In 2016, I walked into a climbing gym in America for the first time. I was intrigued by the tall walls with colorful holds. That first time I climbed several easier routes, but my arms soon felt like jelly and I couldn’t keep going. However, I was hooked! I started climbing regularly, but what I didn’t expect was to build relationships with the regulars at the gym. Everyone was kind and encouraging and I soon realized that I had found a community in which I belonged.
In 2024, I said goodbye to my friends, family, and climbing community, and moved to Japan. Soon after moving, I tried my first climbing gym. Everything was so different—the system for determining difficulty, the routes, and determining which holds were a part of which route before I started climbing was a puzzle. Furthermore, there didn’t seem to be many people connecting with one another. I was discouraged and thought I might not enjoy climbing in Japan. But, the second gym I went to was more promising. I was greeted by a friendly staff member, who also spoke a little bit of English and showed me around the gym. They had difficulty-comparison charts for the different climbing systems and the climbing routes were easier to determine. However, what really stood out about that day was Kana.* She introduced herself to me and we climbed together for a little bit. I didn’t know it yet, but God had provided a much needed friend.
I’ve now been climbing at that gym for a little over a year and regularly climb with Kana and her boyfriend. They have been so kind and have welcomed me into their gym community. We have participated in gym competitions, went to the opening day at a new climbing gym, and have even attended an event where an Olympian climber came to visit our gym. They have also been patient with my slow progress in Japanese and kindly answered my questions about language and culture. While I am not yet at a place in my language ability where I can have deeper conversations, I am so thankful for friendship through our shared hobby of rock climbing. I look forward to continuing to climb with them and get to know them more!
By an OMF missionary
*Not real names
#OMFJapan #PrayforJapan
