Today was the last day of JJ4D and the team from Valley Bible Church is here at our house, being very very silly playing a Catch Phrase. Since they are crazy silly and giggly and loud and all, Mr. Quiet here is updating our blog.
The week went by pretty quickly as the team and the Japanese staff took care of 70 students. The aim for Spring Joy Joy ministry is to have time to talk with the older kids about Spiritual matters more and follow up with them. Jun (one of our student at the Institute) was sick with some virus at the beginning of the JJ4D, thus was out for the first couple of days, I got the privilege of filling in for him at several places including leading a small group for small people (actually to a group of 4-6th grade boys). It was a bit of difficult task for me since I am not used to speak to children and these kids are not really used to keep their attention long enough to hear me explain their spiritual doom. Nonetheless, God was good to give me opportunity to explain their need of true saving faith and the necessity of living out their profession in their own lives, each and every day.
For me, the highlight of the week was what Nicki wrote on one of the worksheet. It was a day when they studies from the life of Job and the worksheet had a question asking them what was the sad/hard thing ever happened to them and what they did about it. Nicki answered the first saying, "My grandfather (my side) is not going to heaven" and wrote, "I am praying for him." Last week, my father was hospitalized (AGAIN) with severe pneumonia and was in serious condition for a while (he is now recovered [AGAIN], though he still is in the hospital). I talked to Nicki before I went to see him and told him that because of his unbelief he is not going to heaven and that we needed to pray for him that he would listen to my words and believe in Him. I know that he comprehended well and was praying for him (and for me as I went to talk to him). It was great to see how God works in Nicki's little heart. I pray that he would continue to have his tender and moldable heart.
I was not involved in JJ4D as I used to be in other Joy Joy Ministries. Others (especially younger guys) are replacing me slowly but surely. I hope to pass the button successfully to others so that they can improve the ministry and reach out to the little children more effectively. As always, Japanese staff worked extremely hard and the team from VBC as well as our missionaries (Aaron and Leah Faith) were workhorses. I thank God for them. They are faithful and committed servants of God and it is great to see them being used by God to reach to the children.
I have to put some words about our wonderful friend Camille Moes. She came with the team to specifically help Marcia and encourage her. I have no words to describe how wonderful it was to have her here at our home. She worked hard as she and Marcia did the dining room wallpapers (I need to let Marcia write on this one). She took care of our boys and they all sure loved her. I thank the Moes family for letting their lovely wife and mother come to Japan for 2 weeks. I thank God for her and allowing us to have such a privilege of having great friendship with her in Christ.
Okay, I am writing too long but they are still playing Catch Phrase. I am not sure when they will be done. I hope I won't be confronted by the members of the church as a party animal who would make tired missionaries stay home past midnight. Really, it is not my fault. I am innocent. You can be my witness.
Tomorrow, we have American Dinner and I will be sharing the Gospel with the parents. I pray that the Lord would use me for His glory.
... posted by Daisuke