Cell Group
Our Cell Group time was one of my favorite times each week! This small group Bible study consisted of 4 college age non-Christians (Haruna, Yui, Kazuhiro, and M
ichiaki), 1 Japanese Christian (Yuko Kawamura), Debi and myself. In our earlier Gospel Singing classes, Debi and I found that these people were craving spiritual discussions, and wanted the chance to ask questions and think deeply together (see blog entry posted February 28, "God Moments"). Each Monday night, Debi and I would prepare a meal for them, enjoy 1 hour of eating and sharing together, followed by 2 hours of worship, singing, and studying the Bible. Our study focused on sin and grace, using Romans as a guide. One night, combined with Ben and Joel's cell group, Jonathan also shared an awesome, easy to understand overview of the Bible and God's covenant/plan of salvation from the beginning of time, carried out through Jesus.
1-on-1 Bible Studies
Two of my students, Haruna and Kayoko, have been deeply searching for truth, and my relationship with them had grown so much during the year that I was thankful to be able to continue our study through the summer. Kayoko loves Jesus, and wants to serve the true God of Heaven, but is struggling with making a clear commitment to become a Christian. Haruna was also involved in our cell group Bible study.
Let's Start Talki
ngWe were blessed to have four Let's Start Talking workers (Cami Towell (my younger sister!), Bethany Stanger, Brian Keller, and Simon Nading) and two Master's Apprentice workers (A Thao, and Kao Lee) serve the Lord in Sendai this summer for 8 weeks! Each of them showed unique gifts and abilities God has given them to reach their students. It was really a blessing to watch how God worked through them, and changed them from the beginning of the project to the end. They each did a great job teaching the Bible and spending time with their readers, and even several weeks after the team returned to America, the Japanese people were still telling stories about their teachers and experiences from the summer.
Camp
At the end of the summer, many of the LST readers were able to participate in Friends Camp. The camp staff, Saprina Howard, Holly Neeley, Jared Stark, Paul Neeves, Lance Lawrence, Walter and Shirley Straker, worked hard and did such a great job of creating a fun and spiritually focused weekend, where the readers could experience worship, group Bible studies, recreation, and Christian fellowship.
Coffee Shop
Jonathan dedicated lots of time this summer to making the coffee shop ministry an effective way to reach the LST students! And Debi and I were able to pitch in and help him 3 days a week. At the coffee shop, LST readers could come early or stay late after their lesson, and enjoy good coffee, conversation, and fellowship. It was a great opportunity for us to get to know them on a more personal level, and also a great way for the LST students to interact with each other and build communities of friendship.
Prayer ministry
"O you who hear prayer, all men will come to you..." Psalm 65:2
Together with the LST and MAP workers, our mission team, Japanese Christians, and sometimes even LST non-Christians... this summer's activities and people involved were especially covered over with prayer. Re-convicted by several verses and Bible stories (like James 5:15-16, Hezekiah 19:9-19), we wanted to daily and specifically bring each of the LST students before God, asking Him to work powerfully in their life and change them! Many hours were spent in prayer for the Christians in Asia to raise up and boldly share their faith in God. We prayed for the small churches in Japan, to be encouraged and challenged daily in their faith. And we prayed for God to make each of US more faithful and obedient to His will for our lives.
This time was powerful, not only for the people in Asia, but also for us, as we experienced changes and growth in our own lives of prayer and faith in God. Praise God that we can approach him with confidence, and that he hears and answers the prayers of his people! What an awesome God we serve!
Japanese language teacher
After studying Japanese for 11 months with Jonathan, Michiko, and Akiko (church member), this summer I went to the International Center and found a volunteer, non-English speaking, sweet woman who wanted to teach me Japanese! Of course her lack of English presented some interesting challenges, but I enjoyed learning more about Japanese culture AND becoming friends with her. May God use this friendship to make himself known in her life!
AMF
2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
This year as the grand finale to my internship in Japan, I was able to attend the Asian Mission Forum, August 4-8, hosted by the Sendai mission team in Bali, Indonesia! Asian Christians and foreign missionaries, about 102 total, all gathered together for 5 days of powerful worship, prayer, encouragement, and sharing about what each person is experiencing in their own country. The theme was "People Called By My Name", talking about our identity in Christ. Keynote speakers Kerry Holton and Steve Sikes, along with several different elective class teachers were used powerfully to challenge and encourage us to a deeper grasp of our identity as God's children. Following the forum, we spent 1 night and 2 days in Singapore with the Christians there. We enjoyed a devotional with the youth group, relaxing time spent with our host families, and a send-off in the early morning at the airport. Praise God for a family that extends all across the world!
