In our last update, we wrote about the evangelism bootcamp we did in February. We really enjoyed pouring into such a hungry and sincere group of believers and watching them soak it all up. People went back to their home and work life stirred up to tell others about Jesus. They are experiencing both the joy and the challenges of sharing their faith. One way we are pressing in and keeping the momentum going is by taking people out after Sunday service to share in the parks and streets. Last week, one group led their first person to the Lord! It’s been great to walk together in this way, witnessing, coaching, and encouraging them as they step out in faith and share the gospel with someone. Our own family’s boldness has increased as well. Manon has been sharing her faith with her new friends at her new school. There is grace and anointing. Thank you for praying for us.
Sharing food and love
Shibuya has an image of a trendy, up-town part of central Tokyo, and there are certainly those parts of the city. But there is a surprising amount of hidden poverty. On the outside people look and act normal, but at home, their kids don’t have enough to eat, especially single parent families. Recently the opportunity came up for Kumi to host a Children’s Table. Children’s Tables are shared meals for families in need, a community project sponsored by the city. Many are now being hosted all over Japan. It was something Kumi had been already interested in, and then an invitation came to run one that had previously been hosted at a different location but was moving close to us. For now, Kumi and Manon are doing one per month for families in our neighborhood. One of Kumi’s favorite things is loving people by feeding them good food. She spent all day last Wednesday preparing a small feast for several mothers and their children. Manon does a great job drawing and doing crafts with the kids—they just love her. This gives the mothers a chance to enjoy their meal and some conversation. For many of them, it is a much needed moment of pause and rest. It is a warm, open, and safe environment, a real opportunity for connection and sharing.
Ministry in Japan
I just spent a weekend talking with a group of Japanese pastors about the nature and challenges we face in ministry in Japan. We came away encouraged, and convinced more than ever that we must love from our heart rather than try to minister out of a title or role, to keep sowing the seed of the gospel, and to keep serving and giving in the daily and mundane. The daily and “mundane” is where relationships are made and trust is built. It is where discipleship happens. When believers are established in their faith, the local church is also established. There really is no shortcut.
-Jeremy