In the Last 5 Days

Friday I met a friend whose really seeking for dinner, and she came for the first time to worship with us in the evening. I continue to be amazed as I watch the way the pastor I serve with can take a Biblical text and find meaning in it that speaks specifically to the needs of an individual. Wow- I hope to learn a lot from this man- in whatever time it is that I have to learn from him. I gave this friend a Bible too- though not the translation she'd been talking about getting (she wants a Bilingual one), we have copies of the NT in Japanese that she was thrilled to receive, and, eyes wide upon receiving it, she told me she would treasure it! She stayed long after worship ended, enjoying community too.

Saturday we met with a group of students and Nomura Sensei and went caroling to church members and students homes. I can't even explain what a joy it was to bring the joy of Christmas to people through music- right into their homes. It's such a personal and intentional way of sharing the joy of Christ's birth with people. Going to the church members homes, though it seems small, was a wonderful opportunity to bring those two groups together, in a spirit of joy and hospitality.

On Sunday I was reminded of the importance of doing ministry with others, and the places and things we can do together with others that we couldn't do alone. This is true not only in terms of quantity and quality, but also in the kinds of relationships we are able to have with people and in enabling one another to live above reproach. We helped a friend in performing a new piece of music, then proceeded to dinner and karaoke. At dinner, my friend who I gave the Bible to was there, and when asked if she was Christian, she proceeded to tell the other woman at the table, "Not yet," and then went into the whole story of how she became interested in Christianity and found the church, etc. I of course, saw it as her sharing the story of how God was drawing her to himself, but she's just not quite there to see it as that yet. Praying she will soon...

Monday there was a one-day seminar at the church. Many people came from surrounding churches, and even a few students who aren't christian came. I was quite surprised to see many of the teachers from both mine and Haidees' kindergartens who aren't christian in attendance. The topic was, from what I gathered from others, about different aspects of your life (faith, physical, mental, emotional) and the source of our value- that is, from God. We are valuable not because of what we can do or even what we are, but rather because of whose we are! We are Gods'; we belong to Him, He made us, and paid a steep price in redeeming us! As God and His love are unchangeable and unshakable, so our value, derived from His disposition toward us, is also unchangeable and unshakable! What a thing to find comfort and hope in!

And today, Tuesday, I got to talking to another foreigner who also teaches English at the University. Somehow in our conversation we got onto the subject of church. He said that in England he'd attended the Church of England, but here, he thought all there were were Catholic churches, which he tried attending, but it didn't quite feel right- he didn't feel people were really meaning what they were saying and doing. (I'm not writing here to support or discredit his perspective, merely regurgitating what he said.) He seemed really excited to learn that there was a Lutheran church in the area, and said he wanted to come and see what it was like. What was perhaps the most interesting thing in this whole conversation, was that he said that when he hadn't felt anything in the Catholic churches, he decided to instead go to the local famous shrine. He said that there he felt something, "spiritual" (my word based on his impression), which is a really interesting observation! There is something spiritual there- a presence- but it is not of God! It's amazing that he recognizes it there. and so along with praying for him and that he comes to church, I'm also praying that God will help him to discern between the different kinds of spiritual presences he's sensing- and that he'll choose to dwell in the presence of God's light rather than the darkness on places like Hakusan shrine.

Jaa... it's so helpful to record these things and to remember them. In the midst of all this, yesterday for a time, I was struggling again serious self-doubt as to the value and effectiveness of my ministry here. Those thoughts are obviously not coming from God! And while God continues to assure me of His calling me here and the value He sees (in contrast to the world), I am still so thankful that God gives us tangible things to see and point back to- and, if I can exercise my "Lutheran" lingo here- tangible, our baptism points us to who we are and whose we are, the Lord's Supper points us to what He's done for us and assures us of our forgiveness, and having the privilege now and again to see how God is working and using us assures us that He hears and is answering our prayers- to be used by Him and bring glory to Him in proclaiming the one true hope and love to those He seeks to draw to Himself!

