Things are getting busy as we are only 13 days away from landing in Japan.
Preston, Brandon, Lily, and Felicia have been working hard to complete their English lesson plans for TamaYuriShiki and Shingu kid's camps. I plan on starting our sermon prep this week while I'm traveling for work to California. Plenty of time on a plane to think and prep. =D
Last week Felicia and I (Joe) had the privilege of sharing the benediction at People's Church (our home church in Cincinnati). It was a great opportunity to discuss the unique challenges of ministering to the Japanese people. I've posted our benediction farther down, if you'd like to read it.
Other news, Lily, Preston, and Brandon are fully funded for the trip which is amazing! God is so faithful, and we are excited to see how he leverages their unique talents in Japan. Felicia, Hezekiah, and I have raised $2,500 of our target of $6,500 so far. We trust that God will continue to provide for us financially, and if you would like to join us in prayer or financial support click on the "Support Us" tab. Every year we've experiences miracles, and this is no different. =D
Things are moving fast, and we appreciate all the prayer. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about our trip. If you'd like to get caught up on the details of our trip, check out the following page.
japan-round-4.html
Why Japan?
The Trip
Here's our Benediction if you're curious:
Koki may not be a Christian yet, and Japan may not be a Christian nation yet but like the pastor’s in Japan keep telling us. “Ipo, ipo” -step by step, we will get there.
And now the benediction, first Joe will read it in Japanese and then I will translate it in English:
Preston, Brandon, Lily, and Felicia have been working hard to complete their English lesson plans for TamaYuriShiki and Shingu kid's camps. I plan on starting our sermon prep this week while I'm traveling for work to California. Plenty of time on a plane to think and prep. =D
Last week Felicia and I (Joe) had the privilege of sharing the benediction at People's Church (our home church in Cincinnati). It was a great opportunity to discuss the unique challenges of ministering to the Japanese people. I've posted our benediction farther down, if you'd like to read it.
Other news, Lily, Preston, and Brandon are fully funded for the trip which is amazing! God is so faithful, and we are excited to see how he leverages their unique talents in Japan. Felicia, Hezekiah, and I have raised $2,500 of our target of $6,500 so far. We trust that God will continue to provide for us financially, and if you would like to join us in prayer or financial support click on the "Support Us" tab. Every year we've experiences miracles, and this is no different. =D
Things are moving fast, and we appreciate all the prayer. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about our trip. If you'd like to get caught up on the details of our trip, check out the following page.
japan-round-4.html
Why Japan?
The Trip
Here's our Benediction if you're curious:
- Hi...I’m Joe Isosaki and and this is my wife Felicia.
- We’re from the northern suburbs of Chicago, and we’ve been attending Peoples Church for 3 years. As we prepare for our fourth missions trip to Japan, we like to share some information about our missions field during today’s benediction.
- For the past four years we have served as seasonal missionaries to Japan. Japan is one of the largest unreached people groups in the world. There 127 million Japanese, and less than 1 percent know Christ. Japan has some of the highest rates of depression, alcoholism, and suicide in the world. Common religious practices in Japan are Shintoism, Buddhism and ancestor worship which focus on many God’s, shrines, idols, and self perfection. Because Japan is such a collective culture, it is very difficult for the Japanese to follow Jesus, or minister to their families. People come to know Christ through private personal relationships over many years, and thus the church has moved very slowly. A pastor we’ve worked with explained that Japan is “a missionaries graveyard” where you could sow for a lifetime of ministry and reap no harvest. This is amplified by the lack of workers in Japan. For every 1 missionary (or pastor) there are 56,000 Japanese to reach. We have a relentless passion for ministering to this people group and we have hope that God will begin a “decade of harvest” in Japan and for the Japanese people.
- Missionaries come in many varieties. You do not have to travel thousands of miles to reach people who are in desperate need of a savior, or friend. In fact, our first touch point with Japan was an international student named Koki in college. He was in need of places to stay during the holiday season. Back home his mother was diagnosed with a cancer that would eventually take her life. We took Koki everywhere with us that year. Making sure he felt loved and supported even though his world was falling apart. Years later, we finally got to meet Koki’s father in his hometown of Wakayama, Japan, where was were serving. He explained to us the value he put on our friendship with his son. He was overjoyed to finally meet us. All this to say, look for those around in your sphere of influence who are in need of a friend. Be a missionary right where you are today, and be a friend to someone who may not look like you, speak like you or act like you. It may be just the thing they need to make it through their own circumstances.
Koki may not be a Christian yet, and Japan may not be a Christian nation yet but like the pastor’s in Japan keep telling us. “Ipo, ipo” -step by step, we will get there.
And now the benediction, first Joe will read it in Japanese and then I will translate it in English:
- みことばをのべつたえなさい。
- ときがよくて
- もわるくて
- もしつかりやりなさい。
- かん ようをつくし、
- たえずおしえながら、
- せめ、
- いましめ、
- またすすめなさい。
- 2てもて4:2
- “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction. “ 2 Timothy 4:2