Kyoto, my hometown

[Mami Ghone]

Kyoto is the city I spent the first 18 years of my life.
It's a beautiful city, although I grew up hating it.
By God's grace, I've overcome the bitterness and now His love fills me when I think of Kyoto.
So I'm writing this as a testimony : )

There is so much discrimination against the outsiders in Kyoto.
In Kyoto, to be considered as a local, you have to be at least the 8th generation.

Hope it makes sense. It meanse your great great great great great grandfather had to be born in Kyoto.

My mum was from Shizuoka, a beautiful city about 8 hours away by driving.
Dad was born in Kyoto, but didn't grow up living with him.

Kindergarten teachers and friends used to mock me, because I couldn't speak like them with Kyoto dialect.
When I was still at school, people on the street used to tell me the wrong direction when I asked.
People intentionally used the slangs that I don't know, so that others would know I'm not the local.
About 2 years ago, in the restaurant I was working in, a customer asked me,
"Can you bring me "obu"?", which later I found out it means "a cup of tea".
I was so insulted because I grew up in the city and I didn't even know the word, tea !!!!


So this is one aspect of the city I grew up in.

Another thing about Kyoto is that there are either Buddhist temples or shinto shrines in every corner of the street. Kyoto is surrounded by 3 mountains, and there are temples at each of them. Kyoto has regulation saying that we cannot build anything that is higher than temples.

In a land like this, you just natually feel discouraged, because it feels like you can never shine for Jesus.

When I was walking tonight, God revealed me something beautiful.

Matt 5: 14-16
v14 You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
v15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
v16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven


I'm a city on a hill by the grace of Father in Heaven! I'm a city on a hill!
Although I'm not physically on a hill like the historical temples in Kyoto, God says I myself am a city on a hill! This is such an amazing identity we have in Jesus! It's amazing!


haha, I don't know how to conclude this, just wanted to share how excited I am about the living word of God, and hope the excitement will be passed on to you as well!!!

[Mami Ghone]

Thanks Jo Ann for the comment. It's really encoruaging to know that you love Kyoto as well :) God'll do something amazing in the land. Greater things are yet to come. I'd love to be there to witness His mighty work!

[Jo Ann Ricohermoso]

God enabled us to love this beautiful city.
God's light is shining here . . .

[Mami Ghone]

Wow, sister cecille, thank you so much for the Bible verse. It encouraged me so much! You never know how much it blessed my heart! :) God grants me the desire to share and I will forever cherish this gift :)

[Cecille]

Sis. Mami,
Totally, your journey of faith is amazing! I can see how excited you are knowing Jesus and sharing it to the whole world.
As in the bible says, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord’s work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. 1 Corinthians 15:58, NLT)
Being enthusiastic about Jesus is a blessings! Sis. Mami as every Christians said "Theres no turning back knowing Jesus".Thank you for sharing your testimony.