BBQ at the river

The people at Koganei Church planned a BBQ hangout by the river for us. We drove about an hour and a half to the outskirts of Tokyo where we ate BBQ meat and veggies. Although it was hot and humid outside, the water was perfectly cool! The current was swift, but most of the guys and some of the girls got in to swim and play. The Iidas brought some people from Sakuragaoka, and there were other people that we met for the first time who were invited by someone to join us.

I think it was Makito who said that church may be the only place where such a diverse group of people get together. Most people only hang out with people they meet at school or at work. But because of Jesus, people who wouldn’t usually be friends are brothers and sisters in Christ. I think that's so true!

Several of the prayers today thanked God for bringing us together, despite the language barriers and whether or not we live near or far. I am very thankful to be a part of God’s family!

VBS @ Yamanakako Day 2

Day 2 was full from wake-up time at 6 AM until I went to sleep past 10 PM. I think most of the team was exhausted, but it was all worth it because we did so much in just one day!

The team shared our first skit about a curry restaurant before Nobu-sensei’s message in the morning. It was based on the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. We tried to teach the kids that you can pray to God for help when you are in trouble or in need. After the message, I was able to have a one-on-one counseling time with one of the girls while the rest of the team helped the kids with workbook pages.

This is the fourth time I’ve had the chance to counsel one the the kids, and every time, I am amazed at their stories. They may only be third, fourth, fifth, and sixth graders, but many of them have a strong faith that withstands the pressures of their family, friends at school, and the larger Japanese culture. The girl I talked to doesn’t have a father and often times goes to church on her own without her mother. We prayed together and I thank God for letting me be able to communicate with her, despite my lack of Japanese vocabulary.

After lunch, we walked down to Lake Yamanaka for games and fun one the beach. The sun was out so it was a little hot, but we all enjoyed playing games, feeding the koi, and wading in the lake. Bradley was the only team member who got pushed into the water, but Brandon jumped in on his own.

The rest of the afternoon was spent working on team skits and playing with the kids at the cabin. After dinner, it was finally time to present the skits. One team did a skit about Jesus’ first miracle of turning water into wine. Another team did a skit about Jesus feeding the 5,000. And the last team, who ended up winning the contest, performed a skit about Jesus’ birth. The winning team was announced and individual winners were awarded prizes!

At the staff meeting at night after all the kids had gone to bed, the staff members talked about each part of the program and what they thought worked and didn’t work. They also talked about ever single one of the kids and what the staff members discussed and learned during the morning counseling session. These adults truly care about these kids and want them to know they are loved.

Koganei Church Sunday Service

Today we were blessed in so many ways at Koganei! During the first service, Yuuki shared his testimony and Nobu sensei gave the message. We were already super excited to see old friends from Peninsula who came on Friday night, but on Sunday we got to see even more! The Okada and Ishimaru families visited, as well as Aya and Genta Takemoto and Tomoko Kanda. We were even surprised by the Hattori family and Sanshiro Kaneko!

After the first service ended, we split up to share in the youth and children's Sunday School. Bradley got to share his testimony with the youth; Sato, Hitomi, and I taught "Everything Will Be Alright" to the kids. For the second service, we sang "Oceans" again and I shared some stories about school and how I see God through my students.

We had a delicious hiyashi (cold) udon lunch during which we shared about our experiences in Yamagata at Oecho church. When it was finally time to end, we said goodbye and headed to a VBS meeting to find out what we would be doing for the next three days. Even though there were only 16 kids and almost the same number of staff, the church members put a lot of thought and prayer into every moment of the camp. Each message and activity is carefully discussed because there is such a driving need to help these kids come to Christ; some of them have no Christian community to encourage them to grow. This could be the only time they hear the gospel!

We finished Sunday by finding out that we would be helping with worship for the VBS, so we buckled down and practiced four songs. We spent a long time learning the melodies in hopes we would be ready by Monday!

Japan Mission Trip back story AGAPE 2014 first week

This is a video explaining the background story of our mission trip. The last video was blocked so I re-uploaded it without any music used.

July 25 and 26 Recap Video

Japan Mission Trip back story AGAPE 2014 first week

フライデーナイト! (Friday Night!)

On Friday afternoon we said goodbye to new and old friends at Sakuragaoka and headed to Koganei! We were driven by Iida sensei and Makito (a seminary student serving at Koganei) to the church. It has been so generous for the churches to drive us everywhere we've gone on this trip, since normally there is a lot more train-riding and walking. We Californians aren't used to that! On the way there, we found out that the church had prepared a fun Friday night party for us with games and food. We were excited to see many friends from Peninsula, like the Minemuras!

