With red dirt roads, spicy food, and small villages overflowing with barefoot children, L*os is a different
world than Japan. In our first visit to this little-known communist country, our new friend Boon was giving
us a two-day whirlwind tour. Boon shepherds a church that meets on their family’s land, with help from his sisters, brothers and children. He makes a living doing odd jobs.  In the past Boon’s father was imprisoned three times for his obedience to Christ, and had to divide and sell his property to get out. Recently three of Boon’s Christian co-workers were imprisoned for holding a worship service, and then instead of releasing them the police imprisoned three more. Their family and church friends are currently providing food for them in prison, but they do not receive any information from the police in exchange. 

Boon is always smiling and joking, and it seems like God has gifted him with the ability to solve problems, reconcile people, and stay out of prison. Perhaps this is what Jesus was talking about when he said we must be “as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16).  

We got to witness the everyday life of the persecuted church.

I am reminded of what a friend from Saudi Arabia said when visiting Japan in the spring. He said “It is
easier to be a true Christian in a country that persecutes Christians than in the comfort of North
America.”

Could this possibly be true?

Perhaps the things that make it easy to be a Christian are the very things that make it hard to be a true
disciple of Jesus. In North America we often thank God for the freedom we have to hold public worship
services. I wonder, are we really just thankful that we can choose to remain lukewarm for another day?

The reason we were in L*os was to attend the first team meeting for Asians to encourage each other in
making disciples who make disciples. How is the Lord Jesus wanting to make Disciple Making Movements (DMM) in L*os, Myanmar, Thailand, the Philipines and Japan? Our contexts are all East/South East Asian and yet so different. How can our similarities and differences help us each to grow “until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” ? (Eph. 4:13)

Recently Pastor Bank of Thailand visited Korea to encourage the Thai believers working there. The Lord has also gathered together a group of Thai believers here in Osaka. Let’s pray that Bank can also visit these Thai believers in Japan. Lets pray for the diaspora ministry opportunities all around us. These days we may feel justified in complaining about excessive immigration, but is God asking us to seek out the Naomis and Ruths around us? Can we welcome them into the family?

Let’s show hospitality to those far from home, so that they won’t have to say “there was no room in the inn”.  I pray that we will find that people from a very different context from us (like Boon) carry treasures from God that we need.

Thank you for your prayers, 

Cory & Masami

Photos 

Top Left: Multiply people from 5 countries praying for our leader. 

One unexpected blessing we got when we moved to Japan is the connection to Thailand. We thank God that we were able to visit these dear friends-fellow missionaries during our trip. 

Top Right: Ramos family. Sola had a great few days staying with them and experiencing MK life in Thailand. Cory and I also visited their place for one night. We praise God for their hospitality!

Bottom Left: We thank God for the 1.5 days we were able to spend with Jill, whom we did Multiply training together with 11 years ago. We congratulated each other for passing the 10 year mark! (That was the number we were given as a long-term missionaries when we started this journey). 

Bottom Right: Visiting with Liam and Lindsay. Such a privilege to be able to encourage this young couple who are seeking God’s will for their life. Please remember them in your prayers as they consider their next steps with Jesus.