Apologies for the shortage of updates.  This week has been really busy and quite a blur.  Thanks to Christina for updating about Monday.  This is Tim updating for the rest of the week.

Tuesday was spent with the OPU (Osaka Prefecture Univ) students again playing sports.  They picked which sports we played, which were dodgeball and soccer... definitely not our best sports.  We did beat them in soccer though, which is amazing even if we suspect that they were barely trying. On Wed. and most of Thurs. we were at OCC (Osaka Christian College) in their classrooms, and then we visited OPU again on Thurs. afternoon to have an iron chef type cook-off.  Today was spent at OCC and then we had a BBQ with Mr. Perry and some students (American teacher at OCC) for 4th of July.  Happy Independence Day everyone!

We were able to share testimonies about how we became Christians at every class we visited at OCC this week.  We also took our opportunities again with the OPU students to share the Gospel actively with them.  Tomorrow we will be going to Kyoto with the OPU students.  Kyoto is notable for its many Buddhist and Shinto temples, so we hope to share Christ more with them then.  Also, some students will be coming to our Sayonara (Goodbye) Party on Sunday.

I was told that the Japanese don't really have a word for "sin" in the Biblical definition.  It is defined more like a crime or any physical act which is against the law.  Righteousness, or being without sin, before God is far more than that.  Any thought, word or deed that is unholy is sin.  Even more so, failure to worship God as He deserves to be worshiped is sin.  Everyone has failed to do that in some way or another, and therefore has been separated from God.  Our hope is that these students will see that Christ is the only hope for reconciliation with God.  His blood is the sacrifice that was paid to redeem for all the sins of those who believe in Him.

Thanks for praying for our team!  Please keep it up.

Hey everyone!  It's Evelyn.  Today was our second Sunday at Hamadera Bible Church.  We received yet another opportunity to worship with the church members, share our lives with them, and learn about our great God.  It's so awesome to learn that although we all have different backgrounds and cultural lifestyles, we're ultimately the same- sinners saved by the grace of God and now brothers and sisters united through the blood of Christ.  I love recognizing that, especially since this is my first short-term missions trip and I get to see God work on a global scale.

Between both morning services, Chris, Deborah, Estella, and Collin (all former Japan STM members; Tim will be sharing next week) shared their testimonies that briefly discussed how they came to salvation and also what God has been doing in their lives in the last few years.  During service, Kondo Sensei gave a sermon on Romans 2:9-15.  Justin McKitterick, our shepherd at Grace on Campus fellowship, spoke on this topic last year in our bible study through Romans.  However, it was a sobering reminder that whether or not we know the Law, we're all held accountable for our sins and someday, God will judge us.  He has written the law on our hearts, explaining why in a general sense we know what is right and wrong.  Our conscience bears witness to this, and yet we tend to suppress the truth about God.  We also learned that hell is not an eternal party with your friends but rather, it's a place of darkness, loneliness, and torment forever.  This message was good for non-Christians as well as Christians to hear.  Kondo Sensei mentioned that even as believers, we'll be judged for our motives and for whether or not we were doers of the Word in this lifetime.  This message caused me to think about my Christian walk, if I am applying all the truth that I'm fed during the week.  I'm sure if you ask anyone on the team, it was very profitable.  It was also really refreshing to hear from the word of God and spend time with the church family after a week of ministry.

After the message, we had a brief lunch with church members and then stepped back into the sanctuary for communion.  Then, our team headed out to Plat Plat, a fun shopping center several train stations away.  We had fun looking at ties (the girls amused at how difficult it is to find the right tie), stationery, the PET SHOP (ferrets, cute dogs, cockatiels, and lizards!), and of course, the Japanese supermarket.  We returned to church at 5pm before the goodbye party for Aaron, a staff member who teaches English to adults.  However, Christina, Ophy, and I went with the Mortimers, our host family, to Korean BBQ that night because it was the only night that worked for us.  We had so much fun playing games with their five little boys and getting to know Chris and Midori (the parents) better.  Although, we'll probably have to go on another morning jog to burn off that bulgogi.  Good night!

Hello everyone!  This is Ophy.  Before I begin recapping the team’s activities for Friday, June 27^th, I just wanted to say thank you for caring enough about God’s kingdom to read our xanga and to support us through prayer.  We are so encouraged by you all.

 

Yesterday, Evelyn started off our day by directing our attentions to John 13:34-35 during our team meeting.  She shared about how God has been teaching her about loving others, particular those of us on the team.  She reminded us that love starts within the team before it can go out to unbelievers.  Through our love for one another, the unbelievers we meet may know that we are Christ’s disciples.  She ended by challenging us to be selfless despite how we feel or how tired we were.  Please pray that we will do exactly that and seek ways to encourage and serve one another. 

 

Since the staff at HBC was gracious to give us a free afternoon to rest, we had the chance to experience Namba!  Namba is a HUGE shopping district that runs multiple blocks.  There, we got to have delicious Hawaiian burgers for lunch.  We also had a fun and relaxing time discovering many cute and innovative Japanese products.

 

After a delicious sushi dinner, we attended the young adult Bible study, where Okada Sensei taught on Exodus 19:3-6.  I was thankful to be reminded that just as God made Israel His chosen nation, He also made all Christians His chosen people (1 Pet.2:9-10).  The Lord chose to reveal to us His magnificent work, loving kindness, and faithfulness to us. He chose us so that we may proclaim His glory to the world.  It is such a comfort to know that as His children, our Heavenly Father is with us as we seek to fulfill this purpose.  He carries us like a mother eagle carries her young on her wings. 

 

Please pray that we will rely on Him to do His work.  We thank you once again for your faithfulness as prayer warriors.