We visited the Asakusa temple Monday morning as a group. Visiting the temple was an experience like no other. I have never felt such spiritual darkness before. When we walked up to the temple, there is a huge lantern that they believe guides the way. When really as John 14:6 says, "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
You walk through a huge marketplace to the temple. As a group we have decided to not purchase anything in that market, since most of the proceeds go to support the temple. Right when you come to the Temple is a large pot with sticks of incense in it. The worshipers come and try to cover themselves with the "fragrance". They believe that this will make them right in front of their gods. To the right is a fountain where people are trying to wash themselves with the special water. They believe that this water will cleanse them of their sins. Being their is overwhelming, hearing the sounds of idol worship and smelling the overpowering incense. My heart breaks for these people as they put their hope and faith in these scary looking idols. While I have my hope and faith in the living God who loves me and is good.
Walking inside of the temple was even more overwhelming. You walk right up to this huge alter where people toss money. There is a glass divider that separates the people from the rest of the temple. On either side of the alter is two glass cabinets full of candles. The candles represent babies that have been aborted. The grandparents usually come and light a candle for their aborted grandchild.
Outside of the temple is a Japanese garden full of some idols. People walk around the garden praying to the idols. The idols are dressed in paper clothes and have small wooden huts. My heart broke as I watched people pray to the idols.
Tuesday June 1
I visited an English school ran by a couple who are missionaries in Tokyo. The couple in charge of it are in love with Christ which is just super awesome to see. The wife is from Japan, but lived in the states for 10 years. She is so sweet. Her heart just breaks for her people. She and her husband run a English school that also is a Christian school. They teach children about Jesus, they also offer a Bible study for the mothers. Most of the mothers are not christian, but they want to learn English also. So, they come and do a Bible study once a week. I got to sit in on this weeks lesson. This summer, a new group of moms are coming. One woman is asking how she can believe. Please pray for her heart to be drawn to Father this summer. This English school is the place where I will be doing a VBS at the end of the summer. I was told that this VBS will be the first time most of these sweet kids will here the good news.
Wednesday June 2
Wednesday was an ordinary day. The only difference was a time of worship as a team that night. I really look forward to this time each week.
Thursday June 3
We once again went to our site and prayed over the area. One of our goals is to bathe the city of Tokyo in prayer. Please, pray for this city, that Father will just cover this place.
Friday June 4
Today has been awesome! My group went to our university to meet students. I talked to some girls and they couldn't speak English. I walked outside and then I saw four girls running at me. They had one girl by the hand and she told me, "I speak English!". We talked and she invited us to their English club. So please be praying for this contact and the English club.
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