This morning we will gather at 7AM for a prayer meeting and then have breakfast at 7:40AM
I have to step away so we can clean the community center. It is being used today so the guys have to take their things over to the church for today. I’ll get back as soon as I can.
Well, it's now 10AM and we have some free time for a little bit. Lauren and Mielee are preparing their craft materials for EEC; Shizuka, Danny & Tsuguru are working on the music for the worship services we will be conducting on the two Sundays here. There's a lot of energy and it feels real good to see all this enthusiasm.
For our prayer meeting this morning, Nakada-sensei referenced Acts 14:19-22. In this passage from the Bible, Paul's been beaten for speaking out about Jesus and left for dead. His followers find him, pray for him and minister to his injuries. Instead of taking off and getting away from his attackers, Paul goes back into to the city to continue sharing about Jesus Christ. Through his actions, Paul encouraged his disciples to have the same boldness as himself and it leads to the strengthening of the faith of people in the area. Nakada-sensei shared how Christians have been the only group to reach out and support the people affected by the earthquake and tsunami of 2011. They continue to support these people after other non-profit organizations have come and gone. People have been touched and impressed by the support they have received from Christians and have been drawn to this religion, but with time it becomes harder and harder for them to not fall back to the beliefs and traditions of their families and friends. We hope that we can add to the efforts that will help break this cycle and encourage and support people to continue seeking after Jesus Christ.
Right now, the first of three groups of people are headed out for a visitation with a church member. Kumi, Danny & Monica will go there to provide fellowship and friendship with someone who is no longer able to come to the Sunday services. This afternoon, Hiroko and I will go with Nakada-sensei to visit another former church member who no longer to come out. Utsumi-san lost his wife to the tsunami and actually saw as she was washed away with her car. She was unable to climb the 20 meters that would have saved her life. I tear up as I think about visiting this man. Please pray for him today and in the days to come - that he will find peace and hope for today and the future in spite of his great loss. We will also visit Brother Sato who is in the hospital. Also this afternoon, Tsuguru, Mielee, Lauren & Danny will make a visit to a church members' home. While these visitations are going on, Kumi and Shizuka will go to the Costco to buy supplies for a "Taco Party" that we will have with children and their families who come to EEC next week. Dinner will be at 6PM, a prayer meeting at 7PM, practice and preparation for the Worship Service on Sunday. To finish and complete the day we will go to the.........onsen. I don't know if I'm going to use the pool that gives electric shocks/stimulation. I think it may just be a plan to rid Japan of the "Ugly Americans" that come to visit them - those loud and impolite barbarians. That's just my thought. Our luggage and supplies have arrived from the airport so we can now get to all of the things we brought here. Clean underwear!
Thank you very much for your prayers - everything is going well. We are all healthy and safe. Shizuka and Hiroko are practicing a song in Japanese. Even though I don't understand the lyrics, they sound like angels - I wish you were here to experience it. May God bless you as we have been blessed on this trip. Love, Don
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| A picture of the Sendai Church. Our home for the next two weeks. |
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| Getting ready - our orientation meeting conducted by Nakada-sensei. |
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| Nakada-sensei conducting an English class with neighborhood children. |
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