Hey All!
it's been a while since I've updated my blog or even
given everyone an update by email, but I figured since my coming back to
Canada for a week last month, I decided to use that as my Sept/Oct
update. But now is pretty much the end of November and going into
December, so here is my update from this month and then some. I will try
and update as best I can, but starting next year, more likely in a
quarterly basis. Things here are starting to pick up and as of next
year, I'll probably be even more busy by the way things are going to
play out, but I'll explain all of that in this update!
Campus Ministry
Being on Campus has of course,
continued to be the main ministry that the Jesus Soldiers and I have
been doing. A lot of things have changed in terms of who goes where this
semester partly because of the coming of 2 new missionaries, one from
California and one from Indiana, and partly because one of my teammates
has went back to home country to get married. So new teams and team
leaders have been instituted for sake of structure. I have been charged
this semester to lead of the groups to campus every week, and it is a
privilege, but also a big challenge, to lead my teammates into ministry.
It's a privilege for me because I never expected myself to be a leader
of a group while I was here, I just came here with the mindset of "I
just want to serve and do my best". But God in his Authority has placed
me here for the reason to lead people, and I want to be able to be a
humble and faithful servant to what he has given me to do. On the other
hand, it has been a challenge for me. Feelings of inadequacy creep up as
I look at myself and compare myself to the one before me, which the
question in my mind always comes up to "am I doing a job?". But I know I
shouldn't be comparing myself to anyone else, and I should just remain
faithful to what has been given to me to do, with everything that I
have.
This semester has been a little less fruitful in terms of students,
which has led me to the conclusion that it's time things we did on
campus changed. Of course I still keep up with some of the faithful
students that come to meet with me. And I'm still praying that God will
open their hearts to what Jesus is telling them, and I'm happy to see
what God is doing inside their hearts and the changes in their minds
about the gospel. But the parable of the Great Banquet in Luke chapter
14 convicted me one day. Far too many students/friends have made
excuses, lies and just stopped contacting me for unknown reasons. I
guess it was a reminder that I was not the one changing people, but God
was, and if they chose to leave, then so be it, it's time to find new
people! Of course, I am always there if those who leave decide they want
to contact me again, but rejection and letting go is also part of this
job, so it's time to move forward.
I've also had run ins with a few "adversaries" to the faith. Those who
in 2 Timothy are the ones described as "useless and meaningless"
argument producers and ones that try to destroy the faith others, if for
no other reason then for fun and their own fulfillment. It takes a lot
of me to just leave them without venting out my full fury. But at the
same time I look at the lives that they live and still feel pity for
them because of the emptiness and loneliness. Continue to pray that
Jesus will reveal himself to them and they will "come to their senses",
as Paul says in 2 Timothy.
J-House and J-Soldier Ministry
This month has
been a very busy one in terms of Church events and ministry within. It
has also been one of many new ideas and breakthroughs, all which I am
excited about and happy to be apart of and can't for next year!!!! We've
recently had a mission team from Korea come for a week. They are part
of an Organization that J-house originally had ties with and received
missionaries from in the past, but for certain reasons had a a small
falling out with. Now, we are trying to fix those severed ties and it
looks like things are on the up and up again with the Organization. And
we are looking forward to continually building our relationship with
them from here on. Also this month is a month of many conferences. Some
of my teammates and I have joined the Global Leadership Conference here
in Japan. The conference was started by the Pastor of Willow Creek
Community church, Bill Hybels, from his church in Illinois, and has
spread out worldwide. A few of us are attending the conference now while
another few of us are attending a conference in Tokyo by a Hillsong
branch church called Jesus Lifehouse and hosted by Brian Houston. And
still another one of us are attending another Leadership conference in
another Prefecture of Osaka. So pray that God will keep my team and I
learning and applying so that we can be more effective on the field.
