In the news this last week, a new prime minister was chosen and assumed office. His name is Taro Aso and he is a catholic! This fact astounds me considering less than 1% of the population in the whole country is christian. In the research I have done on Japan, and I shared with some of you through my presentation or conversations this last summer, having a christian in the seat of national leadership in this country that likens itself to conformity was a prayer and desire of the first missionaries that came to this country back in 1549. The influence of the government on the people in this day in age is somewhat different, but I still do believe this to be an event of some potential and significance for those laboring here and for those in other places of the world who are praying for our efforts! Aso assumes office at a time of political instability after his predecessor, Yasou Fukuda, abruptly resigned after serving only a year in office. From a class I taught on Friday, I gathered from the students that there is a growing climate of distrust of the government throughout the country. Many people feel change is needed; that since WWII the countries power and politics have been centralized, mainly in Tokyo, and that that power needs to be distributed throughout Japan so that people in their areas have more say in what happens to them directly. I'm not sure as to which issues this would effect most, but the struggle and desire for a new structure reminded me of in the states, how we have both a state and national government. Anyway, there are many people who are waiting and watching; some of them are waiting for this man to fail, other just simply don't know. It is a tremendous opportunity on a national scale for the people of Japan to see a different side of Christianity and is a great avenue through which God can work wonders! Please join me in praying for this man- for his service in this position of power, for his influence on the people, for the way in which he models and testifies to his christian faith, and for all of the ways God can and wants to work through him.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Japan's New Prime Minister
In the news this last week, a new prime minister was chosen and assumed office. His name is Taro Aso and he is a catholic! This fact astounds me considering less than 1% of the population in the whole country is christian. In the research I have done on Japan, and I shared with some of you through my presentation or conversations this last summer, having a christian in the seat of national leadership in this country that likens itself to conformity was a prayer and desire of the first missionaries that came to this country back in 1549. The influence of the government on the people in this day in age is somewhat different, but I still do believe this to be an event of some potential and significance for those laboring here and for those in other places of the world who are praying for our efforts! Aso assumes office at a time of political instability after his predecessor, Yasou Fukuda, abruptly resigned after serving only a year in office. From a class I taught on Friday, I gathered from the students that there is a growing climate of distrust of the government throughout the country. Many people feel change is needed; that since WWII the countries power and politics have been centralized, mainly in Tokyo, and that that power needs to be distributed throughout Japan so that people in their areas have more say in what happens to them directly. I'm not sure as to which issues this would effect most, but the struggle and desire for a new structure reminded me of in the states, how we have both a state and national government. Anyway, there are many people who are waiting and watching; some of them are waiting for this man to fail, other just simply don't know. It is a tremendous opportunity on a national scale for the people of Japan to see a different side of Christianity and is a great avenue through which God can work wonders! Please join me in praying for this man- for his service in this position of power, for his influence on the people, for the way in which he models and testifies to his christian faith, and for all of the ways God can and wants to work through him.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Praying for the Kindergartens
Today I met for the first time a private lesson student who came to observe my women's class in Sanjo. There didn't seem to be anything out of the ordinary about meeting this young woman, but upon reflecting back on my day, I found myself thanking God for her- and the people like her who I've met since I came here; people who are genuine, honest, who have really struggles and pains and aren't afraid to be real about them. It's something I can connect with and a place I can begin to pray for her. I spend so much time at these kindergartens, in Kamo and Sanjo, even though I don't live there and am only there one day a week. At both places I have all this time in the middle where I can't do anything- no work, no studying, nothing- except play and enjoy the company of the children and teachers. I've struggled with this a bit at times, not because I don't love kids and playing and the teachers, but because I feel so pressed for time in other areas of my life- places I want to be doing ministry. But as I've been praying about it and continuing to spend time in these places, I am begining to wonder if the time isn't just play time (that I am getting a lot of enjoyment out of, but feel guilty for when there's so much else to be done), but if there are, in fact, ways and places where God is opening the doors to connect the children of these kindergartens with the local churches- and if I can be a part of that! I teach and regularly interact with around 70 children a week- that's 70 families that can be touched , are waiting to be touched, by the love of Christ!!! So for now, I'm praying. From my experience (which sadly, isn't such a long resume) I have seen that the best ministry opportunities are doors that God's opened, opportunities He's brought to us. So rather than write out and propose a 12 step program to integrate the families from the kindergarten into the church- I'm opting to go the less defined route, by praying- and am inviting people to join me. More and more recently, I have been running into and having the opportunity to chat with these parents myself, getting to know them and enjoying working with their children- I even have a parent of a kindergarten boy who has joined my women's afternoon class with whom I have regular contact! I don't know what any of these things will lead to- how or if God can and if He will use them, but I'm praying, and in eyes of faith and trust, I am looking forward to seeing Him move! There's nothing like watching God change the hearts and lives of people! I pray you are experiencing that joy where you are as well!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Open House- Open Hearts!
