Reflections on a Year

As we draw to the end of a year, it is time to reflect on the months which have just gone by and look forward to what might lie ahead.  Certainly at this time last year we could never have predicted that 2011 would have brought such tragedy and suffering to so many, not just in Japan but in many parts of the world.  We had just had a really encouraging first-ever Hiragishi Family Christmas and were hoping to build on that through the year.  But there were to be many twists and turns which we could not have anticipated which made many changes in our lives.  February saw us receive a phone call to inform us of the sudden death of the pastor of Otaru Church where we had worked for eight years.  It was the pastor with whom we had worked for one year before handing over the leadership to him in 2008.  For the coming months we spent time with the folks in Otaru and David committed to preaching there once a month till September.  Less than a month after that, the earthquake struck unleashing a tsunami of unbelievable power to sweep away anything and anyone in its wake.  Although we were far away from the tsunami zone, the day of the earthquake and its aftermath are unforgettable.  Almost immediately we were involved in coordinating a team from Hokkaido to visit one of the areas.  Over the months many volunteers have been to help in the devastated areas and it was a privilege to be able to lead a team in July (with Daniel and Matthew too) and do what we could among people who had lost so much.  There are many sobering scenes which have been seen and pain-filled stories which have been heard over the months since March 11th.  Many of our colleagues have worked tirelessly and sacrificially serving in these areas.  Life was to change for us even more as OMF decided to begin a relief work in one of the tsunami-devastated areas.  The couple appointed to lead the work were the leaders of OMF's work in Hokkaido and the end result for us is that we took on that role temporarily from August.  These past months have been an intense time of juggling and trying as far as possible to give good time and energy to the work in Hiragishi as well as leading the OMF work and team in Hokkaido.  We are thankful for God's grace which has always been sufficient and his strength which is indeed made perfect in weakness.  We have continued to be involved in the community here - Lorna has done much through the local school and David became PTA Chairman in April.  These have given many opportunities both to get to know people and become known by so many.  One big lesson we have learned is the importance of building up relationships with people and being where people are.  It has been encouraging to see so many coming to events we have held at Easter, during the summer and then again at Christmas - and almost all of those who have come are people who are known personally to us or others in Izumi Church.  The boys have continued at Hebron and the local primary school respectively and there have as always been more than a few tales to tell (they would take up too much space to narrate here!)  So it has been a year of many unforeseen changes.  But as we look back we can give testimony that God has been with us and has provided for our needs.  Nothing catches him by surprise.  Looking ahead, we can already see many changes on the horizon - but who knows what else might be waiting?  Next year should see Daniel finishing Hebron and hopefully starting university; Calum will go to Hebron in August; we will at some point in the year hand over leadership of Izumi Church to our OMF colleagues Richard and Catherine East; our present co-workers the Kochs will head back to Germany for their first home assignment but plan to return to Hiragishi in 2013; and the big change will be to take on the Field Director role from November.  We are thankful that another colleague will take on the Hokkaido leadership from April and give us some breathing space to get ready for all the other changes.  We always take encouragement from the words od Deuteronomy 31:8 at the beginning of a new year - the Lord himself goes before; He is with us; He will never leave us.  Great promises!

Hiragishi on Christmas Day

This year Christmas Day fell on a Sunday. For many Japanese people Christmas means going on a date (for young couples) or having time with family on the 24th. Kentucky Fried Chicken is popular as is Christmas cake (quite different to the equivalent in the UK). Some though are drawn to churches at this time and candelit services on Christmas Eve are popular. We decided not to hold something like that here in Hiragishi but had a low-key service followed by a time of eating some traditional Christmas goodies and playing a few games. We moved our usual worship time from the afternoon to the morning and once again were able to use the building we have rented several times before. While we have many people coming along to events we have held, we were not sure how it would be for a worship service as many people we know seem to not be at that point yet. However it was encouraging that a number of people came along, some for the first time. It was a special joy to see several of the boys' football club friends come - certainly the first time they have ever been in a worship service. How Chuang gave an excellent short message. We sang some well-known carols. Sambi did a great children's talk with clever props. Afterwards a few more friends came with their children for the food and games time. It was a happy time and once again an opportunity to share the love of Jesus with those who were there. Afterwards one young lady who was there for the first time said she would like to study the Bible. We are taking small steps forward and move expectantly into another year to build more on the foundation which has been laid. This Sunday sees us start the New Year with a worship service and a time of sharing and praying together. But more about that in a future blog.

