So, my 2.5 month journey in Tokyo is finally over. I got the chance to meet with all of my contacts and I'm all packed. Now the battle is how Lindsay and I are going to fare at getting on a flight back home. Please pray all goes smoothly with flights tomorrow. In situations like this, it is so easy to get stressed out.
I did meet with Tak yesterday and I do believe I did what the Lord asked of me in encouraging him to be more bold toward his native Japanese. Tak responded well, now let's see if it will progress into action. Pray for his witness here. It is extremely hard in this culture to be a Christian and to be different than what culture sets the standard to be. Obviously, Christianity is not the standard for these people, and Tak has to battle that everyday. These Japanese Christians are the ones we really need to keep in prayer because of that.
This will probably be my last post, since ministry is officially over here. Come to Haddon Heights Baptist Church on August 16th, 2009 for the morning service, as I will be a giving about a 15 minutes explanation of what God did in this nation and did through me. I look foward to sharing, and I pray that I can be an encouragement to you.
**Remember, what I am doing over here is not any different than what you back home are to be doing where you are. I hope to continue what I've been a part of over here back home in New Jersey and also back at Liberty University.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Matthew 28:19-20
"Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you..."
The above two verses were fulfilled tonight, July 30th, 2009. Katrina, my teammate, has been working with a woman named Ai for about a month and a half now. About two weeks ago after meeting for several Bible Studies, Ai made a decision to accept the Gospel! Now tonight, I was able see Ai get baptized tonight! It was an awesome thing to see a Japanese woman follow through in believer's baptism and now will meet with one of the permanent missionaries, Kimberly Burns now for follow-up and discipleship. Praise the Lord that everything is working out with Ai this summer! Continue to pray for her and her growth in the Lord.
Other than that, we had Bible Study with Saori last night. That was another encouraging time in the Word with her. She along with her friends Hiroko is growing closer and closer to accepting the Gospel. Luckily, one of the journeyman, Sonya will be following both of them up when we leave, so that is a huge praise! Please continue to pray for Saori and Hiroko. Pray for their salvation. Pray for their growth. Pray that the walls around their hearts will be broken!
Remember, I will be meeting with Tak this coming Saturday. Please pray that this will be a time of encouragement as I pursue encouraging him to be more bold about his faith! Pray for him, as he is a light in this spiritually dark nation!
Monday I will be leaving. Please pray everything with flights works out. Lindsay and I are flying standby, and that can be very stressful. Please pray everything works out.
The above two verses were fulfilled tonight, July 30th, 2009. Katrina, my teammate, has been working with a woman named Ai for about a month and a half now. About two weeks ago after meeting for several Bible Studies, Ai made a decision to accept the Gospel! Now tonight, I was able see Ai get baptized tonight! It was an awesome thing to see a Japanese woman follow through in believer's baptism and now will meet with one of the permanent missionaries, Kimberly Burns now for follow-up and discipleship. Praise the Lord that everything is working out with Ai this summer! Continue to pray for her and her growth in the Lord.
Other than that, we had Bible Study with Saori last night. That was another encouraging time in the Word with her. She along with her friends Hiroko is growing closer and closer to accepting the Gospel. Luckily, one of the journeyman, Sonya will be following both of them up when we leave, so that is a huge praise! Please continue to pray for Saori and Hiroko. Pray for their salvation. Pray for their growth. Pray that the walls around their hearts will be broken!
Remember, I will be meeting with Tak this coming Saturday. Please pray that this will be a time of encouragement as I pursue encouraging him to be more bold about his faith! Pray for him, as he is a light in this spiritually dark nation!
Monday I will be leaving. Please pray everything with flights works out. Lindsay and I are flying standby, and that can be very stressful. Please pray everything works out.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Texas Super Summer
Today marks the last ministry day the Texas Super Summer Team has here. They've been here for about 10 days now and they leave tomorrow. Please pray they all have a safe flight back to the States.
