000.



There aren’t pastors and other workers enough in JELC. There are about 132 parishes, but only 100 pastors. So, many of them need to work in 2 parishes at the same time.

In the nearest future almost every one of LEAF’s missionaries are called back home, because they’ve reached the age of retied.



That’s why LEAF supports JELC by sending missionaries that they’re able to continue daily routines in parishes and also educate new Japanese pastors. The financial support is needed too..

Besides LEAF has done work in Japan over 100 years.

The missionaries aren't lonely riders who are working on their own. They're working under the roof of Japan church.
http://www.jelc.or.jp/


The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ
and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy spirit
be with you.
Amen



LC

 

[Zaul]

Ty for that Lady ^^

 

[Sybaris]

There are so many people around world haven’t ever heard anything about Jesus.

The majority of Japanese has never heard about Jesus either. They need the Gospel as well.

We hope as many as possible are able to reach eternal life.



Jesus has asked us to do… “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit…”



Christianity is one of the official religions in Japan. However, there are Christians in Japan less than 1%.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Japan (JELC) is very small. Baptised members about 22 000.



There aren’t pastors and other workers enough in JELC. There are about 132 parishes, but only 100 pastors. So, many of them need to work in 2 parishes at the same time.

In the nearest future almost every one of LEAF’s missionaries are called back home, because they’ve reached the age of retied.



That’s why LEAF supports JELC by sending missionaries that they’re able to continue daily routines in parishes and also educate new Japanese pastors. The financial support is needed too..

Besides LEAF has done work in Japan over 100 years.

The missionaries aren't lonely riders who are working on their own. They're working under the roof of Japan church.
http://www.jelc.or.jp/


The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ
and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy spirit
be with you.
Amen



LC

Wow!
It's like watching a car accident.
In black and white a systematic approach to undermine a culture.

 

[LadyCoyote_Fin]

Wow!
It's like watching a car accident.
In black and white a systematic approach to undermine a culture.

Do you mean that we’re trying to destroy the Japanese culture? Why do you think in that way? I just don't understand you.

My opinion is, that’s not true.
I think, it’s very important every nation has roots and culture of their own.


To believe in Jesus is not the same than culture.

Of course cultures have been effected by religion. How ever we have to remember, Christianity can appear in many different way in different cultures. For example Service in African countries looks and sounds much different than Service in Asian countries. There is no meaning to clean all the cultural differences when becoming as a Christian.
How ever culture, is just culture, earthly thing, but faith is heavenly thing.


The Gospel is for the whole world, not only for western countries. Besides, the JELC is totally Japanese. Leaders are Japanese and the whole organisation is Japanese. They’ve done their things in their own way. I mean that they do their things in Japanese way and not trying to copy “western style” to do things.



Teaching the Gospel isn’t the same than trying to change the culture. Every nation has found their own way to live true their faith to Jesus Christ. They still have their roots and culture, but they just have accept Jesus as their saviour. They’ve become children of God.



The only way to eternal life is Jesus. So, why we shouldn’t tell that Gospel to the whole world?

If we go to Japan, we have to remember, we’re living in the Japanese culture. We can’t go there with the attitude “we’re trying to teach our western style of thinking”.





LC

 

[Sybaris]

Do you mean that we’re trying to destroy the Japanese culture? Why do you think in that way? I just don't understand you.

My opinion is, that’s not true.
I think, it’s very important every nation has roots and culture of their own.


To believe in Jesus is not the same than culture.

Of course cultures have been effected by religion. How ever we have to remember, Christianity can appear in many different way in different cultures. For example Service in African countries looks and sounds much different than Service in Asian countries. There is no meaning to clean all the cultural differences when becoming as a Christian.
How ever culture, is just culture, earthly thing, but faith is heavenly thing.


The Gospel is for the whole world, not only for western countries. Besides, the JELC is totally Japanese. Leaders are Japanese and the whole organisation is Japanese. They’ve done their things in their own way. I mean that they do their things in Japanese way and not trying to copy “western style” to do things.



Teaching the Gospel isn’t the same than trying to change the culture. Every nation has found their own way to live true their faith to Jesus Christ. They still have their roots and culture, but they just have accept Jesus as their saviour. They’ve become children of God.



The only way to eternal life is Jesus. So, why we shouldn’t tell that Gospel to the whole world?

If we go to Japan, we have to remember, we’re living in the Japanese culture. We can’t go there with the attitude “we’re trying to teach our western style of thinking”.





LC

If you have traveled abroad there is a reason why you go through customs and asked if you are carrying any vegetation or animals. The introduction of foreign life will upset the ecosystem. In a sense missionaries upset the indigenous social structure. However unintentional and well meaning you may be, every idealogicaly based act exacts a measure of influence.

Fortunately some country's recognize this. My daughter was a nanny for some Christian missionaries in Malaysia. They had to conduct their work covertly lest they be expelled from the country.

