Japan Testimony
This past summer, God gave me the privilege of going out to Japan. This was actually my second time going out with KCM, having gone to Uganda in 2007. Looking back on my experiences, it was easy going out the first time; I had never been on missions before. But going back out a second time was more difficult; I constantly asked myself, “why am I going out again?” After much thinking and praying, I asked God to give me vision through this summer mission experience.
While in Japan, we stayed at a church in Osaka known as Jesus House, or J-House for short. While at J-House, we had a pretty consistent weekly ministry. The bulk of it was going to the various Funky Clubs that J-House planted at Kansai, Hondai, Gaidai and Kangaku Universities, making friends and inviting them to our weekly English lessons and J-House Funky Parties. These interactions focused on building relations through friendship evangelism and slowly opening them up to the gospel message. We also spent two Mondays doing homeless ministry at Kyuurei Church, doing presentation ministry and handing out bread to the hungry congregation. We also had side events like VBS, Drama Nights and a trip to the Aquarium where we got to meet and make more friends. Finally, throughout the month, we were involved in J-House’s daily morning prayer, weekly prayer meetings, Sunday services and various other ministries ranging from Korean Bible Study to Gospel Choir.
Throughout my month in Japan, my biggest struggles were pride and complacency. Pride was an issue for me in that I came into the trip as a graduating senior and a KCM missions multi-timer, and thus I felt that I was “wiser” and “better suited” than others on my team. Furthermore, I became blind to my own shortcomings, and because I judged my teammates and lost perspective, it hindered me from doing genuine and effective ministry. Complacency was an issue for me because of the comforts of a modern nation like Japan. Because of these amenities (AC, internet, showers, etc), I became physically complacent, which eventually caused me to become spiritually complacent. Because of this, I treated this trip more like vacation rather than missions, and as a result, I ended up becoming a bad witness to all the support from those back home as well from Christ’s sacrifice, which enabled me to be on this trip in the first place. It was then when God convicted me with Romans 3:10 (There is no one righteous, not even one), and this reminded me of the cost of ministry, and that it was only by His blood and grace that I was even there. Through this verse, God revealed to me the depths of my sinfulness, and although I struggled mightily, I realized it was for the perfecting of my faith and for God’s strength to be glorified in my weakness and brokenness.
Although there were dark days such as these, God’s goodness easily penetrated and overpowered these times. Heading into Japan, I knew it was less than 1% Christian. But nevertheless, Christ’s prayer for more workers for the plentiful harvest in Matthew 9:37 and His heart for the one lost sheep in Matthew 18:12-4 inspired me to live likewise during my month in Japan. Because of this and Christ’s provisions, I entered this trip excited rather than daunted by Christianity’s minority status in Japan. All throughout the month, God was always with us, working through us and for us in all circumstances. For me, my biggest blessing in this area was when my team and I went to Osaka Castle during the last week of the trip to fast and go on a prayer walk. My leader, Pastor Edwin, had given each of us 30 minutes of devotional/journal time, and it was maybe 5 minutes into it when an older gentleman by the name of Saito-san approached me. As he handed me a bookmark that he painted, a church flier he had received fell out, and just like that, God opened up this opportunity for me to share the gospel message. As I was sharing the gospel with Saito-san, I know it wasn’t me, but rather God talking through me and planting a seed of faith in Saito-san. Even after the prayer walk, God continued to work and nurture the seed, and as a result, Saito-san not only came to J-House that very day for a pizza party, but for the very last Funky Party before our team returned home. And I just found out that as of this Sunday, he actually attended his first Sunday service at J-House and joined a small group there.
Just as God blessed me through the lost, He equally blessed me through my brothers and sisters in Christ at J-House. First, the passion and genuine faith of each believer was amazing. Their faith truly reflected Jeremiah 9:23-4 (Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom, or the strong man boast of his strength, or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercise kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight). It was an inspiration to see their faith so singularly focusing on and boasting about the Cross, in a country full of darkness and distractions. Next, the fellowship I witnessed at J-House was truly God centered and selfless. Just like Proverbs 27:17, each member genuinely sharpened and built one another up just as iron sharpens iron. I would often see many of them having informal accountability meetings, bible studies and times of prayers all throughout the days and weeks. Furthermore, the people I would see on Sunday services would be the same people I’d see on Wednesday nights for prayer meetings, Friday nights for Funky Parties, and throughout the week to practice for gospel choir, to cook and other things. Bearing witness to each individual’s faith as well as the group’s love for one another has inspired me to bring that passion back home.
In going to Japan, I asked God for vision. God did not disappoint as He dramatically increased my love for Japan, its culture, people and churches. And this not because of my love being any worthy, but all because of Christ’s love for us that came first. Because of all these reasons, combined with my comfort with the language, I have grown to see Japan as a home away from home. In fact, as I am sharing this, I am praying and deciding whether I should continue with applying to law school for the upcoming year, or take another year off and return to J-House. But that’s another bridge to be crossed at another time. Whatever happens in the end, though, I can truly believe Proverbs 19:21 for the first time in my life, that, though many are the plans and hopes in my heart, it is, shall be, and I want it to be the Lord’s purpose that prevails. So praise be to God, for it is not my will, but His will being glorified and carried out in my life. Thank you!
