In her desire to connect with Japanese people and their culture, Linda Bengtson took up blogging. She describes the experience for Faith & Fellowship: 

Q: Linda, what did you recognize in the Japanese culture that caused you to start blogging?

A: Good question! Blogging is extremely popular in Japan. Many celebrities blog and many people read those blogs daily. They are ranked in popularity according to how many people access them. Based on those “Top 10” lists, I think people look at the blogs because they’re “star crazy.” There are also many blogs about hobbies, pets, cooking, child-raising, and more. My blog is registered in two categories: “Happy Life” and “My Life in the Future.” (I know, that sounds a little unnatural in English.)

In the beginning Dean was more interested in me doing it than I was. But now that I’ve gotten started blogging, I really like this!

Last year we visited a large and growing church in the Tokyo area. Because church growth generally goes very slowly in Japan, we were curious about what they were doing to meet people and grow so quickly. Among other things, one of the staff members had a bilingual blog. At first she wrote about every day things. Then as her readership grew, she moved more and more into writing about her faith, her dating life and marriage, and her church. Now, some years later, as she and her husband are planting a new church in Osaka, she posts photos of their church events, uses the blog for advertising, and even posts parts of her husband’s sermons. Her blog is in the top 10 “Christian blogs” in Japan and many new people have found their church through it. 

Q: What is your niche in all the media and entertainment in the Japanese culture? And how has God used the blog in your ministry? 

A: The two main things that attract people to the blog are that it’s bilingual, Japanese and English, and that it’s written by a foreigner. There is still an amazingly high interest in English and American culture here. When I meet someone for the first time at the bank, the clinic, the bakery, or the supermarket, they may be intrigued with me as an American or want to try out their English. They will probably read the blog for these two reasons.

The other drawing card is that people who know our family are interested in us. I always try hard to make conversation with the cashiers at the store, the people who work at the coffee shops we frequent, the lady who cuts my hair. It takes a long time, but over months and years it is possible to actually build relationships. These people probably read the blog out of curiosity about our family and what we are all about.

Many Japanese people are really shy. We invite our casual acquaintances to English classes or special church events, and sometimes they come. But I love the potential of the blog for ministry, because it is a way to gradually share Christ with people before they are brave enough to come to church. They can be introduced to the Bible in a totally non-threatening way at their own convenience. All they have to do is click on their computer or access the blog on their cell phone.

As an American family living in Japan, we often stand out! Sometimes that’s not so great, but other times it’s a big plus for meeting people. We often have random conversations with “strangers” in public places and then never see them again. But the blog makes it possible to keep in touch and share the gospel with them if they are interested. 

Q: So how do you tell people about your blog? 

A: My husband (who saw the potential and encouraged me to start the blog) set it up for me with the help of a techie friend, including the QR code, which allows people to access the blog from their cell phones. He also printed out cute little advertising cards to give out with my photo, web address and access code (see the image above and a video about QR Codes below).
- article continues below video -

My blog is now connected to our new church plant “mobile website/community.” Through that site we hope to keep in touch with people we meet when we’re out in the community. Business cards with QR codes are popular in Japan, so it’s very natural and easy to hand them out. Some of my friends are also handing them out to their friends.
 
Q: What is the biggest thing that you have learned from writing this blog?

A: One thing is that God can use absolutely anything to draw people to himself. Another is how exciting it is to be purposefully involved in reaching out. Amazing things happen when we look for opportunities to meet and talk with people.

This blog is not about me. As frustrating as it can be sometimes, I’m not even able to do it on my own. I have lots of ideas and I love to write and take photos, but I’m not very good with the technical aspects. I have to continually depend on my husband’s help with posting photos and my kids’ help with the Japanese language. I wouldn’t think of posting serious content without having one of my sons check it. Recently my oldest editor looked at something I wrote and sighed, “Mom, this is worse than usual.” More often they get a good laugh.

This is all good, however, because it keeps me far from the temptation to think I’m doing anything special on my own. It’s really fun, however, to be able to do something I love to do and see how God is able to use it for his glory.

Linda Bengtson, with her husband Dean, serves with Lutheran Brethren International Mission in Japan.