The Story of the Lost Sheep/ Niimi Bible Study/ Outreach

Today was another hot summer day in Yorishima. Since it was so hot, we decided to have Joy Time in Setsuko's room. Today we had Nagisa, Youka, Youka (the same name), Yuki, and Miki. As usual we began with our good morning song and then with our English lesson. Today's lesson was called, "Let's play together!" We reviewed different sports and asked each other if we liked or disliked them. Afterward it was time for the Bible lesson. Setsuko began by asking the children again, "Who is your teacher?" After the students shared the names of their teacher Setsuko began "The Story of the Lost Sheep" from Luke 15:4-7. She asked them, "What would you do if you had 99 sheep and lost only one?" The children said they would look for the lost sheep. Then Setsuko told them that Jesus would also look for the lost sheep and that when the one sheep is found God is so happy that He celebrates! So, in conclusion, Setsuko emphasized that each of us, being one sheep, is so very precious in His eyes, and that therefore, we are ultimately helpless just as sheep are, and thus He will search for us when we are lost. The children really seem to be getting it and continue to show that they are comprehending the lessons from the past weeks. It is a privilege to see the Holy Spirit in action! After the Bible lesson, we played the gesture game and acted out the sports we had studied. It was another blessed time at Joy Time! Praise the Lord!

NIIMI BIBLE STUDY/OUTREACH

This week we did not have a Bible study. Both Shu and Darren were busy. Also, I did not go to Niimi campus due to the fact that I am still fighting a severe ear infection and it was raining that day. However, Shu and I were able to hang out and take a drive to Kurashiki during which time we had a meaningful conversation. We reviewed the material we had been studying in John and talked about our personal walks with the Lord. He told me during this time that he had shared his faith with a friend at school and that later that evening his friend emailed him and wrote "Thank you for Jesus" in the subject line. I was very encouraged by this story! Praise the Lord. We are praying that the Lord will use Shu to reach more students at Niimi College. May His will be done.

The Story of the Good Samaritan/ Niimi Bible Study/ Outreach

Today was a beautiful sunny day in Yorishima, and it was also very humid. As a result, the children asked that we do Joy Time inside today. We were blessed with the presence of the faithful Nagisa, Yuki, and Youka. We began with our usual song and studying the English names of animals. We played the karuta game using the animal flash cars and then Setsuko read today's Bible story. She began by reviewing last week's theme, "Hearing and doing." It was a great blessing to see that the children are comprehending. They were quick to mention "Iesu-sama," which means "Lord Jesus." ("Kami-sama" literally means "God," so you can see how Iesu + sama work together to say, "Lord Jesus"). Praise the Lord for these children who have been given ears to hear! Today's story was, "The Good Samaritan." Setsuko read from Luke 10:25-28, 37. In correlation with last week's theme, "Hearing and doing," this week's theme was, "Go and do." I cannot say enough how exciting it is to see these children faithfully attending each week and attentively listening and comprehending God's word. Praise the Lord! After story time, we played animal pictionary. It was a blessed time for us all! Praise the Lord!

NIIMI BIBLE STUDY/ OUTREACH

This week in Niimi Shu and I got together for Bible study and what a blessed time it was. We studied John 2:1-5. The Holy Spirit led us into greater understanding, specifically in verse 4 when Jesus said to Mary, "My hour has not yet come." It was a blessing to go over Jesus' reference to His crucifixion in this statement. It allowed us to go over what it means to be a Christian and what had to happen so that we could be reunited with our Lord! What a pleasure it is to share in the knowledge of God's Word and to see Shu, who is very new to studying the Word, begin to understand. Then, to hear him say (after we finished our study), "I really want to study the Bible more!" May his hunger continue and the Holy Spirit continue His great work in our lives!

As for the outreach at Niimi college, I was able to go on campus this passed Wednesday, however, recently it has been hard to breakthrough and to reach the students. Of course, it has been raining, so that makes it difficult to talk to students. But overall, it just seems as though they are not interested even when we have been able to talk. So, I will continue to pray for the Niimi College students and see where the Lord leads. Nevertheless, I am very thankful for the men's study that has developed in Niimi and will be content if that is what the Lord has purposed for me for the duration of my stay there. Praise the Lord!

Hearing and Doing/ Niimi Bible Study/Outreach

This week at Joy Time we were blessed to have Nagisa, Youka, and Yuki in attendance. They are regulars of Joy Time and it is great to have them with us each week. Praise the Lord! Also, we were blessed with the attendance of Pastor Mori from Takeshima Chapel! He has a very busy schedule and so we were very thankful that he had time to fellowship with us today. Praise the Lord! We began in our usual way by singing our good morning song and then having our English lesson. Today's English lesson was again on colors. We went around and asked eachother, "What color is it?" and "What color do you like?" Then it was story time. Today's story continued with the theme, "Who is your teacher?" The story today was called, "Hearing and Doing," (taken from the book, A Child's First Story of Jesus). The story was taken from the Sermon on the Mount and emphasized Matthew 7:24-25 (hence the title). The children listened attentively while Setsuko read in English and translated into Japanese. After the story we played Bingo. Yuki was the first get bingo and she received the top prize...a battery operated fan! "Woo-hoo!" What a blessed time it was. May these children be hearers and doers of the Word in the future!