Fall Colors at Kamoyama Park

A little back blogged

So I'm a little back blogged as of late- but that is not to say things have not been happening, it seems to be quite the opposite. So I'll do my best to give a brief summary.

The last week of October was fall retreat for the VYM program in Tokyo. I along with another missionary and friend, Jenae, had the opportunity to plan and coordinate the retreat in conjunction with the director and assistant director who worked on the business side of things. The theme was "In His Hands" and we spent a lot of time worshiping, praying, and learning together in community over the course of the week. We even got away to a retreat center for the weekend near Mt. Fuji which we had great weather for and spectacular fall colors!

Then we jumped right back into classes and ministry in Niigata. I had the opportunity to attend the once a year, customary children's blessing that the churches have in coincidence with the custom of the native religion here. The churches offer it to families in lu of the pagan blessing, but for many non-christian families, I think it becomes in addition to. The blessing was held at the supporting church of the kindergarten I work at on Wednesdays in Sanjo (around 50 miles south of Niigata City). It was another good chance to connect with the families of the school and to meet the church members for the first time. In the past, the church in Sanjo has had a VYM missionary and English school as well, but it closed about two years ago to the sudden surprise and angst of the church members and there are still a lot of hurt feelings. Rather than go into all the nitty-gritty details of conflict that we know every church experiences in some way, I'll just ask for prayer for this church and the members there and the outreach of the kindergarten to the children and their families.

The next weekend was coffee house, and in the spirit of Thanksgiving we had a pie tasting event to which 30 people attended and polished off most of the 10 pies that had been prepared! I even made a chocolate pudding pie with a graham cracker crust- the graham crackers I made from scratch because, well, this is Japan and they're not so readily available. It was delicious! I had no idea you could actually make graham crackers- and they were so much better than what comes from the box!!! The second part of the coffee house was in preparation for advent- we decorated! It was wonderful to see such an intergenerational event (kids as young as 5, Jr. High-college students, young adults, middle agers, and retirees) where everyone worked together and people that normally wouldn't interact with certain people or age-groups thrown into it and loving it all! By far the best part of the coffee house was the after time- when the stragglers were just hanging out, talking, listening to a student play his guitar, eating pie straight from the pan armed with forks! The people who stuck around are the ones who have needs for relationships and interests at varying levels in Christianity. Yuko was there, the woman with whom I've been emailing back and forth youtube links to worship music, and Bible verses that she reads along with her prayers every night that she started doing after last month's coffee house. A student of Haidees, the guitar player, has a growing interest in the Gospel and has been attending regularly the Friday evening worship times, Saturday English Bible class, Thursdays Christmas choir, and volunteering with Haidee and Nomura Sensei (our pastor) playing music at nursing homes. He's really gotten into playing worship music for Friday's worship and at the nursing homes, and at coffee house, when we were all sitting around, it was him who insisted that people couldn't go until they'd sung "Who and I" and seen the following youtube link, which you, the reader, should definitely watch! http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=FVJqRLU3J0I At the end of the night, Yuko and another young woman who, because of life circumstances is really seeking God, both are planning to attend for the first time the Friday evening worship- tonight! I'm so thankful for these girls and the place to which God has brought them and the openness with which I can share with them about the gospel and their eagerness to hear!

The next day was Sunday, and the church hosted an organ concert that was just packed! There were around 100 people there! Pretty amazing for a church that usually has about 25-30 for weekly worship. The church targeted families with small children especially by offering part of the concert with familiar music to the kids, and then providing child care for the second half. It maybe doesn't sound or seem so extraordinary in our culture, but here, most concert fliers will say things like, "no children under 6" or "no children!". The church, in doing this, was able to send a different message to their community about the value and place of children! Many of our students came to, which was really good as well!

