Today was Saturday. Saturday in Japan mean park ministry. A couple teams joined together and went to Yoyogi Park, the Central Park of sorts here in Tokyo. After a quick picnic lunch we split off into pairs to prayer walk and meet people. My friend Cara and I prayer walked for about 2 and a half hours all around the park. It was such a good solid prayer time. My soul had been longing for that more than I realized. After that we headed to the nearest McDonald's for some air conditioning and hopefully some great conversations with people. Well after sitting down and looking all over the place for girls to talk to, we didn't feel led to talk to anyone. Two different sets of girls sat on either side of us but we knew that neither were right, it would just be forcing it. We finally decided to quit looking and just talk. It was easily one of the most encouraging conversations I have had in a long time. We talked about God and life and where we think God is taking us. Basically we planned our lives together filled with church planting, and inviting neighbors over for dinner. Now we just need husbands who are best friends to join it all haha. But seriously, even though we didn't get to share the gospel with anyone, we prayed for a total of 4 hours today. Four hours of prayer!! How wonderful is that?! We were also able to have a conversation that not only encouraged us but glorified Father just as much as if we got to share with people. It was so sweet to just fellowship. I love her so much. I love this group of sisters and brothers God has brought together. I have had so many amazing conversation. Things aren't perfect, we are still learning about each other. But it has been so great to live with people from all over the country and learn how we are all different and the same all at once. Please continue to pray for unity as we hit our stride and as the high school interns get here.
Tonight some friends and I are meeting our Japanese friend we met on a train. We feel like we have known them forever. Pray for opportunities to share with them and to continue our friendship with them.
God has been blowing up so many things in my heart and life. I am still figuring things out, and if you would like more details just message me and hopefully I will have my thoughts together enough to share. But basically, I have absolutely no idea what God wants me to do with my life past college other than seminary but everyday I am getting more and more excited to see what is next. I am so thankful to serve a God who is sovereign, has everything planned out since forever (literally), and is good and loving. I can't wait to see what God is going to let me do in His ministry somewhere in His world.
Thanks for praying! Love y'all!
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Ancient Work
This summer has flown by. I am a few days short of being here for a month. The high school interns, or GTs, get here next week. What? I think we are all in just a little bit of shock. God has really been waking me up to how little time I have here. I don't like to think of the end when I still have about two months left, but it will be here before I know it. The more I have thought and prayed, the more I feel like this summer is my last in Japan, perhaps forever. As much as I hate that, it pushes me to take things a little more seriously. I have only a few more short weeks before I go back to America and pick up where I left off with my family, friends, and school. To be honest there is a huge separation in my mind between my life back home and here. I never forget about those I love back home, and miss them when the Lord brings them to mind, but I do sometimes forget that this is not where my life is completely. I just feel so much at home here. I hope and pray my whole team feels the same way. I love these men and women. I am learning so much from them by watching them and through our conversations. It breaks my heart to think of the day when I will wake up and not share a room with 10 other girls. But, at the same time, I know that there is still a lot of work to be done, a lot of things still to happen. I am excited to see what God is going to do. For the longest time I was waiting for the summer to really get started. Father has shown me that it is in full swing. I am excited to go back to work tomorrow and life for Him in this nation as I pray for the people God has broken my heart for.
Every trip that I go on I think God reinforces a different core value. My first one week trip to Germany in 2007 taught me that everything is for God's glory, that is the bottom line of scriptures. In 2008 in Greece I think God reinforced hope of the world, God's church is alive all over the church and no matter who sends me on a trip God is going to use the work we do. Last summer was definitely the summer of joy of the sower. I learned how to count conversations instead of conversations. I learned that no one's salvation or discipleship depend on me, that's all God. I learned how to be joyful even when I lose a contact and trust her in God's hands, the only one who can bring growth any way. This summer, the Lord has really been showing me His ancient work. Ancient work means that God has been doing work long before we arrive anywhere, we don't "take" Jesus with us to a new place because the truth is He's been there since forever and isn't going anywhere. As of right now, ancient work is my favorite because it really shows off His sovereignty, His plan for the world since before He even created it. I mean, all the core values blend together to amount to the same thing, but still haha. In the past month we have run into more people who have either been to American and gone to church, went to a Christian school of some kind, knows a Christian, or was even friends with someone who came last summer. One of my teammates just texted me and said that she met a women who still writes letters with a girl who was an intern here last summer. How awesome is that! Every time I have gone to the big Buddhist temple here I still feel the darkness and am broken for the oppression, but the darkness does not feel as heavy. The air in general doesn't seem to be as heavy as it was last year. Our Father is moving in this place, revival is coming! I firmly believe that it won't be long until Japan become a nation after God's our heart. Of course, it's God's timing and not my own, but I just know He is going to sweep this nation for His glory and renown. Your prayers have been a part of that as much as your support of my trips here. We as a body of believers are working together to reach the ends of the earth. It is such a beautiful thing. So, again, thank you for all your prayers and support! It is definitely not in vain.
