May 27, 2012


No readers today! But we got to go with Mike and Koichi to a festival on an "island" close by. There were lots of tents with food, shaved ice, cotton candy, clothes and toys. Everything was extremely cheap and really fun-- there was even karaoke that Mike did and then the four of us, Austin, Amber, Koichi and I were able to do. We sang "Don't stop Believin'" by Journee. Haha. Good times. I think the best part was that we were able to pass out some flyers and our card for the LST readings! It is really cool how God works and how He provided the opportunity that we get to go to the festival through Mike. We were only supposed to have a picnic and worship today with maybe some sleeping in, but because of connections through Mike we were supposed to go help set up this festival. We got there too late to help much but we talked to some people to get them connected with B1 and to really enjoy a splash of Japanese culture through the dances, food, people and we even learned a Japanese dance! It was such a blast. Afterwards we went to the picnic with the missionary families and we had worship. This was a beautiful experience too because it was in the mountains overlooking Ishinomaki and this trip included some of the prettiest scenery we have seen on the trip. There was also a super cool park that we had a blast playing in with the kids and even just exploring on our own.

It was really neat to experience a worship service in both Japanese and English. Things were very different but I really enjoyed them. I always love new experiences with worshiping God. We sang a few songs, some in Japanese, some in English--some both just once sung through in English and once sung through in Japanese. Then we had some verses read and a small lecture/sermon. This was in Japanese but Sue quietly translated for Austin, Amber and me. It was a relatively small group and we sat in a circle outside. After the lecture, we broke into small groups to discuss the scripture reading of Isaiah 53:1-6 and then to pray together. It was really great. Definitely different from the traditional service back home in the states, but much like a Bible study or other event that I have attended before--the area actually reminded me much of church camp--worshiping in nature and on a mountain. It was neat and what we called "biblangual" (Biblically Bilingual).





Acts 20:24

But I don’t place any value on my own life. I want to finish the race I’m running. I want to carry out the mission I received from the Lord Jesus—the mission of testifying to the Good News of God’s kindness.