20Plus Japan 2007 Blog

Penultimate day

pclafferty — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 22:14:32 +0000

sweet time with the professor yesterday morning….he is a man with wisdom, courage, intentionality, and supreme humility–everything that makes him so strategically placed in that setting. Terry and Lott were both able to be “in the dock” for the Lord as it relates to the need of a moral compass in economic considerations. Globalization was the topic of the lecture and both of them were able to establish rapport and credibility (so it seemed, many Japanese students are rather brazen about sleeping conspicuously in class) in their knowledge of economic trends, and then speak of their faith in Christ as what shapes their ideas about economic responsibility–all that through a very natural question-and-answer format the professor worked into his lecture! The text in Matthew 10:19 showed itself applicable: “do not be anxious about what to say, for in that hour He will give you the words.” In succinct and clear terms, the two of them were able to lay out a very simple idea: with economic considerations desperate for a moral framework, lest pure revenue becomes the sole pursuit of nations and corporations, faith in Christ provides a rather counter-cultural shaping to market economies.

all that and a bag of chips. not a bad morning. thanks for praying

patrick

checking in

pclafferty — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 21:37:27 +0000

This morning we’ll attend a international economics class (surely, our forte) led by a professor who’s a Christian at Chiba University. Terry’s been called upon to offer a brief perspective on burgeoning and collapsing industries in America with a view to making mention of how the Gospel might shape business practices. Not exactly light conversation is it? If you wouldn’t mind praying for him, I am sure we would all appreciate it. Terry has proved himself the wonderful mix of courage, consideration, and comic relief here in Japan. We’re all looking forward to hearing what he has to say and perhaps to engage with students, too.

Micah 7:7 has sort of become our theme verse for this trip so far. We ask you pray in that direction for us.

This is a sweet team following our majestic Lord. Thanks for praying. Please continue.

Patrick

P.S. Mr. Lott’s enthusiasm in being here I can only liken to a puppy in a Petco: he’s drinking it all in with great curiosity and vigor!

Good morning

amytheute — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 23:42:50 +0000

Howdy Y`all! These keyboards are really funky, so sorry for the typos. Anyway, just wanted to let you all know that it:s really sunny here today, which is a nice change in weather. Today we have our second TX night. Please pray that today as we pass out fliers advertising the event on the college campus, that hearts are softened and that we are given the right things to say to a people who are so closed. We love you, and thank you for the comments – we anxiously await more!

Love,

Amy

Sunday and Monday!

amytheute — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 13:10:34 +0000

Sunday~

Ahhh… what 8 hours of sleep can do for the body! We woke up this morning and felt refreshing and excited about today. This morning we got ready and then made our first adventure out on our own – we went to the Daily Yamakazi market to buy some soda nd get change for our large Yen bills. The language barrier has posed a probelm as far as being able to ask questios. Fortunately, the people at the church have been helpful translators. We also have free internet, which is a thrill. also have free internet, which is a thrill. One o hte missionaries came to pick us up and showed us how to take the train and get to the Honda church. It is comparable to the train system in NYC.

When we arrived　to the church, we prepared the food for TX Night and then went to the worship service. It was so fascinating – it is such a testament og Gods sovereignty to see what He is doing in Japan. The whole concept of many tounges and all the nations becomes very clear when you listen to an entire service in Japanese! The people are so convicted – it is against their culture to accept Christianity - but they are totally gungho.

Is – 43:9 – All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble.

Is – 55:5 – Behold, you shall call a nation that you – Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know, and a nation that did you do not know, and a nation that did not know you, shall run to you.

The leader of the college ministry in Japan is Nobu – he is so very peaceful. He is incredibly kind and certainly has his hands full. He is a pastor at the church, works with the college students, and has a huge family! The church building is less than a the college students, and has a huge family! The church building is less than a year old and has the fresh scent of pine. The kids are so cute – they love to see the Americans – The kids are so cute – they love to see the Americans – they just stare at us, which is adorable.

Our TX night was also successful. The church was packed. The food was edible too, so that was a plus. Terry arrived safely in Japan too, which was thrilling – having the team Japan too, which was thrilling – having the team at 10 which was thrilling – having the team at 100% is priceless.

In the evening we went to the Sento, which had a restaurant and a to the Sento, which had a restaurant and a Bath house. Let us just say that what happens at the Sento stays at the Sento. It was fun though – quite the cultural experience.

MONDAY~

Today we went to a women:s Bible study. Gods hand was truly at work with every breath we took. Two of the 6 women were not believers but had been coming for quite some time . As I shared my testimony and we tag teamed the questions, we saw truth come to life as one woman who is NOT a believer told us that she felt goosebumps as we told our stories. We are hopeful that we are planting seeds with each step we take.

Additionally, we explored Tokyo a little bit today. WOW WOW! Love it. Went to Starbucks too! Gotta love it. Shopping was fun, but the real exploration day is Thursday.

The team is doing delightfully well. We has the real deal sushi tonight for dinner. Yum. Yum. We are slowly, and I mean slowly, picking up the language. I think I can say maybe 5 words confidently. Anyway, we are quite tired and will be going to bed shortly.

Thank you all foryour prayers – we knew that God is with us; Tuesday is a VERY intense day for us – so make sure to pray that everything go smoothly and that we have purpose in the lives of those whom we touch.

In Him,

Amy

landed,wearied,but excited

pclafferty — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 11:30:51 +0000

four-fifths of us have made it to chiba city….we await our fifth-man, terry, later tomorrow….checked in at two of the churches here in this vicinity…what encouraging signs of growth, vitality, and perseverance!

very tired but very glad to be here….off to brush our teeth for the first time in a day (aren’t you envious) and a night of rest

more to come from all of us

konbawa,

patrick (for the team)

hot off the press: our prayer requests

pclafferty — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 01:02:20 +0000

By the time you read this, we will be out-bound traffic. What would we have you pray for us? Glad you asked.

1) For our preparations as a team

2) For “divine appointments” with students who wish to have a closer look at this Jesus fellow

3) That we might genuinely serve the long-term missionaries there (currently 168 in Chiba City)

4) For wisdom in sharing the Gospel with the students with whom we have the privilege of meeting

5) For loving, genuine relationships to be built between the students we reach and the long-term missionaries

6) Above all, we ask for your persistent prayer (Luke 11:5-13, 18:1-7)

but can we evangelize it?

pclafferty — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 20:07:33 +0000

I wonder how Japan’s newest attempt at making things for lonely people would respond to a presentation of the Gospel? (Okay, it’s not really for lonely people, but what would you do with it?)

it ain’t all sake and cherry blossoms…

pclafferty — Mon, 28 May 2007 14:12:56 +0000

Leave it to Bobo to bring whatever naive dreams of entering a sleek and safe country like Japan crashing to the ground.

Here’s a little snippet (no pun intended) of some recent crime, of a grisly sort, on the upswing in Japan.

UPDATE: and then there’s this….

great news!

pclafferty — Tue, 08 May 2007 19:52:11 +0000

There’ve been no known kidnappings of foreigners within Japan. The link provided details from one “K&R (Kidnap and Ransom) Extortion Report,” a dossier that helps insurance carriers figure their costs for those they insure who are traveling overseas.

Cheers to Corey for doing his due diligence on risk-management. You da man!

Texas Night brainstorming

pclafferty — Tue, 08 May 2007 14:00:48 +0000

let it rip: what might we include in a Texas Night offering?