Recently in our Gospel Singing Class, Debi and I taught the song "The Greatest Commands," and read the story of Jesus with the expert in the law. When the lawyer asked, "What must I do to inherit life forever?" the answer was simple: Love God, love others. We asked the class why, out of all of the law that are written in the Bible, out of all the things that Jesus taught... why is loving God, and loving others the two most important laws? Why not "don't murder" or "don't steal" or "respect your elders?" After some different thoughts were tossed around and discussed, we all came to the conclusion that if we have a foundation of love, we will always try to do the right thing.
It was easy for our friends Haruna, Kazuhiro, Michiaki, (all college students) and Akiko (a middle aged woman) to understand the concept of "loving your neighbor", but what was really confusing for them was when Jesus said ,"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind." All of them were thinking the same thing, but finally, one of them finally spoke up... "Why do I have to love God?"...
And the floodgates of their hearts were opened . . .
"I think to understand or know someone comes before loving them."
"I don't know how to love God. Is it the same as loving your parents?"
"What happens if I don't love God?"
"If God loves everyone, why will he send them to Hell?"
"Are there people who believe in God out of fear?"
"Why did God choose someone else (Jesus) to come to earth and be killed?"
"Why did God become a man?"
"What does John 1 mean, 'He came to His own but His own did not receive Him'?"
"What is the difference between soul and spirit?"
"Why do you (Debi and Erica) believe that people are God's special creation and not animals?"
"If we are made in God's image... does that mean his physical form?"
"Why didn't God just make us sinless?"
"Why does God want me to love him?"
"Why did God decide to create us?"
These kinds of questions were asked and discussed, rapid fire, for almost 2 hours after class was supposed to end. Debi and I just sat there, with our Bibles open, listening to their questions, praying to God with all of our hearts for wisdom at this incredible time, and speaking truth and love into their hearts, as the Holy Spirit was directing us. And it was incredible. All of us went away filled with God spirit--some of us, as Christians, praising God for what he was doing that night, and the others deep in thought, wondering "Can it really be? There is a God who made me? Made this universe? Wants me to live in Heaven? And he loves me?"
The next day was coffee shop at the church, and each one of them came back to the church at different times during the day. This was a huge sign to me that God was really working powerfully in their hearts the night before. That strange and mysterious feeling they had, that wonderful feeling the night before... whatever it was... they wanted it again.
God, in Your great love and in the time of Your favor, allow them to know that it's You. You are the One stirring their hearts to faith. You are the One guiding their hearts to ask questions. You are the One drawing them to Yourself. It's You.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
"Through My Eyes"
My Personal Reflections
This is a continuation of my February report (Part 2) about my family's visit in November. More than ever before, I am so thankful for each of my individual family members, and during their time with me in Japan, I was able to see each of their unique gifts and personalities in a whole new light.
“The Prayer Warrior”
This is Nathan. My time with Nathan in Japan was nothing less than incredible. My favorite memory with Nathan was one night at about 11:00 p.m., we decided to go for a walk together around the neighborhood. At one point, Nathan asked me what it was like to be a missionary in Japan. Wow, did that open the floodgates of my heart! I began talking to him about all of my experiences with the people here, and how I have seen God working in the lives of my friends, leading them to faith, and how God had been working in my life, changing and refining me, and Nathan asked questions, shared his observations, we laughed about cultural differences, and I cried as Nathan shared his heart with me, about God, people, life. It was such an incredible feeling to share something so important to me with someone so important to me. After our walk, we prayed together for the world, for the nation of Japan, and particularly for some of the friends that Nathan had made here.
"Mother Nurture"
This is my mom. I have never doubted that Mama is the best mom in the whole world, because her love is unconditional, and it is especially shown in her tireless acts of kindness, service, and love. This is not only within our family, but within the family of Christ. At an LST party, with about 50 Japanese people in attendance, her words were so sweet, “Are there people in particular here that you want us to meet? Just tell us who they, we want to make sure we meet everyone important to you.” She was also the Head Chef for our Thanksgiving meal for 12 (which is difficult, when you’re looking in Japanese grocery stores for American ingredients!), and for making soups for an LST party of 40 people--once in Sendai, and again in Hachinohe! Also, as a mother, one of her main purposes for coming to Japan was to check up on me--is Sendai a safe place? Are you being well taken care of? Are you homesick? At the end of the trip, we were riding a train in Tokyo and she said, “I can see that you are well taken care of, and you really love Japan and the people. It makes me feel a whole lot better. I am so proud of you for giving your heart to the Japanese people so freely.”
"Almost Japanese"
Something really special about Cami is that she is completely available, anytime you ever need her, or if you ever just want to hang out with her. What stuck out to me most about Cami in Japan was the way her kindness, thoughtfulness, and humility really attracted the Japanese people to her, and she was always available to spend time with anyone. Those are exactly the qualities that Japanese people value, and Cami automatically slid herself into the new culture, without hardly skipping a beat, and she made friends quickly and easily. My favorite memory of Cami was during Soup and Games night. The party was over, and most of the people had already left. When I looked over at Cami and Nathan, they were sitting at a table with several Japanese college and high school students, still laughing and talking, taking pictures, and exchanging email addresses! Cami really left an impression on so many of our friends here. I believe that God has huge plans for her this summer again in Sendai--(I can’t for you to come, Cami!)