Today was another long day. We had training with the Texas Team from 9-12, then Free Five Minute English out the East Exit of Shinjuku. That went REALLY well, as out of the 30 conversations we had, 19 of them, the Gospel was presented. Please pray for those that heard the Gospel, that those that heard will grow in their curiosity of the Creator.
Afterward, we had our closing Friendship Party at Higashikoganei and had three Japanese contacts come to Jonathan's, a restaurant at our station. Those three were Kotsu, Yoshi-yuki, and Mika. They were all so open to Dustin and I sharing with them. Please pray for these three as Dustin and I try to stay in contact with them in the States through e-mail. They need Christ more than they realize, so please pray for a softening of their hearts.
Continue to pray for Hironori and Tak, two my contacts here in the Tokyo area. Please pray especially for Saori, who I am meeting with tomorrow for Bible Study. Please pray that tomorrow that Saori and her friend Hiroko would be sensitive to the Spirit's calling to salvation. Pray for their salvation!
By the way, I am meeting with Tak on Saturday. Please pray that would be a time of encouragement for Tak, especially for more boldness in sharing with us people here in Japan.
6 days left...
Today was another long day. We had training with the Texas Team from 9-12, then Free Five Minute English out the East Exit of Shinjuku. That went REALLY well, as out of the 30 conversations we had, 19 of them, the Gospel was presented. Please pray for those that heard the Gospel, that those that heard will grow in their curiosity of the Creator.
Afterward, we had our closing Friendship Party at Higashikoganei and had three Japanese contacts come to Jonathan's, a restaurant at our station. Those three were Kotsu, Yoshi-yuki, and Mika. They were all so open to Dustin and I sharing with them. Please pray for these three as Dustin and I try to stay in contact with them in the States through e-mail. They need Christ more than they realize, so please pray for a softening of their hearts.
Continue to pray for Hironori and Tak, two my contacts here in the Tokyo area. Please pray especially for Saori, who I am meeting with tomorrow for Bible Study. Please pray that tomorrow that Saori and her friend Hiroko would be sensitive to the Spirit's calling to salvation. Pray for their salvation!
By the way, I am meeting with Tak on Saturday. Please pray that would be a time of encouragement for Tak, especially for more boldness in sharing with us people here in Japan.
6 days left...
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Cultural boundaries...
Today was another good day, but another long day. We spent the first half of our day in worship at Koganei Park with all interns, the three short-term teams here, which made about 200 people in the park today. A huge praise on one note; that elderly man, Ichiro that I met at the gioza restaurant; he actually came to the park today to listen to the worship music our team plays before Bible Study. This proved to be a great fellowship with just him and I. He seemed interested in how many Americans were Christians compared to the so few Japanese that are. He's definitely seeking, and I definitely believe if I hook him up with the right missionary, he has as good a chance as any in receiving Christ as his Savior. Please pray for Ichiro's salvation and his growing curiosity in the Gospel. This was an encouraging time in general, as one of the volunteers that I was completely unaware actually works at Liberty University's front office for Residential Studies. This was very encouraging considering I miss home quite a bit, and even though I don't know the guy all that well, it was nice to see a face from home:)
Afterward, I had Bible Study with Hironori and that went very well. I was actually hoping to meet with him atleast one more time before the summer ended after today, but at the end of our time together, he gave me a gift, which in these circumstances indicated, this was going to be the last time I could see him. The Bible Study as a whole was good. He is still under the impression I believe that he has to know more about the Bible as opposed to just having faith before he can become a Christian. This Bible Study was not quite as long as last time, but it was a good quality time Hironori and I had with each other. He actually told me as I was leaving that I was his best friend! That was so encouraging to hear! I think he was really sad about leaving me, just because he doesn't really have a whole lot of friends here in Tokyo:( Please pray for Hironori's salvation and that follow up with Andrew, one of the journeymen here, would be good. He is very stuck in the culture, and is afraid to leave his Japanese roots for the sake of the Gospel. Pray for his heart...
