FROM YORISHIMA TO HIROSHIMA

JOY TIME
Yesterday at Joy Time we had Nagisa, Youka, Nanako, and Natsumi. As usual, the kids were responsive to the Bible story about Jesus calming the storm. Setsuko related the story to the Shinto ritual "Matsuri festival" which is going on this weekend. Since during this festival they worship the shrine god of Yorishima town, and in each town throughout Japan they do the same thing, thus each town has its own shrine/god; hence the Japanese people believe in many gods, she made her point by telling them that these many gods each have their own festival but when the festival ends so does the joy of the celebration.
Setsuko used this opportunity to tell them more about the one true God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and that every day is joyful with Jesus. The kids were surprised to find out that having a relationship with the one true God and savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, means knowing Him on a daily basis. Furthermore, when they realized that knowing Him daily meant having joy daily also, they became excited and even more curious.
Our English lesson was based on clothes, so we asked the question, "What are you wearing?" and answered with, "I'm wearing...." We played sugaroku at the end and another day at Joy Time was concluded.

HIROSHIMA MINISTRY
Today, I was able to go to Hiroshima and teach Sunday school and an English lesson for the first time. Truly, this seems to be an answer to prayer since I have been praying that God would lead me regarding what to do in the future.
Today I was encouraged to find out that both Lee sensei and his wife had been praying for a native English speaker to come and teach English at the church. So, it seems that both of our prayers have been answered. Praise the Lord!
They believe that English is an important skill and is a great ministry opportunity. Lee sensei has been able to gain relationships with the members of the community and as a result he has been able to invite non-Christians to the church to enjoy activities such as drawing lessons, piano lessons, and now English lessons. Through such outreaches, God has allowed the church to grow and souls have become saved. Praise the Lord! I am excited to begin being a part of this ministry and I look forward to seeing what the Lord has planned.
Already, through the network of church members and the Christian community, I have been invited to teach Gospel based English lessons at some Christian schools. I am encouraged to see that there is a variety of opportunities to serve the Lord in Hiroshima. Praise the Lord! May His will be done.