I'm excited about today's blog post because I get to tell all you readers out there about how God is moving both in our missionaries and through them. And because I get to share with you all of the amazing (and sometimes embarrassing) photos we've been taking.
Going to Niiza was our first day of planned event ministry and I wanted to get everyone together so that we could set the tone for the day. We started with a quick, 'how's everything going, you aren't freaking out too bad are you?' check-in, short morning devotional and bible study. One of the questions that I asked Preston and Hawi was 'What do you want to accomplish for yourself in this journey?' And they both said similar things. They wanted to step out of their comfort zone, try something new and grow their faith in the process. And boy is Japan a great place to do it! I also asked them to be thinking about what God's promise is for them on this trip. Be in prayer as Hawi and Preston seek the promises of the Lord. Hawi is learning that she doesn't necessarily have to be the perfect Christian in order to be effective at ministry, all she has to do it be fully engaged with the people and that is good enough. This is a great first learning!
Additionally, thank you all for praying for Joe's presentation about his work at Ethicon. We had three ladies show up as well as Tadashi and Pastor Kishio's family. So in total we had twelve people there. I'll let him explain a little more about how he saw God move through his presentation.
Going to Niiza was our first day of planned event ministry and I wanted to get everyone together so that we could set the tone for the day. We started with a quick, 'how's everything going, you aren't freaking out too bad are you?' check-in, short morning devotional and bible study. One of the questions that I asked Preston and Hawi was 'What do you want to accomplish for yourself in this journey?' And they both said similar things. They wanted to step out of their comfort zone, try something new and grow their faith in the process. And boy is Japan a great place to do it! I also asked them to be thinking about what God's promise is for them on this trip. Be in prayer as Hawi and Preston seek the promises of the Lord. Hawi is learning that she doesn't necessarily have to be the perfect Christian in order to be effective at ministry, all she has to do it be fully engaged with the people and that is good enough. This is a great first learning!
Additionally, thank you all for praying for Joe's presentation about his work at Ethicon. We had three ladies show up as well as Tadashi and Pastor Kishio's family. So in total we had twelve people there. I'll let him explain a little more about how he saw God move through his presentation.
The presentation went very well. I gave a talk about the history of open/ endoscopic/ and robotic surgery, as well as were the future of surgery procedures are going. I then discussed many of the miraculous healings that Jesus performed, and explained how the Jesus is the same God today as he was then. And now he gets to heal his people through doctors, surgeons, and the engineers that create new surgical tools. We had an amazing discussion afterword.
One of the attendees was a young professional christian whose mother was suffering through breast cancer. She was comforted by our my message and is going to try to visit us in the states when she moves to Canada for further schooling. This event was a great way to connect three new people with Kishio's church which is amazing.
One of the attendees was a young professional christian whose mother was suffering through breast cancer. She was comforted by our my message and is going to try to visit us in the states when she moves to Canada for further schooling. This event was a great way to connect three new people with Kishio's church which is amazing.
After Joe's presentation we all went out for dinner and met with our friend, Deura Sensei who is a now a retired English professor. He teaches part time at a local University in Tokyo. Deura Sensei has a special place in both my heart and Joe's as he continually describes himself as a shell of a person. He believes that he lacks wholeness and fulfillment in his life and therefore takes to drinking. When we meet Joe and I try our best to make him understand his value and give him hope for the future. He is one of the reasons why we see missions in Japan as a vital part of God greater plan for the kingdom. And why it is so crucial that Christians continue to reach out to this spiritually desolate people group. As some of you may know, Japan has the highest suicide rate among young teens and adults. The societal pressure they experience often becomes too much for them and then, seeing no other way out, seek to take their own life. Joe, myself and our team are striving to give meaning, purpose and value to the lives of the Japanese people we come in contact with and Deura Sensei is one of those people, we hope to keep from becoming part of a rather heart-breaking statistic.
Which is why we invited him to join us for dinner. This was an exciting evening for us and our young missionaries. This was the first night that Preston and Hawi were going to get a taste of some very good, and very authentic, Japanese food. We went to a restaurant that was known for serving the type of food that Sumo wrestlers eat. Kishio's family, Deura Sensei, Tadashi, Joe, Kai, Hawi, Preston and myself all went to the restaurant together to partake in foods called Nabe, Shabu-shabu and sukiyaki. These are all various types of broth that boil noodles, vegetable and meats. It was delicious! This was the first time Joe and I really saw Hawi and Preston step out and try new things. They were pleasantly surprised and filled their bellies with delicious food. Preston tried a matcha soda float and Hawi tried a mochi covered in a sweet soy powder. This was the end to our first days of ministry.
Yesterday we had a tourist day planned! And while we weren't actually doing any ministry per se, God was definitely showing up. It was jam packed with as many sight seeing activities we could fit it. Traveling with us for the day was Mikako Sasaki,Tedashi, Rei and his friend. We visited Hama-Rikyu a traditional Japanese garden and had tea at a genuine tea house. Joe and I got to reminisce about our first visit to Japan. Then we traveled by boat to Asakusa for the day to visit the famous shrine and market. We met up with Fukui Sensei and another missionary from the Philippines named Alvin to have lunch at a tempura restaurant. The people serving us were wearing kimonos, which was quite a treat! After this we went shopping in the markets for a few small trinkets. Then we took the subway all the way to Tokyo Skytree, Japan's tallest building and even though it was a foggy day we still enjoyed the views. Hawi and Preston both said that this was their favorite part of the trip. After enjoying our view we rejoined all of the ground dwellers and went to the mall for a refreshing snack and some more shopping. The day ended on a night note; a fabulous bowl of ramen courtesy of the Sasaki household's favorite ramen shop.
