Here are a few excerpts from the journals of some Summer Teamers while in Japan:
Evergreen Baptist Church-San Gabriel Valley
- July 18, 2003: Lorraine accompanied Chikako to her classes, and was able to share the gospel using colors (black, red, white, green, gold) and in one class 4 kids accepted Christ! Praise God! Chikako said that they had heard the gospel message before, so seeds had been planted and watered and we were able to witness God's work again.
- July 25, 2003: The Lord had continually spoken to our team of a theme when preparing for the trip and He keeps repeating it to us while we are actually here. That theme is "Let Japan Shine". We feel the Lord is using us for the purpose of not only sharing the gospel, but to encourage, uplift, refresh, and pray for the Christians in Japan.
UCLA - Asian American Christian Fellowship
- July 21, 2003: ...the first week was awesome...had its ups and downs...its uncertainties...and many blessed moments...we have (English) classes everyday...the people have been above and beyond hospitable...
- July 28, 2003: Japan has really touched my heart... the people here are awesome, how much more glorious would it be if Japan was recognized as a Christian nation!
Saturday was American Night where the three of us put together an American themed night complete with the singing of the national anthem with the Dixie Chicks, a Jeopardy game, William's great skits and an evangelistic message.
Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Team A
- July 17, 2003: English classes kicked off last Tuesday. They are going great. Hiromi is in our class and we are really praying for her to come to know Jesus. She is very close. She is also in our Bible seekers class. She said in that class that if she could meet Jesus she would tell Him that she is seeking Him. Pray that God would find her and search after her like that lost sheep.
- We are performing in a gospel concert tomorrow at 3:30pm with the gospel choir at the church. There are many seekers in the choir who just want to learn and sing gospel. Pray for them to get connected to the church and for their eyes and hearts to be opened as they sing praise songs to the Living God. I will be giving my testimony at the concert. Pray for God to remove the veils on people's hearts and to make His love known.
- July 24, 2003: We are preparing for our evening Bible class. At first we did not have any seekers in our evening Bible class, but then we prayed for God to bring some and He did!!! The kitchen staff at the nursery school came and also a friend of Angela's named Yuko. Pray for God to reveal Himself to them during this class. Pray, pray, pray for Japanese people to believe in Jesus quickly. Historically it takes a really long time for a Japanese person even after they have heard the gospel and even want to believe for them to actually take that step.
- July 25, 2003: We had Bible class this morning and we had a new member join us named Eiko. The lesson was on the Samaritan woman at the well whom Jesus talked with. At the end of each lesson the students have a chance to respond to Jesus. There are several different statements they can circle or they can write something completely different. One of the options was to ask Jesus to be your savior. Eiko circled that she wanted Jesus to be her savior. So after the class we prayed with her to come to know Jesus. Praise Jesus!!! Pray that she would get connected to the church and grow closer to God's heart. Amen, Amen and Amen.
- July 29, 2003: Last night we had gospel night at the church and we did a drama that displayed the gospel. At one point Marc gave people the opportunity to say yes to Jesus and make Him their Lord and Savior. It was amazing to see how many hands were raised! One lady named Hiromi had her hand raised. We met her last summer and have been praying for her a lot. I got to pray with her as she asked Jesus to be her Lord and Savior! God is moving in Japan and breaking down walls and removing veils over people's hearts. "His purposes will not fail throughout all generations. Psalm 33
- August 9, 2003 (after returning to Texas): I learned a Japanese term that I think really sums up our time in Japan, Kamisama no okage, which means "All glory to God". The reason people became believers was not at all because some Americans came and put on a good show, but because the living God is a missionary God. He desires every nation to worship Him.
Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Team B
- July 17, 2003: Sunday was our first official day of ministry. I spoke in church and that went really well. Afterwards we had our first Bible study. Jessica and I are starting a small group at the church with the hope it will continue after we are gone. We had 6 people plus the two of us. I am extremely excited because we have already begun discipling one of the couples to lead the group in the future. Please pray that this group would be the first of many cell groups at this church.
Afternoon (English) classes went well as did the evening classes. There is a high school girl named Asuka in the night advanced class who is very interested in Christianity. One of the girls has had the opportunity to share most of the gospel with her. Please be praying that she would become a Christian. - August 5, 2003: Sunday was our going away party. God ended up answering a big prayer that day and 2 of our English students came to know Christ during the party. We also had a camp that weekend. I had the opportunity to share the gospel with a Japanese boy, and we had a really good talk. Another exciting thing that came out of ministry is that our Bible study is going to continue after we leave.
