Wow. It's been 10 months since the last entry. In some ways it seems like a long time ago. In other ways it does not. So much has been packed into the last 10 months. I can't believe I've done two years of part-time seminary already. I can't believe last year's freshmen are almost upperclassmen. It all happened in a blink of an eye.
There is a Studio Ghibli movie called "Grave of the Fireflies." There is a scene in the movie where a boy and his little sister play with fireflies. Fireflies have a life span of only a few days. She asks her brother, "Why do fireflies die so young? I don't remember his answer but the theme of the movie can be found in the question itself.
We're really not that much different than fireflies. We are born. We shine for a little while. Then we burn out and die. The firefly teaches us an important lesson on the value of time. We would do well to pay very close attention to this lesson.
We'll be going to Japan again in less than three weeks. This will be my fourth time going and second time leading. Last time, God gave me quite a lesson on how to lead a short term missions trip. I've tried to take those lessons to heart and I am excited to see how God will use us all in this year's trip.
I love my team. We've got five returning people other than myself: Addison, Adler, Beland, Hyo, and Priscilla. We have two new people: Dorothy and Leah. Not only are they my team members but more importantly they are my friends. I know they love the Lord and I know ours hearts will be united in the sharing of the gospel, encouragement of the saints, and glorification of God in Osaka.
Our time will be short. Seventeen days is the lifespan of about two or three fireflies. There will be much to do during those seventeen days. There will be joy in serving the people of Hamadera Bible Church again. I am especially excited about spending time with my good friend and roommate of five years Aaron Bitzer. There will also be the challenges of sharing the gospel with the Japanese college students. Many gaps will need to be bridged. There will be a language gap, a culture gap, and most of all a spiritual gap. But God, who is on a divine conquest to seek and save sinners, can easily bridge all these gaps. It is my prayer that the team firmly believes this. There will also be the trials of dealing with sinners (whether it is another team member, a person from the church, or an unbelieving college student) and circumstances. God is faithful to provide trials and they must not be wasted.
I pray that God will give us the strength to persevere under any and all trials, the ability to love anyone and everyone we meet, and the wisdom to make the most of our time in Japan.
-Ray
We're really not that much different than fireflies. We are born. We shine for a little while. Then we burn out and die. The firefly teaches us an important lesson on the value of time. We would do well to pay very close attention to this lesson.
We'll be going to Japan again in less than three weeks. This will be my fourth time going and second time leading. Last time, God gave me quite a lesson on how to lead a short term missions trip. I've tried to take those lessons to heart and I am excited to see how God will use us all in this year's trip.
I love my team. We've got five returning people other than myself: Addison, Adler, Beland, Hyo, and Priscilla. We have two new people: Dorothy and Leah. Not only are they my team members but more importantly they are my friends. I know they love the Lord and I know ours hearts will be united in the sharing of the gospel, encouragement of the saints, and glorification of God in Osaka.
Our time will be short. Seventeen days is the lifespan of about two or three fireflies. There will be much to do during those seventeen days. There will be joy in serving the people of Hamadera Bible Church again. I am especially excited about spending time with my good friend and roommate of five years Aaron Bitzer. There will also be the challenges of sharing the gospel with the Japanese college students. Many gaps will need to be bridged. There will be a language gap, a culture gap, and most of all a spiritual gap. But God, who is on a divine conquest to seek and save sinners, can easily bridge all these gaps. It is my prayer that the team firmly believes this. There will also be the trials of dealing with sinners (whether it is another team member, a person from the church, or an unbelieving college student) and circumstances. God is faithful to provide trials and they must not be wasted.
I pray that God will give us the strength to persevere under any and all trials, the ability to love anyone and everyone we meet, and the wisdom to make the most of our time in Japan.
-Ray