Beloved,
It's 8:15pm and we just returned from dinner with Nakada Sensei, Kimiko Sensei and their daughter, Misaki. It was interesting in that we had Japanese Italian food. Very delicious.
It was good to sit in a relaxed atmosphere and learn more about Sensei and his family. One tidbit is that before Sensei entered into pastoral ministry, he trained under a bonsai master (former Yakuza) and was destined to be one of the top bonsai experts in all of Japan. But he followed his calling from God. Sensei is a very gracious and humble man who dreams that the Sendai Church will be a beacon of light for all of Tohoku and serve the people and Christian ministries in the area. Thank you for adding this to your prayer list.
During the car ride to dinner, Jonathan demonstrated his command of Nihongo and it is very evident that a short stay in Japan will quickly master his command of Japanese. Stan tested his command of the language when, at the end of the meal, he asked for the bill and got a beer instead. Gomenasai!
The Sunday service this morning was very warm and uplifting. The congregation is small, but they are a grateful people. Time and time again, they tell us how thankful they are of our coming to Sendai to partner with them. They say it again, and again, and again. It is impossible to tire of hearing such thankfulness. In yesterday's blog entry, we mentioned the dinner we had at Kinuko Suzuki's home. Well, we also learned that in preparation for this very dinner, she planted beans, cucumbers and nasubi months ago so that they would be ripe and fresh when we arrived last night. They were. That is hospitality to the fullest. That is "omotenashi" (did you google that word?).
Thank you for your prayers for the worship service this morning. It was very good. Kumi and Stan gave their messages and the singing went well. Of special mention was the "skyping" of 2 members from the Akita church where Sensei served prior to coming to Sendai. They don't have a pastor there, so Sensei is still their long distance pastor. The members served us graciously with lunch and we remain grateful for their generosity.
Pause - The "sento" contingent just left for the public bath. We're wondering if they will duplicate their effort from last night when they returned to the church at midnight - very clean, very hot, but refreshed. BTW, Tyler and Jonathan will experience this tradition of Japan this very night. Amen.
At our devotion time with Sensei this morning, he spoke about how we as followers of Christ should anticipate God's answers to our prayers when we are swept into the storms of life. Sensei concluded the study by saying that if you expect God to do something for you, you also need to act. He again expressed his gratefulness to Crossway Church and South Bay Japanese Christian Fellowship for acting and sending our team to Sendai. Thank you, beloved, and know that your acts of kindness are clearly felt here in Sendai. We ended our time lifting up in prayer our co-team in Chino as they were preparing to serve the Chino members in this morning's service. Thank you, Lord, for responding to our acts of love.
Beloved, please keep on praying for the English Camp which starts on Tuesday. We feel a little pressure to deliver a good camp which is normal, but the members are longing to impact their community for Christ and it starts with this English Camp. We will act together and rely on the Holy Spirit to direct us. But make no mistake, we will act. Thank you for staying the course with us. Thank you for your prayers.
"Peace be to the whole community, and love with faith, from God, the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who have an undying love for o ur Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 6:23-24.
And we will praise Him,
Your Sendai Team
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| Her'e's a shot of the church where the ladies live |
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| Your team leading worship |
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| Two members skyping from Akita |
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| After Service lunch with members |
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| The Sendai Church |
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