A Word and A Song

 I love when we get to host ladies' lunches at our church.  Trying to break into conversations to start the testimony part of the program is always a challenge.  Even having the big blonde girl standing up front does not always get everyone's attention!

Today our friend, Kyoko, shared her testimony.  It was neat to hear how God put pieces of the puzzle together for her as she traveled through the ups and downs of life, leading her, ultimately, to Himself. So amazing how He does that!  She also sang a song for us, "You Raise Me Up."  She sang the first verse in English and then sang in Japanese.  I had never heard it in Japanese before and was really moved by the lyrics.



This afternoon was a blessed time of fellowship.  I loved hearing the chatter, watching the shared tears fall, and witnessing encouragement between friends.

One of those Days

This isn't from today, but it is my most
recent SB picture.

Today was one of those days... where I just felt the need to go to Starbucks.  Now, since I do not drink coffee, it was not for the caffeine!  And, since I have a lot of prep for various classes and such this week, it was not because I had time to kill.  I just felt I needed to go.

So, I went.

Melissa was there for a few minutes, too, so we had a nice chat.  Then, after she left, I pulled out my stuff and started studying.  After a while I realized that the lady next to me,with a comfortable personal-space-table in between, was studying English.

Well, if someone is studying English and a native English speaker is sitting a table away, shouldn't a conversation ensue?!  Since she is Japanese, I thought she might be a little shy about striking up a conversation and did the starting myself.

And, she was receptive to conversing!

We had a nice conversation in English and Japanese.  She decided that although she is Buddhist, it would be okay to come to our church for English class.  Since she likes baking and has a daughter the same age as my baking student, I suggested she join us.  She put it on her calendar!

We exchanged names and email addresses.

I guess that is why I felt the need to go to Starbucks today...

Odd Feeling

Today I am going to be speaking to the youth of our Japanese denomination.  Over the years I have been in Japan I have had several opportunities to hang out with these wonderful young people.  Of course, it has been a while, and now there is a whole new group of young people.

I like to be very prepared for such events.  I have been preparing for this event.  However, I have this odd feeling that I have not prepared enough or in the right way or missed something.  I can't quite put my finger on it.

So, I pray.  I ask my friends and family to pray.

And I walk forward today in God's confidence, knowing He is with me, He has called me, He is faithful.

It is all I can do.

Nope, still here

Saying hello to the ocean
before the wedding

I have not fallen off the face of the earth.  I am still here.  I can come up with a thousand excuses for not having written for over a month.  I will stick with the main one: I let other things distract me.

It's not that I have to blog, like there is some rule I have to follow.  But, when I do blog, it helps me focus, see God's blessings, and share ways for people to pray for me and the ministry in Japan.

So, I will share a few lines tonight.

This evening I went to an event called Praise Night.  Apparently, it has been going on monthly for the past 3 years.  I don't know what made me decide to attend tonight-well, yes, I do.  God wanted to fellowship and speak to me.  I was in a room full of people in downtown Osaka, praising God and being encouraged and challenged.  It was a blessed evening!

Last weekend, I was able to attend a coworker's wedding.  How wonderful to watch two people vow to serve God together!  It was amazing to hear stories, see pictures, and watch them interact and be able to see God's fingerprints all over the place!  God's best is truly worth waiting for! (In every situation, not just marriage!!!)

Next month is going to be full to the gills with all kinds of fun and challenging ministry stuff.  Please pray for our church, for our physical and spiritual health, for open hearts and ears, and for love overflowing.

Thank you!

折り紙は祈り紙...

When I was in the US last year I folded a large number of origami cranes.  I gave most of them away to people to remind them to pray for me.  On some I had people sign their names and I brought them back to Japan with me.  I finally got around to hanging them up around my apartment.

As I folded the cranes I was praying for Japan, for the ministry in which I am involved here, for friends, and for the people who would receive them.  As I gave them to friends and family, I asked them to pray for me.  I even left some 'flying' around my home church.  I hope when people see them around the church or wherever they were placed around homes that people will remember to pray for me.



When I am sitting in my living/dining room, bedroom, tatami room, or office and I see the cranes hanging there, I pray for the people who signed their names and gave the cranes back to me.

What a blessing to be able to pray for each other.  Even when we are not in the same city, state, or country, we can still join in ministry together by praying for each other.  And, having a visual reminder is helpful for me!  In that way, these origami cranes become prayer reminders.  (The Japanese title of this post is a play on words which basically means that.)

Thank you to those of you who are praying for me and all of us here in Japan.  Please continue.  I cannot put into words how much your prayers mean to us!

In the background is the prayer quilt the ladies from West Center made for me!

An Introduction

Yesterday I attended the English Bible study at Komyo Christian Church for the first time since I returned to Japan.  While Yuri is on home assignment I will have the privilege of being the leader of the study.

We started our time with introductions, which were fun and entertaining.  Then we sang a hymn which is a favorite of one of the students.  It is an English hymn she learned from a missionary when she was in university.  I had never heard it before, but love the lyrics!  What peace we have in Him!

Constantly Abiding by Anne S Murphy

There's a peace in my heart that the world never gave,
a peace it cannot take away;
Though the trials of life may surround like a cloud,
I've a peace that has come there to stay!

Constantly abiding, Jesus is mine;
Constantly abiding, rapture divine;
He never leaves me lonely, whispers O so kind:
"I will never leave thee."  Jesus is mine.

All the world seemed to sing of a Savior and King,
when peace sweetly came to my heart;
Troubles all fled away and my night turned to day,
blessed Jesus, how glorious Thou art!

This treasure I have in a temple of clay,
while here on His footstool I roam;
But He's coming to take me, some glorious day,
over there to my heavenly home!

Fight for Each Other

This morning's Designed for Devotion Bible reading was from Numbers 32 where two tribes ask to have land on the east side of the Jordan rather than crossing over the river.  Moses is worried they will cause others to want to stay there, too, and not want to take the land of inheritance God has prepared for them.  The tribes then tell Moses that they will lead the fight for their fellow Israelites as they take possession of the land.

In the devotional section, the author reminds us that it is our responsibility as believers to fight for each other in prayer.  We are in a spiritual battle here on earth and when we pray for each other, God's kingdom can be advanced.  What an awesome promise and responsibility!

When I get self-absorbed in my prayers, I get tired and lose my focus.  Praying for others along with myself helps me to stay focused on God and the battle at hand.  

When others pray for me, I feel strengthened for the fight and supported in battle.  I am so grateful for the many people who fight with me in this battle.  

Thank you for praying with me.  Thank you for allowing me to pray with you.  May we continue to work together for God's glory and strengthen each other through our prayers.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people. (Ephesians 6:18)