Thank you for your prayers....
Wow, I'll be home in a little over a week. I look foward to seeing my family and friends!
Afterward, I had Bible Study with Hironori and that went very well. I was actually hoping to meet with him atleast one more time before the summer ended after today, but at the end of our time together, he gave me a gift, which in these circumstances indicated, this was going to be the last time I could see him. The Bible Study as a whole was good. He is still under the impression I believe that he has to know more about the Bible as opposed to just having faith before he can become a Christian. This Bible Study was not quite as long as last time, but it was a good quality time Hironori and I had with each other. He actually told me as I was leaving that I was his best friend! That was so encouraging to hear! I think he was really sad about leaving me, just because he doesn't really have a whole lot of friends here in Tokyo:( Please pray for Hironori's salvation and that follow up with Andrew, one of the journeymen here, would be good. He is very stuck in the culture, and is afraid to leave his Japanese roots for the sake of the Gospel. Pray for his heart...
Thank you for your prayers....
Wow, I'll be home in a little over a week. I look foward to seeing my family and friends!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
LONG DAY!!!!...but a GOOD day!
So, we again did our training thing with the Texas Super Summer Team until about noon. Afterward we had some lunch, and then headed to Koganei Park with the team. This seemed to work out really well. It seems as though our team had a lot of good conversations with the people in the park and were actually very bold; praise God for their boldness and their determination to the ministry!
Afterward, we had Bible Study with Saori, and Saori brought her friend Hiroko! At first, Saori did not think Hiroko would be interested in the Bible, but it turns out that Hiroko was very interested in the Bible and wants to meet with us again Wednesday!!!! This is a huge praise and an answered prayer, since I was praying that Saori wouldn't be distracted by her friend being there. It actually turned into something awesome and I credit it all to God! I praise the Lord for what I saw tonight. Continue to pray for Saori and now her friend, Hiroko for their salvation and their continued interested in the Scriptures.
Please also pray for my Bible Study with Hirori tomorrow afternoon. As you remember last Sunday, Bible Study lasted 6 hours with this contact and it was awesome! Please pray for another quality time with him! He needs the Lord so much more than he realizes. Please pray for Hirori's heart! Pray that tomorrow will be the day of salvation.
THANK YOU DR. ALBAN FOR YOUR ADVICE ON THIS PARTICULAR CULTURAL SITUATION THAT I FIND MYSELF IN. I APPRECIATE AND RESPECT YOUR INSIGHT!
Afterward, we had Bible Study with Saori, and Saori brought her friend Hiroko! At first, Saori did not think Hiroko would be interested in the Bible, but it turns out that Hiroko was very interested in the Bible and wants to meet with us again Wednesday!!!! This is a huge praise and an answered prayer, since I was praying that Saori wouldn't be distracted by her friend being there. It actually turned into something awesome and I credit it all to God! I praise the Lord for what I saw tonight. Continue to pray for Saori and now her friend, Hiroko for their salvation and their continued interested in the Scriptures.
Please also pray for my Bible Study with Hirori tomorrow afternoon. As you remember last Sunday, Bible Study lasted 6 hours with this contact and it was awesome! Please pray for another quality time with him! He needs the Lord so much more than he realizes. Please pray for Hirori's heart! Pray that tomorrow will be the day of salvation.
THANK YOU DR. ALBAN FOR YOUR ADVICE ON THIS PARTICULAR CULTURAL SITUATION THAT I FIND MYSELF IN. I APPRECIATE AND RESPECT YOUR INSIGHT!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Another day in West Tokyo
We started the day again with some more training with the Texas Super Summer Team of 103 teens. Afterward we had some lunch and then headed to Higashikoganei for HOPE track distribution. Please pray for those that received the HOPE track, that they would respond by sending in for the Free Bible Study DVD.
