We had any excellent time connecting with Kano Sensei at Machida church. Machida church was the first Japanese church we served at 2 years ago. Machida church faces very unique challenges. Kano sensei is an elderly female pastor with a small home church in a Tokyo suburb. Her church consists of 9 devoted elderly people, yet the demographic of her community is young families. Thus is it difficult to minister because of such few workers.
It was amazing connecting with this congregation, we began worshiping with japanese hymns (I played guitar), and then I shared Hawi and Preston's testimony in broken Japanese via google translate. We then had a short devotional in Luke 10:1-11, discussing how Jesus sends people out into their local community to reap a harvest.
Machida's most effective ministry is budonokodomo, which literally means "grape children". Normally about 20 elementary children come to the church for snacks, help with homework, a quick prayer/mini sermon, and games. 6 children came and we played a fun bible game about walking with Jesus. We made a winding path that a child would follow blind folded with no help. Then we allow the other kids to yell instructions, finally someone guided them by hand (like Jesus guides us).
After that we played with the kid's. Preston used Mario Cart 8 on his Nintendo Switch for ministry with the kids, and Hawi played jenga with the young girls. It is always exciting to help children in the community connect with their local church through simple fun activities. God is very strategic. Kano sensei is looking to retire and is praying for a young pastor (a previous budonomokodo student) to start working with her to grow her church. Please keep this church in your prayers and I will do a follow up post with the names of the congregation members to pray for.
Next we started our TamaYuriShiki 3 day english bible kids camp. This was an amazing way to complete our ministry in Tokyo. There were about 20 children at the camp and 20 leaders, one of the biggest camps we've helped with. We helped with worship, english practice, bible games, bible study, and preaching.
The first day we gave a sermon discussing who Jesus is. We descussed some of his key miracles:
Feeding the 5000 with a "bento box" fish lunch.
Healing the blind, paralyzed, and deaf.
Curing the woman who suffered from bleeding.
Raising Lazarus from the dead.
Then we discussed that he was also a wise teacher, and we discussed the parable of the two builders.
We then did a bible game, where there were two teams competing to build a paper tower. On had the foundation of sand (a towel suspended from two chairs), and the other a foundation of stone (a tower taped to a wooden box). Then the storms came (me holding a fan), and the tower with the weak foundation blew away, but a tower on the foundation of stone (Jesus) endured.
The second day we gave two sermons. The first discussed the concept of how our sin creates separation from God, and why Jesus chose to be obedient to the cross. We did a very compelling activity, in which students were given a puzzle piece to write down the sins in their life that Jesus had covered. Additionally the leaders also participated which was very powerful. Then students put the puzzle together to reveil a life size cross that covered everyone's sin. This was effective because if connected on a personal level, yet also demonstrated that Jesus died for the collective (everyone).
Later that evening we gave our third sermon discussing the power of the resurrection, the Holy Spirit, and how faith works. This was very exciting because we gave the the students and adults an opportunity to respond to the message. The four decisions were believing in God for the first time, accepting Jesus as their savior, deciding to get baptized, and recommitting their lives to Jesus.
4 children, one college student, and one young mother decided to believe in God for the first time, and 5 students recommitted their life to Jesus. We had a small group with the students who believed in God, and we got to work through some of their barriers with Jesus, by sharing our testimonies. It was amazing seeing barriers being broken by our personal testimonies. It was very helpful for them to hear Felicia, my, Hawi, and Preston's unique stories.
On the final day of the camp we gave a sermon discussing:
1. That you're special to God.
2. The Holy Spirit can give you unique gifting.
3. God will use you exactly where you're at.
4. Develop in spiritual disciplines, (read the bible, prayer, going to church, and fellowship) in order to finish the race marked out for you.
We illustrated the final point with a game in which younger children were tied up with ropes and then needed the older Christians to help them "throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles in order to finish the race marked out for them". It was a great way to finish our messages.
During the last moments of the camp I (joe) was very receptive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, and I felt that the mother who attended the camp was close to accepting Christ. When there was a break I went outside with her and taught her how to play "Jesus Paid it All" which I had mentioned when I shared my testimony. The Chorus "Jesus Paid it all, all to him I owe, my sin had left a crimson stain, he washed it white as snow" was very powerful for her. I tried to translate the meaning into Japanese. I then let her play on my guitar and as we sang the chorus together she began crying, and explained that she was so happy.
The two days after camp I sent her "Jesus Paid it All" and many other songs on facebook. She told me she translated Jesus Paid it All into Japanese, and read through John 3:16-17 and prayed to accept Christ. Its just amazing how God works. I will send her name soon for prayer, I just want to make sure I spell it right in the blog. So amazing. Additionally pastor Kishio let me know that two of the youngest boys had accepted Christ and I got to pray with them before they left camp.
There was something very distinct about this camp this year. Felicia really felt like we were really connecting non believers with the the church of Japan, and strengthening the church. We really saw God energize the leaders of the camp, as they are starting to see God move in their city. After camp, Fukui Sensei told us that through our ministry, both his son and daughter were returning to faith in Christ. He struggled to express just how thankful he was for what God was doing in his family through us.
Our time in Tokyo was so precious, and it was a blessing to be able to serve so effectively. Below is our final message of encouragement to Tokyo that we preached. It really captures our vision of how God will move in Japan.
We have since arrived in Shingu and have had an amazing "unplanned" Sabbath because of a typhoon that just hit Wakayama Prefecture. We are safe, and got to enjoy the big storm safely in church, planning for an amazing week of English camps, English cafe, cooking ministries, and a 3 day kid's camp. Keep us in your prayers.
