Flea Market

On Sunday, Jan 30th, the two churches came together again to hold a flea market at Koyo Chapel, to raise funds for the church (not project orientated). It was advertised at church from about 3 weeks prior to the event and they took sign-ups for people wanting to sell their items. We were a bit confused because it wasn't advertised outside of the church. We're used to church flea market / bazaar type events being events where they try to sell to the general public too. We were in for a big surprise!

After service that Sunday, everyone worked at lightning speed to get everyone's pre-ordered lunch served (either curry or udon) and the tables set-up for the flea market. Church members from Kabe Chapel rushed over after service too. By the time we went back up to the main chapel area, the tables had all been set up and the merchandise laid out neatly on the tables. There were gently used items as you'd expect and perhaps people selling homemade food (delicious vanilla ice cream and brownies too!) was also not that unusual, but what did surprise me was that people sold new things at a price much cheaper than they possibly could have bought it at (I think). So they were spending money to help raise funds for the church. I'm used to people giving their time to help prepare food / lay out tables / help price items, etc for church bazaars, but I'm not used to everyone spending their own money (without expecting reimbursement). Occasionally, some people might spend out of their own pocket but from what I know, usually, people don't. Very different.

So what did we buy? We joined in the eating festivities and bought some ice cream which Peter and Juhee enjoyed (I had a bite too :)) sitting down at one of the tables (pic), we had a delicious red bean soup with mochi inside which was cooked and served by Pastor Haitaka's wife, Keiko-san, and daughter, Megumi-chan (pic), we had steamed sweet potatoes prepared and served by Pastor Kitano and his sons (pic), and we also bought a piece of brownie from Pam. The red bean soup with mochi was delicious so we had two bowls! :) We actually have something similar in Korea (팥죽) but the Japanese version has smaller red beans, one big rectangular shaped mochi as opposed to small round pieces of non-sweet rice cake, is sweeter and is eaten (well, you kind of drink it like soup) with chopsticks! In Korea, we use our spoons for this one. :)

We bought a few other things too: a big stuffed Hello Kitty doll (¥20, $0.24), a rain jacket and dark blue dress for Juhee, dried noodles, mushrooms, a drying rack that goes on top of the sink, a puzzle, and Megumi-chan's gently used traditional Japanese sandals for summer kimonos (yukata). :) Megumi-chan asked if I had a yukata and when I said "no" she asked why I was buying her old shoes. When I told her, she and her mom thought it was hilarious! :) The Japanese shoes are now displayed on top of our shoe cabinet in our entryway (genkan), which is supposed to be elaborately decorated but we haven't got to that point yet (as you can see from the picture =D). :) I think the most expensive item we bought that day was ¥100 (just over $1). Most things were ¥100, another thing that surprised me... The focus of the flea market didn't seem to be on making a huge profit, but something greater...

They announced the profit made from the lunch + bazaar a couple of Sundays later and I think the total was around ¥60,000 (approx $730). I thought that was pretty amazing!

It was a really fun afternoon for us and I think for everyone who took part. It was a great time for people from both churches to work together, mingle, enjoy fellowship, create space at home :) and be loud and just have fun together.

We didn't feel comfortable taking part in it this time 'cause we didn't know what to expect and what the "norm" is, but hopefully next time, we'll be able to take part in some way (maybe sell some Korean food?). :)