Afterward, we went back to the station to begin our Free Five Minute English Practice ministry, but shortly into our time of ministry, the Higashikoganei station police asked us to not minister on the property around the station. This of course was discouraging, because this is our only spot to do Free Five Minute English at Higashikoganei, so we are waiting for a plan on what to do next. Please pray that the leadership of the long term missionaries here will wisely choose the spot where we need to be in days to come.
After that incident, we finished our Free Five Minute English at Kichijoji Station. That seem to be a pretty good turn out, but we just learned that we've been kicked off that station as well for doing the same ministry, so we most likely will not go back there for ministry. Again, please pray for a place of peace where the police will not find our presence an annoyance.
The official count this morning was 60 new brothers and sisters in Christ since the beginning of the summer. I know I've heard more coming to know Christ today, but I am not sure of that number. Please pray for these new believers and the follow-up of them in discipleship and believer's baptism. Praise the Lord for one Japanese Christian getting baptized today; that makes 3!
Please also pray for our Bible Study tomorrow night with Saori. Saori is very close to accepting the Gospel and I covet your prayers for this time tomorrow night. It will be at 8:30 pm, so 7:30 am your time back home. She is also bringing a friend, so please also pray for her friend's salvation as well. Be also in prayer for Saori not to be distracted by her friend and Satan using her friend's presence to distract Saori into not making a genuine decision to accept Christ.
Afterward, we went back to the station to begin our Free Five Minute English Practice ministry, but shortly into our time of ministry, the Higashikoganei station police asked us to not minister on the property around the station. This of course was discouraging, because this is our only spot to do Free Five Minute English at Higashikoganei, so we are waiting for a plan on what to do next. Please pray that the leadership of the long term missionaries here will wisely choose the spot where we need to be in days to come.
After that incident, we finished our Free Five Minute English at Kichijoji Station. That seem to be a pretty good turn out, but we just learned that we've been kicked off that station as well for doing the same ministry, so we most likely will not go back there for ministry. Again, please pray for a place of peace where the police will not find our presence an annoyance.
The official count this morning was 60 new brothers and sisters in Christ since the beginning of the summer. I know I've heard more coming to know Christ today, but I am not sure of that number. Please pray for these new believers and the follow-up of them in discipleship and believer's baptism. Praise the Lord for one Japanese Christian getting baptized today; that makes 3!
Please also pray for our Bible Study tomorrow night with Saori. Saori is very close to accepting the Gospel and I covet your prayers for this time tomorrow night. It will be at 8:30 pm, so 7:30 am your time back home. She is also bringing a friend, so please also pray for her friend's salvation as well. Be also in prayer for Saori not to be distracted by her friend and Satan using her friend's presence to distract Saori into not making a genuine decision to accept Christ.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
It rained, but it was okay...
Today was another long day in the books. The 130 teens that are here from Texas had their training this morning from 9-12, so all interns and GoTokyo's had to be there. Afterward, we hit up some lunch, and then headed to Higashikoganei. For about an hour, we did our distribution of the HOPE track. We probably distributed close to 1,000 HOPE tracks. Please pray for those that receive these tracks all over our station.
Afterward, it was pouring rain pretty bad, so we headed to Kichijoji to do some Arcade Ministry. Out of the 25 people we talked to at the arcade, 3 of those individuals heard the Gospel. 1 of those 3 might have even gotten saved; we're not sure, but he seems to be seeking if not. Please pray for those that heard the Gospel today.
Afterward, we just had some dinner, and then headed for home. It was a long day, and I definitely expect the same for tomorrow.
Continue to pray for Hironomi, Saori, and Tak.
Afterward, it was pouring rain pretty bad, so we headed to Kichijoji to do some Arcade Ministry. Out of the 25 people we talked to at the arcade, 3 of those individuals heard the Gospel. 1 of those 3 might have even gotten saved; we're not sure, but he seems to be seeking if not. Please pray for those that heard the Gospel today.
Afterward, we just had some dinner, and then headed for home. It was a long day, and I definitely expect the same for tomorrow.
Continue to pray for Hironomi, Saori, and Tak.
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