For dinner, they ordered ramen from a famous place nearby called Aburasoba. It was so delicious! Later, we played McDonald's, where we had to form poses for different kinds of food from McDonald's, and another game that had us write down the answer to a question and try to match other team members without seeing what they wrote. We finished the night with worship from some Koganei church members and the Agape team. 

I was truly blessed by the welcome we received at Koganei. Although we have come to Japan to serve and spread God's love, at every turn it seems that the Christians we meet here have done that for us a thousand times beyond what we have given. I was so excited to see people who we knew from Peninsula; it really hit home that no matter where we are or how long it's been, we are still brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Thanks for praying for us and supporting the team!

Reflections on Yamagata

Today we are leaving Sakuragaoka Church and traveling to Koganei Church. I am very thankful for this week that we were able to spend here, getting to know the members here, and serving along side them at Yamagata. I learned so much about the challenges (and blessings) of the churches here in rural Yamagata prefecture.

Here are some prayer requests for Oecho Church and for the churches in Yamagata:

There is a long history of persecution for Christians in the Yamagata area. It is very difficult to share about God and invite people to church, even friends and family. Please pray that even one of the flyers will bring new people to the church and that they may hear the good news of the gospel.

A group of middle schoolers come to Oecho Church to hang out after school. Most of them have parents who are working and so they would be home alone otherwise. They sometimes stay for meetings and come to church services, but aren’t interested in Christianity yet. The pastors are happy that they feel comfortable coming to church, but hope they will want to learn more about God and accept the Lord as their savior.

It has been three years since the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, but recovery has been slow. Although all of the rubble has been cleared away, the rebuilding process is long and in many places, at a standstill. People are still dislocated and living in temporary refugee housing. For the people who did not lose their homes, there is still great loss and pain. Please pray that the churches in the region will be able to continue their outreach and be a light to the communities still in need of hope and salvation.

July 23 and 24 Recap Video

Yamagata Travels, Treehouse Shenanigans, Daycare Games, Restaurant Performances

We woke up early Tuesday morning in the Oecho church and quickly ate breakfast and cleaned up for we had a long day ahead us.  We first drove to Yamagata city of the Yamagata prefecture while the Sakuragoaka mission team stayed in Oue to pass out and post flyers for the Oecho church.  There we arrived at a church where we met Ken-san, one of the members of a nearby branch church, who was our guide for the day.

After an even longer drive we arrived in Miyage Sendai, one of the areas that was at the forefront of the earthquake and tsunami.  A short tour with Ken-san showed us that the disaster site was rather barren for most of the rubble had obviously been cleared away over the past couple years though there were a number of newer buildings that had been constructed (perhaps reconstructed) as well as a variety of very damaged and worn structures and other objects that had been more or less abandoned.

In addition to the worn out old buildings and the new ones, there were also many buildings consisting of modular pieces that served as temporary offices and homes for those whom were still not quite able to fully recover or relocate.  While visiting some temporary structures in front of an abandoned school, we were able to talk to a number of locals and hand out vegetables to them.  Having completed a Ken-san's quick tour, we then split up into two groups.  Bradley, Brandon, Hitomi, Yuuki and Nobu-sensei went to play with some of the local children and Joanne, Sato, Ando-san, Ochi-sensei and Ken-san went out to visit the homes of many of the older survivors and continue to hand out vegetables.

"A play place built from trees washed up by the tsunami, since there was nowhere for kids to play." - Joanne

Bradley, Brandon, Hitomi, Yuuki, and Nobu-sensei had a lot of fun playing at the totally awesome treehouse above with three young girls.  Ken-san told us more were planning to come but they couldn't get rides to the treehouse which was built entirely by the some of the survivors as a safe place for the children to play.  He also told us only to play with them while speaking English for the children's education likely but they were rather reluctant so everyone pretty much gave up and spoke in Japanese.

That afternoon we visited the daycare next door to the Oecho church with the Sakuragoaka team.  There we sang several of our songs for the children; played Heads, Shoulders, Knees & Toes and Simon Says in English with them; and Nobu-sensei gave a short message.  Afterwards we shared a snack with the children and played outside.  They were very energetic.

"Whppi!"

We were invited to perform at a pasta restaurant by the owner's wife who was uncertain of Christianity so we had dinner there that night with the Sakuragoaka team and several members of Oecho church after which we performed some of our songs and shared about Christianity.  We don't know where she stands on her faith now but we continue to pray for her.

Doggies

Best Birthday Ever!

