Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Day 13 - Snowflakes keep falling on my head..
Wednesday, December 14 2005 AD
Spent this afternoon nearby the church passing out pamphlets to peoples' mailboxes. Finding the mailboxes can sometimes get tricky.. it usually requires going round to the side of the house, almost like entering one's backyard in order to find the front sliding doors, before stepping into a little porch area to find the mailbox. Occasionally the owner would be home, in which case you said gomen kudasi (please excuse me), introduce yourself and let them know that you're from the Itayanagi Chapel and request that they read the pamphlet. Gets alittle getting use to to as it feels like you're invading someone's property.
Today's tracting outing was more challenging because we had to negotiate through knee-high levels of snow! It was quite a unique experience, some people refused the flyers, but most obliged and took the pamphlets courteously. Despite being caught in a snow storm, near frozen limbs, soggy clothes and socks, tracting is an important ministry as it one of the most effective ways for the church to initate a relationship with the local community.
Micah and Alex even had time to make snow angels in the crispy fresh snow!
Spent this afternoon nearby the church passing out pamphlets to peoples' mailboxes. Finding the mailboxes can sometimes get tricky.. it usually requires going round to the side of the house, almost like entering one's backyard in order to find the front sliding doors, before stepping into a little porch area to find the mailbox. Occasionally the owner would be home, in which case you said gomen kudasi (please excuse me), introduce yourself and let them know that you're from the Itayanagi Chapel and request that they read the pamphlet. Gets alittle getting use to to as it feels like you're invading someone's property.
Today's tracting outing was more challenging because we had to negotiate through knee-high levels of snow! It was quite a unique experience, some people refused the flyers, but most obliged and took the pamphlets courteously. Despite being caught in a snow storm, near frozen limbs, soggy clothes and socks, tracting is an important ministry as it one of the most effective ways for the church to initate a relationship with the local community.
Micah and Alex even had time to make snow angels in the crispy fresh snow!
Day 13 - OMF Prayer Meeting
Wednesday, 14 December 2005 AD
The morning kicked off with a short devotion, carol practice before heading to the northern part of Aomori, Ajigasawa where the Elliots reside for a prayer meeting with other OMF missionaries based in Aomori.
Car rides tend be a good time for some to catch up on much needed sleep. I tend to think long car rides are sweet for conversations. The OMF missionaries that drive us around share many stories with us about themselves, the church and just how God has worked in the lives of many people in Japan.
The cedar pine forests that we entered on our way to Ajigasawa were breath-taking. The amazing thing about the forest is that it during WWII, the land was totally wasted and had to be replanted from scratch.
After morning tea, we spent some time singing carols. We met two short term workers staying with the Elliots, John from Ireland and Shirley from New Zealand.
The meeting was productive, encouraging and inspiring in that we spent most of the time praying, giving thanks for the work God has been doing in Japan and around the world as well as asking God to provide for the needs of gospel workers in order to further proclaim His kingdom and His glory.
ps. the Christmas tree at Ajigasawa Chapel had edible christmas decorations!
Prayer points:
- Thank God that he is a relational God who listens and answers prayers
- Thank God for the opportunity to hear and pray about gospel work in Japan and abroad.
- Ask that God will continue to raise up godly men and women to continue the work of the gospel for His kingdom and glory.
External links:
http://www.ajigasawachapel.com
The morning kicked off with a short devotion, carol practice before heading to the northern part of Aomori, Ajigasawa where the Elliots reside for a prayer meeting with other OMF missionaries based in Aomori.
Car rides tend be a good time for some to catch up on much needed sleep. I tend to think long car rides are sweet for conversations. The OMF missionaries that drive us around share many stories with us about themselves, the church and just how God has worked in the lives of many people in Japan.
The cedar pine forests that we entered on our way to Ajigasawa were breath-taking. The amazing thing about the forest is that it during WWII, the land was totally wasted and had to be replanted from scratch.
After morning tea, we spent some time singing carols. We met two short term workers staying with the Elliots, John from Ireland and Shirley from New Zealand.
The meeting was productive, encouraging and inspiring in that we spent most of the time praying, giving thanks for the work God has been doing in Japan and around the world as well as asking God to provide for the needs of gospel workers in order to further proclaim His kingdom and His glory.
ps. the Christmas tree at Ajigasawa Chapel had edible christmas decorations!
Prayer points:
- Thank God that he is a relational God who listens and answers prayers
- Thank God for the opportunity to hear and pray about gospel work in Japan and abroad.
- Ask that God will continue to raise up godly men and women to continue the work of the gospel for His kingdom and glory.
External links:
http://www.ajigasawachapel.com
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Day 12 - a full day
Tuesday, 13 December 2005 AD
Preschool
- English class
Kanagi
- Lunch with the Messers. Curry!
Team went to senior home
Went to gallery
- Next door neighbour
Kids prepared for Christmas Skit. Others in the team talked to the parents.
Prayer points:
Preschool
- English class
Kanagi
- Lunch with the Messers. Curry!
Team went to senior home
Went to gallery
- Next door neighbour
Kids prepared for Christmas Skit. Others in the team talked to the parents.
Prayer points:
Monday, December 12, 2005
Day 11 - Sickness setting in...
Monday, 12 December 2005 AD
Uh-oh.. a number of our team are not sleeping well or getting sick
Prayer points
- Pray for those who are sick and not feeling well.
