The Soil Beneath

   As we rode away from Utsunomiya last week, hearts breaking, Bryan explained to us our work this summer. We were wondering how effective 6 weeks of investing in lives can be if we have to leave our new friends in tears as we drive away. He shared with us,

"The spiritual soil in Japan is like asphalt. Having 10 summer workers come, like this year, is like taking a jackhammer and breaking up the asphalt so that seeds can get to the rich soil beneath. For some students, especially freshmen, having relationships like this is completely new to them; most have never been prayed for by name, until now."

   At our good-bye party the night before we left, I was surprised at how many of the students were crying- some couldn't even get through speaking without bursting into tears. Bryan is right. Japan has a culture that does not show negative emotions, so crying in public is rare for most Japanese. Those tears are proof that the friendships we are building are helping to break up the concrete covering so many of these hearts, making way for the seeds of the gospel to be sown into the rich soil underneath. 

   Praise the Lord indeed, and pray for these friendships to continue across the world!

God of This City

   This song is playing in my heart today as I think about how we must leave Utsunomiya this week. It hurts to realize I must leave behind so many people I have come to love, but there is a God of this city who will never leave. Greater things are still to be done here; I hope I can return and be a part of it. For now, I will leave behind a piece of my heart, one which will always remind me to wrestle in prayer for these friends.

Tatami Talks

   Most Japanese homes have a traditional-style room with tatami mats, which is a flooring material made from rice straw. Brittany and I are using the tatami room at Joyful House as our bedroom this summer and I love it! 

   Every Tuesday, our team and the staff here will meet for a short message and prayer. Because we meet in the tatami room at Full House (the guys' house), these meetings have been called "Tatami Talks." One of these talks helped to cast vision for those who labor here in Utsunomiya, including us as summer workers. There are three things we must do and value:

1. Abide in Christ

        John 15:5 says,

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

   We are given a promise in this verse, that if we remain in Christ, we will bear much fruit. God is in relentless pursuit of fruit in our lives, but that requires us to abide in Him. Apart from Him there is no point because there is no fruit. An apple tree that does not produce apples is cut down; likewise, fruit is what gives our lives value.

2. Love

       John 13:34-35:

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

   Sometimes it seems easier to love those who do not yet know Jesus than our own brothers and sisters. But how important a witness this is to others! We are commanded to love one another as Christ has set for us an example. Why is it so important? Because people can tell that we are His disciples by how we love one another.

3.  Work hard

         1 Corinthians 15:58 says,

"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 

   No work done in the Lord is ever in vain; it is always valuable. We may not see a lot of spiritual progress in many students this summer, but every conversation, every act of love, every sacrifice is so important in impacting these lives.

   So what are the marks of a laborer? Bryan shared these 5 traits with us during another Tatami Talk:

Laborers,

• get launched into God's work for the kingdom by an encounter with Him and an experience of His grace.
• are focused on people, on individuals; they have a special heart on which God can write the names of people.
• find satisfaction in doing God's will. 
• recognize a great spiritual harvest everywhere they see a great spiritual need.
• have a vision for the spiritual growth of others and struggle for them in prayer.

   An example I love is given by Epaphras in Colossians 4:12. Paul writes that he is "always wrestling in prayer for you." I want to be a laborer like him; I want to wrestle in prayer for these students. Especially when I return to the States; I cannot be with them in body, but I can certainly be with them in spirit as I pray. 

   Please join me in praying- many of the friends I have made this summer are so close to believing Jesus! I sincerely plead for your prayers!!

Be A Man!

Just for fun!

Bowing

   I love that bowing is a part of Japanese culture. There are so many things I wish I could bring back with me to America for everyone to experience, and bowing is one of them. 

   In Japan, men and women bow for many reasons. It is a common gesture for greeting one another. I will bow my head to older men and women I pass on the streets because it is a sign of respect. Honor is a huge part of Japanese culture, and bowing is one way to show this to others.

   We also bow when we give thanks. Every time I receive food or my change, or anything else for that matter, I bow my head in gratitude for the other person's service to me.

   You will also see a person bowing in humility. Last week I was hit twice by a ball during sports by the same person. He apologized the first time, but after the second time it happened, he came over to me and literally bowed on his knees with his face to the floor. It signifies that he humbly asks for my forgiveness; not only his words pleaded for mercy, so did his posture.

   If you think about it, bowing places you lower than another, in a place of vulnerability. It says "I respect you," or "I trust you," or even "I submit to your authority or power." I love seeing this culture mutually respect one another. It is so beautiful.