Please continue to pray for the people of Japan and their hearts. Pray they will continue to be more and more receptive to the gospel and that it would really take root here.
Please pray for our team. Satan is stirring. Nothing serious, but I think this past week as we have had a big team he has really been working on us, attacking a lot of us to discourage us. Pray for healing, pray for strength and energy. Please pray that we would really start to be unified as a church, not just a group of believers living together. It is my desire to see true community really take place here.
Please pray for the GTs as they get ready to join in the work here. I am so excited for them to get here!
Please pray for wisdom and discernment for me as I pray for and minister to the beautiful women God has put me with this summer. I really do love them all and have truly enjoyed watching Father work in their hearts.
Thank you for your prayers. Please please please keep them up!!
Every trip that I go on I think God reinforces a different core value. My first one week trip to Germany in 2007 taught me that everything is for God's glory, that is the bottom line of scriptures. In 2008 in Greece I think God reinforced hope of the world, God's church is alive all over the church and no matter who sends me on a trip God is going to use the work we do. Last summer was definitely the summer of joy of the sower. I learned how to count conversations instead of conversations. I learned that no one's salvation or discipleship depend on me, that's all God. I learned how to be joyful even when I lose a contact and trust her in God's hands, the only one who can bring growth any way. This summer, the Lord has really been showing me His ancient work. Ancient work means that God has been doing work long before we arrive anywhere, we don't "take" Jesus with us to a new place because the truth is He's been there since forever and isn't going anywhere. As of right now, ancient work is my favorite because it really shows off His sovereignty, His plan for the world since before He even created it. I mean, all the core values blend together to amount to the same thing, but still haha. In the past month we have run into more people who have either been to American and gone to church, went to a Christian school of some kind, knows a Christian, or was even friends with someone who came last summer. One of my teammates just texted me and said that she met a women who still writes letters with a girl who was an intern here last summer. How awesome is that! Every time I have gone to the big Buddhist temple here I still feel the darkness and am broken for the oppression, but the darkness does not feel as heavy. The air in general doesn't seem to be as heavy as it was last year. Our Father is moving in this place, revival is coming! I firmly believe that it won't be long until Japan become a nation after God's our heart. Of course, it's God's timing and not my own, but I just know He is going to sweep this nation for His glory and renown. Your prayers have been a part of that as much as your support of my trips here. We as a body of believers are working together to reach the ends of the earth. It is such a beautiful thing. So, again, thank you for all your prayers and support! It is definitely not in vain.
Please continue to pray for the people of Japan and their hearts. Pray they will continue to be more and more receptive to the gospel and that it would really take root here.
Please pray for our team. Satan is stirring. Nothing serious, but I think this past week as we have had a big team he has really been working on us, attacking a lot of us to discourage us. Pray for healing, pray for strength and energy. Please pray that we would really start to be unified as a church, not just a group of believers living together. It is my desire to see true community really take place here.
Please pray for the GTs as they get ready to join in the work here. I am so excited for them to get here!
Please pray for wisdom and discernment for me as I pray for and minister to the beautiful women God has put me with this summer. I really do love them all and have truly enjoyed watching Father work in their hearts.
Thank you for your prayers. Please please please keep them up!!
Saturday, June 5, 2010
How He Loves
Well friends, it's been a very eventful week. I have been meaning to sit down and write a blog pretty much everyday but I just haven't really had the time. If you have been waiting on a reply to an email, please don't take it personally if it takes me a while. I love you and am praying, but I just get distracted easily haha. But anyways, this will be a long one, so brace yourselves. Here we go!
I will start with the work I have seen Father do first, then I talk about what He has done in me personally.
God keeps bringing people to us, which is very un-Japanese. We have had a woman approach us while we were praying on a bench, a sweet college girl came up to us on the train, and lots of other stories. Yesterday (Friday) my area team went to a university to do some campus ministry. The Journeymen have become friends with a couple of professors here so that is an amazing open door that God has given us here. I really think God is stirring at the campus He has called us to this summer. I struggled with campus ministry last year. I don't know why, mostly fear I guess, but it scared me. The two girls on my team felt the same. We prayed about it, then headed into a hang out spot. I went up to these two girls to ask about English club on campus, but they misunderstood me and pointed to me a place outside the campus, and since she took the time to take me outside and leave her friend, I felt like I needed to stay outside for a while. I was determined to not let fear get the best of me though. After wondering around for a little bit, I finally saw a girl sitting alone on a bench. It was totally a divine appointment. She had pretty much perfect English. She had gone to a Christian school for middle school and high school, so there are seeds planted. We talked for like thirty minutes. It was probably one of the most genuine conversation I've had with a student here. She is my age, and not totally boy crazy. I don't think I have ever met a student my age before. We exchanged information so pray that we will get to meet together and become really good friends, and that ultimately she would come to know Christ.