That speeds us up to this week! I'm working on getting a newsletter out soon- and will be posting another entry here again soon to! I hope and pray that you are well, wherever you find yourself, and if not well, then that you are finding comfort and joy in the knowledge that you are "In His Hands"!

Last Saturday's Coffee House

This week has flown by way too fast, but I can't let another day slip away without sharing about the amazing ways God is moving here- most recently seen at our once-monthly free English coffee house.

A woman came who is a huge switchfoot fan and has traveled to the US three times to see them play. It was because of her interest in their music that she became interested in Christianity and looked Nozomi Lutheran Church up on the internet and came to the Bible class a few weeks back. The theme was 'patience' and afterward, we got to talking about life, and I asked her if she was married and she said no, but that she wanted to be and really wanted to be a mother- but that she hadn't met the right person. So- being the nosy person you know me to be- I asked her if she'd dated much in the past, and she said yes, and her eyes began to well with tears as she told me it still hurts- that she can still remember one man in particular really well. So I started to tell her about God's love, and how we can take to him our hurts, our brokenness, and I referred to the song we'd used that night- everlasting God- and told her she could pray- that God could bring her hope- that he made her, that he knows her, and that he sees her hurt and wants to bring her healing- that he loved her and sent his son who gave his life for her- she was crying even more- and told me that from that night- she'd pray every night before bed. At first I thought she said she prays every night before bed- but she clarified that "from tonight" she will begin to pray every night before bed!!!!!!!

And there was a woman her age who is a church member, also not married, who was telling her all about where in Niigata she could get a good Bible that she'd be able to read and understand. This church member's faith has just been coming alive too- and God keeps putting her in places where he uses her in amazing ways!

There also was a man who came, Canadian, who teaches English in the area. He told Nomura Sensei at the beginning that he grew up in the catholic church, but that he's not christian. For the coffee house Haidee taught a song- "Everlasting God"- and we broke up into groups to talk about it. He was in my group and sat back with his arms crossed and asked me sceptically if these
Japanese people would even be able to grasp the concepts in the song. I said we'd try!

We talked a bit about it, then sang it- at the end, he said to me- "Wow- that's a great song! I love the guitar. The catholic church uses the organ and I hate the organ." He stayed around for worship after coffee house, and although he didn't want to sing, I gave him the words so he could read along if he wanted. After worship, he said that he feels like he should find a church, and he'd like to come here! Would you just look at the way God melted the ice around his heart!!!!

God's opening doors, bringing people, and touching them with His love through His word and the christian community here. It is such a blessing to watch and be a part of. I thank you for your prayers and ask you to continue to pray for Japan, especially for the people God is bringing as they are, having expressed interest in Christianity, in a vulnerable place in their new interest/faith. It is my hope and prayer that God would use you where you are to proclaim the gospel to those living in darkness, and I pray God would give you eyes to see and celebrate the ways He's moving and working! Blessings friends!

I can't stop praising God for this day!

