Growing Pains

Being here in Tokyo is not only making me grow in my awareness of other cultures, but my faith is growing by leaps and bounds. I believe that Father does not call us to be comfortable. If He did, I seriously doubt I would have done some of the things He has placed on my heart. However, when he calls us to do things, he gives us the strength as He says in his word.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10

This truth has totally impacted my life while I have been here. My accountability partner, who is another intern/one of my roommates shared this verse with me. This is one of her favorite verses, and now it is one of my life verses. This verse gives me hope. Because I look at some of things I am supposed to do, and I think to myself "I'm not strong/smart/good/prepared enough to do this." However, Father makes us whole and gives us strength to do the things He wants us to do. By reading this verse and believing it, I know that I need to trust Father and He will prepare me to do what He wants me to do.

I really like to be home, where I see my family, have normal food, where I can read the signs, and I see familiar faces everywhere. However, Father has called all of us out to spread His name. It is a joy to join Him in His ancient work, where he has chosen to use us. The song "In Us" by Casting Crowns sums it up pretty well, "How refreshing to know You don't need me. How amazing to find that you want me..." I am so blessed and joyful that Father has chosen to use me here in Tokyo this summer!

Updates:

Thursday June 10

I spent the day with the California music team at the same university. This day just blew me away. They have made so many contacts! We joined the students for lunch in their cafeteria. I had no idea what I ate, I just hit a button on the machine and hoped that it would be something good. I have learned that in Tokyo, you need to be fluid, even when it comes to food. There have been sometimes that there is not a English menu or any pictures available. So, you just have to point or push a button and hope that you get something good. Whatever I ate was pretty good, no complaints. I sat with some Japanese girls and the music team. As I was trying to eat my meal, one of the Japanese girls took the chopsticks out of my hand and taught me the correct way to use them. The three girls we were with found my chopstick skills amusing. I am going to be a pro when the summer is over! These girls were really sweet! One of them is taking a Spanish class. I have spoken to at least four people in Spanish so far. One of the guys on my team is fluent in Spanish, so people really want to talk to him. I was asked for my contact info by the two girls. Please pray that we can meet up again, and I can share the good news with them.

Me, the two girls I met at lunch and some of my team!

After lunch, we went to three classes. The first class was unlike any other. The gospel was proclaimed by a guest speaker. This made the students think about where they stand. Instead of having chat time, the students were able to comment on the presentation they had heard. Many shared what was going on in their lives. The four I heard speak, talked about how they are not Christians, but the presentation made them think about it. One guy spoke about how his mother had just passed. You could hear the pain in his voice. The professor asked for everyone to lay hands on the guy and pray for him. This totally impacted me. Here we are in a country where Father's name is rarely proclaimed, believers face persecution, and most people do not know the name of Jesus. However, we are at a University where two professors have a huge heart for their students and what nothing else but for them to know our Father intimately. Another student came up to the front and played his violin in remembrance of the other students mother, the people lost in Pearl Harbor, and Hiroshima. Our next two classes were a blast. I met about eight girls who are awesome! We got to talk and share where we stand.

That night, when I was headed to our apartment, I decided to stop by Subway and pick up some dinner. I wanted the number three meal, so I pointed to the picture and held up three fingers. I was focused on following the directions for what I wanted on the sandwich. I looked up and three sandwiches were being made. I thought to myself, "I guess the man behind me wanted the same sandwich". I looked again and the three sandwiches were exactly what I ordered. So, I ended up having three sandwiches. So my meals for the next few days were covered.

Friday June 11

Today, my team started or work with Chofu Baptist Church here in Tokyo. The pastor there wanted us to come and help with their English lesson ministry. We met our M at his house where we were supposed to ride with him to the church. When arrived, he came out and told us there was a change of plans. We were going to bike there! He showed us the bikes we would use. One of the guys on my team, rode our Ms 9 year old son's bike. The other girl on my team rode their oldest sons bike, and I rode his wife's bike. It had a basket in the front and a child carrier seat on the back. I can not imagine how it is to ride with a child on your bike. The moms here ride with a child on the back and a child either on the front in a carrier or strapped to her chest. Riding bikes in Tokyo is quite the experience.

I really enjoyed being at the Church. The church is focused on reaching the people in their community. They have a great kids ministry, through this the Moms heard about the English lessons and got plugged into the church that way. They teach English by using the Bible and singing hymns. I got to talk to about 9 amazing women. They all really sweet and excited for us to be here. The pastor of the church is a Japanese man who has a huge heart for his people. He actually went to Southwestern ministry in Fort Worth for four years. He said he really misses the BBQ in Texas. After the English lessons, he took us to an International University that is by the Church. There are four students from that University that attend the church. They are the only Christians at the University. He wants us to get in contact with them to encourage them, study the Word together, and hopefully help reach their friends.

Prayer Requests

• That I am able to meet with the two girls from my lunch at the University.
• The guy who lost his Mother
• The Professors, that they have endurance to continue to share with their students.
• Chofu Baptist Church
• Japanese Christians