Yikes! I can't say enough it seems... I've been meaning to write a blog entry for some time- to share all that is happening, but then something else happens, and then something else!!! Today was amazing! Haidee and I hosted an open house for our students from the English school and for the church members to get together and see the new place we live. There was so much prep to do- I must have cleaned and finished unpacking for close to seven hours yesterday, and Haidee stayed up half the night Friday making brownies, breads, and cookies, but it was all so much more than worth it in the end! We had so many people here- we couldn't all fit in our large living room and people had to go to other parts of the house to find a place to be! But in the midst of all the closeness, of all the baked goods and sembe (rice crackers), of a house full of people of all ages and walks of life- God did something amazing! People, formerly strangers, connected, relationships bloomed. Church members connected with students who aren't christian (yet) and the way people gravitated towards each other in conversation can only be credited to God; I mean right down to who was talking to who, and where! And who else was sitting close by to over hear and connect too! Many of my former students from Shirone came and it was so wonderful to see them again and although they are farther away physically, I felt so blessed that the relationships don't have to end- but that it may actually, through having to be more intentional and interacting outside of a classroom context, provide a easier and more fruitful place to share of Christ love! One student who has expressed interest in commuting to study with me or one of the other teachers at Nozomi sat next to a student in the class she wants to observe next Tuesday. Well, the women really really hit it off, and I think it's a great fit and a wonderful place for her to fit in and I am praying for the seeds that have yet to be planted in this guarded woman's heart.
I feel too as though things with my social calendar are really going to start filling up soon! A young Japanese woman I'd met once or twice before came after I emailed her on her cell phone an invitation. She has such a kind and gentle heart, but she is really hurting and lonely. We really hit it off and I was surprised to learn how close she live and works to me! And although she's not a christian yet, she was open enough to pray with us and sing during a worship time we had at the end of the open house. She has had contact with other Christians before, and it is those seeds planted before to which I attribute this openness. It reminds me of the passage in 1 Corinthians where Paul is adjuring the Christians to be careful in how they build upon the foundation laid by another- that each man ought to be careful how he builds. We never really know what place or stage in the working of the miracle of faith in a person's life in which God calls us to enter, but in love and faithfulness and according to His leading we tender and care for what is there in the hopes of what is to come! So please pray for Ms. K.
I also met another girl who has no connection with the church itself, but she has a friend who is connected. She heard from this friend about the open house and decided to come with her- and then ended up staying 2 hours after her friend left!!! We had such a good conversation- she told me of her time in the US two years ago when she was an exchange student in Delaware. She told me of how much she missed the states and we reminisced together for a while, and then she really opened up and shared what a difficult time it has been for her readjusting to the Japanese school system and culture. She said her favorite thing in school in the states was writing essays! This was a strange thing to hear- and would not have been my first guess- but upon further conversation, I deduced that it was because it was an entirely different and new way of thinking. In Japanese schools, students copy what the teacher writes on the board and memorize it. I attribute this ingrained technique of learning to the Kanji system of writing in which there is no other way to learn the thousands of characters needed to function as an adult other than memorization. But in the US, she had to formulate an opinion and support it in her essays! She said at first it was so strange because she didn't have one- she didn't care! Whatever everyone else was thinking was fine with her (also very Japanese). But now that this other way of thinking and existing (no school uniforms, no cram school after a full day of school, no nightmarish tests that determine the future of the rest of your life!!!) she is really struggling. I was so happy to meet her and connect with her and I am really praying about the things God may do and the ways He may work in this relationship!
In another corner of the room was a church member, a single woman, who before was living in the drudgery of daily life, who is almost suddenly realizing her gifts and potential ways she can be used in ministry. She has just been coming alive! She met and talked with an English school student who is in her 30s and single like her- and they found out they work across the street from each other- and now they are planning lunch dates! It was such a blessing to see this blossoming Christian woman connecting with a woman who is hurting and has many walls up- but God is using Kyoko to penetrate them!!! There are so many other examples.... that I know of- and so many more things that happened that were unseen!!! Yikes- God's not just raining blessings- He's pouring them down!
