Hello all!
Back with another update from Japan and J-house ministries! its been a very busy January so I'm a little tired these days, I forgot to put up my December update on my blog, so I'm probably gonna add it on to this update in my blog so that people can see it (minus some of the pictures of course). Hope everyone had a good January where ever you are. For those of you who responded to my last update and to give me updates of whats going on back home, I thank you for that and for the encouraging words, I hope to see you all one day whenever that will be, we'll see. or if y'all wanna visit me in Japan (and get an up close and personal look at what I do) that would be much appreciated!
Well on with my updates of January and all the stuff that happened!
Campus Ministry:
Well January marked the last month for the semester before final exams and the new year. So we had short time to make as much with what we had. January fortunately was the month that a mission team from Korea came over to help us out for a week. We all had a great time, and they were a great help in meeting new people and getting them to come to J-house for our events. The name of the church that came from Korea is called Oryun church. As of now, 3 of the J-soldiers that I am serving with come from that church, so they are a great help and resource for missionaries at j-house. They also have about 20,000 members in their congregation, when I heard that, my mind was blown. But I had to also understand how small South Korea is, so spreading out into other areas was a little difficult for them. Anyhow, this month was still difficult in terms of trying to meet up with the students we knew and trying to meet with new students because of the fact that it was just before the end of the year. So many students were just studying and applying for new jobs for the upcoming 2 month break before the new year in April. So we did the best we could, especially at the end of the month. I'll be honest to say that this month was sort of discouraging in terms of responses, but God surprised us with encouragement our last day when we were able to share the Gospel with some of the students we knew, and a few new students we got to meet. I think though, this break would be a good time for us to get to deepen the relationships that we have with students we know through just going out for food or coffee shops and bringing them to J-house, deepen relationships with church members and baby christians, and also continue to come up with new strategies for the next semester to reach out to students and others. So even though the students are on a break, we are not, still pushing forward for the Lord.
Church and Jesus-Soldier Ministry:
I think this month has been the busiest for me in terms for church ministry and J-soldier responsibilities. I have been added to the roster for taking care of the kids during one of the services.....Now, for those of you who know me, I don't do well with kids much. I mean I can take care of kids, but if I had a choice, Kids are probably the last on my list to choose. But God also has a sense of humor I suppose. So kids it is! I have also been getting more responsibilities in the P.A./technical areas of service. From controlling the lights, video recordings and sound board. This month also was the first time I have led worship in a service....well power worship wednesday service, which isn't much different from regular sunday service. So it was an experience trying to lead with english AND Japanese. But God provided a very well informed and skilled team, even though it was a little difficult to understand each other because of language, God is faithful and with our hearts in the same place, we could understand each other! I actually had to lead 2 worship sets that week, so it was a very busy week indeed. We still hold Street evangelism days on Saturday also. very difficult to do when the weather is cold enough to freeze you if you don't bundle up. And when your playing guitar for an hour with your fingers on steel strings, well, all I have to tell you is that I have numb fingers right after. But it is still a joy to proclaim who Jesus is in whatever the weather. The J-soldiers and I have also had to write our testimonies and tracts to give out to people on certain occasions, so we're hoping that people would be able read our stories and be led to Christ by them.
Other ministries
Well, this month I have decided to stop the english only bible studies that I have been doing. Reason being is that I want to focus on discipleship on some of the members of the church that really need building up and not just looking for english lessons at the same time. I mean, if anyone wants to practice english they can talk to me anytime, but I want to be able to create lessons of put time into helping baby christians grow at this time, so that is what I am doing for now. I have been show a few that desire to grow, so I am trying to put my time into meeting with and teaching them. I have also been reading a lot more lately, Christian books and trying to get deeper in my knowledge of Christ. A lot of things have been revealed to me about myself and the world around me, and I want to be ready to combat the challenges that come ahead of me. So building myself up is necessary, if anyone can recommend any good christian literature, then please let me know!
Upcoming events:
So since there won't be any campus ministry for the next 2 months, we have made up many events that we can go to with the students, whether we be going ice skating, karaoke, or just having time to hang out, we hope that we can continue to deepen the relationships that we have with the Students that we know. Also 2 other mission teams will be coming at the end of February and the around March. I think both of them are from Korean churches. Also for this month, Pastor Katsuya has decided to focus on writing lessons for his new discipleship book, so Preaching during power worship wednesdays has been charged to some of the J-Soldiers and congregation members, one of my fellow J-Soldiers and I have been charged to speak on February 1st on Genesis 20:1-17, the confrontation between Abraham and Abimelek. I preached on the faithlessness of Abraham and the Faithfulness of God, while my friend preached on the use of Abimelek in the plans of God. The other J-Soldiers also have their days to preach coming up, so please pray for them.
Prayer Requests
- For the new year and the things to come. We have many things planned for this year in J-house, but we are continuing to pray that God has his way with us and our plans to give him the all the glory in everything that we do.
- For the next 2 months we are not on campus, for us to be able to make connections and spiritual encounters with the students, and that they may open up their eyes to gospel
- For those members in J-house to grow spiritually, there are still a lot of baby Christians in J-house, pray for spiritual growth and maturity in the Gospel and for those to put the Gospel first over everything.
- For a revolution in Japan! for spiritual eyes to be opened in Japan and that the 0.5% of christians will increase!
Again I want to thank everyone for the support I received for January, it is very much appreciated! and I want to give thanks also for your prayers and again for those who have emailed me with words of encouragement. If I haven't contacted you in anyway, I apologize, and I will try to next time to do so. till next update!