 

[LadyCoyote_Fin]

If you have traveled abroad there is a reason why you go through customs and asked if you are carrying any vegetation or animals. The introduction of foreign life will upset the ecosystem. In a sense missionaries upset the indigenous social structure. However unintentional and well meaning you may be, every idealogicaly based act exacts a measure of influence.

Fortunately some country's recognize this. My daughter was a nanny for some Christian missionaries in Malaysia. They had to conduct their work covertly lest they be expelled from the country.

Interesting,

Do you like pizza or noodles? Do you like foreign cuisine? Do you watch TV? Have you ever need any kind of medical treatment? Do you use imported products?

If you answered yes, you’ve beeninfluenced by foreign cultures.


If we’re looking this in that light.......;

I bet, television, Internet, travelling, international companies and world trade have upset this social structure already.

Cola-drinks, hamburgers are well known in small villages in the jungle. There are Internet café behind difficult mountain routes. Mediterranean cuisine has taken it’s own place in the “food culture” of Scandinavian. You’re able to get Turkish kebab in every single corner even in Finland.

Multicultural atmosphere has spread among youth. They’re "copycatting" international idols and share more openly sexual behaviour.

Think, what are the effects on the country, when wealthy countries import cheap products from poor countries. That increases the using slave labour and abusing children.


I bet these have effected on the globalisation and cultural “intermingle” (<--not sure if this is the right word) much more than missionary work today.
Missionary work isn’t colonialism anymore. So, there is no need to afraid spreading the western culture by them. I bet the cultures has mixed already by other channels.


Every single nation is influenced by the whole world around them. Human being is curious and the modern technology has done that communicating is possible. But when communicating with other nations, of course we have to respect the culture of them. How ever that doesn’t mean that we aren’t able to tell them anything of our own culture, religion and so on....


It’s true, there has spread also bad influences between cultures. Different abusing, criminal behaviour, terrorism have increased. But there has happened a lot of good as well.
Sharing medical knowledge, human rights,,,
Tea, coffee, medical science, these all have their roots somewhere in foreign countries and cultures. Btw; without Columbus it’s possible there is no America either?

The world is changing… whether we like or not.
It is different case if some one is trying to force someone to accept strange culture by using force and violence, than share all the knowledge, discovering and ideas.
I know many cultures are destroyed by using force in history.


If we want to stop the spreading of the effects of cultures, we should close our borders of countries and deny all the international communication. But why we should to do that? Is there any sense to set us in ghettos and take care just our own business? We all are human beings and neighbours.


There is freedom of religion in the Human rights. Unfortunately in some countries they don't have the freedom to choose.
That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t speak about our own faith. We need to be equal, and it’s right to give all the alternatives. Missionaries nowadays aren’t the ones who are trying to force nations to accept their ideology. They are here and go there to offer the alternative to choose, the one, they think is the right one.

If the work and ideology of missionaries upset the social structure worse than TV, Internet, wars, and globalisation, the risk we have to take.
My opinion is that the eternal life of human being and finding the God is more important than invariability of Cultures.

I want to tell about Jesus, not to forse anyone to accept the Finnish traditions.

May peace be with you!

LC

 

[Sybaris]

Btw; without Columbus it’s possible there is no America either?

There were millions already living in the Americas so no, Columbus didn't find anything. All he did was instigate the death of indigineous people and spread slavery. There is a move afoot to abolish the celebration of Columbus Day and I hope it succeeds.

At any rate your post reads like, "they're doin' it so we'll do it too". Doesn't make it right especially when your spreading a fractured and flawed ideaology that preaches intolerance and prejudice.

 

[BeamMeUpScotty]

If the work and ideology of missionaries upset the social structure worse than TV, Internet, wars, and globalisation, the risk we have to take.
My opinion is that the eternal life of human being and finding the God is more important than invariability of Cultures.

I want to tell about Jesus, not to forse anyone to accept the Finnish traditions.

But do you want to force them to accept Christian traditions? Christianity is indeed cultural, in that it has to be taught.

Like you said technology has advanced and communication is quite easy between cultures. The Japanese have heard of Christ and Christianity, just as you, I would assume, have heard of Buddhism and Shinto. If they want to learn about it, they are free to do so.

I respectfully would like to inform you that the Japanese do not need missionaries. If they want to "find God" they are intelligent enough to do it on their own.

 

[LadyCoyote_Fin]

But do you want to force them to accept Christian traditions?

Yes, It's no right to force anyone.
The Missionaries of LEAF doesn't force anyone. They are there because of the Christian Church of Japan.

JELC is totally Japanese Christian Church.
I think it would be better if you visit to the home page of JELC.
http://www.jelc.or.jp/
You could ask them what is going on there. I'm sure they would tell you the reason why they invited some foreigners to co-operate with them.

The reason is not intelligence. I'm sure the most Japanese are more intelligent than many other else where.

Also Japanese religion called "Kofuku no Kagaku" does missionary work in America and in Europe. ?!?!

I wish everything good for you!
You all are in my prayers!


LC