By: Chef Tamago
I have been blessed to have had many opportunities as both a host and a guest within the parameters of the rich and fruitful cultural exchange so popular in the Japanese-American nexus- the homestay. The homestay is a great way to share the Gospel with Japanese student(s) whether that be through actions or words. It can be a chance to really get to know a student and be able to sow seeds of God’s truth when you are with them.
What is a homestay?
Though homestays are a popular method for international students of any country to become immersed in the (American) lifestyle, homestays are a particularly ritualized endeavor for Japanese students visiting the United States. The typical homestay is facilitated through an educational institution- perhaps a high school or a university in Japan that has a relationship with a school, church, or community group in the United States.
After both parties agree to participate in the homestay, a homestay organizer representing each group typically asks for an “application” submission, which permits them to understand the host’s living situation, time availability, household pets/allergens, etc. Once this information has been received and processed by both the US and Japanese organizers, matches are made to best suit the needs of the host and the guest.
The homestay begins!
Once the homestay group has arrived in your city, the host family has the exciting task of welcoming the guest(s) into their home and introducing them to your slice of American life. In my experience, the students may be quite timid at first. It can be nerve wracking for them to adjust to the stresses of being in someone else’s home and attempting to use English nonstop for perhaps the first time in their lives. Further, this could be their very first time spent in a household of Christ followers. Don’t be afraid to introduce your faith as a part of your identity and show His love.
This time is a great opportunity to exemplify Christ’s love for the “stranger”. The kindness and generosity you show them will remain with them throughout their lives and will always be a picture of God’s love for them. Your actions of kindness and care speak loudly to the student and may open up questions about why you are so kind to them. This is an opportunity to share the kindness and love of Christ with them.
Homestay day-to-day
During the week, most of your student’s time will likely be spent in their program with the exception of busy mornings and their evenings with you. However, during the weekend, you will have more free time with them. This means that you can get to know them on a more personal level and hopefully have some deep and meaningful conversations alongside enjoying some fun activities together.
Mealtime
Mealtimes with your students are some of the highlights of their day. Carefully considering the dietary needs and preferences of your student can go a long way in making them feel comfortable during their stay. Praying before you eat a meal together is a beautiful thing to share with your student(s). In Japan, it is common to say the phrase itadakimasu before eating a meal, which means “I receive this food”, and expresses gratitude to those who prepared it. Before saying a prayer before your first meal with your guest, it can be valuable to take the time to explain why you think it’s also important to thank God because all blessings flow from him – from the divine gift of life to our ability to enjoy a delightful plate of your favorite foods. (Check it out for some ways to use ‘itadakimasu’ https://firstlevel.org/en/cross/ )
Going to Church
I have found that bringing your student along to church is a fantastic experience. Even if the sermon is difficult to understand for them, they will be able to engage with the music during worship, and will enjoy meeting your church family. To adapt the church experience for your homestay student’s unique needs and ability, I like to provide them with a side-by-side Japanese/English translation of the passage used during the sermon via a smartphone application like YouVersion, which facilitates this nicely. If your church includes a written liturgy as a component of services, this is particularly useful for helping your homestay guest to follow along if they feel inclined to do so.
Sightseeing
If you have the opportunity to put on your “tour guide hat” while hosting, I have found that explicitly asking your guests what their personal interests are, rather than simply showing the conventional highlights of your area, can be the best way to demonstrate your care for them. You may even learn something new about your home region! Exploring something together will be lots of fun and can create lasting memories for you both.
Concluding the Homestay
The end of a homestay experience can be bittersweet for both the host and the guest. However, it doesn’t need to be the end! Don’t forget to pray for them in that the Lord would continue to draw them closer to Himself. Initiating a pen pal relationship between you and your student will prove to be a very fun way to stay connected and show you want to continue the relationship. You may even choose to visit them in Japan in the coming years! I always like to give them a small gift bag before saying goodbye. In this, I include a letter, written in fairly simple English in my most legible handwriting, a memento relevant to the area for your student, a small gift for their family (chocolates, cookies, etc.), and a Bible. It can be challenging to find a Japanese-language Bible in the United States, but many mass-produced inexpensive Bibles contain elements in the introduction or conclusion in the most commonly-spoken world languages, including Japanese. I like to use mini Gideon Bibles for this purpose, but soft-cover Bibles will work too. Perhaps, use sticky notes to highlight a few of your favorite verses so that they might have a clear, brief, parameter within which to practice their English reading comprehension and translation skills.