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!
So so thankful for God bringing you here this summer, my sister and now my friend. I'm asking God to take care of your heart while you're away, but also that He might bring you back someday soon!
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