- Pray that the rest of the team don't get sick as well.
Uh-oh.. a number of our team are not sleeping well or getting sick
Prayer points
- Pray for those who are sick and not feeling well.
- Pray that the rest of the team don't get sick as well.
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Day 10 - International Chapel
Sunday, 11 December 2005 AD
Third service for the day.. this time in English!
4 people shared their testimonies tonight. Hoi Yan, Grace, John from the team went up and shared before Masao Nakahara, who had been baptised earlier in the day at Ichigawa Chapel (where the Elliots pastor), gave another moving testimony.
John Elliots' sermon was on Luke 1:26-38. The main idea of his talk was that having an attitude of trusting and obeying God in the little things makes it easier to say yes to Him in the difficult patches of life.
We had a supper to celebrate Masao's baptism and the team got to meet many people from around the world, including:
The Ongs - OMF workers from Singapore/Malaysia.
Michael and his wife Svetlana - from England and Ukraine.
Prayer points:
- Thank God for the provision of His word and His faithfulness.
- Pray for Masao who was baptised today. Thank God for his salvation and for sharing his testimony at the International Chapel. Pray that Masao will continue to grow in his love, trust and obedience to King Jesus.
- Thank God for bringing people from around the world together at Itayanagi, Japan to worship Him !
Third service for the day.. this time in English!
4 people shared their testimonies tonight. Hoi Yan, Grace, John from the team went up and shared before Masao Nakahara, who had been baptised earlier in the day at Ichigawa Chapel (where the Elliots pastor), gave another moving testimony.
John Elliots' sermon was on Luke 1:26-38. The main idea of his talk was that having an attitude of trusting and obeying God in the little things makes it easier to say yes to Him in the difficult patches of life.
We had a supper to celebrate Masao's baptism and the team got to meet many people from around the world, including:
The Ongs - OMF workers from Singapore/Malaysia.
Michael and his wife Svetlana - from England and Ukraine.
Prayer points:
- Thank God for the provision of His word and His faithfulness.
- Pray for Masao who was baptised today. Thank God for his salvation and for sharing his testimony at the International Chapel. Pray that Masao will continue to grow in his love, trust and obedience to King Jesus.
- Thank God for bringing people from around the world together at Itayanagi, Japan to worship Him !
Day 10 - Kanagi Chapel
Sunday, 11 December 2005
Shortly after the service at Itayanagi Service, Grace, Hoi Yan, Debbie, John and Alex set off for Kanagi Chapel which involved catching two trains.
We were fortunate to catch Japan's only train that has it's own fireplace! Apparently you can cook food (except fish) with it too! Hopped off at Ashinokouen for a scenic walk to Kanagi Chapel and had afternoon tea with Armin and Heike before the service.
Alex shared his testimony at the service, with Hoi Yan doing the translation.
Prayer points:
- Thank God for two new people visiting the Kanagi chapel this afternoon. Pray that Armin and Heike may be able to follow these people up.
Shortly after the service at Itayanagi Service, Grace, Hoi Yan, Debbie, John and Alex set off for Kanagi Chapel which involved catching two trains.
We were fortunate to catch Japan's only train that has it's own fireplace! Apparently you can cook food (except fish) with it too! Hopped off at Ashinokouen for a scenic walk to Kanagi Chapel and had afternoon tea with Armin and Heike before the service.
Alex shared his testimony at the service, with Hoi Yan doing the translation.
Prayer points:
- Thank God for two new people visiting the Kanagi chapel this afternoon. Pray that Armin and Heike may be able to follow these people up.
Day 10 - 11am Itayanagi Chapel
Sunday, 11 December 2005 AD
English Class
Team members helped Ruth out with teaching English Class this morning. Children paired off with a team member and went through picture cards and went through pronounciation.
Ruth taught the children to sing 'Away in a Manger' in English.
Morning Service.
3 people shared their testimonies this morning: Huy, Tin Lok and Catherine.
God answered our prayers! Ryo and Mikio, who we met at Young Life came to church for the first time. They didn't stay throughout the service as Ryo had to go back home for a family lunch, but they got to hear some testimonies and got a taste of what happens at a Sunday church service.
Prayer points:
- Pray that God will seed the ideas about Christmas in the children and parents who attend this morning's English class
- Thank God that Ryo and Mikio came to church for the first time. Pray that they will come again and be receptive to the gospel message. Ryo said that he'll come along to the Aussie Night.
- Thank God for the opportunity to encourage each other through the sharing of testimonies this morning.
English Class
Team members helped Ruth out with teaching English Class this morning. Children paired off with a team member and went through picture cards and went through pronounciation.
Ruth taught the children to sing 'Away in a Manger' in English.
Morning Service.
3 people shared their testimonies this morning: Huy, Tin Lok and Catherine.
God answered our prayers! Ryo and Mikio, who we met at Young Life came to church for the first time. They didn't stay throughout the service as Ryo had to go back home for a family lunch, but they got to hear some testimonies and got a taste of what happens at a Sunday church service.
Prayer points:
- Pray that God will seed the ideas about Christmas in the children and parents who attend this morning's English class
- Thank God that Ryo and Mikio came to church for the first time. Pray that they will come again and be receptive to the gospel message. Ryo said that he'll come along to the Aussie Night.
- Thank God for the opportunity to encourage each other through the sharing of testimonies this morning.
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