Postcards from Japan - Part 1

Day 6 : Saturday, 17 July 2010

 

Chin Soo Fun:

“Looking back at the four days we spent in Tokyo, I am thankful to God that He has used the knowledge, experience and wisdom of different individuals in Japan and in our group to provide the vibes that we seek to help us discern God's mission and direction for us as a church.  From Sister Rita Burdzy and Mr. Moriya of Sanyukai, Mr. Matt Marr, the social researcher from Florida International University, to each one of us in the team, God has used everyone to contribute a piece to a puzzle He is slowly but surely piecing together.  As much as we want to see the whole picture right now, God wants us to walk this journey with Him, trusting Him with our talents to piece the whole picture together.

 

 

As I was pondering about this, I was starting to understand why God has blessed me with a good education, allowed me to have certain life experiences and enabled me to gain specific job skills.  But I am not God and will not venture to jump the gun to claim that I know exactly where I fit in God's large picture.  I am going to trust Him to lead and guide me.  I only pray for grace to obey Him and to accept surprises He throws along the way.”

 

Alicia Ho:

“Despite being closely affiliated with Japan in the past ten over years, I had unforgettable first-time experiences in the two visits to the homeless-feeding programmes. Previously, I had always heard that ‘it is better to leave the homeless people alone, as they can be rather mean and would not appreciate anyone’s help.’ Yet, from what I could witness (thanks to the POR trip), it was somehow the opposite. Those who were at Sanyukai and Kanazawa church were gentle looking and well receptive towards helping-hands extended to them.

 

In another episode during the city-walk in Pacifico Yokohama areas, we came across a homeless-looking man with thick long hair and greyish appearance, sitting on a bench and playing with the birds by the river. When someone in our group handed him a love offering, he smiled and greeted, “Thank you”. I further approached (yes, for the first time I ever did so) and invited him to Kanazawa Christ Church that evening to receive the free breads. He answered me with a bigger smile. In that instant, it broke through the walls of fears in my heart that there is actually hope reaching out to people like him. Thank God for new insights to my old understanding and lifted the faith in Him for them.  Hallelujah."

 

Joanne Lee:

“I sense that deep in their hearts, the Japanese are dull and lonely. I feel the urge to talk to them…want to find out what is in their mind. Tell them that they are so advanced and well developed in so many ways. They should have joy in their heart. Tell them that they should be more expressive in their love to others. Tell them that they should have the peace in their heart to replace the fear and worry when facing a difficult problem. I believe that many of the Japanese has not heard the gospel. Many have not tasted the goodness of Jesus. How I wish I could open up a conversation with them and tell them how God can help us. How God can do a work in our heart. How God can speak to us. How God can transform our lives. How God can provide when there is a need. How God …It is difficult to say all these because of the language barrier. Again, I search my heart and reflected …Why I did not do enough to open the conversation to my friend or relatives when is no language barrier? Why? Is it because I feel the Japanese are hungrier. They are looking for answers in life? Because they don’t know what is a purposeful life? I am not sure. I am only sure now that when I go back I can open more conversations.”