I can't even begin to describe to you how blessed I've been on this adventure God planned for me. I've found myself the last three days sitting back and just thinking that I've never done anything to deserve something so precious and special as my time in Japan this summer, but somewhere in His infinite love, He saw fit to give it to me anyway. There are people I've met that I'm unsure I can live without, so I guess I've been thanking God for modern technology as well!
I would love to tell you that dozens of Japanese people have come to know Christ while I've been here, but I can't. The layers of tradition, oppression and, most recently, apathy are hard to break through. In Japan, contemporary ideas are laced with old-fashioned values. The two sometimes do not mix well, but there is also a lot of opportunity here. We have been able to share our testimonies, our faith, our love for Japan and its people and our common views of everything from world religion to addiction and back again. We have planted seeds that I have to believe God will continue to nurture. Just this week, I saw the word of God reach deep inside the hearts of two students. They haven't changed their minds, they may not even recognize the stirring they felt but I know, without doubt, it was there and I will continue to pray for them and keep contact with them - as well as so many other students that we met.
I'm always encouraged when I read Isaiah 55 - which I've gone back to over and over again this summer. The whole chapter is amazing, but the promise in verses 10-11 has been something I've held onto throughout this whole journey:
“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to,
and it will prosper everywhere I send it."
God's word will always produce fruit, and it will always accomplish what He wants it to. How awesome is that? It will prosper everywhere He sends it! Anyways, I guess I could tell you what I've been up to in addition to being floored by God's amazingness...
Wednesday, I spent the day with Chisa. I'm going to miss that girl! I wish I had met her earlier in the summer, but I will keep in touch with her. I've enjoyed the time we have been able to spend together. That night, I met Yuri, Susan and Geoff to go to Tokyo Tower! I cannot believe how impressive the night sky over Tokyo was. For example - the new header picture of my blog? I took that in from Tokyo Tower! Sugoi!
Thursday, I had a really great even though it was the hottest day I've experience in Japan thus far. The humidity was off the charts, I couldn't believe it. Anyways, I met LOGOS friends at Todai for lunch and then I went on to Yotsuya to meet with a Waseda student I met last week. Yurika took me to her favorite bakery and we were able to have a really great talk about why I was in Japan and why I did Bible studies and things like that. It was so good! After we ate the best pie I've ever had in my life, we visited a Catholic university near the station that is famous for its English and Spanish programs. She almost went to school there, so we went and took pictures and just walked around and discussed her upcoming trip to Italy. After all of that, went to XHOP at the student center. Such a great day!
Friday I was able to really relax for the first time in awhile. Even my days off have felt a little hectic sometimes but this one was truly a day off. I got some laundry done but mostly just took in the day and got some rest, which was good because Saturday was really busy! I met my friends Izumi and Mitsuru on Saturday for lunch in Shinjuku. I was expecting to have a lot of fun hanging out with them, but I wasn't fully prepared for the blessing I received from them. First, we went to eat at a great udon place and then we had some ice cream in the park. They inisted on paying for it all, despite my constant objection, but they kept saying, "No, no...this is our gift!" So, we were finishing up our ice cream and I was asking Mitsuru if had a lesson later because he'd been carrying his guitar around Shinjuku all day and then Izumi said she's prepared a worship song. Right there, in the middle of this park, they got out the guitar and started singing this worship song - their favorite - and then they gave me a card with our picture in it. I was so shocked I almost started crying! I'd only been around these two students a few times at the student center. They are both really strong Christians and it was so amazing to see how unashamed of their faith they were. It is definitely uncommon to be singing praises to Jesus in a public place. The rest of the day was just as awesome. Before I left, they prayed for me in the middle of a busy exit at Shinjuku station. Again, I'm so amazed at how unashamed they are. It was a beautiful thing to see and to experience and I was definitely crying when I left them at the ticket gate. They were such a blessing to me, and they are such a blessing to Japan!
That night, Robert and I met our friend Yuta from Todai in Ichikawa for our first fireworks show! No lie, Japanese fireworks are about ten times better than American fireworks. Or more. It was huge and it lasted for over an hour and a half! Amazing!
Yesterday, I went to church both at Tokyo Urban Church and the GAP Sunday night service at Robert's church. It was really nice to be able to fellowship with some friends that I didn't think I was going to get to see again!
I'll upload pictures for this blog in the morning, it's getting quite late and I'm getting pretty tired! =] I have more to write about, but I'll finish in the morning. Until then, thank you and I'll be seeing you soon!
God's word will always produce fruit, and it will always accomplish what He wants it to. How awesome is that? It will prosper everywhere He sends it! Anyways, I guess I could tell you what I've been up to in addition to being floored by God's amazingness...
Wednesday, I spent the day with Chisa. I'm going to miss that girl! I wish I had met her earlier in the summer, but I will keep in touch with her. I've enjoyed the time we have been able to spend together. That night, I met Yuri, Susan and Geoff to go to Tokyo Tower! I cannot believe how impressive the night sky over Tokyo was. For example - the new header picture of my blog? I took that in from Tokyo Tower! Sugoi!
Thursday, I had a really great even though it was the hottest day I've experience in Japan thus far. The humidity was off the charts, I couldn't believe it. Anyways, I met LOGOS friends at Todai for lunch and then I went on to Yotsuya to meet with a Waseda student I met last week. Yurika took me to her favorite bakery and we were able to have a really great talk about why I was in Japan and why I did Bible studies and things like that. It was so good! After we ate the best pie I've ever had in my life, we visited a Catholic university near the station that is famous for its English and Spanish programs. She almost went to school there, so we went and took pictures and just walked around and discussed her upcoming trip to Italy. After all of that, went to XHOP at the student center. Such a great day!
Friday I was able to really relax for the first time in awhile. Even my days off have felt a little hectic sometimes but this one was truly a day off. I got some laundry done but mostly just took in the day and got some rest, which was good because Saturday was really busy! I met my friends Izumi and Mitsuru on Saturday for lunch in Shinjuku. I was expecting to have a lot of fun hanging out with them, but I wasn't fully prepared for the blessing I received from them. First, we went to eat at a great udon place and then we had some ice cream in the park. They inisted on paying for it all, despite my constant objection, but they kept saying, "No, no...this is our gift!" So, we were finishing up our ice cream and I was asking Mitsuru if had a lesson later because he'd been carrying his guitar around Shinjuku all day and then Izumi said she's prepared a worship song. Right there, in the middle of this park, they got out the guitar and started singing this worship song - their favorite - and then they gave me a card with our picture in it. I was so shocked I almost started crying! I'd only been around these two students a few times at the student center. They are both really strong Christians and it was so amazing to see how unashamed of their faith they were. It is definitely uncommon to be singing praises to Jesus in a public place. The rest of the day was just as awesome. Before I left, they prayed for me in the middle of a busy exit at Shinjuku station. Again, I'm so amazed at how unashamed they are. It was a beautiful thing to see and to experience and I was definitely crying when I left them at the ticket gate. They were such a blessing to me, and they are such a blessing to Japan!
That night, Robert and I met our friend Yuta from Todai in Ichikawa for our first fireworks show! No lie, Japanese fireworks are about ten times better than American fireworks. Or more. It was huge and it lasted for over an hour and a half! Amazing!
Yesterday, I went to church both at Tokyo Urban Church and the GAP Sunday night service at Robert's church. It was really nice to be able to fellowship with some friends that I didn't think I was going to get to see again!
I'll upload pictures for this blog in the morning, it's getting quite late and I'm getting pretty tired! =] I have more to write about, but I'll finish in the morning. Until then, thank you and I'll be seeing you soon!
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