Friday, September 24, 2004

Mr. Kusano's Interesting Lesson

Mr. Kusano reminded me of how interesting God's work can be. I was surprised when Mr. K. came to Alpha the first week and wasn't at all confident he'd be back for week two. And I was sure that if he did come, he would be quiet.

But what do I know? He came and he talked. A lot!

The theme was "Why Did Jesus Die?" Much of the teaching was new to Mr. Kusano. He asked several questions about the Christian view of sin during our discussion time. Questions like, "When you become a Christian, do you stop sinning?"

I guess he doesn't know any Christians very well.

Another interesting sign of God at work through this fall's Alpha courses is with Mr. Sasaki. When he came to Alpha the first week he shared with Pastor Fujiyama that he knows a church member, his neighbor Mrs. Kurachi.

This past Friday, just three hours before evening Alpha, Mrs. Kurachi's husband died. Mr. Sasaki, as the chairperson of the neighborhood association (a very important position in Japan) and Pastor Fujiyama were called to the home. Just a week earlier, at Alpha, they met for the first time. And now, this weekend, they are working together on five funeral-related services.

Please pray that God will use the services and Alpha to create deeper spiritual interest in Mr. Sasaki's life.

A few years ago Mr. Sasaki was sick with cancer and this neighbor, Mrs. Kurachi gave him books about Christianity. He was impressed and remembers the books well.

Friday, as I looked at guests seated around my living room, I had great joy as I thought, "You people are very well prayed for!" as I thought of YOUR prayers. I was so encouraged throughout the week to hear that many of you are praying, and some of you even shared last week's Alpha e-mail with your Bible study groups.

Thank you. Please continue to pray. Pray God will do an amazing and surprising work through Alpha in Muroran this fall.

Tim

PS I've listed requests for each day. Some may seem incomplete if you don't have last week's message. Let me know if you'd like me to send a copy of it.

Sunday

1. Please pray for the Kusano family. I'm thankful for Mr. Kusano's participation in Alpha, but also aware that there's a huge difference between "just participating" and actually choosing to believe in Jesus. Pray he will continue to join Alpha and will respond to the Lord's invitation to faith. I found out Friday that his wife loves making crafts -- pray she will join our Christmas craft class in November, and for a chance to introduce their daughter to a church in her new city. (She asked me to do so when she married and moved last year, but then didn't respond to e-mails I sent after she moved. She re-established contact by sending chocolates to me through her dad.) Pray the whole family will respond to Christ.
2. Pray for Mr. Sasaki and his family, that the Lord will use the funeral services and Alpha to lead them to faith.

Monday

1. Pray for Toshiko Sato -- for her new faith to grow as she learns more and sees the Lord's work in her family. I met one of her sons this week, but realized I've met him many times before -- he works at a store where I shop. I didn't realize he was her son, but found out when I was buying ingredients for taco soup for Alpha. He's beginning to play the clarinet again, and wants to be a part of an ensemble we're putting together for Christmastime at the church. Scheduling practice times is tough -- pray it will work out. And that God will continue to answer Toshiko's prayers for her other family members, and use her new faith to encourage other Alpha guests.
2. Mrs. Ito returned to Alpha again -- please remember her in prayer, too.

Tuesday

1. Pray for guests who didn't show up for week two but mentioned they hope to be able to come later: Mrs. Takeuchi & Hiromi Fukuoka.

Wednesday

1. Two other guests didn't say they wouldn't be able to come, but didn't show up. Please pray for them: Naoko Wada & Chihiro Moguruma.

Thursday
Pray for these other "potential guests" who haven't come yet:

1. Mrs. Saito had to work late but is hoping to come to Week Three. Pray God will watch over her schedule and make it possible for her to be here.
2. The gas station attendant had to work again this past Friday but still hopes to come "at least once," she told me.
3. A church member's son Noriyuki is also hoping to participate but so far has had scheduling conflicts.

Friday

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