Hello family, friends and readers!
Today was a busy day! I spent the morning, again, doing work! I missed breakfast and had a late lunch of instant noodles. The meal of champions (that are concentrated on work).
Once the afternoon hit, it was time to meet with Kevin to go to church! We kept missing our stops and going on wrong trains! Conversations make good distraction, I suppose.
Once we got to church it was another fun day! Every time I go, I see a new face. Today I played the cajon with the worship team, I found it quite challenging and hope that I can improve and learn more beats. I believe music is a great avenue for people to enter a space to connect with God and I want to enhance that experience rather than distract them!
I also helped Ellen with the children during service. There was a 7-year old Japanese girl, named… Shuna? (I forgot her name, but I hope to see her again!) – Her, Rowan (Ellen’s son) and I were very immersed in drawing pokemon. They were very knowledgeable and skillful in their drawings! It makes me very happy to see them so interested in drawing! I also learned the Japanese names of familiar pokemon. It really brings me back to my childhood! I wish I was as bold and confident as the young girl when I was her age!
Her brother, a very young boy, was recently in a car accident and throughout the afternoon, I heard bits and pieces of his story. He is a walking miracle! Still in the healing process, we are praying for his complete recovery. But they came to church today and he was very energetic and lively, as a child should be! I am so thankful for these siblings’ spirit. May God bring them more healing and joy!
Another person I got to meet is Takako! She is a Japanese person that just came back from a mission trip to Vietnam! She brought treats to share and the taste was most definitely the taste of Vietnam. I hope to hear her share more about her trip in the future! It’s interesting to hear a Japanese person speaking Vietnamese phrases, the two languages are completely different but she did very well! God is really working everywhere in the world.
The faces I see often are Jessy & Miyuki! I am so thankful for Jessy and Miyuki. They’ve made this trip to Japan very enjoyable and I love spending time in fellowship with them. I will be praying for Miyuki to further her relationship with God and for her to make good friendships within the church!
After service, discussion groups and clean up Jessy, Kevin and I went to Jessy’s home to eat the food we bought from the こんびに (convenient store). She then served us some homemade frozen yogurt bars! The three of us spent the rest of the night playing board games. And yes, Kevin and I got onto the wrong train going home. Conversation makes good distraction.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34-35
Prayer points:
1. Pray for the children of Japan, may they grow to know Christ.
2. Pray for Shuna’s brother for a quick and swift healing! Praise God that he is able to walk.
3. Pray for Miyuki to continue to come to God and his community to grow in her faith.
4. Pray for wisdom and guidance for the Missionaries in Japan that are working for God’s kingdom to spread the good news and for the Japanese to be receptive.