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Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus.
. Christmas was a busy time at Nozomi Lutheran Church. There were many Christmas Parties for the students as well as the congregation. I baked two gingerbread houses, one for the children to eat at their party (pictured) and one for the congregation. During the student's parties we went into the sanctuary. They were encouraged to look around, hoping to make this a more comfortable place - not so scary. They looked at the nativity scene, the pews, the organ, the altar and candles and the Bible. I was very surprised when one of the kids looked at the Bible and then began to read (in Japanese, of course)! We had a song and Pastor gave a short message. Then we were back in the other room for games and food. |
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. Preparations for the Christmas season began as early as October. We established a choir and practiced three songs after church each week. I asked my student (not a Christian) if she would play the piano for us. She agreed and came each week after the service to play. One Sunday she was late and we began without her. A stranger walked in and said he was there to sing with us. Imagine my surprise when my student arrived and introduced him as her husband! We were short of base singers so she asked him to sing with us! We sang one verse of each song in English and all the other verses in Japanese. My student and her husband had practiced the night before. We performed on the Sunday before Christmas and on Christmas Eve. Their two sons (also my students) came with their parents to church that Sunday and joined us in our celebration afterward. It was wonderful to have them with us. |
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. January has brought the realization that I will soon be going back to South Dakota (April). This is met with mixed emotions as I miss my family and friends, but I feel a great loss at leaving my new family and friends in Japan. My replacement will be announced Feb 3 and will spend one week in February with me to learn about what we do here, meet people and get comfortable with the area. There is so much work to be done here. Many people still don't know about Jesus but they seem curious and want to learn. I think that they are searching for answers the same way many American's are. We all need to be brave and have the courage to speak out about Jesus and the love he brings to us. I often remember that when the angels speak to people in the Bible they begin with "Don't be afraid!" We, too, should begin that way.
. Please keep all of us in Japan in your prayers that the Word of God may be spread to all people. God's blessings to you this New Year 2004. |
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