Okay. First thing's first. God has given me a love for the church, that sadly, I have been lacking for quite some time. I struggle to love Christians. It's easy to miss the purpose of the church. So, how about this for conviction?:
"...to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood," Acts 20:28.
This summer God has given me a beautiful perspective of what the church is supposed to be. The first three to four weeks I was here in Tokyo, I couldn't figure out why I didn't want to be close with any of the College Interns. I thought they were all awesome people. Funny. Witty. Some with colorful personalities. All with a true, single-minded passion for the Lord. But for some reason, I just didn't really have the desire to get to know them deeply. My attitude was rather arrogant, now that I think about it. I wanted to spend time with the Japanese people, not Americans! Well...the Lord was really challenging me in my time spent alone with him. And I started to realize that he blessed me with these college interns (and wonderful fieldworkers) for a purpose greater than I can understand. He placed each of us here in Tokyo this summer, so that we could be his church, HERE. (I know, isn't this something I should've known instinctively, like before I got on the plane??) Anyway, to sum it up...How could we be effective to people around us that need to hear the gospel, if we can't be effective to our own brothers and sisters within the church?? The church is a gift. The church should be honored, treasured, and protected. The Lord has shown me, this is beauty:
"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other, as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms & hymns & spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the father through Him."
Colossians 3:12-17
Now that you know some of what the Lord has been showing me individually, I can update you a little more about the JAPANESE! Well, let's be real here. I'm going to be transparent with you. I have been somewhat discouraged lately, about the impact that I'm making for Christ's kingdom here in Japan. I've still had the opportunity to plant seeds, through distribution, 5-minute english, and activities as such. But as far as meeting individual "contacts," on a regular or weekly basis, I've been doubtful of myself, wondering if I'm really engaging with the Japanese in the way that I'm "supposed to." It's been difficult not to compare myself to other interns, who are vibrant social butterflies, meeting contacts left and right! While I've struggled with this, the Lord has also been showing me that as long as I am obedient in planting seeds anytime he provides an opportunity, the rest is up to him. He just desires my faithfulness. I plant; he waters. He just desires me, having a passion for him, & being READY when he presents an opportunity to share. So...if you could continue to pray for me not to lose heart, or get discouraged, but to have full confidence that HE is in charge and is the one who directs my steps. And also, HE is the one who appoints us to do his good work. (John 15:16).
On a happier note, the soil is softening here in Japan. It has been awesome to see our volunteers being the hands and feet of Christ, meeting Japanese people and inviting them to share meals together, sing karaoke, and much more. (Oh yeah, you should know this too: Our main ministry as interns is to pour into our volunteer teams that come through Tokyo, and to encourage them in their work of sharing the gospel. When they leave Tokyo, we follow up with their contacts!)
Thanks so much for reading my updates. I appreciate all of my friends and family that have chosen to support me in different ways. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for your love and faithfulness. You're all wonderful and I MISS YOU!!!
