I'm back with another update! I hope everyone still read this stuff that I'm writing, lol. But yeah, March was interesting month even though I wasn't on campus, The birthday past and got older by another year, by the way, thanks to everyone that greeted me on my birthday. really appreciate it for sure! And even though I'm 31 I still feel like I'm in my 20's (and look like it apparently, thank the Lord for the asian blood!) and still ready to do ministry without slowing down! Anyway, down to the update!
Student Ministry
As I mentioned in February, the Students are on their break until the next semester starts, so we had a lot of time on our hands, but again, still on the job so it was more difficult to come with ways to meet up with students that we already knew. But I would say this March was though challenging, very fruitful! We have had 2 (hoping to be 3) people convert to Christ and one (hoping to be 2) getting baptized on easter day! It may not seem much, but again, even when one turns to Christ, the heavens rejoice (Luke 15:7). So we praise God just the same when we get one or 2 that come to Christ, it's not about the numbers of course!
Again, the J-soldiers are always on the job and we have continued to work and challenge ourselves during the vacation time, as so not to get idle and lazy. But to be ready for the month April when classes start again, so that we will be ready to face the challenges and situations that we come across with faith and courage! I promise for next month for sure, there will be more to put in this section!
Church and J-soldier Ministry
So we have been very busy here at the church as of this March. Pastor Katsuya wants to implement new changes to the systems of doing things, so there have been a lot of changes within the leaderships like with certain ministries and cell groups. The main focus for this year is Discipleship, and I completely agree with the move he has made. A lot of the church members are still young christians, and it's important that they all start growing in knowledge and wisdom of the Gospel. Japanese people unlike western culture, were not taught to think critically and for themselves, so it takes longer for them to be catalysts in their communities and for them to even be motivated in reading and studying their bible. So we have been mobilized to start discipling members of the church so that they can become strong men and women of the gospel. I have been teaching a few here and there, and have been given the task of discipling a few members. it's been a little difficult because, with the kind of work schedules that Japanese men have with their work, they hardly have time to meet at all sometimes. The only thing I can do right now is keep praying and pushing to meet with them, and take advantage of the time I do have.
Also the J-Soldier lineup has changed a little bit somewhat. One of the J-soldiers has ended their term here. But he has decided to stay in Japan to continue to help J-house. He is Actually getting married to one of the members here also. But even though we "lost" him during campus ministry, we have gained 2 other j-soldiers this March. A Japanese man in his 40's to help out with building a kids ministry within J-house which would include afternoon programs and games for children around 4 to 10 years old, and an american girl from Tennessee! Shes here for a year to help out on campus and with the j-soldier responsibilities. So a little bit of a change in the roster, but its been interesting to say the least!
As for me I have been given more responsibilities within the church, working with the P.A./lights/Pro Presenter/Power Point for worship services and also leading church clean up teams, and though its sometimes mind numbing, it's still good work and I'm happy to do it! I have also been singing/occasionally playing guitar for the worship team and still also continue to lead worship when we go out to street evangelism every Saturday.
Other Activities:
I have been continuing to read more, finishing off another book which equals about 4 books in the past 4 months? The last book I have been reading is called Jesus + Nothing = Everything. A very nice book that helps you understand that nothing you do or obtain in this life can ever satisfy or even get you into good graces with God the father, but that Jesus is everything that we need and has already done everything for us, from taking and keeping our probation under the law to defeating sin and death on the cross. It was very enlightening and very eye opening for me to know that even if I fail, he's always there to pick me up to keep going. Also I have been learning every day that I cannot keep thinking like a westerner when it comes to Japanese people. Though I'm in an international church, I still deal with Japanese people who have different mindsets and different ways of doing things, not to mention different perspectives on their surroundings and how they perceive certain gestures and actions. So God has been humbling me and correcting me constantly during this month and though it hurt to realize those things, I'm happy to know it and to given the chance to correct myself. God has been mercifully watching over me everyday so that I may be able to effectively serve and love the Japanese people.
Upcoming events
So Easter is coming up and we will have a baptism that day (rejoice!). One of the students that I was co-discipling has decided to come to Toronto under my suggestion to studying english for 8 months. So before she goes, she has decided that she wants to get baptized so that she can show everyone that she is a follower of Christ (hallelujah!). Also again, Campus ministry has started again, and there are a lot of new freshmen to talk to and get to know! So please pray for Jesus to use us and to reveal himself to the students that we talk to!
Prayer Requests
- For the new The new semester, that God uses the J-soldiers and I to the fullest of the abilities that he has given us and to open the hearts and minds of the students on campus to who Jesus Christ is and what he has done for them.
- For the J-soldiers to adjust to certain changes that happen in J-house regarding ministry and duties and even for the new j-soldier to adjust to Japan, and even for me to just continue to under the Japanese mind and to use that understanding to love them and share more.
- 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 would like to thank everyone for their support, and also for the monetary support for last month! It has been very helpful especially with all the events that we need to use money with. I hope you will continue to Pray with me in this venture because it is not just me but I'm with all of you while I'm here.
Matane (see you later)
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