Dreaming in context

A busy two weeks is ahead: tomorrow kanji test, Tuesday grammer test, next week mid-term tests. But I still had time to go out for a walk by the river in the dusk just now, and was met at the end of my walk by Winston, one of my (many) housemates, and we then went for another stroll and talked about life. He is interesting, as he studies philosophy back home in the States. We talked about my future ideas for missionary work in Japan (whether I will be the one to do it or not is another matter, but I have it in mind that someone should). Those topics were family breakdown/recovery, and suicide rates/counselling. He asked some good questions, like "Who's to say that the Japanese businessman's way of loving his wife by paying the rent and providing financially (even though he works til 11pm at night and doesn't attempt to meet his wife's emotional needs) isn't 'love' in Japanese culture?" and "Doesn't the Western way of marriage standards (whether they're met or not is a different question) have problems in thier own right?" It has given me loads to think about in terms of interacting with a different culture, as well as a desire to plan my future at some strateic point so that I do know where I'm going. I do think it's beautiful and 'right'to live each day as it comes, and see what God throws up for us, I have thought about that quite a bit recently (God-led I think). But I also think for some fulfilment of dreams we need training in certain areas, and that requires some thought. I'm lucky now to be in the period before having to step forward; I can listen to the world about me, and learn in my heart, and dream without having to see those dreams as yet disapppointed or fulfilled.