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| The city we live in now. |
I know, I know. We just started language school. We have at least two years of a language school left. We have only been in Japan for 6 months. Why would we be thinking of moving and starting over when really we have only just begun? I guess you could say we have such a strong burden, a strong love for the Japanese people. My heart breaks to think about the many people in Japan who have never heard, not even once, that Jesus loves them. My heart breaks to know there are many towns, cities and villages that have no church, no gospel witness at all. I want to do something, we want to do something now.
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| Nakagawa, Japan |
I have plans to start a park minitry in September. I am working on the language and am praying that by September I am able to read a simple Bible story in the park. I am planning to have some snacks and some games. The kids and I know "Jesus loves me" in Japanese. I plan to start simple.
Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
John 4:35-36
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| Farmer planting rice in a field behind our apartment. |
As we have been praying about our next step,Mike and I have been doing some research on other cities. I sat at the computer a few weeks ago and looked up several cities and towns. I was looking for a few things 1) population 2) grocery stores and 3) the nearest airport. (just in case my family ever came for a visit) As I made my notes about each city, I began to get very sad. I started to tear up and get a lump in my throat. I felt like I was saying, "This city is more worthy to hear the gospel, and this city is not."
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
I made my list of ten cities. I folded up the paper and cried. I cried for those who will never hear because there is no one to go and tell them. I cried because I fought with God for several years about coming to Japan. I cried because I love Japan.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:
and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Matthew 28:19-20
A few days later, Mike and I compared our list of cities. We had made our lists with different criteria. He wanted to know 1) population 2) nearest missionary or established church 3) average age and 4) job market (growing or not). We had only one city on our list that matched. Karatsu, Japan.
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| Karatsu Castle |
I am not saying that this is where we will move to, or this is where we will start a church but I am saying it is worth a look. We are praying for God to show us where the next step is.
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| Looking out over the city. |
So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas,
lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him,
Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?
He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.
He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?
Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me?
And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.
Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
John 21:15-17
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