Disappointments and Promises
This past week has been a little disappointing. I havent been able to meet up with Natsumi and a lot of the students were super busy with school. Finals are coming up for them and things have slowed down a lot. My first reaction was definitely a sense of discouragement and wonder at what the Lord is doing here. Is he doing anything?? Are we getting anywhere? My experience with the girls, so far, has been that we often get some great conversations going quickly and we make great connections but the next time we see each other it feels like that bond is gone and we are right back where we started. It wasnt long till the Lord readjusted my attitude and reminded me of His faithfulness. The Lord has brought these students so far. The fact that they are being honest and open is a miracle and hearing them speak of spiritual things and think about the questions that many of us asked before we came to know the Lord is so amazing (and unheard of for almost all of Japan). I know that God has his hand in all this and I thank Him for reminding me of His love and His promises through His word. Our work is not being measured by how many souls we save and our success is not determined by the number of people we are able to convince of the existence of God. God is at work in His own time and He has a perfect plan. I easily forget how much the Lord loves each Japanese here and longs for them to come to know Him. It's His work, not mine, and all glory belongs to Him.
Gods been speaking to my heart about prayer this whole year and one of the things ive been encouraged by while in Japan has been the fact that no matter where we or the students are in a few months, years, whatever the case , these students have been prayed for and the blessings which are being showered upon them as a result of prayer will continue to fall on them. God has heard our prayers and He, in His time, will carry them out. So I encourage you to keep praying. It doesnt matter how far you are or how little you know about these students, they will reap what you sow and that is such a blessing for them.
I love being here in Japan, being available for the students, loving them with the Love of Christ. I hope and pray that His mercy and grace will pour onto the students here and that they may see and feel the perfect love of Christ.
"and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun- scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well- watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. "
Isaiah 58: 10-11
Regardless of how things "seem" to be going, the Lord has promised that if we spend ourselves on behalf of the lost, our light, the light of the gospel, will rise in the darkness. Japan is dark but there are people boldly living for Christ. Ive been so encouraged by that. Thank God for His living word that breathes truth and speaks promises to His people today and for all eternity.
I just want to thank you all again for the support, please keep praying.
Here are some fun pictures...
Bake Night with the girls!
Playing Sardines
Sleepover, that's Miki
Keigo and Tye eating burritos
At the zoo with some of the students
Kie and I being scared of the crazy owl
Emi =)
Downtown Tokyo
Swing, Swing, Swing at Tama Center
And Finally... here is some sushi that I promised people I would eat. It was delicious and some of you will be very proud to know i ate all of it... even the squid (gross). =)
This past week has been a little disappointing. I havent been able to meet up with Natsumi and a lot of the students were super busy with school. Finals are coming up for them and things have slowed down a lot. My first reaction was definitely a sense of discouragement and wonder at what the Lord is doing here. Is he doing anything?? Are we getting anywhere? My experience with the girls, so far, has been that we often get some great conversations going quickly and we make great connections but the next time we see each other it feels like that bond is gone and we are right back where we started. It wasnt long till the Lord readjusted my attitude and reminded me of His faithfulness. The Lord has brought these students so far. The fact that they are being honest and open is a miracle and hearing them speak of spiritual things and think about the questions that many of us asked before we came to know the Lord is so amazing (and unheard of for almost all of Japan). I know that God has his hand in all this and I thank Him for reminding me of His love and His promises through His word. Our work is not being measured by how many souls we save and our success is not determined by the number of people we are able to convince of the existence of God. God is at work in His own time and He has a perfect plan. I easily forget how much the Lord loves each Japanese here and longs for them to come to know Him. It's His work, not mine, and all glory belongs to Him.
Gods been speaking to my heart about prayer this whole year and one of the things ive been encouraged by while in Japan has been the fact that no matter where we or the students are in a few months, years, whatever the case , these students have been prayed for and the blessings which are being showered upon them as a result of prayer will continue to fall on them. God has heard our prayers and He, in His time, will carry them out. So I encourage you to keep praying. It doesnt matter how far you are or how little you know about these students, they will reap what you sow and that is such a blessing for them.
I love being here in Japan, being available for the students, loving them with the Love of Christ. I hope and pray that His mercy and grace will pour onto the students here and that they may see and feel the perfect love of Christ.
"and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun- scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well- watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. "
Isaiah 58: 10-11
Regardless of how things "seem" to be going, the Lord has promised that if we spend ourselves on behalf of the lost, our light, the light of the gospel, will rise in the darkness. Japan is dark but there are people boldly living for Christ. Ive been so encouraged by that. Thank God for His living word that breathes truth and speaks promises to His people today and for all eternity.
I just want to thank you all again for the support, please keep praying.
Here are some fun pictures...
Bake Night with the girls!
Playing Sardines
Sleepover, that's Miki
Keigo and Tye eating burritos
At the zoo with some of the students
Kie and I being scared of the crazy owl
Emi =)
Downtown Tokyo
Swing, Swing, Swing at Tama Center
And Finally... here is some sushi that I promised people I would eat. It was delicious and some of you will be very proud to know i ate all of it... even the squid (gross). =)
posted by Ojen | 8:14 PM
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