Here is where we saw God moving throughout the day and how our young missionaries were encouraged to step out of their comfort zones. On our visit to Hama-Rikyu garden we were worried the the tea house was going to close. So we were very fast in trying to get there. Ultimately we had to slow to a walk because the tendon of my knee became too tight. We thought that the tea house was closed and that we weren't going to be able to enjoy the tea like we thought. However, for reasons none of us knew, the tea house was open. This was Hawi and Preston's first experience with a genuine matcha green tea and tea ceremony. There were mixed reviews.
The second time God moved was when we were waiting for our boat. There was a Japanese-English school waiting to board he boat as well. Someone had asked for help. Not knowing what I was volunteering for, I offered my assistance. Turns out they wanted someone who could speak English well to read a story that one of their students had written. She was going to read this story for a competition, and my guess was she was to practice pronunciation and accent. So I sat for them and read the story out loud. Afterwards they thanked me and offered me a small gift that had their school information on it. Mikako then exchanged information with them explaining that the group she was with had four American missionaries at her church. And that we come to serve at their churches English camp. This exchange in information is vital for building relationships with Japanese people and establishing a rapport with them. This helps people stay connected and more willing to step inside a church building.
The last thing I wanted to mention about God moving and Preston and Hawi stepping out of their comfort zones is their willingness to try new food. All day yesterday they stretched themselves by trying shrimp, pickles, daikon, raw tuna, raw octopus, raw yellow tail, salmon, sweet azuki bean sweets and a soy flavored soft boiled egg. These guys are so courageous and continue to be willing to try new things. Praise God for their openness. Additionally, while at the sky-tree mall I have never seen a more happy and energetic Preston. I believe he truly enjoyed himself and he meandered through all of the Japanese anime stores.there was also a small earthquake last night which was pretty cool!
Until next time, be praying for our ministry in Machida today as we serve in budonokodomo. Pray that the children will be receptive to our bible stories and enjoy playing with us and Kai-chan.
Pictures to follow!
Which is why we invited him to join us for dinner. This was an exciting evening for us and our young missionaries. This was the first night that Preston and Hawi were going to get a taste of some very good, and very authentic, Japanese food. We went to a restaurant that was known for serving the type of food that Sumo wrestlers eat. Kishio's family, Deura Sensei, Tadashi, Joe, Kai, Hawi, Preston and myself all went to the restaurant together to partake in foods called Nabe, Shabu-shabu and sukiyaki. These are all various types of broth that boil noodles, vegetable and meats. It was delicious! This was the first time Joe and I really saw Hawi and Preston step out and try new things. They were pleasantly surprised and filled their bellies with delicious food. Preston tried a matcha soda float and Hawi tried a mochi covered in a sweet soy powder. This was the end to our first days of ministry.
Yesterday we had a tourist day planned! And while we weren't actually doing any ministry per se, God was definitely showing up. It was jam packed with as many sight seeing activities we could fit it. Traveling with us for the day was Mikako Sasaki,Tedashi, Rei and his friend. We visited Hama-Rikyu a traditional Japanese garden and had tea at a genuine tea house. Joe and I got to reminisce about our first visit to Japan. Then we traveled by boat to Asakusa for the day to visit the famous shrine and market. We met up with Fukui Sensei and another missionary from the Philippines named Alvin to have lunch at a tempura restaurant. The people serving us were wearing kimonos, which was quite a treat! After this we went shopping in the markets for a few small trinkets. Then we took the subway all the way to Tokyo Skytree, Japan's tallest building and even though it was a foggy day we still enjoyed the views. Hawi and Preston both said that this was their favorite part of the trip. After enjoying our view we rejoined all of the ground dwellers and went to the mall for a refreshing snack and some more shopping. The day ended on a night note; a fabulous bowl of ramen courtesy of the Sasaki household's favorite ramen shop.
Here is where we saw God moving throughout the day and how our young missionaries were encouraged to step out of their comfort zones. On our visit to Hama-Rikyu garden we were worried the the tea house was going to close. So we were very fast in trying to get there. Ultimately we had to slow to a walk because the tendon of my knee became too tight. We thought that the tea house was closed and that we weren't going to be able to enjoy the tea like we thought. However, for reasons none of us knew, the tea house was open. This was Hawi and Preston's first experience with a genuine matcha green tea and tea ceremony. There were mixed reviews.
The second time God moved was when we were waiting for our boat. There was a Japanese-English school waiting to board he boat as well. Someone had asked for help. Not knowing what I was volunteering for, I offered my assistance. Turns out they wanted someone who could speak English well to read a story that one of their students had written. She was going to read this story for a competition, and my guess was she was to practice pronunciation and accent. So I sat for them and read the story out loud. Afterwards they thanked me and offered me a small gift that had their school information on it. Mikako then exchanged information with them explaining that the group she was with had four American missionaries at her church. And that we come to serve at their churches English camp. This exchange in information is vital for building relationships with Japanese people and establishing a rapport with them. This helps people stay connected and more willing to step inside a church building.
The last thing I wanted to mention about God moving and Preston and Hawi stepping out of their comfort zones is their willingness to try new food. All day yesterday they stretched themselves by trying shrimp, pickles, daikon, raw tuna, raw octopus, raw yellow tail, salmon, sweet azuki bean sweets and a soy flavored soft boiled egg. These guys are so courageous and continue to be willing to try new things. Praise God for their openness. Additionally, while at the sky-tree mall I have never seen a more happy and energetic Preston. I believe he truly enjoyed himself and he meandered through all of the Japanese anime stores.there was also a small earthquake last night which was pretty cool!
Until next time, be praying for our ministry in Machida today as we serve in budonokodomo. Pray that the children will be receptive to our bible stories and enjoy playing with us and Kai-chan.
Pictures to follow!