YES, JESUS LOVES ME!

YORISHIMA

• This past weekend was more of the same...but that is a good thing! In Yorishima we met with the usual group of girls, although Nagisa couldn't make it. We rehearsed for the Yorishima Christmas program and then we practiced speaking English.
  

HIROSHIMA

• The next day I was off to Hiroshima to teach Sunday school. During Sunday school I introduced the words of Little Drummer Boy to the group using large flash cards I made with both English and Japanese on each card. We played sugoroku using the cards and then we sang "Jesus loves me." Mrs. Lee, Lee sensei's wife, told me that the children were singing it everyday this week. Praise the Lord!
• After lunch we had the usual English lesson. The subject was Thanksgiving. I told a short story about Thanksgiving in America and then we played "Pin the feather on the turkey" and another game called, "How many turkey's Mr. Pilgrim?" It was BIG TIME fun!!!
• After the English lesson, we rehearsed for the Hiroshima Christmas program. Praise the Lord for our time together.

Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain...

Today I heard it again, "Oh my God," said the teacher. Then, she had the student repeat it after her in an effort to teach the student an English phrase to say when a moment of defeat occurs. I have heard this phrase countless times from Japanese teachers and students while teaching here in Japan. I think it began as a result of Japanese people watching English television programs in which the actors flagrantly used the phrase. Also, it seems that non-Christian English teachers here in Japan have taught the phrase, or at least reinforced the phrase. Typically, the phrase is used when some degree of a defeat or failure occurs during an English game in class. Unfortunately, the meaning of the phrase is not fully understood by the people here and they really have no idea that they are saying God's name in vain. I try to correct them when I hear it by saying, "oh no," or "that's too bad." Ultimately, I think it is tragic that it has continued to be taught to the children and thus it will continue into the next generations. To further complicate the matter, if I confront the teachers who are using the phrase and point out that it is offensive, then it is possible that I will be offensive, so I must be careful with my words. So, let's pray that the use of God's name in vain would not continue to be taught to the children and that I could speak the truth in love when correcting the teachers.

"Follow Jesus"

This past Saturday we prepared for the Christmas program. We began our time together with an English lesson. I tried a somewhat new approach this time. I used pictures to tell the story about Jesus gathering His disciples. I showed them the pictures and introduced the single words or phrases first and then I told the complete story while flipping the pictures and repeating the new words and phrases. I think this approach is effective because it utilizes short phrases without a lot of effort. Some of the phrases we taught were phrases such as, "Follow Jesus" or "Jesus was walking." Also, this approach allows the student to use verbs without having to over think. May the Lord continue to work upon the that they may be saved.

"Jesus Loves the Little Children, All the Children of the World..."

This weekend I had to work on Saturday so I was unable to attend Joy Time in Yorishima. But, I was told by Setsuko that there was another festival in Yorishima, so once again Youka and Yu came by a little early for a short time and Nagisa joined them afterward. Also, Mori sensei (Pastor Mori's wife) joined Setsuko to teach the children. I was told that Nagisa read some Bible stories and some scriptures too. Nagisa really likes reading. Praise the Lord she can read God's Word.

"HAPPY CHURCH" IN HIROSHIMA
On Sunday I taught Sunday School at Happy Church in Hiroshima with Dr. Lee. Our lesson was in English with translation into Japanese and Korean since more than half of the church is from Korea. It was based on the story about how Jesus gathered His disciples. Jesus loved His disciples and so I used this point to lead into the song, "Jesus Loves Me." Although this is a common song for children in America, many of the children do not know it here in Japan. As a result, we were blessed to learn such a simple and wonderful song about the Lord Jesus Christ and His love for us. Then, we played games using the phrase (in English), "Jesus loves me..."
After lunch I taught an English lesson. The church believes that English is an important skill and that it is also good for reaching out to the community. Therefore, the goal of this lesson time is to bring kids to the church who would not normally attend otherwise. May the Lord lead us in reaching the community.
Finally, Emi (the piano teacher) and I rehearsed the music for the Christmas program which will take place December 16th. Next time, the children will join us for rehearsal and we will be teaching them the songs, "The Little Drummer Boy," and "Silent Night." May God bless our preparations.

God Is Working

This past Saturday there was another festival for the kids in Yorishima so Youka and Yu came a little early for a short time (before I showed up) and Setsuko was able to hang out them. They read the story of Jonah and the whale and then they did a puzzle based on the story. I showed up just as they were finishing the puzzle and then they left shortly afterward. Then, Nagisa showed up with her new English game. We helped her study the new vocabulary from the game and then it was time to go. Overall, it was nice to see the children's willingness to come, even when they didn't have a lot of time. It is particularly encouraging because I know that it means that the Lord is working among us. His will be done.

PRAY FOR NIIMI
Recently I have felt a burden to pray for Niimi, the city where I work and live during the week. As a result, I have begun nightly prayer walks around the city. I believe that the Lord has placed me in Niimi for a reason and as a result I believe it is time to pray for this city in mountains, that the people may be saved. "And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and [also] much cattle?" (Jonah 4:11)

Jesus Is Always Ready!

This past Saturday we met with Naigisa, Yuki, Youka, and Yu. Recently, as the Lord has been leading, we have decided to emphasize prayer and sharing about Jesus. Granted, we have been sharing about Jesus the entire time we have been meeting with these kids, but it's time to take it to the next level. Therefore, we want to equip the children to be able to pray to the one true Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and when they are ready, we want them to understand why and how they can receive Jesus Christ. Therefore, we began our time together with prayer and then had our English lesson which was a repeat from last week them on clothes, asking the question, "What are you wearing?" Afterward, Setsuko talked with them for a bit, sharing with them that Jesus loves us so much and that He is always ready to receive us. Yuki, in particular seemed to be listening intently. May God's will be done.

TAKESHIMA CHAPEL
This past Sunday Setsuko and I shared our testimonies at Takeshima church. It was a blessed time and I was very encouraged particularly when Mrs. Mori spoke with me afterward and prophesied that in the future I will be a missionary (and not an English teacher) in Japan. This prophetic statement is in line with what the Lord has been speaking to my heart. Therefore, I look forward to learning more about the particulars of His will. It is so encouraging when the Lord uses others to bless us with further knowledge of His plans for us.

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.