After waking up early in the morning, the PFMC mission team and nine members from Sakuragaoka church went on a six hour long drive to Oue-cho church in Yamagata prefecture. Compared to Tokyo, Yamagata prefecture is much greener and more rural with an even smaller Christian community. There, we were  greeted by the friendly Pastor Nishiyama (along with her adorable Pomeranian, Coco) and the ever caring Pastor Ouichi. The Yamagata people are known for going to the hot springs. Therefore Yuuki as well as myself decided to go to the hot springs where we gazed at the mountains and admired God's work and beauty. After a rejuvenating bath, we returned to a delicious pizza party at church where the team socialized with middle schoolers from the school as well as church members from Oue-cho church and Zao Church.

After helping out with washing the dishes, we had a special nighttime service consisting of worship teams from Oue-cho church (Trio Gracia), Sakuragaoka church and PFMC (the mission team), a message from Pastor Iida and birthday song (God Bless You) dedicated to me which was performed by the wonderful trio from Oue-cho church. What truly took me shock was not the fact that total strangers were wishing me a happy birthday but that every single person talked to me as if they really did love me. Even though we had never met each other before, we were all connected through God's love and glory. As we were eating the birthday cake that Pastor Sakakibara had bought for my birthday, I felt God's presence in the room and was truly thankful for an opportunity to praise and appreciate what the Lord had done for us.

July 19 - 20

Day 3 & 4 Recap Video

Sunday Service

July 20: For a few of us, jet lag has no longer become an issues as we prepare ourselves for a long day ahead of us. Once again we are treated to a large breakfast filled with lots of variety. This food will give us the energy we need as we participate in the morning service in the morning and the youth program  in the afternoon. After a few worship songs and prayer, the team was asked to share a don't with the church. The previous day we had decided to prepare the song that I had written and at the moment I believed that I was ready to share it. However when we walked up in front of the audience I froze up for a split second and questioned myself. "Am I really good enough for this team?" "Will people really like my song?" "Will my Japanese be good enough?" Were questions that constantly ran through my mind as I began sharing the meaning behind the songs lyrics and what inspired me to write it.

I finally stopped doubting myself once service has ended and people were coming up to me telling me how much they liked it. Some people even asked for a CD and songbook. I have never received such praise for such a simple song in the past and at that moment I knew that I had conveyed the correct message within my song and my explanation. Even if the audience didn't understand my mediocre Japanese, they understood the true meaning behind the song and why "Everything will be Alright". As we ate lunch, the team continued to converse with other church-goers (some were first-timers while others had been members for a while) without worrying about the language barrier.

As 2:00pm approached more and more youth stayed showing up at church and started talking to the youth who had stayed from the morning service. I was extremely intrigued at how they thought America is such a great place yet I think that Japan is a great place and they don't. But as I had experienced from the morning service, I noticed how it was much easier to converse since we all had one identical distinction: the fact that we all believe in the same God. As we played ice breakers and did worship together, we grew closer together as friends and followers of God. After having fun together, Pastor Hoshika gave an excellent message explaining why we should not hide our faults and ask for forgiveness. Later, we were paired up to have one on one discussions with each other. During this time of discussion, some of the team members had intimate discussions with some of the church members and discussed our faith and where we are in our relationship with God. Rejection was extremely prominent within the Christian community and some individuals were reprimanded for being Christian. After serious talk and a wonderful dinner, we watched the thunderstorm outside and went to sleep.

Time Travel Day

On the 17th of July of 2014, at about 17:00, each of us and a number of family and friends assembled in the San Francisco Airport. There, after checking in our luggage, we had a time of prayer before embarking.

After a grueling 10 hour flight, we landed in Haneda International Airport where we met Pastor Iida and Pastor Hoshika from Sakuragaoka Free Methodist Church in Tokyo. They drove admirably for the vans were large and the streets were narrow, taking sharp turns while keeping the passengers comfortable. We finally reached the church at midnight of July 18 and immediately slept.

The next morning, we woke up and ate an amazing breakfast. After we all helped clean up from the meal, we had a meeting with Pastor Iida along with a few church leaders in which various schedules, plans, and arrangements were discussed. Following a quick walk to acquire some groceries, a delicious lunch of yakisoba was prepared.

The rest of the afternoon was spent on mini adventures within the tall Japanese department stores as we familiarized ourselves with the environment after which we enjoyed a curry dinner with several more members of the Sakuragoaka church and had a team devotional time (BSFL) before going to bed.

-Bradley & Brandon

July 17 - 18

Days 1 & 2 Recap Video

Team Preparations

Preparing for our trip

Less than one week before we leave!

Thank you so much for supporting us! We have been totally blessed by all the prayers and conversations over the past months as we prepared to go to Japan. We will be leaving this Thursday, and we are very excited and nervous! Please continue to check in as we update about how we see God at work!