Newsletter in English: 2011年5月アーカイブ

I apologize that it has been a long time since my last newsletter. After the devastating earthquake hit Japan on March 11, I have been thinking what I need to focus on. The time of reflection brought me the time to refocus on what God is calling me to do, and led me to be obedient to Him in everyday life. Here I would like to report on what I have been doing in my ministry these past few months.


■2011.3.11■□

"What can I do, being here in the States, God?" has been a big question to me since the earthquake in Japan on March 11. Hearing the news from internet and seeing the unseen scenery of Japan, I have been shocked and asking and praying, "What will happen to Japan?" In that situation, the small booklet of "After the Tsunami (or, Hurricane in some version)" was very helpful for me to learn how to pray. It was written by a theologian, Ajith Fernando who experienced Tsunami in Sri Lanka in 2004. I was really encouraged by this booklet and was reminded that God is the One who feels hurt the most to see this situation in Japan. Also I learned that it is OK to ask God why this is happening. Very basic things I learned, but it helped me a lot. I pray that God may be glorified in this devastating situation.

What I can do while being in the States is to pray. I have never felt that I am so far away from Japan geographically, and at the same time so close to Japan with my heart. My mother is from Fukushima. Before the earthquake, I recognized that Fukushima is my mother's hometown where I have been to in my childhood. But after this, I was changed to feel it really close and wept for it while I was interceding. It is almost like God's heart was imprinted into my heart. It is like the alert from God. There are students in the States from the areas hit by Tsunami. As I hear the details of what is happening in their area, I am led to pray for them and the areas. Certainly, "3.11" brought effects not only to Japan but also to the different places in the world. It raised intercessors for Japan and charity events in different places. There was no time that Japan has been in the spotlight and prayed over as much as right now. May the will of God be done in this.

This is the interview of the pastor of the church in Fukushima which experienced all of earthquake, Tsunami, and threat of radiation. It is only in Japanese, but I hope it gives you a picture the situation.


□Evangelism To Go□■

In the middle of April, I visited Santa Barbara which is a 2- hour drive Northeast from Los Angeles. In Los Angeles there are many Japanese people and quite a number of Japanese churches. There are opportunities for churches to do things together and for students to do ministry and have training together among churches in Los Angeles. However in Santa Barbara, there is only one Japanese church while there are many Japanese students. So, Japanese students in Los Angeles decided to visit Santa Barbara to encourage Japanese Christian students. 11 people from Los Angeles took a one-day trip to Santa Barbara. We joined their Friday night fellowship, which Santa Barbara Japanese Church holds every other Friday where they invite non-Christian students. Los Angeles team was in charge of the program and shared a meal, games, praise, small group time and message. There was no significant connection between us except that we are experiencing the aftereffects of the earthquake in Japan, while not in Japan. The topic of small group time was about what we are feeling about the things happening in Japan. I cannot forget what a female student from Fukushima was sharing, "I worry about how my family is doing, and everyone is concerned about the needs right now. But I wonder if we might forget things we experience now, once everything is recovered. I don't know it is even OK to talk about what I feel to my friends at school. But today, I knew that it's alright to talk about these things." Looking at her while sharing this, I realized the privilege and responsibility that we Christians have. We are able and ought to sit next to, listen, and pray together with those who are hurt. What I can do being away from Japan is "ministry of presence" for those who experienced this devastating situation being away from Japan. This one-day trip also reminded me of the importance of working and encouraging others together with the people from different churches, denominations, and locations. It was a blessing to share this experience with students. Please remember the ministry in Santa Barbara and the growth of Christian students in Los Angeles.


□Visiting Seattle□■

In the end of April, I had a chance to visit Seattle for student ministry consultation. For past several years, there were good cycles in Seattle. 10-month tourism students from Tokyo and Osaka study in Seattle, meet Christ, and return to Japan. One of the influences for those students is the student ministry called "JxJ (Jesus x Japan)." It started several years ago by Japanese young adults who have a heart for evangelizing to Japanese students. Once a month, they invite non-Christian Japanese students to a party and have time of games, dinner, praise, and testimony. Besides that, they try to get together with students and have Bible study and fun together. Building relationship with them, they introduce Christ. As I see their faces and heart reaching out to the students, I was encouraged by seeing God's heart in them. Each year around this time, the core and sub-core members of this ministry have annual meeting for reflection, evaluation and planning for upcoming year. This year, they invited me to teach 2 seminars of "church and ministry" and "gender in ministry." About 20 people attended this meeting and had a great time to share what they learned and are concerned about. After the seminars, they were divided into groups to discuss what they should continue, stop, develop and start in their ministry. Also they prioritized the topics for this coming year. I have been in monthly contact with the leader via Skype to reflect on what they have been doing. But it is totally different and valuable to see them face to face and think and pray together for the ministry. I definitely felt God's blessings on their ministry. Most of the people who are involved in JxJ are students, and those who are saved through JxJ also serve on the ministry team. I pray for more blessings on this.

I also had opportunities to visit different churches and pastors while I was staying in Seattle. One of the characteristics of the ministries in Seattle is that churches are close to one another and pastors from different churches have been well-connected. This must be an encouragement for each one of the churches, I believe. May the Lord bless the land of Seattle and more Japanese be brought to salvation and more Christians be equipped as Christ's disciples.


□What's Going on with Chihiro□■

As I wrote briefly, I moved my residence to the place 10-minute drive from the office. From April, US office staff member joined in the team. One ministry staff member had a birth of 2nd baby, and another ministry staff member gets married. In the midst of changes in US side, please pray for me that I can serve the Lord in the way He is delighted.
Jun. 18th - 19th: ec 11 planning committee meeting (CA)
Jul. 17th: Message at Union Church of Los Angeles
Jul. 28th - 30th: WIT11 (CA)
Dec. 27th - Jan. 1st: ec 10 (CA)


■Prayer for Chihiro■□

♪ Thanksgiving ♪
◆ For protection of each trip I made.
◆ For supporters continuously being provided.

♪ Requests ♪
◆ That I may be faithful to God's calling in the midst of changes.
◆ For my home church, Chofu Baptist Church.
◆ For financial supporters to be provided consistently.