A little camera shy!

Last week at Daichi Church we were blessed to see (from left to right) Mr. Iimura, Ms. Yamada, Mrs. Lee (Pastor Lee's wife)...On the bottom (from left to right), flashing a peace sign is Junsoo, and next to him are the legs and feet of Chan...they were a little camera shy! We studied Luke 15:11-32, the story about the Prodigal son. God is working, and Mr. Iimura and Ms. Yamada are hearing the Gospel each week! Praise the Lord! His will be done!

"Japalonica"

I hiked Suzugamine mountain again today and when I reached the top, I meditated on 1 Thessalonians chapter 2. The Lord allowed me to see some distant parallels regarding my experience of part-time ministry in Japan, and the situation with Paul in Thessalonica. These are the key points:

1. Paul and the others had suffered in Philippi, but yet they were still able to speak boldly to the Thessalonians. (Thes. 2:2) I had a few struggles (nothing like Paul of course) in getting here to Japan, but yet I was boldly empowered by Him to do the task set before me.
   
2. They spoke simply, they were gentle, hard working, considerate, in their service to the people. (Thes. 2:4-9) I am learning that speaking simply, being gentle, working hard, being considerate are essential in doing His work.
3. They exhorted and encouraged the people to walk worthy in the Lord. (Thes. 2:11) Exhorting and encouraging are also essential in doing His work.
   
4. The Thessalonians were persecuted by their own countrymen. (Thes. 2:14) Many Japanese believers have been persecuted by their families, friends, co-workers, etc.
   
5. Paul and the others were hindered by Satan when they tried to return and continue to bless them. (Thes. 2:18) Satan is continuously hindering the Good work going on here as we believers try to bless one another.
   
6. Paul and the rest were encouraged at the work of the Lord in the Thessalonians. (Thes. 2:19-20) It is such a great encouragement to see the work of the Lord in the Japanese people, as they have become saved and been transformed by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ!
   

A Family in Christ

Tonight at Daichi church we were blessed. Mr. Iimura, Chan, and Junsoo attended. We read about what Jesus said in Matthew 18:10-14 and Luke 15:3-7; about the Shepard and the lost sheep. In these passages Jesus said God is a like a Shepard and we are like sheep. Just like when the sheep are lost and the Shepard searches for them because he loves them, God also loves us and is knocking on our hearts because wants us to return to Him when we have turned from Him and sinned against Him. The most amazing thing to me is that when we do turn back to Him, He is pleased because He loves us so much!

Key points that the Lord brought out as we studied were:

• God's love for us.
• What is sin?
• God's family
  

Tonight Mr. Iimura mentioned that he has no family, and therefore that his friends are very important to him. I made sure to tell him that when we believe in Jesus we become part of God's family, the church family, and anybody is welcome to join. Hopefully, he will soon say he has a family, a family in Christ. Let's keep praying for him.

Be faithful to the smallest things!

I was riding the train home tonight and the Lord prompted me to talk to the lady sitting near me. I didn't want to at first, especially since there is always an anti-social, silent atmosphere at that time of night when everyone seems to be returning from work. I thought, "What if I she will be intimidated because I am a man who seems to be approaching a woman, I don't want to scare her...that doesn't look good." Feeling as though the Lord was not going to let me get out of this one, no matter how many excuses I tried to make, I simply asked Him to strengthen me and to lead the way. So, I unzipped my pack and unzipped a smaller pack which carried a stack of tracts, and I pulled out a tract. I held it in my hand asking the Lord for His timing. As I sat there the train came to a stop and the doors stayed open as the cold air rushed in. It became noticeably cold, at least to me, and so I looked over at her and said, "It's cold, isn't it?" She was pretty shy and didn't really respond. So, I waited another awkward minute or two, still asking the Lord how to get this tract into her hand. Finally, after sitting there, I said, "This train is slow, isn't it?" She kindly replied, "It is because the cars are crossing." I told her, "Oh that's right, of course, I knew that...I have been on this train many times, especially since my church is near. Do you know Mitaki church?" She didn't. So I went on to tell her that they have many things there, like a Gospel choir and other things, and then I handed her the tract and said, "The address is here. Take a look." She took the tract and looked. I said, "It is a Christian pamphlet." Then she said, "Can I have it?" By this time she was smiling, seemingly excited to be conversing. "Of course," I replied. Finally, I said, "Please read it." A minute later we were at Yokogawa station and it was time to change trains. Honestly, I don't know the the purpose was for that little transaction. However, I know I have to be faithful with the small things. It was a tiny task, but I had to trust the Lord to do it. Lord willing, she will show up at church and I will keep getting opportunities to be used for His glory!

November Prayer Requests

Daichi church English Bible study:
First, Praise the Lord that Iimura has returned to our class and seems to be responding to the Bible messages each week.
1. Please pray for salvation for Mr. Iimura and Ms. Yamada.
2. Also, pray for the children, that they would draw near to Jesus as they grow up; Hawn, Onyu, A-hawn, Chan, Ryusei, Junsoo. Particularly, Junsoo who is about 7 years old. Despite smiling and his lively personality, he tends to have negative responses to questions during discussions.
Jamming For Jesus:
First, Praise the Lord that people heard the Gospel at our first public outreach by the Ota river on 10/12!
3. Please pray, "And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it." (Psalm 90:17)
4. Please pray that I would have wisdom regarding next year. (It is already time for considering new employment contract possibilities. Recently, I have considered returning to Takashima Chapel and the fellowship in Okayama,..."Is it you LORD?"..."Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart"(Psalm 26:2).
5. For my studies: Please pray for my Japanese language studies and my M.A. (Linguistic) studies.

Jamming for Jesus outreach #1

Today our Jamming for Jesus group played by the Ota river. Praise the Lord for great weather and many people who were enjoying the day who could hear the Word of God and His message of hope for all. During each song we read scripture and we shared the fact that Jesus wants to give them hope and peace because He loves us all so much. We told them that at any time anybody can call on Jesus and receive Him. We had also tracts available. This was the first time in public, and we trust that God's Word "never returns void" so we trust that the Lord did what He wanted to do. Next month we hope to play at a local grocery store stage. Please pray we have favor in being able to play at that location.

You can see Ota river and the surrounding city in the picture...

Since it had been a little while I thought I had better blog a little bit. Things are continuing and going well...We had a rest last week from our usual "Jamming for Jesus" rehearsal. However, we are preparing for our October 12 outreach Bible reading concert by the Ota river. Please keep us in your prayers.

Daichi church English Class continued and we read from Matthew 8:14-27. Of course in those passages, Jesus did many things. He healed Peter's mother-in-law, cast out demons, healed the sick, fulfilled prophecy, told a certain scribe to follow Him without delay, calmed the winds and the sea, and fascinated His disciples...all within about 20 sentences!!! The Bible says that only a small portion of what Jesus did was recorded. "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen." (John 21:25) Truly, truly, Jesus is amazing, and He loves each of us so much!!!