Friday, September 17, 2004
Encouraging and Disappointing
Alpha got off to an encouraging and disappointing start Friday.
It's always disappointing to see who doesn't show up. I want all my friends to come to Alpha and discover how good it is to know Christ. But one friend, Chikako Sakamoto, seemed to speak for many when she told me Wednesday, "I'm really not interested in Alpha or religion."
It makes me sad to hear that. But I know the only way to avoid this kind of "evangelism disappointment" is to do no evangelism at all. I shared this at church today and said, "Let's pursue lots of disappointment, and expect to see God at work in great ways."
I thank God for each of the eight guests who did join Alpha Friday. One was Mrs. Ito, who came with Mrs. Iida, a seeker who's helping staff our afternoon course.
They arrived a little late because Mrs. Iida had to wait for Mrs. Ito to finish her prayers with a Buddhist priest.
Please pray the Lord will lead both of these ladies, and others, to faith through this Alpha. Others including Mr. Sasaki, a 60-some year old friend who came to the evening course, and added much to the atmosphere with his talkativeness and wit. He and I had met just twice before. I mailed him an invitation and actually was rather surprised when he arrived.
I've listed these friends and the other guests below. The list is "labeled" Sunday through Friday so it's easy to pray for a couple of them each day between now and our next session.
I sure appreciate your prayers.
Tim
Sunday
Please pray for these afternoon course guests:
- Mrs. Ito - the lady who came after completing her Buddhist prayers; she has some sort of life-threatening illness, I heard.
- Toshiko Sato - the friend I wrote of in my newsletter, a neighbor who recently came to church for the first time and very quickly believed in Jesus.
- Mr. Kusano, a retired man who lives in my neighborhood. We met through his daughter who used to be one of my English students.
- Kazuko Takeuchi, a lady in her fifties who is an English student. She visits church events from time to time but hasn't yet shown interest in faith.
Tuesday Evening Course Guests:
- Chihiro Moguruma. She's in her early 20s and came to our previous course twice. She plans to attend whenever she doesn't have to work late. Pray she won't have to work late any Friday between now and November 26.
- Mr. Sasaki. I met him through his son, Shigeru, whom I first met at a gym in February. Pray that Mr. Sasaki will return to Alpha - and that Shigeru and Shigeru's wife Akiko, who are out of town this weekend - will also attend.
Wednesday Evening Guests
- Hiromi Fukuoka, a teacher at the high school where I used to teach (and continue to do volunteer work). She'll miss Alpha on the 24th; please pray she'll come on the 31st.
- Naoko Wada, another teacher from the high school. She's a committed Buddhist; I admire her courage in coming to a distinctly Christian event. Pray she will be able to believe.
Thursday
Pray for these "potential guests:"
- Mrs. Saito is a church member's friend who lives near me. She registered for the course, but then had to go to a funeral. Pray she will attend this coming Friday.
- The Kinoshita family. I met Mrs. Kinoshita when I was in the video about Muroran's history last year. A few days ago the video received national recognition, which put me on the front page of the newspaper and back in touch with Mrs. Kinoshita, which created an opportunity to invite her and her family to Alpha. Her 22 year-old daughter e-mailed me that they'll probably come someday. Mr. Kinoshita has physical challenges and limited energy. Pray that they will come, and that the Lord will meet his health needs that could make it a challenge.
- A gas station attendant said she'd come this last week but didn't. I hope she -- and Ritsuko Tomita, the vice principal at the rural, mountain grade school (just 10 minutes from my home) -- will also come this next time.
Friday