One last story- so cool- although I was mostly an observer to it all- it is such a testimony to how the body of Christ works together, functions together, to bring people to faith in Him- and parts of it He just plain does all by himself. There are two Jr. High girls; one is a student of the English school, the other is her friend. The two had been coming together to the free English events, like coffee house, and around April or May found themselves back in Cindy's apartment after one such coffee house. Atsushi was there, a good friend and recently baptized Christian, and he was sharing, in Japanese, all about his new faith with these two girls. While it was clear at the time that they enjoyed themselves, there was no other outward sign that anything was happening. They continued to attend English events, and they both attended our open house today. It was here, today, that Cindy was having a conversation with them and they kept saying things like, "now that we believe..." and Cindy thought at first she'd misheard, but when it kept happening, she clarified, "in God? Jesus?" they answered, "Yes!" and shared the story of how they'd thought a lot about what Atsushi had said, and they'd picked up some paper with a christian message on it. When they decided they believed after reading this paper, they began to pray about things in their life that came up- and God kept answering them!!! They were amazed!!! They began to become more and more convinced in their new faith- this was just two weeks ago! Their faith is so new and they haven't even talked to a pastor or been baptized or even to a church service!!! They just love Jesus and are hungry to know and experience more of what life can be like living in freedom, loving and trusting in the one true God! Praise God!
So much more to tell- but it'll have to wait for another post or I'm going to fall asleep at my computer! Thanks for all your prayers- they are a big part of what is happening here too!
I feel too as though things with my social calendar are really going to start filling up soon! A young Japanese woman I'd met once or twice before came after I emailed her on her cell phone an invitation. She has such a kind and gentle heart, but she is really hurting and lonely. We really hit it off and I was surprised to learn how close she live and works to me! And although she's not a christian yet, she was open enough to pray with us and sing during a worship time we had at the end of the open house. She has had contact with other Christians before, and it is those seeds planted before to which I attribute this openness. It reminds me of the passage in 1 Corinthians where Paul is adjuring the Christians to be careful in how they build upon the foundation laid by another- that each man ought to be careful how he builds. We never really know what place or stage in the working of the miracle of faith in a person's life in which God calls us to enter, but in love and faithfulness and according to His leading we tender and care for what is there in the hopes of what is to come! So please pray for Ms. K.
I also met another girl who has no connection with the church itself, but she has a friend who is connected. She heard from this friend about the open house and decided to come with her- and then ended up staying 2 hours after her friend left!!! We had such a good conversation- she told me of her time in the US two years ago when she was an exchange student in Delaware. She told me of how much she missed the states and we reminisced together for a while, and then she really opened up and shared what a difficult time it has been for her readjusting to the Japanese school system and culture. She said her favorite thing in school in the states was writing essays! This was a strange thing to hear- and would not have been my first guess- but upon further conversation, I deduced that it was because it was an entirely different and new way of thinking. In Japanese schools, students copy what the teacher writes on the board and memorize it. I attribute this ingrained technique of learning to the Kanji system of writing in which there is no other way to learn the thousands of characters needed to function as an adult other than memorization. But in the US, she had to formulate an opinion and support it in her essays! She said at first it was so strange because she didn't have one- she didn't care! Whatever everyone else was thinking was fine with her (also very Japanese). But now that this other way of thinking and existing (no school uniforms, no cram school after a full day of school, no nightmarish tests that determine the future of the rest of your life!!!) she is really struggling. I was so happy to meet her and connect with her and I am really praying about the things God may do and the ways He may work in this relationship!
In another corner of the room was a church member, a single woman, who before was living in the drudgery of daily life, who is almost suddenly realizing her gifts and potential ways she can be used in ministry. She has just been coming alive! She met and talked with an English school student who is in her 30s and single like her- and they found out they work across the street from each other- and now they are planning lunch dates! It was such a blessing to see this blossoming Christian woman connecting with a woman who is hurting and has many walls up- but God is using Kyoko to penetrate them!!! There are so many other examples.... that I know of- and so many more things that happened that were unseen!!! Yikes- God's not just raining blessings- He's pouring them down!
One last story- so cool- although I was mostly an observer to it all- it is such a testimony to how the body of Christ works together, functions together, to bring people to faith in Him- and parts of it He just plain does all by himself. There are two Jr. High girls; one is a student of the English school, the other is her friend. The two had been coming together to the free English events, like coffee house, and around April or May found themselves back in Cindy's apartment after one such coffee house. Atsushi was there, a good friend and recently baptized Christian, and he was sharing, in Japanese, all about his new faith with these two girls. While it was clear at the time that they enjoyed themselves, there was no other outward sign that anything was happening. They continued to attend English events, and they both attended our open house today. It was here, today, that Cindy was having a conversation with them and they kept saying things like, "now that we believe..." and Cindy thought at first she'd misheard, but when it kept happening, she clarified, "in God? Jesus?" they answered, "Yes!" and shared the story of how they'd thought a lot about what Atsushi had said, and they'd picked up some paper with a christian message on it. When they decided they believed after reading this paper, they began to pray about things in their life that came up- and God kept answering them!!! They were amazed!!! They began to become more and more convinced in their new faith- this was just two weeks ago! Their faith is so new and they haven't even talked to a pastor or been baptized or even to a church service!!! They just love Jesus and are hungry to know and experience more of what life can be like living in freedom, loving and trusting in the one true God! Praise God!