Today, we had the most interesting 5 minute English experiences I think I have ever been a part of. At the very beginning I talked to this precious woman who was physically handicapped. She could speak really good English, but she had a hard time controlling her movements and talking. She was so excited to practice her English though. She said that she had gone to an art school in New York on scholarship for painting. When she found out that I was a Christian and not a Mormon she gave me a huge hug. I gave her a manga Messiah (anime story of Jesus' life) and my email. She also gave me hers. She really wants to practice her English. And I will gladly practice with her using the Bible. I can't wait to see what God does through these two contacts. Please pray that M-san will be just as excited as the Bible as she is for English and America. Pray that she will be healed body and soul. That was just the beginning of 5ME. It went pretty slow after that until about the last 45 minutes. Then it got crazy. One of my friends was standing next to me and this older man approached us. He couldn't speak too much English, but we understood enough to discover that he's traveled all over America on a Greyhound bus. The man has seen more of the States than I have. Soon after our other two teammates came to join us. Then a guy who is in Japan as a Campus Crusade missionary stopped and talked to one of our guys. It's encouraging to know there are others working here too. Then a man who I think went to college here stopped as well. At this point there are 4 of us and three people who have stopped. Hectic to say the least. Well, the man who had lived in the States had two petitions he wanted us to sign. We are hoping we didn't sign our lives away, but I think it opened doors for us. His shoulder and head were hurt, he said that he had been pushed over by the people he was petitioning to stop. We prayed healing over him and when my friend laid his hand on the man's shoulder, he began to cry. He shook our hands, obviously touched, and left. He came back to give us a calender. We got to talking, and the guy who laid his hand on the man's shoulder got to share about the Holy Spirit and a little bit of what it means to be a Christian. He was interrupted when the clock chimed five, time for our friend to go drinking. It was very obvious that God has been, and is going to continue, working in his life. He said he was going to come to church with us tomorrow. Please pray healing for T-san, heart, soul, and body. He is carrying hurts, pray that God would set him free. Pray for more opportunities to share, and ultimately salvation. I don't think he is very far. All in all, it's been a great first full week of ministry.
Well, now comes what I have been learning. If you need to take a break and come back, go for it. If you want to stop, that's fine too. Just don't forget to pray for the Japanese!
Ok, so I think the biggest thing God has been showing me is that He accomplishes His purposes in His perfect, sovereign timing. That has been beautiful. That is probably going to be a theme for the summer, which I am way excited. I love when God allows bigness moments to just marvel at all He is. Speaking of which, let me tell you how great our God is. Thursday night I was really struggling. Satan knows my weak spots, and as I've heard it said, he magnifies your weakness on the mission field. I know this to be true from experience. I was really having trouble, as girly and ridiculous as this sounds, being patient for my husband. I know, so silly, but it has been a struggle since forever. Honestly, it was just a cover struggle for me not believing God was enough and that He truly knew what is best for me. Satan had been messing with my thoughts all day. I was tired. I hadn't really journaled in a while, so I said goodnight to everyone and busted out the journal. I just spilled it all before the Lord. He gave me peace about it. I knew that I would have freedom from it, but I figured it would be a summer long fight. I went to bed exhausted in every way, but assured that God was in control. After a long but good day of ministry yesterday I stayed at our ministry site because I was supposed to meet a volunteer team there. Well, I thought the were getting there at 5:30 so I just waited around for about 45 minutes for the call from a missionary of the exact time. It came at 6, they weren't going to get there until about 8:15. My heart sank. I felt like I had wasted time. I walked around a little more, found for sure where I was meeting them, then decided to use the time to listen to a podcast or something. I went into McDonald's got a drink and set up shop. I felt like I needed to watch a Breakaway podcast called "The Sacrifice of Isaac". Friends, it was the most freeing sermon I have heard in my life. It was perfect for where I was. Even though I had heard it before, I took notes again. God showed up big time. I saw that once we enter a relationship with God, He does what He needs to until everything in our lives is under His rule. To seek our highest satisfaction in something other than the Lord is death to us. Because of that, the most loving thing He can do is take away what is destroying us. Abraham didn't hesitate when God told him to sacrifice Isaac, the child of promise. It says in Hebrews that Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, he knew the true character of God even when he was told to do something that went against all logic and reason. Wow. What faith! What Abraham knew, and I have learned, is that when we trust God with everything, we get to see the beauty of His provision. To receive God's provision we must first get to a place where we can handle it. We must be buried in the dirt until He is all we love and care about. God finally opened my heart to see that when our lives are completely open before Him, we are able to see a to a greater extent, and experience more fully all He is doing in His universe. Through this all, He set me free. I was putting my hope in a man that may not even be out there, and if he is will definitely let me down and not even come close to fulfilling my soul like Jesus.
