The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. (Matthew 9:37-38)
| All hail King Jesus! In September I (Cory) got to go to a Japan-wide summit on evangelism which is held once every seven years. It was held in the city of Gifu, which is a small city in one of the least-reached areas of Japan, and it so happens that the mayor is a deeply committed Christian. I was amazed how the presence of God fell upon us at this gathering – however we shouldn’t be surprised when God answers our prayers! Japan is not the missionary’s graveyard. Japan is the missionary’s paradise!! I’m beginning to see it – to feel it. Jesus says that the harvest is plentiful. Jesus never changes – it is me that will have to change! In the middle of this summit God brought together a group of us that were hoping to do evangelism in Gifu city. We agreed to go to the train station in the evening. While we were worshiping and witnessing to people, the mayor of Gifu joined us! It was a very encouraging feeling to be sharing the gospel with the mayor of the city behind us. As I was reflecting on this, I realized that Jesus (the King of Kings) is always with us when we are out witnessing! It is so easy to forget this and to feel very alone out there! This reminds me of the quote by Robert Murray McCheyne: “If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet the distance makes no difference; He is praying for me.” While witnessing that evening I had two memorable experiences. Firstly, I received one of the most painful rejections I can remember. It took a lot of restraint for me not to retaliate, not to continue trying, but instead to bless them and walk away. It was like a slap in the face and I had to take a stroll in order to “walk it off”. I was reminded that they were not rejecting me, but rejecting Jesus. Also, Jesus loves them more than I do, and he feels the pain more closely than I do. The second experience was a precious one. A Japanese young man that I spoke with shared with me his concerns about the increase of foreigners in Japan and his fear that Japanese culture, tradition, and peaceful way of life would be lost. We shared our common concerns for Japan and also hopes for the future. He was happy to receive the gospel and said he would definitely read the tract that I gave him. This kind of experience is like a treasure that cannot be bought with money! Here are some very different experiences all in one evening of witnessing! However, whatever the experience is like, seeds are sown. Seeds of the gospel and seeds of faith are sown. It is God who makes things grow. It is God who brings the increase! Thank you for praying, Cory and Masami |
Praise Items
- Thank you for praying for Bushi Camp. Some men who have done 33 minutes Warrior are now doing the Freedom 40. We praise God that he is bringing new young men to join this journey.
- We praise God that one man received Christ during the American village outreach.
- We praise God that we had our first online session of introducing Self Care in Japanese.
Prayer Requests (from Masami)
- November 10th Ishibashi Christ Church (Mums & Tots)…pray that we will be able to connect with mums in our community.
- November 18th…Ishibashi Church Community Lunch Program…pray that our team will be one in Christ. Pray for our leaders Midori and Aki.
- Bi weekly zoom prayer time with pastor’s wives…pray that we will be true sisters in Christ.