the Light of japan

“In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not”. John 1: 4-5

 

This past week in Kyoto, the city was paraded by nearly 200,000 people to prepare to meet god. Giant structures were carried throughout the streets to spiritually cleanse the way for god’s arrival, and this week the people are celebrating the one they worship – the Shinto god.

 

A gift from Mr. and Mrs. Nishimoto. These are cookies that are only made for the Shinto God Festival.

A gift from Mr. and Mrs. Nishimoto. These are cookies that are only made for the Shinto God Festival.

Every year in Kyoto, Japan observes 祇園祭 – the Gion Festival. This is just one of many that are held throughout the country. Two of my students, Mr. and Mrs. Nishimoto, attended it this year. It was shocking to me to hear her continually use “God’s name” in Japanese, but she wasn’t in fact referring to the true God. Mrs. Nishimoto kept talking about how “God”, 神様 “kamisama”, went through the street. And how excited they were to see “God”. It broke my heart, and I couldn’t even talk to them about the Truth.

 

The darkness of this world blinds its victims so that they cannot see the Light before their eyes, that they should not be saved. By the time you finish reading this paragraph, more than we can count on our hands will have died and perished. Is it not so hard to think of our neighbors, co-workers, class mates, or especially our family, heading straight for eternity, bound for damnation? How can we not burn within ourselves to tell them about the Savior?!

 

Just the other day our doorbell rang. It was these two ladies with a very young child. They were distributing information packets – though we had no idea the kind of interaction that was going to follow. With both parties doing their best to communicate, they began telling me about who they were and why they were on our front step. They were スピリチュアルボランティア, or “Spiritual Volunteers”, and they wished to share their “light” with us. I told them that we are believers in Jesus, and the minister, Yuki, smiled in agreeance. “We too believe of Jesus”, she said in Japanese, “and many other gods, too”. She began to speak about how they can get power from spiritual pendants, and they can give their “light” to others by holding their hand by someone’s head. She tried to give us “light”, too…. After giving them a gospel tract, talking a bit more, and letting the little girl use the bathroom, they parted. They were friendly, and perhaps genuine, but the grieving truth is that many genuinely friendly people go to hell. There is only one Light that saves, and we have a responsibility to “light our world”!

A tract from the "Spiritual Volunteers" on how to share "light".

A tract from the “Spiritual Volunteers” on how to share “light”.

 

We are greatly burdened to learn more of the language quickly to be able to reach more people that are blinded by the tactics of the devil. We pray for our loved ones reading this for the Lord to continue to work through you where you are. We also ask that you would pray for us that the Lord may give us great understanding and wisdom to be able to reach many that are lost, for surely he answers such requests. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much”!

 

Yoshikawa HostingThere is currently an open door to continue meeting with the local town board members (like the one Mia went to a few weeks ago) and we were invited again today. It is a meeting that has apparently gotten the attention of the mayor, and they have asked us to be a part of an international outreach initiative. We’ve been asked several times now, “Why Fukui?”, and we have been blessed to be able to share on how God has led us here in the name of Jesus. Even with that information, they want us to be a part of a video to help Japanese people to think of foreigners differently… and we’re praying that they see God differently. What an opportunity! Only God could orchestrate such things! We don’t know what will come of it still, but we are looking forward seeing God’s purpose in it. Please pray about this! We should be meeting again next month.

 

There also may be a couple of new ministries starting soon, including ministering to the elderly, which our church members are very excited to start. We also have concepts of a music outreach downtown, though it’s not certain yet. Please keep this in prayer, as we are very eager to do so, if the Lord will!

 

Please let us know your thoughts on these posts and if there is anything that we can change or do to make them better, or if there is anything you would like to know. Our purpose is to glorify God and to bless those that read it. We miss you and thank you so much for your prayers!

2 thoughts on “the Light of japan

  1. Thanks for the updates. We are glad to hear you continue to have a passion for lost souls! May God give you the right words and actions to draw others to Jesus!
    I would have a small suggestion. The background of green grass makes it difficult to read the script, for me.

  2. Pingback: Sent | The Spratt Family

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