Also, I guess I have the go to let everyone know, but Pastor Katsuya and
the J-soldier team have been working hard on Campus every time we go
and through no lack of effort on our own (as my Leader and friend would
say), we kind of hit a plateau and were looking for a breakthrough in
the ministries that we are a part of. We go to 3 campuses and we've met
many students, we've seen a lot come and go, but even for the ones that
are still here, they receive the word with piqued interest, or have
received Christ into their lives, but they don't go to church! A lot of
the students feel it's too far, and rightfully so, as some of the
campuses that I go to take a fare amount of money to get to, and
Students are not rich. But anyway, whatever the problem or excuse, we
have been praying about it and the solution is, if its too difficult to
come to J-house in Osaka, we will bring J-house to them in theirs. Right
now we are praying about 2 locations, Kyoto and Kobe, a lot of the
students that we know come form those cities and they are a good
distance away from Osaka. The idea we have is called the J-house
extensions. We use the word "extension" for now because it's not
starting as a church plant, but if it's successful then would become a church
plant. We will begin with a Saturday night worship in one of the cities,
and if it works well, we will also do Friday night in another city. We
are still praying about it and setting things up for it, we have no
Official date except that it will start next year. But I'm really
excited and can't wait to see what God has in store for j-house and
Japan next year!
Also I have been put into Rotation on wednesday night worship leading! I
know I said I don't lead anymore and hardly pick up a guitar for
leading, but when I got back from Canada, suddenly that all changed lol.
I at least will be doing once a month on wednesday nights. and I have a
feeling it will be for getting me ready to do worship services for the
extensions. But either way, I'm glad to be back into the worship leading
mix. It's a little different because I have a new team to work with and
new (japanese) songs to learn also :D. But I welcome the challenge and
hope that I can be of service through music again! :)
Other Activities
I have still been reading, but
not as frequently as I want to, but I'm still trying when I can. Also
the english conversational class I have been teaching has "evolved" if
you will, into an English bible study, with it turning into english
class evangelism at times lol. But I'm glad God is using it to further
his kingdom. I find that too many of the church members do not know the
basics of what they believe in, and its a good opportunity to go through
that and more with them when they are willing, and also when they bring
non-christian friends, to be able to share the gospel to them. I also
have been formally discipling a few church members that have become
leaders in the church. I know that they have the potential to lead, but
because of some the tendencies to stay "Japanese", they lack the skill
and confidence to carry out leadership decisions. So with a little
learning, I know they can become good leaders in Christ.
Upcoming Events
Next week we are having the
annual BIG USA thanksgiving event. I was only here for the one last
year, but it was the biggest event we had, with almost 110 people coming
in. We we're glad that we had just the right amount of food! We're
hoping we will be better prepared for this years and also hoping many
students will be able to come out for this one too. Also Christmas is
coming around!!!! and we are holding the annual SUPER CHRISTMAS event!
It's held on 2 days, the 15th and the 24th and we are hoping that we
will be able to spread the true meaning of Christmas in Japan.
Prayer Requests
- for the students that I have met
and befriended this semester, that God will continue to reveal Jesus to
them. Pray that God will use his Spirit to lead them to Christ and Pray
that God will Continue to use J-house and each member to do so.
- For
My colleagues and I to continue to be faithful to our jobs as
missionaries. and to grow with each other through the Spirit and grace
and love of Christ
- 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 the J-house extension projects for next year, Pray
that God will lead us and help extend his church to other cities so that
the Gospel will exponentially grow within Japan! We REALLY NEED YOUR
SUPPORT! We need all the spiritual support we can get on this one,
because we know we cannot do this on our own for sure! and if you are
moved to want to support financially also, you make donations at the
J-house website: J-House website. We want to be able to partner with all of you Spiritually and prayerfully through this!
- For a revolution in Japan! for spiritual eyes to be opened in Japan and that the 0.5% of christians will increase!
I
think that is all for now. Also J-house is always looking for
missionaries, workers that are willing to give their lives to evangelism
and discipleship for a year or 2 (preferably 2 lol). So if you like to
joint us here (or know anyone that would be interested) please check out
the J-house missionary application site: http://www.comejapan.org/ if u have any questions, or interest, also let me know so I can put in a good word
Thank you again for all of your support! I am really thankful for
having a supporting church in missions with me on this. and I was really
glad to see everyone back in Toronto! Please continue to pray for me
and my colleagues as we work here, We are continually always feeling the
urgency and the need of the Gospel and the Love of Jesus for the
Japanese people.
I'll be back again for another Update! but in due time, Adieu!
PS, sorry I have no pictures this time, but I will for the next update, stay tuned!
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