So much more to tell- but it'll have to wait for another post or I'm going to fall asleep at my computer! Thanks for all your prayers- they are a big part of what is happening here too!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Beginning Again
This past week was the first week of the new semester- "new" being the key word. I live in a new house, in a new city, with a new roommate, using new forms of transportation (bike, train, and foot everywhere- no car), new English school, new classes, new church and pastor I'm working with, a new site partner, and exciting new places to go running (forest trail, beach path, riverside path... I love it!). Teaching at the kindergartens wasn't new to me, but it was a wonderful reminder of why I love what I'm doing- I love their smiles, their laughs, the way they speak to me in Japanese thinking I can understand what they are saying (sometimes I can :) ), I love the energy they have, I love hearing them sing "Jesus loves me", jumping, laughing , and playing together. My other classes have been wonderful too- seeing many familiar faces, and some new; catching up on each others lives and sharing tasty souvenirs coming from all parts of the world!
A few posts ago, I alluded to the crossroads that the congregation I was working with had come to. I don't know how to diplomatically say this, but the congregation decided to close the English school at Shirone Lutheran Church. When the proposal was brought up by the pastor, the church council members were very upset, and upon more conversation and voting, voted 6 to 2 to keep it open, but because it was the pastor's idea and desire they decided to follow him rather than create friction within the small congregation. If it were simply a matter of the church feeling God's leading in a different direction of ministry, that would be one thing- but the pastor's motives were coming out of pride and an unwillingness to submit to the authority over him regarding a significant offense he'd committed toward the missionaries and ultimately the church. We tired in so many different ways to talk, to try to work things out, for reconciliation, but he was unwilling to admit to any guilt on his part, and only became more defensive. The form of his defensiveness made the environment increasingly hostile, and it was decided that it was unsafe and unhealthy for the missionaries to remain living or teaching in Shirone. So the English school was closed suddenly, 6 months before the end of the school year, and Haidee and I were moved to the other church in Niigata Prefecture that has a VYM program- Nozomi Lutheran Church. Here I feel so incredible blessed to be working along-side two other American missionaries, a wonderfully gifted, mission-minded pastor, and a congregation of people with many passions and gifts for ministry. I am very excited to see where God takes things- there are so many potienial ways and opportunities through which we can do ministry here!
I will definitely admit that it has been a bit of a bumpy road- and that at times, I've felt the temptation of despair- but I've learned a lot about prayer, perspective, and the crosses that God is calling us to bear and the unseen purposes He has for them. In the midst of the situation, I realized that there were two ways I could choose to look at what was going on around me; through eyes that see the material, physical, and actual happenings of the situation, or, through eyes of faith. The first fed into the temptation to despair, fear, and give up. The second though- was firmly rooted in the realization that this all began with prayer. We began to be more intentional and purposeful about prayer- specifically for the church and for unity. My site partner Haidee every started a 40 day Blessing email to her supporters who joined us in praying powerful prayers of forgiveness, love, unity, and freedom for the churches and members here in Niigata. The more we prayed, the "worse" things appeared to be. And the "worse" things appeared, the more we prayed. I cannot tell you how many times, how many ways, and in all of the places that God brought just the right word, person, or event into the picture to provide for the exact situation or need- long before we knew they were needed. (What a faithful God we have!) It soon became evident that God, like a gardener in a vineyard, was pruning His church in order to make it fruitful. It sounds like such a easy and lovely image, but it involves cutting, breaking, and the use of sharp and painful instruments. But in the end it is good- it brings forth more fruit, healthy fruit, through which many more seedlings and fruit may then come forth. But it can be hard and uncomfortable to watch and be involved in the pain of it all.
I had no idea that God would use me in the ways that he did, and for what purposes I was being used- in many ways I still don't. But I came to the realization that when I "offer myself up as a living sacrifice" (Rom. 12:1) that I don't have a say in how this sacrifice will then be used. It's up to the maker. It's up to God, and I have said I'm willing and I am- I just don't know for what! But all the same, it has been a humbling experience to not be used in this situation by the gifts I feel are more "desirable" or "admirable", but in other ways; parts of myself I don't like to share or don't want others to know are there. God takes them and uses them all! He redeems them all! He heals them all! He works for good in all (Rom. 8:28)!
