We invited her to dinner, and asked her to take us to our favorite place. (By this time, it was myself, Tyler, and another awesome intern, Cara). We arrived at a traditional Udon noodle restaurant, and enjoyed our time together so much. After dinner, Cara made the statement, "This girl is gonna be a Christian." We didn't realize how SOON she would make that decision! After our stimulating and really encouraging time together, we invited Eiko to church. She was so excited to come.
We met her at the train station this morning and walked her to the park where we have church together. I was so blessed by her excitement...
We sang songs, and she tried her best to follow along even though the english was exhausting her. (Imagine sitting in Japanese church for three hours or more, not hearing your own language and constantly trying to translate in your own mind). Afterwards, we talked a lot. She was introduced to Jeff Burns, our favorite fieldworker, and he asked her some questions to make sure she understood the decision she was making. She repeatedly said, "yes, yes, yes," to each question he asked her. She understood that she was "repenting," and exchanging her old life for a new one. It was such a sweet time. She asked me, "Why did you become a Christian?" I told her bits of my story, being mindful that I needed to use simple, elementary language so she could understand fully. I told her I used to be "bad," and I had many scars from doing bad things. I even gave her specific, personal examples. We talked about alcohol, drugs, boys, loneliness, emptiness. At the end of revealing the nakedness of my soul, I told her how God still loves me despite anything I've ever done and invites me to be a part of His plan. Which doesn't make sense. Not even to me. "I am so humbled to be a part of your plan." These are the words we all sang this morning in church. I really am humbled by the fact that Christ chooses to take simplicity and turn it into beauty. Though we don't speak the same language, there was nothing misunderstood about our conversation, she knew very well the decision she had made. And she was excited!!!! Later on, we went to Starbucks and her and I went over some scripture with her. We talked about the story with the Samaritan woman, and how Jesus offered her living water despite her living conditions with five husbands. He offered her a way out, an invitation to a better life, with him. It was precious, because as I was trying my best to communicate the story to Eiko, her eyes had a concoction of wonder, admiration, and confusion. The next statement that followed, blessed my soul...
"The bible is so deep..."
