Daichi church sermon

This past Sunday Pastor Lee had me give the sermon at Daichi church. He interpreted from English to Japanese in addition to some written Korean translations. (My job was pretty easy in comparison!) The message was from Luke 10:38-42, about Jesus visiting Martha and Mary.

January 2009 Newsletter

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I hope you are all doing well and getting off to a good start this new year. It has been a couple months since I have written a newsletter. After a blessed Christmas break back home I returned to Japan and it has been business as usual. I must admit, during the past few months personal struggles have been difficult at times, but as we are all aware, in the end the Lord has His purposes and growth occurs; praise the Lord!

As for the new year, the "Jamming for Jesus music ministry" has ceased due to business, a need for a new place to gather, traveling, cold weather, etc. It is possible that it may continue and that we may get together and prepare to do some musical outreaches when the weather warms up, but as for now we will just have to wait and see; as the Lord leads.

Our Thursday Kids English class and English Bible study at Daichi Church has continued and we have even seen some new faces; praise the Lord! In the children's class we had two new girls Natsuko and Kayoka. They are friends of Onyu who is Pastor Lee's daughter; they go to school together. Pastor Lee told me that it is the first time their mother Riku (and the children) have come the church after six years! Hopefully, this is the start of more visits to come.

In our English Bible study Junsoo's sister joined us last week! Also, during our study (about Mary pouring perfume on the feet of Jesus), I saw Junsoo's mother in the back with her head bowed and hands in a prayer position. This was interesting because Pastor Lee has told me she and her family are not believers, although they have been coming to the (Korean) church for the past couple years because they can fellowship with their fellow Korean people. However, Pastor Lee has said he has seen some progress toward receiving salvation from Junsoo's mother in the past, so hopefully the time is near for her and the rest of her family.

Lastly, pastor Lee has asked me to teach a sermon on Sunday 2/15. I will be teaching from Luke 10:38-42 (about sitting at the feet of Jesus). This is definitely a message to myself aswell as the body! Please pray that I would prepare well and that the Holy Spirit would use me to bless, encourage, and strengthen the body of believers.

Thanks for reading! May the Lord bless, encourage, and strengthen you!

First Class of the New Year!

We had our first class at Daichi church this past Thursday. The message was about how Jesus loved Zacchaeus the tax collector and because of Jesus love, Zacchaeus was a changed man. Here is a picture of our class.

The Joy of the Lord in 2009

Well, after a nice holiday break I am back in Hiroshima feeling refreshed. I am looking forward to what the Lord has in store for 2009. My prayer for the new year is that the Lord would always "Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." (Psalm 51:12) Just as Nehemiah encouraged the people when he said, "...for the joy of the LORD is your strength..." (Neh. 8:10). Only the Lord can provide true joy, and in that joy we are strong.

Home for the holidays

Right now I am visiting family and friends in California. I will return to Japan on the 6th. I spent some time in San Francisco this weekend visiting friends and while I was walking around downtown I saw this street performer. Great tap dancer!

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!