An international gathering

Last week we enjoyed our annual OMF Christmas prayer meeting. The OMF team in Sapporo gather every Thursday for worship, prayer and fellowship but the Christmas one is always special. This year was no exception as we celebrated together and enjoyed the 'internationalness' of OMF. We had readings in different languages ranging from Afrikaans to Scots; we had songs in Swiss German and Welsh; some shared different Christmas traditions in their home countries. We had people from the UK (all four countries), US, Germany, Switzerland, South Africa, Singapore, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong and Brazil. One of the joys of being part of an international, inter-denominational mission organisation is its sheer diversity. It was moving to worship in and listen to well-known carols and well-known passages of the Bible in different languages. What a precious reminder that one day there will be those gathered in heaven drawn from every tongue and people group. It is a blessing to be able to work together with colleagues from many different lands and cultures as we seek to bring the timeless message of the gospel to the people of Japan.

Another Family Christmas

Last Saturday we once again rented the place we have used on several occasions before for different events. It was the second ever Hiragishi Izumi Church Family Christmas. We had asked people to let us know if they were coming so had a fair idea that we were going to get a large crowd again. And of course there were always going to be children who just turned up on the day. We had learned our lesson from last year when we struggled to cope as a very small church with the numbers who came so procured the help of some folk from other churches - a wise move as it turned out. This year we had also asked someone we knew from our Otaru days to come as our special guest. She is a ventriloquist who tells the Christmas story with her doll Gon chan in a fun and compelling way. So we got down early to set up and some children began to arrive half an hour before we were due to start. The kids and adults poured in - we had around 80 kids and over 20 adults. It was a great time of singing, games, food - and of course the amazing ventriloquist and Gon chan telling the story of Jesus coming to earth. One thing which we were immediately able to work out was that we knew almost everyone who had come. Many of the children were from the local school. Almost all the children from Lorna's English classes were there. A good number from the boys' football club came too. The lesson learned - how important is to be out and about in the commnunity, to be involved in activities locally and in particular to build up good connections with the local school. The challenge - to see some of the many people we have got know to move on beyond just coming to an event. We are hoping that at least some might feel they want to come and celebrate Christmas Day with us when we will have a low-key service in the same building followed by some games and food. Thank God that He is at work in Hiragishi.

A Happy Day

Hiroko is a member of a Gospel Choir in Sapporo which has been going for a number of years now. Some members are Christians; many are not. Yet they love to sing gospel songs (often in English) and one such is the well-known 'Oh Happy Day'. Last Sunday was certainly a happy day for Hiroko and for Hiragishi Izumi Church. It was the day of Hiroko's baptism. She believed in Jesus earlier in the year and since then has been preparing for and looking forward to her baptism. It was a joy to hear her testimony and be there with her as she confessed her faith in Jesus and was baptised. We had rented once again the building we use occasionally which really is a perfect venue for such occasions. We had to borrow a portable bath from another church and fill it up before the service (the water stayed pleasantly warm). It was not such a big bath so presented a little bit of a challenge at the baptism - but we managed just! Hiroko had hoped her father would come but didn't know if he would. Her mother had said she had no interest. Well, her father did come and he seemed really moved. Her parents live not too far away from us. Around ten of the choir members came too and sang a couple of songs at the fellowship time after the service. It was all in all a wonderful day as we had our second baptism in the life of Izumi Church. We trust that the Lord will use Hiroko as a blessing to others and we look forward to seeing her grow as a one of God's precious children.

New Life

We will always remember Valentine's Day 2010. It was a Sunday and Wataru came for the first time to our church. In fact for the first time ever to any church. He had been invited by Sambi who thought it would be good to invite him on a 'special' day. He was very nervous and uptight and that showed in the way he spoke - fast and to the point. He came again on other 'special' occasions. He was always keen to introduce himself as someone who definitely did not believe in God. His self-proclaimed philosophy was 'Life is war'. Yet over time he changed and softened, eventually reaching the stage towards the end of last year when he was coming almost every week and then wanted to start Bible study. He has been doing that with David and JP for the best part of a year. He is very sharp and good at analysing what the Bible says. He had lots of difficult questions too - we would often stray onto different topics than the ones we were meant to be studying. It was thrilling to see his heart begin to open but always there were objections. We sometimes struggled to find a way to deal with them but gradually he began to edge closer to faith. And that point was reached a couple of weeks ago as he confessed his faith and became a believer of Jesus. It is a joy to see how God has changed him. Certainly he has many issues to deal with. But now he has a power within which can give him the guidance and strength he needs. Life may well still continue to be 'war' but in a different sense and fought with different weapons. He is a young man who could be a great warrior for Jesus. JP and David will continue to meet with him week by week to help him become grounded in his young faith. We are looking forward to Wataru being the third person to be baptised in Izumi Church - the second one was yesterday and that will be the focus of the next blog entry. We praise God for these encouragements - small steps, but one by one Jesus is building his church in Hiragishi.