"The Natural"
It has always been obvious that my dad has a heart for people. His first reaction is to think of others before himself, and to look at what God is doing in another persons’ life, and then join in that activity. In Sendai, even with the cultural and language barriers, his heart for ministry was obvious. No matter where we were, who we were with, Daddy would always pull up a chair next to someone and begin talking with them--asking questions about them--about their family, their job, their hobbies, their kids. He was always energetic and friendly, and sincerely wanted to know the people and culture. Two of our good friends in Sendai, a mother and daughter, Yoko, 40, and Kei 75, got to sit and talk with him and my mom for about 2 hours one day at the church’s coffee shop. Yoko and Kei come to the coffee shop every week, and STILL they talk about how wonderful of a family I have, and how “young and cool” my parents are. ;) One of my favorite memories of my dad was one of the first nights that they were here. We went up to a Castle site, overlooking the night-time city lights of Sendai, and my dad led us all in a prayer of intercession for the people of Sendai. My heart for this nation grows with each passing day, and it was such a special feeling to pray together with my family for the lost of Japan.
As a family, we stuck out like crazy in Japan. We were usually the loudest ones in trains, elevators and restaurants, my dad and brother stood about 2 feet taller than the crowds, AND we're white and don't speak Japanese. But, those are the kinds of funny experiences and memories that make a trip all-around unforgettable. I was so encouraged by family's ability to come and see where I live and what I do on a daily basis. It's made the ministry God has given me here that much more meaningful.
Maybe you're wondering why I've written paragraph after paragraph about all of this stuff. For me, when two things that I love come together (my family and Japan), the overflow of my heart simply comes out on the page. No matter what it is that we're doing or where God takes us, may we ultimately see things through HIS eyes.
This is a continuation of my February report (Part 2) about my family's visit in November. More than ever before, I am so thankful for each of my individual family members, and during their time with me in Japan, I was able to see each of their unique gifts and personalities in a whole new light.
“The Prayer Warrior”
This is Nathan. My time with Nathan in Japan was nothing less than incredible. My favorite memory with Nathan was one night at about 11:00 p.m., we decided to go for a walk together around the neighborhood. At one point, Nathan asked me what it was like to be a missionary in Japan. Wow, did that open the floodgates of my heart! I began talking to him about all of my experiences with the people here, and how I have seen God working in the lives of my friends, leading them to faith, and how God had been working in my life, changing and refining me, and Nathan asked questions, shared his observations, we laughed about cultural differences, and I cried as Nathan shared his heart with me, about God, people, life. It was such an incredible feeling to share something so important to me with someone so important to me. After our walk, we prayed together for the world, for the nation of Japan, and particularly for some of the friends that Nathan had made here.
"Mother Nurture"
This is my mom. I have never doubted that Mama is the best mom in the whole world, because her love is unconditional, and it is especially shown in her tireless acts of kindness, service, and love. This is not only within our family, but within the family of Christ. At an LST party, with about 50 Japanese people in attendance, her words were so sweet, “Are there people in particular here that you want us to meet? Just tell us who they, we want to make sure we meet everyone important to you.” She was also the Head Chef for our Thanksgiving meal for 12 (which is difficult, when you’re looking in Japanese grocery stores for American ingredients!), and for making soups for an LST party of 40 people--once in Sendai, and again in Hachinohe! Also, as a mother, one of her main purposes for coming to Japan was to check up on me--is Sendai a safe place? Are you being well taken care of? Are you homesick? At the end of the trip, we were riding a train in Tokyo and she said, “I can see that you are well taken care of, and you really love Japan and the people. It makes me feel a whole lot better. I am so proud of you for giving your heart to the Japanese people so freely.”
"Almost Japanese"
Something really special about Cami is that she is completely available, anytime you ever need her, or if you ever just want to hang out with her. What stuck out to me most about Cami in Japan was the way her kindness, thoughtfulness, and humility really attracted the Japanese people to her, and she was always available to spend time with anyone. Those are exactly the qualities that Japanese people value, and Cami automatically slid herself into the new culture, without hardly skipping a beat, and she made friends quickly and easily. My favorite memory of Cami was during Soup and Games night. The party was over, and most of the people had already left. When I looked over at Cami and Nathan, they were sitting at a table with several Japanese college and high school students, still laughing and talking, taking pictures, and exchanging email addresses! Cami really left an impression on so many of our friends here. I believe that God has huge plans for her this summer again in Sendai--(I can’t for you to come, Cami!)
"The Natural"
It has always been obvious that my dad has a heart for people. His first reaction is to think of others before himself, and to look at what God is doing in another persons’ life, and then join in that activity. In Sendai, even with the cultural and language barriers, his heart for ministry was obvious. No matter where we were, who we were with, Daddy would always pull up a chair next to someone and begin talking with them--asking questions about them--about their family, their job, their hobbies, their kids. He was always energetic and friendly, and sincerely wanted to know the people and culture. Two of our good friends in Sendai, a mother and daughter, Yoko, 40, and Kei 75, got to sit and talk with him and my mom for about 2 hours one day at the church’s coffee shop. Yoko and Kei come to the coffee shop every week, and STILL they talk about how wonderful of a family I have, and how “young and cool” my parents are. ;) One of my favorite memories of my dad was one of the first nights that they were here. We went up to a Castle site, overlooking the night-time city lights of Sendai, and my dad led us all in a prayer of intercession for the people of Sendai. My heart for this nation grows with each passing day, and it was such a special feeling to pray together with my family for the lost of Japan.
As a family, we stuck out like crazy in Japan. We were usually the loudest ones in trains, elevators and restaurants, my dad and brother stood about 2 feet taller than the crowds, AND we're white and don't speak Japanese. But, those are the kinds of funny experiences and memories that make a trip all-around unforgettable. I was so encouraged by family's ability to come and see where I live and what I do on a daily basis. It's made the ministry God has given me here that much more meaningful.
Maybe you're wondering why I've written paragraph after paragraph about all of this stuff. For me, when two things that I love come together (my family and Japan), the overflow of my heart simply comes out on the page. No matter what it is that we're doing or where God takes us, may we ultimately see things through HIS eyes.
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