I just had the most incredible day! Incredible! Amazing! Did I mention incredible?!?!?! After staying up waaaaaaaay later than I should have, I prayed before bed that as God multiplied loaves and fish, that He'd multiply my hours of sleep! I also prayed that I'd wake up before my alarm and that it wouldn't be difficult to get up. So this morning I woke up 7 minutes before my alarm was set to go off, and was able just to lay in bed and peacefully enjoy a cool breeze and take a moment to collect myself. Then I got ready and when I normally do my devotions, Haidee appeared with her computer and we started listening to worship music and talking about the crazy good things God does both in the Bible and in our lives! I actually left the house early, and caught the train which ended up being slowly filled by a hiking club- each stop brought more on the train- it was really funny- they were all so cute in their hats with their towels around their necks and their walking sticks (hiking is a quite serious endeavor here : ) ). I was much less prepared than usual to teach, but I really just wanted to pray and read this story of a missionary's work in China rather than worry about the day. When I got to the kindergarten, the kids were on a field trip, pulling sweet potatoes. So I didn't have to teach those classes today and instead got to go and dig in the dirt with 30 kindergartners! It was a good chance to connect with student parents as well. At lunch the kids were trying really hard to use every English word with me that they knew, and then they started singing, alternating between "ABC" and "Jesus Loves Me" in both English and Japanese. So we talked about Jesus and how much He loved them over lunch! Then, my women's class went well and one of my student's daughters who just turned a year and is normally afraid of the strange-looking foreigner, not only did she let me play with her, but I had her laughing her with the funniest, deep-belly laugh I've ever heard out of a child that young! In my private lesson with my student, Aiko, God opened the door for an amazing conversation about Christianity! She asked if I ever felt homesick, and I replied that while I do miss my family at times, I find that family love with my church family here. She really seemed to want to talk about the church. She recounted the time she travelled to Italy, and how at first she felt very uncomfortable because of all the big churches and christian things, but after 3 days she felt really comfortable and at peace. She was also privileged to see Davinci's "Last Supper" with 3 other people, in a room that is normally packed. She said it made it much more personal, like she was face to face almost with Christ, and her heart throbbed and ached. She wept. Although she couldn't understand it fully, she sensed the power and importance of what that painting conveyed. God had opened the door for me to share about that night, how Jesus was later betrayed and crucified. She said she'd seen paintings of that too- and this opened up dialogue further. Somehow we got to talking about Jesus' power from God, and how he used it not to exercise over people and bring about his own prosperity in conquering nations and such, but He used His power in love- to heal people, to give sight to the blind, to make the lame walk, and when I told her of how He raised the dead, her eyes got wide! And then it all came back full swing- when I shared that it's this same love that I have in Christ and experience with my church family! God is really stirring in this young woman's heart, and I am so thankful that He brought her to study English with me, and that He would choose to use me in such a way! My kids classes after that were such a joy, and then, as if all of the above wasn't enough, on my train ride home, a familiar-looking young woman sat down across from me. She asked if I spoke Japanese, and I responded that I spoke a little. Then, she began conversing with me in great English. She told me she'd seen me that morning at the train station, and that she'd wanted to talk to me, but that she was in a hurry and didn't have time. That's why she looked familiar to me! And then she expressed her excitement at seeing me again this evening, taking the same train back as her to Niigata Station. She said she was here for business and actually splits her time between Niigata and a prefecture north of here, half and half, but that she doesn't have any friends here. We of course exchanged contact information and I told her I'd be happy to be her friend. She then leaned over and asked about what I was reading, which happened to be the story of the missionary in China whose work was in the walled city with drug addicts and dealers, prostitutes, and gamblers. I shared with her how this woman gave up everything she had to share God's love with these people and about how through God's power and love people were healed of drug addictions, people's lives were turned around, and people and families found healing, joy and hope. The name of the book is "Chasing the Dragon" and I explained to her how that is slang for using opium/heroin. I connected the word "chasing" with drug addictions, and how addicts are always looking for their next fix. She responded by saying that the title had a double meaning- that the people were chasing the dragon while the missionary was chasing it too- not to use it, but to free people from it! Her response convinced me that what I'd said had definitely been understood! We parted ways, but I'm praying for her and looking forward to meeting with her soon. On my walk home I prayed for both her, Wakako, and Aiko, for God to continue to open their hearts and create faith, and that He'd use me and give me the right words at the right time. When I got home, Haidee was here (which is unusual, I normally don't see her Wednesdays) and so, after a day like that, what else could I do but worship! Poor Haidee was in a hurry to get back to church when I got home, but she gladly gave in to my request, and even though she's gone now to church, I'm still here and haven't been able to stop singing and listening to worship music.

Do you think I'm crazy? I kinda do right now! I have no logical explanation for any of this- but that's exactly what faith is! So I'm thankful, filled with Joy, and all the more convinced that this is what it is that God created me to do! I'm so excited for tomorrow!

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.

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!