Fun with Young Adult English Club at Grace Gardens
Japanese Castle
On the Bus...again
Beautiful Scenery
Good Friends
More Good Friends
Japanese Style
Japan!
Submitted by Jesse,
December 8th
Japan is an incredibly beautiful country. The countryside,
the mountains, and the rivers we saw during our visit in Koriyama and Sendai
were amazing to see. It was great being able to spend time with the Japanese
people. The Japanese are so smart and fun to be around!
As a team we had the opportunity to visit two churches. Half
of the group went to “Koriyama Bible Baptist church” and the other half went to
“Grace Gardens.” It was great having the opportunity to sing a few choir songs
for them as well as a few of us being able to share our testimonies.
We were greatly encouraged to see the Japanese Christians thriving
at Grace Gardens. The Koriyama Bible Baptist church was much smaller but had
wonderful members who were committed to Christ. We were humbled by the reality
of how few believers there are in Japan. My heart goes out for assistant pastor
Ken there who has a deep passion to see people in his community be transformed
by the Love and Hope of Jesus. On Sunday, eight of us ICS trip members
outnumbered the Japanese that came that morning for the service!
It was great being
able to be used by God to be of some encouragement to the Senior Pastor Tatz, Ken
and other members of that church. I hope our presence reminded them that God is
there with them and cares for them greatly. Please be in prayer for this church
as well as for the community it is trying to reach out to. My team and I had
the opportunity to pass out flyers around different neighborhoods in the
community inviting them to a “Candlelit Christmas Service” that will take place
on December 23rd. Please pray that many will come to the service and
that God uses it greatly to spread his love and forgiveness. Thank you so much
for your thoughts and prayers for us on this trip.
Submitted by Ali,
December 8th
Japan took me by surprise. Most people conjure Japan in slim
towers and bustling streets. Yet we found ourselves in what we would consider a
small town cradled in mountains and frigid air. These past days have been
soothing to a team exhausted with (albeit rewarding) acclimation to a variety
of urban cultures.
Although we had little time to get to know the culture of
Japan, we were blessed with the chance to join with a piece of our Church and
encourage our Christian brothers and sisters through real, raw fellowship. Here,
we experienced the reality of a church both struggling and thriving in Japan.
Through worshiping God as a choir, we recalled the joy of using our skills to
worship God. We shared tea and Japanese snacks with believers and those who had
never met Christ. I recognized that, in a country where churches occupy every
town, I take Christian fellowship for granted. It humbles me to see the way we
were able to minister to a church that doesn’t have the opportunity to network
with other believers. I pray that God will continue to provide Christians from
all over the world who can refresh the hearts of their Japanese brothers and
sisters.
Throughout our stay, one thought reoccurred to me: the
Christians we met are like the mountains. These mountains were gracious, encompassing
us so we felt welcomed and refreshed, rising with strength to the heavens,
beautiful and firm. But winter is coming in Japan, and those mountains endure
storms and the frigid world around them. The church in Japan faces many
challenges, and I now understand the need for us to open our hearts to hurt for
our brothers and sisters fighting to bring Jesus to a country that doesn’t yet know
that it yearns for Him.
Submitted by Bekka,
Dec. 8 th
Japan felt like home and quickly made its way into my heart.
We slept on traditional Japanese mats on the floor of a quaint Christian camp
facility called Camp Zion, which
provided rest and encouragement to our team. We were thankful to all be back
together after having been scattered across Bangkok the whole month of November. Although we only stayed in Japan for one
week, my eyes were opened to many new things!
While visiting the Koriyama Bible Baptist, which averages
around 3-4 non-staff attendees per week, I was struck by Pastor Ken’s hope in
the Lord’s plan and goodness. He trusts that God will bring more people from
the area to his church. I found myself discouraged for him and the struggling congregation. It reminded me that we do not operate in our
timing or will, but that we are a part of God’s plan and purpose. All the Lord
asks of us while we wait and journey along the path he has set before us is our
obedience and trust. Most times things don’t pan out the way we dream or expect
them to, but after a season of trusting and pleading, we are able to look back
and see how beautifully the Lord orchestrated every little detail for His kingdom
and glory. We must remember to entrust each and every trial to Him and His
sovereignty no matter how daunting or discouraging the situation seems.
Japan is a country in need of hope and the message of grace.
Although the church small and seems to be seeing little fruit, I believe the
Christians are relying on God with all they are, and that is a beautiful and
powerful testimony to believers all over the world!
Submitted by Bev
Saturday we had the privilege of sharing the Christmas story,
complete with a simple narrative and costumes, for the Koryamo church’s Children’s
English Club. It was very moving to
attempt to convey this most important story in simple enough words and actions
to some who have never heard.
Tuesday night we traveled to another city to be part of a
Black Gospel Workshop and Choir. Ever
since the movie Sister Act, Japanese
people have been obsessed with this style.
It has become a very effective evangelistic tool as people are attracted
to being part of this type of choir. There are 70 choirs that meet in 60
churches around the country. Can you imagine? As they sing these lyrics again and again they
are exposed to the gospel message and some become believers. AND they pay dues for the privilege!
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