Kamo City

This post begins with a cheesy story. :)

After I graduated high school, 3 of my closest friends and I took a road trip to Florida to visit Disney World for a few days. At that time, I was yearning for God but didn`t really know Him. One of the exhibits there was a large circular room with a television screen that lined the top portion of entire room and they played videos that talked about different parts of the world, but to see the whole view you had to make a 360 degree turn. One portion of the video showed low green mountains, covered in forest, shadowed in mist. It was Japan. I said in my heart "God, I want to go to Japan."

My last two trips to Japan, I have not seen green mountains, and I wasn`t looking for them, either, since I had forgotten about that little prayer. I think of misty green mountains as being in China or Malaysia or something - not Japan. But as we drove into The Niigata area last Sunday afternoon, I remembered that video as I looked at these lush forest-covered mountains fading to purple in the distance. Could God have heard that quiet prayer from a lost 18-year old girl?

One praise report is that Mari is doing a fantastic job translating. She translates, not just words, but the same heart and enthusiasm as the person speaking. She talks like it`s her own story she`s telling. We`ve continued to pray together each morning, as planned. Communication between us is easier and easier. God has unified us in heart and mind.

Sayaka has planned so much for us each day that I`m overwhelmed at the thought of listing everything we`ve done, so I`ll just mention the highlights and post pictures later when I`m able.

The Christians that I`ve met here have been really wonderful people. They`re prayerful, passionate and sincere. There`s so much I could write about each one! Through bible study and prayer together God has been faithful to meet their needs. He`s given me subjects to teach on, and when we pray He gives me some part of His heart to share with specific individuals. We`ve also been able to share the Gospel with people who had never heard it - Mari and Sayaka have both been really good about taking opportunities to testify of Jesus.

Every day we`re having lunch and dinner with different people. Each gathering involves a time of prayer and worship. I`m so glad I can play guitar. I taught a bible study on worshiping God in spirit and in truth and a study for an unbeliever from Acts 17. Tonight I will teach about ministry from the parable of the good Samaritan.

As I write this, Mari is sharing something from the Scriptures with a Christian girl. :-)

This girl is very injured. I don`t know how to help her. But God knows. I trust Him to lead.

Gosh - there`s so much I could write about. I`ll just stop there and write more when I`m able to upload photographs.

Right now I have another bible study to teach. :)