As I was talking with a friend today my summer trip to Japan came up in conversation. She said, "Well at least school will be over soon and then you get to take a break." I wonder how true that statement is in light of the fact that our trip is only three days after school ends. I know, like with any other trip, that it will be filled with both moments of exhaustion, but also with times to relax. All in all, everyone on our team is tremendously excited for the event that awaits us. Each of us eight has a passion for Jesus and unique ministry gifts that we desire to use for the benefit of those we interact with in Osaka. I want to take this opportunity to share with you some of the things I look forward to, but also some things that weigh heavy on my mind.
Praise the Lord for the team that he has assembled for our trip. Each of us are students at UCLA and a part of Grace on Campus; a ministry of Grace Community Church. As fellow schoolmates we see each other often and have had numerous opportunities over the past year(s) to learn more about one another. We do not begin this trip as strangers, but friends who will get to know each other even better in a vastly different context and location, namely Japan. This is exciting and will be a series of pages in our life that will be cherished and unforgettable. Yet another praise and excitement is being able to see those church members at Hamadera who love the Lord. Our Lord is indeed the very essence of our unity (Eph 4:4). Beyond our language and culture, we may all share in the glories of the cross and how we have been freed from our bondage to sin. What a reason to rejoice! I am excited that God might use us to transport some of the knowledge of scripture that we have been taught through the ministry of Grace Community Church. On top of that we are excited to meet the missionaries there and hear their updates of how God has been convicting hearts and bringing some to repentance.
The first worry I have is not actually a worry, as much as it is a "what if" statement. It came to me this past week as I was thinking more about the trip. I thought to myself, "I really hope I don't get lost." I am not that worried because I am as tall as a tree, so I think I would be easy to spot in Japan if I did get separated from the group. Nevertheless, it could happen, so please be praying for us. :)
Secondly, and more importantly, I am worried that we would go to Japan and fail in our efforts. I am not quite sure how to gauge our work, whether pass or fail, and maybe that is best done by the Lord (1 Cor 4:4-5). I do think, however, that it is important to get the heart motive of ministry correct. I strongly think that to get the heart motive right we must be checking to see if we are obeying the first and second greatest commandments. These are: to love the Lord our God with all our being and to love our neighbor as ourselves. I find myself continuing to repeat and remember that evangelism is not an academic exercise. We should not seek to share the gospel because we are in any way proven to know better or to seem enlightened. Rather, if thought about correctly, we would realize that it was because of our filthiness that we needed to be rescued. We really hope to share this love that is in the gospel. And out of this love, whether at home in the U.S., or abroad we want to be used. God please use us for your glory.
Thanks for reading and please pray for us.
-Adrian
Praise the Lord for the team that he has assembled for our trip. Each of us are students at UCLA and a part of Grace on Campus; a ministry of Grace Community Church. As fellow schoolmates we see each other often and have had numerous opportunities over the past year(s) to learn more about one another. We do not begin this trip as strangers, but friends who will get to know each other even better in a vastly different context and location, namely Japan. This is exciting and will be a series of pages in our life that will be cherished and unforgettable. Yet another praise and excitement is being able to see those church members at Hamadera who love the Lord. Our Lord is indeed the very essence of our unity (Eph 4:4). Beyond our language and culture, we may all share in the glories of the cross and how we have been freed from our bondage to sin. What a reason to rejoice! I am excited that God might use us to transport some of the knowledge of scripture that we have been taught through the ministry of Grace Community Church. On top of that we are excited to meet the missionaries there and hear their updates of how God has been convicting hearts and bringing some to repentance.
The first worry I have is not actually a worry, as much as it is a "what if" statement. It came to me this past week as I was thinking more about the trip. I thought to myself, "I really hope I don't get lost." I am not that worried because I am as tall as a tree, so I think I would be easy to spot in Japan if I did get separated from the group. Nevertheless, it could happen, so please be praying for us. :)
Secondly, and more importantly, I am worried that we would go to Japan and fail in our efforts. I am not quite sure how to gauge our work, whether pass or fail, and maybe that is best done by the Lord (1 Cor 4:4-5). I do think, however, that it is important to get the heart motive of ministry correct. I strongly think that to get the heart motive right we must be checking to see if we are obeying the first and second greatest commandments. These are: to love the Lord our God with all our being and to love our neighbor as ourselves. I find myself continuing to repeat and remember that evangelism is not an academic exercise. We should not seek to share the gospel because we are in any way proven to know better or to seem enlightened. Rather, if thought about correctly, we would realize that it was because of our filthiness that we needed to be rescued. We really hope to share this love that is in the gospel. And out of this love, whether at home in the U.S., or abroad we want to be used. God please use us for your glory.
Thanks for reading and please pray for us.
-Adrian