"I like Jesus...Amen."

Today we felt the weather change here in Yorishima. I actually wore a sweater! (Yahoo! My kind of weather!) Nagisa, Yuki, Youka, and Youka attended our usual Joy Time. We played musical instruments, sang songs, learned some English, and read a Bible story. Afterward, we visited Nagisa's father's store. Today was the opening day. On the car ride over there Jesus came up in our conversation. Nagisa said, " I like Jesus." Afterward, we came back to Yorishima with Nagisa and we had dinner with the Sumida's (Setsuko's family). Setsuko prayed for the meal and Nagisa participted by first saying let's pray, and then with an Amen. Setsuko's family are not Christians so they never say Amen, but they allow Setsuko to pray for the meals. So, it was nice to see Nagisa responding to Jesus in these small ways, knowing that over these past months Nagisa has grown in her understanding of Jesus. It is encouraing to see her willingness to pray and to read about Him, especially since I can remember when she first heard about Jesus she didn't have much of a response at all. Of course, it is our hope and prayer that she could be saved, preferably right now, but that is God's job and we'll have to wait for His timing. In the mean time, it is time to be thankful for the little things.

HIS WILL BE DONE!

This past Saturday was the Yorishima elementary school Sports festival, so we weren't able to meet with the kids. We visited the festival and enjoyed seeing the kids doing their relay races and make a human pyramid!
On Sunday I was able to venture down to Hiroshima and visit Lee sensei and his church. I met Lee sensei a couple of months ago at a Christian gathering. He has invited me to teach a combination Sunday School/English class beginning October 7th. In addition we will be preparing a Christmas program with the children. The church is active in the community and is seeking to expand its outreach services with things like English classes, etc. Fortunately, Lee sensei has been able to establish relationships with the parents of the children so there is potential to reach many. For me, this may be an answer to prayer since I have been praying about what to do next and Lee sensei would like to get a Gospel based English program started. If all goes well, I will probably get transferred to Hiroshima after this school year in March and establish a new post. God's will be done.

THE GOOD SHEPARD

Today in Yorishima Nagisa was the only one who come to "Joy Time" since the others were preoccupied with the Yorishima school Sports Festival. Every year Japanese schools host a number of festivals where the staff and students celebrate a variety of subjects which include things like Sports, Culture, and our Elders. The schools I work for in Niimi will be having their festival tomorrow.
So, while Nagisa was hanging out she requested to read some Bible stories about Jesus. After she read, she asked Setsuko, "How does a Shepard know all the names of the sheep?" Setsuko said, " Just like your teacher knows the names of all the students, the Shepard knows the names of the sheep."Then Nagisa asked, "But, all the sheep look the same?" So, Setsuko replied, "Well, the Shepard is a professional and an expert in knowing his sheep...Just like God is an expert in knowing His people and He will search for them when they are lost."
The last part of the story that Nagisa read was about the celebration that the Shepard held after he found the lost sheep. So Setsuko summed it up telling Nagisa, "If you are away from God you are lost just like the lost sheep. But God wants to find you and bring you back because He is the good Shepard." Then she asked Nagisa, "Do you believe in God?" Nagisa replied, "Yes I do." Praise the Lord for these baby steps that seem to be taking place. His will be done.

PLEASE PRAY FOR NIIMI CHURCH!

NIIMI CITY

Last night I went to the usual Monday night Bible study in Niimi. During that time, Jenny Horai (the host of the study), requested PRAYER FOR THE NIIMI CHURCH since they are in need of a new building. She had even prepared a short booklet with pictures and descriptions made specifically for the purpose of asking for prayer regarding a new building. The current church building is actually a home and frankly there just isn't very much space, not to mention the building itself is very old. So, I would also like to request prayer for the Niimi church, that the Lord would provide a new building. God's will be done.

Little Drummer Boy (take 2)

GESTURE GAME (in action!)
Nagisa, Yuki, Youka, Mana Naotoka, Nanako, and Yu came to Joy Time. Praise the Lord! We continued with our rehearsal of Little Drummer Boy for the Christmas program and then Setsuko told the story of song again. Although Christmas is a while away, we are hoping they will learn a few different songs. Hence, the earlier they learn them the better. During the story time the kids were quick to shout out things like "Jesus" and "God" (in Japanese) which meant they were following the story. Even when we were finished singing, some of the kids were humming the melody of Little Drummer Boy... I smiled inside as I noticed them. Toward the end we enjoyed playing an English gesture game where the students form a line and gesture an animal or an object the person in front of them until it reaches the front of the line whereupon the person in front says the name of the gestured object in English.

JUST WANTED TO PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS FAITHFULNESS AND GUIDANCE.
I have been seeking the Lord about what is next, what I ought to be preparing for and He has made it clear that it is time to wait upon Him, (which means "chill out" and be here in Japan). Could be for a short time, could be for a while. Through this understanding, the Lord has been blessing my study of the Japanese language, thus I have started studying to take the level 4 Japanese Language Proficiency Test in December. It is only the beginning level for Japanese proficiency, but it is a step closer to fluency. There are 4 levels; 1 being the highest and 4 the lowest, (level 3 is daily conversation). Perhaps the following year, God willing, I will be able to pass level 3. Why is all of this important? Well, it is important because one of the verses that the Lord continues to place upon my heart is 1Cor. 9:22, where Paul wrote, "...I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some." Hence, learning Japanese is essential to reaching the Japanese people. Therefore, the Lord is encouraging me to be, "all things (Japanese) to all men (Japanese people), that I might by all means save some (Japanese people)."