Today (Saturday) was another great hang-out day with Andy Rodriguez of MSGF. Not only did we discuss the team's ministry philosophy and future projects, but we continued to learn about how Japanese culture impacts people's response to the Gospel. Along the way, we met shop owners, tasted unique and interesting snacks, made our way through the subway system some more and even caught a Japanese Basketball League game (think NBA but not really!). One of the guys playing is actually a member of Mustard Seed Church, so we were cheering him on.
Sunday should also be pretty exciting for us. We'll attend service at Mustard Seed in the morning, then grab a bullet train to Osaka (less than an hour at the high speed of this train) and spend a couple of days with Jay Greer and the team that's getting ready to establish a new church there. Then we return to Nagoya Tuesday for our last night before returning early Wednesday.
Andy and I were talking about helping people in the US understand the great spiritual need here. Too many Americans have a tough time visualizing such need in the midst of such material prosperity and advance. And missionaries planting churches in cities don't have a lot of pictures taken in mud huts with tribal leaders. You know, the stereotypical idea that too many of us have about missionaries. But as Andy said, virtually no one here knows Jesus, nor have they heard about His plan for them. No one. And that although nearly 30,000 perished in the earthquake/tsunami earlier this year, more than 30,000 commit suicide in Japan every year. Every year. If a fact like that doesn't move us to pray, plan and work for the sake of the Kingdom here, I just don't know what else will.
Just a few photos from the day, and a video from another Buddhist temple we visited. This temple was Thai Buddhist, a gift from the country to Japan. The figures, writing and styles were all Thai, adopted by a group of Japanese Buddhists. Interesting but sad, knowing that so many continue to exist in such great spiritual need and darkness. Pray, Church- pray.
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| Homer and Bart were right- a square watermelon! |
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| Hot dogs and fries combined in a doughy bread- mmmm! |
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| Shrines found on the temple grounds |
Mike, I remember years ago when we had Japanese college girls stay with us that none of them, nor the girls in their group, knew about Jesus...at all. They had no understanding about Christ or Christianity. They knew a little about Buddha - but essentially had no faith. That was 20 plus years ago. I hope that this is changing, but it sounds like Japan is still a mission field like no other. Glad you are there – we need to care.
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