F: It been a joy serving in Tokyo this past week. We have seen God moving in amazing ways at Niiza, Machida, Tamagawa, and Tamayurishiki camp. This morning we would like to discuss why Jesus has called us to serve Japan. Then we will all share our favorite moments from this trip. Let’s begin by reading Luke 10:1-11
“After this the Lord appointed seventy-two[a] others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.
5 “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.
8 “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. 9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’”
J: I love this scripture. Christ give very clear instructions on how to leave your home and tell others about Jesus. Last year we were told that Japan is “the missionary’s grave yard”. That there is no fruit in Japan. But this scripture offers hope. The harvest is plentiful. There are 127 million Japanese who don’t know Jesus, but the workers are few. This is the third year that God has convicted us to reap the harvest. To leave our comfort zone, say “peace to this house”, eat new foods, and share the gospel.
F: My family is not christian. Each year we had a good reason why we should not go to Japan, and my family has lovingly told me not to go. Our first trip was was two years ago, and we didn’t have much money. But God provided Joe with an early bonus of $6500 from Johnson and Johnson which payed for our plane and train tickets. Last year I was 36 weeks pregnant and they thought I shouldn’t go. This year I have a young baby and we needed to save money to buy a house. God provided two miracles for us to come this year.
J: The first was a close friend knew that we weren’t sure if we should go to Japan or save for our home. After praying, God told him to give us $4000 for our trip which paid for our tickets so we could come. God has provided $11000 in donations for all of to be able to serve Japan. The second miracle happened on the plane ride to Japan. Felicia’s family was very worried about Kai being on a plane for 13 hours. But God wanted to bless our trip and our faithfulness to the harvest. Our plane was completely full. But God placed an empty seat between Felicia and I, so Kai had his own seat to sleep. The flight was restful, and Kai slept for 9 hours allowing us to make it to Japan rested and ready.
F: These miracles share the gospel with my family, every time we serve God in Japan. His faithfulness to the lost (both Japanese and American) is amazing to me. He provides his workers with everything they need to reap the Harvest. Time, food, money, and open hearts. This year I really saw God moving and growing the faith of the Christians at Niiza, Machida, and Tamayurishiki camp. I saw God strengthening the church members, making them aligned with God’s plan. We love to encourage and equip Japanese Christians.
J: This is because you get to live this scripture every day in Japan. You have 365 days a year to eat and drink with friends, co-workers, and family. You get to bring the peace of Christ into their life. You get to share how Jesus has covered your sin, and saved you. You don’t have to look like a “perfect” christian. Just eat, drink, and play with your friends, and share your story. This is how Japan will see fruit. Through your faithfulness to God’s plan, listen and go. Be bold, and know that the Holy Spirit will build you up.
F: You have to stay in a home long enough to gather dust on your feet. God’s plan for the harvest takes time. Seek his will every day, and pray with the expectation that God will reap a harvest in Japan.
“After this the Lord appointed seventy-two[a] others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.
5 “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.
8 “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. 9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’”
J: I love this scripture. Christ give very clear instructions on how to leave your home and tell others about Jesus. Last year we were told that Japan is “the missionary’s grave yard”. That there is no fruit in Japan. But this scripture offers hope. The harvest is plentiful. There are 127 million Japanese who don’t know Jesus, but the workers are few. This is the third year that God has convicted us to reap the harvest. To leave our comfort zone, say “peace to this house”, eat new foods, and share the gospel.
F: My family is not christian. Each year we had a good reason why we should not go to Japan, and my family has lovingly told me not to go. Our first trip was was two years ago, and we didn’t have much money. But God provided Joe with an early bonus of $6500 from Johnson and Johnson which payed for our plane and train tickets. Last year I was 36 weeks pregnant and they thought I shouldn’t go. This year I have a young baby and we needed to save money to buy a house. God provided two miracles for us to come this year.
J: The first was a close friend knew that we weren’t sure if we should go to Japan or save for our home. After praying, God told him to give us $4000 for our trip which paid for our tickets so we could come. God has provided $11000 in donations for all of to be able to serve Japan. The second miracle happened on the plane ride to Japan. Felicia’s family was very worried about Kai being on a plane for 13 hours. But God wanted to bless our trip and our faithfulness to the harvest. Our plane was completely full. But God placed an empty seat between Felicia and I, so Kai had his own seat to sleep. The flight was restful, and Kai slept for 9 hours allowing us to make it to Japan rested and ready.
F: These miracles share the gospel with my family, every time we serve God in Japan. His faithfulness to the lost (both Japanese and American) is amazing to me. He provides his workers with everything they need to reap the Harvest. Time, food, money, and open hearts. This year I really saw God moving and growing the faith of the Christians at Niiza, Machida, and Tamayurishiki camp. I saw God strengthening the church members, making them aligned with God’s plan. We love to encourage and equip Japanese Christians.
J: This is because you get to live this scripture every day in Japan. You have 365 days a year to eat and drink with friends, co-workers, and family. You get to bring the peace of Christ into their life. You get to share how Jesus has covered your sin, and saved you. You don’t have to look like a “perfect” christian. Just eat, drink, and play with your friends, and share your story. This is how Japan will see fruit. Through your faithfulness to God’s plan, listen and go. Be bold, and know that the Holy Spirit will build you up.
F: You have to stay in a home long enough to gather dust on your feet. God’s plan for the harvest takes time. Seek his will every day, and pray with the expectation that God will reap a harvest in Japan.