NIIMI BIBLE STUDY/OUTREACH

This week I went to Niimi college and talked with students. It seemed that this time was a time for on campus prayer in between meeting students, since I was not able to directly share the Gospel with any of them. Also, our Thursday night Bible study did not meet, since both Shu and Darren were busy. This is a good time to wait upon the Lord for His timing, to rest, and to give thanks. =)

Love Your Enemies/Niimi Bible Study Outreach

Today at "Joy Time" we were again blessed with some new faces! Setsuko's high school friend Miyuki Ueda brought three children; her son Tomokazu-chan, and two daughters, Nana-chan, and Yuina-chan. Overall, our students included the Ueda family along with Youka-chan and Yuki-chan. Praise the Lord for our time together! We began in our usual way, singing our song and having an English lesson. Today's lesson was about colors. It was review for some of the usual students, however it was good practice for all. Continuing with our theme from last week, we again asked the question, "Who is your teacher?" The students shared the names of their elementary school teachers and then we reminded them that Jesus is the ultimate teacher. So, continuing with the theme, (the teachings of Jesus), Setsuko read and translated, "Love your enemies," from the book: A Children's First Story of Jesus. It was a simplified version of Matthew 5:44. As shown in the picture, the children listened attentively. Afterward, we played our usual sugoroku game using the colors we had learned. When we finished sugoroku we had snack time and enjoyed hanging out together. Once again it was a blessed time for all who attended.

NIIMI BIBLE STUDY/OUTREACH

This week was very challenging for me. Beginning on Saturday in Yorishima, I was very sick after I caught the flu and had a 100.9 fever! I barely had enough energy to teach my classes on Monday as I began my work week in Niimi, but God strengthened and I made it through. Praise the Lord! My energy was very low throughout most of the week, so I decided it was wise to rest and recover when I could. As a result, I did not reach out to the Niimi college students after work on Wednesday as I had planned. Nevertheless, by Thursday, I was able to prepare the study. Praise the Lord! Shu was not able to attend so Darren and I were able to finish up the first chapter of the gospel of John. We were blessed as the Holy Spirit led our time together. John 1:43-51 proved to be very edifying and interesting, particularly in verse 51 when Jesus spoke prophetically to Nathanael and the rest of the disciples, referencing Genesis 28 and Jacob's prophetic dream. Overall, we had a great study and great fellowship even though it was just the two of us. It was a truly blessed time. Praise the Lord!

Who's Your Teacher?/Niimi Bible Study Outreach

Today at Joy Time we were blessed with the presence of some new people. Praise the Lord! The new people today included Sayaka-chan, who is a friend of Youka-chan (pictured together on the right), along with the Masuhara family. The Masuhara family includes 9 year old Minami-chan and 3 year old Hajime-chan, along with their father Masuhara-san (not pictured) and mother Michiru-san who is holding Hamjime-chan in the picture. The Masuhara family are Christians who attend Takeshima Chapel. What a blessing it was to be among other family in Christ! Overall, we were blessed with the attendance of 6 students; Nagisa, Youka, Minami, Sayaka, Minami, and Hajime! Once again, Praise the Lord!

In addition, Setsuko's new job at an elementary school in Fukuyama city is the same school that Minami attends! Furthermore, nine year old Minami is a believer (who was baptized some time ago) and she visits Setsuko everyday when school is in session. They are definitely an encouragement to one another while being in the world (but not of the world). Praise the Lord for our family (of all ages) in Christ!

As usual our Joy Time began with our good morning song and an English lesson. For our English lesson we continued in our study of the days of the week. After studying the days of the week, we read our Bible story. Today's Bible study theme was, "Who is your teacher?" So, we asked the children to name their teachers at their elementary schools and then we told them about Jesus, who is the ultimate teacher. Therefore, today's story was about Jesus teaching the people, entitled, "True Happiness," (from the book, A Child's First Story of Jesus). The story was set with Jesus preaching to the people. Basically, it was a simplified version of the Sermon on the Mount and the children listened attentively.

Next, we played Sugoroku using the days of the week. We had a blast! Once again, the Lord brought us students and His name was glorified! Praise the Lord! I can't say enough about how much of a privilege it is to serve Him!

NIIMI BIBLE STUDY/OUTREACH

This week in Niimi the Thursday night Bible study included only Shu and I, since Darren was busy and could not attend. Also, it was raining on Wednesday, (the day I usually reach out to students at Niimi college), so I was not able to talk to/invite students as planned. Nevertheless, the Thursday night study continued. Our study was in John 1:28-42 and the Holy Spirit lead the way! Praise the Lord. Typically, Shu has trouble understanding some of the English, and even some of the Biblical Japanese for that matter, since it is generally not taken from the Japanese lexicon, so translation is sometimes necessary. Thus, since Darren was not able to make it, we were short a translator. Nevertheless, for this study we did not need a translator as the Holy Spirit gave us understanding in full effect! The Lord continues to prove Himself to me, reminding me of John 14:26. Even Shu was surprised and made the comments, "I understand!...This is very comfortable... We can study like this in the future!" What a blessing! I continue to be amazed as I learn that to be used, all we have to do is show up and let God take control! Amen!