Akiko Kawamura
One of our Christian friends and church members, Akiko, has made the decision to go to Thailand for a one-year missionary apprenticeship! We are all so excited for this decision and excited to watch her faith grow through this experience. Please pray for her as she is raising funds and preparing to go in November or December. Praise God for what he is doing in Akiko's life!!
Saying Good-bye
It was a bitter-sweet time saying good-bye to all of my friends and "family" during the last few weeks in Sendai. Through all of the good-bye parties and individual time spent with friends, God really showed me how blessed I was in this year, and how I was loved and taken care of by so many wonderful people. It was hard to leave the people I have grown to love so much, but during the hardest times, God faithfully answered prayers and gave me a Spirit of joy as the my friends and I reminisced, gave each other "thank-you"s and hugs, and said our final good-byes. What an incredible blessing to have spent 15 months in such a wonderful country with precious people! My heart is compelled to continue in prayer for them each day.
Making Transitions
In the next several weeks, our the team will be making transitions into different areas. Will you please be praying for all of us during this time?
Debi has already started her new job as a kindergarten English teacher in Sendai! I had the chance to see her classroom and meet her kids before I left for the States, and I was so amazed at her passion for teaching, and her love for each of the children she works with. Heavenly Father, thank you for providing Debi with a job! Please give her many opportunities to share your love with the kids each day, and please give her strength in You and through friends and family as she continues her life in Japan.
Ben and Joel have been busy saying good-bye to 10 years worth of friends and packing up their house as they prepare to leave Japan for a short time. Joel plans to return to Canada October 4 for a furlough and then travel to several Asian countries for short-term internships and missions equipping/training. Ben also plans to return to the States October 2 for a furlough and then to Abilene Christian University to pursue graduate work. Father, we praise You for the relationships that have been built over the past 10 years through Ben and Joel! Will you please give them strength and energy to finish up their tasks as they prepare to leave, and bless their finals minutes with the people they love in Japan.
Jonathan, Michiko, and Hijiri Straker are also planning to return to Canada for a furlough, and then to ACU for graduate work. They are in the process now of receiving Michiko's visa. God, thank you for this Christian family who has been a light to the people around them! Will you please allow Michiko's visa to come in soon and give them a smooth transition into Canada and Abilene. Please surround them with your protection and love, and bless their time with family and friends.
Sasha
Sasha Ingle, a former Sendai L.S.T. team worker is planning to do a one-year internship in Japan, and will be joining Debi after receiving her visa. God, thank you for creating in Sasha's heart the desire to love and share Jesus with the Japanese people! Please bless her transition from the States, and bless her year in Sendai with deep relationships, and open doors to share the Good News with the people she meets.
Crimsen
For the time being, Crimsen plans to continue living in Minnesota with her family, helping support her family and take care of her mother. God, you are surrounding Crimsen and her family with your love and peace, and we want to thank you for being our loving and faithful Father! Will you please continue to give strength and peace to Crimsen, and give her wisdom as she makes decisions about her future.
My plans are to join Ben, Jonathan, and Michiko at Abilene Christian University, and possibly begin graduate school in the Spring semester. God, I want to thank your patience, grace, forgiveness, guidance, protection, and most of all for your love! Thank you for calling me to Japan, and thank your for surrounding me with a team who has been my family for the past 15 months. Please continue to give me guidance and wisdom about decisions for my future.
Thank you!
None of this could have been possible without the loving and faithful God that we serve, and without YOU! With all of your prayer support, letters, emails, and financial support, I always felt like I had everything I needed, and never had to worry about being taken care of! Thank you so much for helping make this experience in Japan life-changing, and faith building, and thank you so much for your hearts for sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.
"This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." 2 Timothy 1:9-10
Shelley Wheeler
Several weeks ago, we received news from Crimsen, a Sendai mission team member who has lived in Minnesota for the past year, that her mother, Shelly, has developed stage three Ovarian cancer. The doctors feel confident that in her recent surgery, they removed all of the cancer that they could see, but Shelley will begin her first treatment of chemotherapy Monday, October 1, and will continue for an estimated 6 months. We ask that you would please be lifting up Shelly, that God will completely heal her body and restore her health. And also pray for strength and peace for Crimsen, Shelley's husband Ray, and the rest of their family and friends. You can visit Shelley's website www.caringbridge.org/visit/shelleywheeler to see updates, and to leave encouraging messages and prayers. Thank you!
