Friday officially marks our first week in Osaka!
If there was a theme for today, it would be ‘food, games, and laughs.’ We didn’t have to be at church until 1:00pm, which was so great because we were in need of some serious rest. We have been clothed in love and so much hospitality here at Hamadera Bible Church (HBC) by church members and our host famillies. When we arrived at church today, we were greeted with a delicious homemade lunch, which included my favorite: miso soup!
After lunch we had some time for worship and reflection on the trip thus far. We do this daily and I think that this part of the trip has been the most crucial, as it is God’s Word and providence that strengthens us and allows for the priveledge to interact with the students and serve HBC in this way. Mike will be leading us in a devotional tomorrow…such a blessing to see the men on our team lead!
We were also given our daily dose of vitamins! Both Soga Sensei and Okada Sensei have provided us with a not-so-tasty supply of vitamin-filled serum. Despite the taste, I am so encouraged by their thoughtfulness in keeping us healthy. We then headed downstairs to practice our worship song for next Sunday. The next two Sundays, our team will be singing during church service. Beland, Eric, and Justine will be leading worship this Sunday and the following Sunday, the entire team will sing “Lord Most High.”
If there was a theme for today, it would be ‘food, games, and laughs.’ We didn’t have to be at church until 1:00pm, which was so great because we were in need of some serious rest. We have been clothed in love and so much hospitality here at Hamadera Bible Church (HBC) by church members and our host famillies. When we arrived at church today, we were greeted with a delicious homemade lunch, which included my favorite: miso soup!
After lunch we had some time for worship and reflection on the trip thus far. We do this daily and I think that this part of the trip has been the most crucial, as it is God’s Word and providence that strengthens us and allows for the priveledge to interact with the students and serve HBC in this way. Mike will be leading us in a devotional tomorrow…such a blessing to see the men on our team lead!
We were also given our daily dose of vitamins! Both Soga Sensei and Okada Sensei have provided us with a not-so-tasty supply of vitamin-filled serum. Despite the taste, I am so encouraged by their thoughtfulness in keeping us healthy. We then headed downstairs to practice our worship song for next Sunday. The next two Sundays, our team will be singing during church service. Beland, Eric, and Justine will be leading worship this Sunday and the following Sunday, the entire team will sing “Lord Most High.”
Next, it was time to head over to OPU (Osaka Prefecture University). This is our third time interacting with students there. We are so grateful to have so many opportunities to build relationships with them. Today, we met up with the students in a classroom and mostly played games. Some of us played Jenga and we introduced the students to a game called Electricity. Later, some of the guys went outside to toss the football around. For many of the students, this was their first time throwing a football and they seemed to do pretty well.
Afterwards, we took a trip over to this Japanese BBQ restaurant nearby. We were all really excited for Japanese BBQ. We ate some interesting things like cow tongue and intestines, but what we really did not expect was the lack of ventilation in the restaurant. I think there was an issue with one of the vents, so it became very smokey and very hot inside. I put my sunglasses on to protect my eyes from the smoke and others fanned themselves to seek some sort of relief from the heat. Unfortunately, the only thing we were fanning was hot air.
However, despite the circumstances, it was so encouraging to see that not only the team but the students were bearing through it all and we were able to have a lot of laughs with them. It was also a special treat to have Kat and Tomomi (HBC church members and host family to the girls on our team) come join us! I think the students really enjoyed meeting them and even after we leave Japan, the students can continue to bond with them and be able to see Christ’s love through the love we have for one another within His church.
However, despite the circumstances, it was so encouraging to see that not only the team but the students were bearing through it all and we were able to have a lot of laughs with them. It was also a special treat to have Kat and Tomomi (HBC church members and host family to the girls on our team) come join us! I think the students really enjoyed meeting them and even after we leave Japan, the students can continue to bond with them and be able to see Christ’s love through the love we have for one another within His church.
Today was also a very unique day, as the campus was celebrating the 38th Annual Starlight Festival! The name of the festival in Japanese means 7th night. The campus courtyard was lit and decorated. There was also tents serving food and good times. A bunch of the students were dressed in kimonos and there were some fun dances. A few members of the team joined them. My favorite food item of the day was tempura ice cream…very oishi (oishi means delicious)!
I would have to say that the funnest part of the day was exchanging Japanese and English slang words. By the end of the night, student were saying “This is legit!” and “fo real?”…lol! Another memorable day of building friendships and showing the Gospel through our actions. We have invited the students to come to church on Sunday, where will be hosting some tennis matches with Mortimer Sensei. Looking forward to seeing what God will do. It would be such a blessing to have them interact with the church members.
Thank you so much for your continued support of our team and this ministry through your prayers. Please pray for the following:
Beland: “So how’s it going?…the special kind?”- this is how Beland so eloquently checks the status of our digestive activities and our fiber intake.
Beland: She [referring to Keiko, one of the students] speaks Swedish. Tony: Oh so have you ever been to Switzerland? [Keiko looks at Tony confused...] Beland: Wrong country, Tony. You mean Sweden! – Lol…Oh Tony!
In Christ Alone,
Ashley
Thank you so much for your continued support of our team and this ministry through your prayers. Please pray for the following:
- Continued opportunities to plant seeds within the students.
- Humbleness and remembrance that it is God’s work through us and not our own.
- That the students would accept our invitation to tennis on Sunday.
- That we would seek comfort and rest in the Lord during long, tiring days.
- That He would continue to prepare our hearts and the hearts of the students for each interaction while also keeping our minds set on His glory and service to Hamadera Bible Church.
Beland: “So how’s it going?…the special kind?”- this is how Beland so eloquently checks the status of our digestive activities and our fiber intake.
Beland: She [referring to Keiko, one of the students] speaks Swedish. Tony: Oh so have you ever been to Switzerland? [Keiko looks at Tony confused...] Beland: Wrong country, Tony. You mean Sweden! – Lol…Oh Tony!
In Christ Alone,
Ashley