“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult…Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46)
Remembrance
I, Masami, have been reminded of Psalm 46 this past month. In Japan many of us have experienced and know that our mountains can shake and the sea might roar at any time. The Bible says we will not fear though the earth gives away but it is actually very difficult not to fear when the earth is moving! Yesterday marked the 10th anniversary of Tohoku Earthquake that took away about 22,000 lives and forced many to evacuate. Among them, over 42,000 people are still not able to go back to their homes.
There is great sadness and sorrow that is covering this country, which only our God can heal. However, the news of Tohoku Earthquake remembrance is not the only thing that brings sadness to my heart this week. It seems like sadness and sorrow are not only upon Japan but also upon the entire region of Asia. Many countries are going through political upheaval which is causing a lot more sadness and sorrow.
Sometimes, these shakings and trembling also come from the inside and not only from the outside. As our family is getting to know H (5 year old boy) through the Japanese foster system, I am getting to know how little I can love this boy! Jesus instructs us to love our neighbors. It is a simple command but so difficult to practice.
So I am in this uncomfortable place of fear and sadness. I am in this uncomfortable place of feeling my inadequacy to love the orphan. But it is in this uncomfortable place where I can ask for help from God. I know I will not stay in this uncomfortable place forever as I cry out to God like the Psalmist did. “Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge…Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn!” (Psalm 58).
Thankfulness
Are you in the uncomfortable place? Is God leading you into the uncomfortable place? I thank God that I don’t have to walk this road alone. Many of you and other believers have walked this road before me, leaving great examples to follow, and I am thankful for that. I am thankful for many of you who are walking this journey with me and my family.
I also thank God for providing a new group of friends to walk this road with me. One of these groups is the group of wives of Japanese MB pastors. Please pray that this will be a group of sisters who are rooted in the love of God. Please join us in praying that we can encourage each other through Christ to remember him as our refuge and strength.
Thank you for praying,
Cory and Masami
Praise Items
- Thank you for praying for our family as we journey in fostering. We thank God for the opportunities to rely on His strength.
- Praise God for continuing to bring people to Roses Church (Park Church) to be freed from their burdens.
- Praise God for the signs of spring in nature and in the people around us.
Prayer Requests
- For Ishibashi MB Church and its Pastors (Pastor Funahashi, Pastor Minamino and Pastor Ohta) as we resumed meeting in person on March 6th.
- For Ishibashi Church’s English Bible Cafe at our place (1st and 3rd Thursdays). That God would send people who have discovered their need for Him. For Shunsaku to encounter Jesus.
- For our family to love H (the boy we foster).
- Bi-weekly pastors’ wives online prayer meeting. That we can trust and build each other up through Jesus.
- March 27th Japan MB Youth camp.
Is God calling you to join his work in Japan by praying?
- Join us at the Multiply House of Prayer (6 PM Central Time). Sign up Here
- Join the On Fire Japan Prayer time by watching their YouTube Channel. Watch it live everyday at 4 PM Central Time or a recorded version at later time
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