Sunday morning started off quite early for the team. We got up at 6am and helped prepare breakfast for the youth who attended the EDGE sleepover. Many of us did not sleep well (or enough) but all the team members had good attitudes and were ready to serve when needed.
During the services, the team was formally introduced to the church by Okada sensei.
We also presented a special song during the offering of both services. It was our intention to use this song and the lyrics to encourage the church to trust in God’s plan regardless of the circumstances and it fit in perfectly with the sermon. (Pardon the bad video quality and shaky filming at the beginning. Nicky Okada was filming for us but it appears he got in the way of the guys doing offering)
During the services, the team was formally introduced to the church by Okada sensei.
We also presented a special song during the offering of both services. It was our intention to use this song and the lyrics to encourage the church to trust in God’s plan regardless of the circumstances and it fit in perfectly with the sermon. (Pardon the bad video quality and shaky filming at the beginning. Nicky Okada was filming for us but it appears he got in the way of the guys doing offering)
Okada sensei preached on Psalm 119:89-96 “The Word of God and the Sure Hope” and it was his last sermon at HBC. He encouraged and challenged the church to trust and depend on the Word of God by asking if we can trust God when everything is stripped away from us. He went on to say, “What if our health, our finance, our family, our ministry, our future, whatever we deem important to us, when all those things are stripped away, can we have hope because we know the Word of God is dependable and His Word is sufficient?”. Later that afternoon, he would go to Nara to preach. He never stops doing ministry, even though he is leaving in a week. It’s a great encouragement for us and the church to see him actively pursuing ministry all the way to the end.
Isaac, Shoshee, and Michael gave their testimonies in front of the church between services. I was talking to Chris Mortimer after the testimonies and he was saying how appropriate the testimonies were and how applicable they were, especially for the youth at the church. We were encouraged by that and the 3 team members did a great job.
Isaac, Shoshee, and Michael gave their testimonies in front of the church between services. I was talking to Chris Mortimer after the testimonies and he was saying how appropriate the testimonies were and how applicable they were, especially for the youth at the church. We were encouraged by that and the 3 team members did a great job.
The rest of the afternoon was spent playing with the kids at church and catching up with some of the church members. It was good to see everyone again and to see that many are still strong in their faith. The Joy Joy 5 Days staff was busy filming their instructional DVD for Team 2 and some of us sat in and even participated which was fun. They’ve added a couple of fun new songs this year, and it looks like it’ll be a blast. Please pray for the Joy Joy staff and for Team 2 as they prepare for their ministry here in Japan.
Please continue praying for us as we minister to the church and to the college students. It feels like we have been here for 3 weeks already but it’s actually only been 3 days. Each day has been fun-filled and very busy with ministry, but we are glad to be here and look forward to what the Lord will do.
-Ed
Please continue praying for us as we minister to the church and to the college students. It feels like we have been here for 3 weeks already but it’s actually only been 3 days. Each day has been fun-filled and very busy with ministry, but we are glad to be here and look forward to what the Lord will do.
-Ed