So although I am not physically in the situation, I continue to pray for the congregation and the pastor, and I ask that those of you who are reading this do the same. I am not sorry for a minute and have no regrets about the way in which I have been used here thus far and continuing in ministry here. I have a deep love for the people I meet and those with whom I see on a regular basis. Little by little, as my Japanese improves, I see new doors opening, new relationships forming, and new potential depths in existing ones. I can't wait to see all that God has in store! Truly, thank you for keeping me and the ministry with which I am serving in your prayers.
A few posts ago, I alluded to the crossroads that the congregation I was working with had come to. I don't know how to diplomatically say this, but the congregation decided to close the English school at Shirone Lutheran Church. When the proposal was brought up by the pastor, the church council members were very upset, and upon more conversation and voting, voted 6 to 2 to keep it open, but because it was the pastor's idea and desire they decided to follow him rather than create friction within the small congregation. If it were simply a matter of the church feeling God's leading in a different direction of ministry, that would be one thing- but the pastor's motives were coming out of pride and an unwillingness to submit to the authority over him regarding a significant offense he'd committed toward the missionaries and ultimately the church. We tired in so many different ways to talk, to try to work things out, for reconciliation, but he was unwilling to admit to any guilt on his part, and only became more defensive. The form of his defensiveness made the environment increasingly hostile, and it was decided that it was unsafe and unhealthy for the missionaries to remain living or teaching in Shirone. So the English school was closed suddenly, 6 months before the end of the school year, and Haidee and I were moved to the other church in Niigata Prefecture that has a VYM program- Nozomi Lutheran Church. Here I feel so incredible blessed to be working along-side two other American missionaries, a wonderfully gifted, mission-minded pastor, and a congregation of people with many passions and gifts for ministry. I am very excited to see where God takes things- there are so many potienial ways and opportunities through which we can do ministry here!
I will definitely admit that it has been a bit of a bumpy road- and that at times, I've felt the temptation of despair- but I've learned a lot about prayer, perspective, and the crosses that God is calling us to bear and the unseen purposes He has for them. In the midst of the situation, I realized that there were two ways I could choose to look at what was going on around me; through eyes that see the material, physical, and actual happenings of the situation, or, through eyes of faith. The first fed into the temptation to despair, fear, and give up. The second though- was firmly rooted in the realization that this all began with prayer. We began to be more intentional and purposeful about prayer- specifically for the church and for unity. My site partner Haidee every started a 40 day Blessing email to her supporters who joined us in praying powerful prayers of forgiveness, love, unity, and freedom for the churches and members here in Niigata. The more we prayed, the "worse" things appeared to be. And the "worse" things appeared, the more we prayed. I cannot tell you how many times, how many ways, and in all of the places that God brought just the right word, person, or event into the picture to provide for the exact situation or need- long before we knew they were needed. (What a faithful God we have!) It soon became evident that God, like a gardener in a vineyard, was pruning His church in order to make it fruitful. It sounds like such a easy and lovely image, but it involves cutting, breaking, and the use of sharp and painful instruments. But in the end it is good- it brings forth more fruit, healthy fruit, through which many more seedlings and fruit may then come forth. But it can be hard and uncomfortable to watch and be involved in the pain of it all.
I had no idea that God would use me in the ways that he did, and for what purposes I was being used- in many ways I still don't. But I came to the realization that when I "offer myself up as a living sacrifice" (Rom. 12:1) that I don't have a say in how this sacrifice will then be used. It's up to the maker. It's up to God, and I have said I'm willing and I am- I just don't know for what! But all the same, it has been a humbling experience to not be used in this situation by the gifts I feel are more "desirable" or "admirable", but in other ways; parts of myself I don't like to share or don't want others to know are there. God takes them and uses them all! He redeems them all! He heals them all! He works for good in all (Rom. 8:28)!
So although I am not physically in the situation, I continue to pray for the congregation and the pastor, and I ask that those of you who are reading this do the same. I am not sorry for a minute and have no regrets about the way in which I have been used here thus far and continuing in ministry here. I have a deep love for the people I meet and those with whom I see on a regular basis. Little by little, as my Japanese improves, I see new doors opening, new relationships forming, and new potential depths in existing ones. I can't wait to see all that God has in store! Truly, thank you for keeping me and the ministry with which I am serving in your prayers.
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