My world has been completely rocked. I feel like every single worship song I have ever sung I can sing to a great extend. I can now say without a doubt that this Love is greater than life. I don't care if I ever get married or get to be a football mom. I don't really care what happens. Everything melts away in comparison to my Savior, my Redeemer, my Jesus. All else really is rubbish. I cannot even explain the freedom I feel. I never thought it would come this soon. I just wanted to run through the streets singing at the top of my lungs. Everything is different. Thank goodness for miscommunication and that McDonald's in Kichijoji. I am forever changed. I don't care if this summer just goes down hill from here, if I never talk to another Japanese person. If I came for the sole purpose of being set free, that is perfectly ok with me. If you have had this moment, I am sure you rejoice with me. If not, I pray earnestly that you will. Friends, Paul was right: nothing, not one thing, compares to the surpassing greatness of knowing our Savior King. How great is the Father's love for us! I am unaware of any afflictions, eclipsed by His great and mighty glory. I can go on forever, but I will stop for now.
Thank you for reading my ramblings. I love you sweet friends.
I will start with the work I have seen Father do first, then I talk about what He has done in me personally.
God keeps bringing people to us, which is very un-Japanese. We have had a woman approach us while we were praying on a bench, a sweet college girl came up to us on the train, and lots of other stories. Yesterday (Friday) my area team went to a university to do some campus ministry. The Journeymen have become friends with a couple of professors here so that is an amazing open door that God has given us here. I really think God is stirring at the campus He has called us to this summer. I struggled with campus ministry last year. I don't know why, mostly fear I guess, but it scared me. The two girls on my team felt the same. We prayed about it, then headed into a hang out spot. I went up to these two girls to ask about English club on campus, but they misunderstood me and pointed to me a place outside the campus, and since she took the time to take me outside and leave her friend, I felt like I needed to stay outside for a while. I was determined to not let fear get the best of me though. After wondering around for a little bit, I finally saw a girl sitting alone on a bench. It was totally a divine appointment. She had pretty much perfect English. She had gone to a Christian school for middle school and high school, so there are seeds planted. We talked for like thirty minutes. It was probably one of the most genuine conversation I've had with a student here. She is my age, and not totally boy crazy. I don't think I have ever met a student my age before. We exchanged information so pray that we will get to meet together and become really good friends, and that ultimately she would come to know Christ.
Today, we had the most interesting 5 minute English experiences I think I have ever been a part of. At the very beginning I talked to this precious woman who was physically handicapped. She could speak really good English, but she had a hard time controlling her movements and talking. She was so excited to practice her English though. She said that she had gone to an art school in New York on scholarship for painting. When she found out that I was a Christian and not a Mormon she gave me a huge hug. I gave her a manga Messiah (anime story of Jesus' life) and my email. She also gave me hers. She really wants to practice her English. And I will gladly practice with her using the Bible. I can't wait to see what God does through these two contacts. Please pray that M-san will be just as excited as the Bible as she is for English and America. Pray that she will be healed body and soul. That was just the beginning of 5ME. It went pretty slow after that until about the last 45 minutes. Then it got crazy. One of my friends was standing next to me and this older man approached us. He couldn't speak too much English, but we understood enough to discover that he's traveled all over America on a Greyhound bus. The man has seen more of the States than I have. Soon after our other two teammates came to join us. Then a guy who is in Japan as a Campus Crusade missionary stopped and talked to one of our guys. It's encouraging to know there are others working here too. Then a man who I think went to college here stopped as well. At this point there are 4 of us and three people who have stopped. Hectic to say the least. Well, the man who had lived in the States had two petitions he wanted us to sign. We are hoping we didn't sign our lives away, but I think it opened doors for us. His shoulder and head were hurt, he said that he had been pushed over by the people he was petitioning to stop. We prayed healing over him and when my friend laid his hand on the man's shoulder, he began to cry. He shook our hands, obviously touched, and left. He came back to give us a calender. We got to talking, and the guy who laid his hand on the man's shoulder got to share about the Holy Spirit and a little bit of what it means to be a Christian. He was interrupted when the clock chimed five, time for our friend to go drinking. It was very obvious that God has been, and is going to continue, working in his life. He said he was going to come to church with us tomorrow. Please pray healing for T-san, heart, soul, and body. He is carrying hurts, pray that God would set him free. Pray for more opportunities to share, and ultimately salvation. I don't think he is very far. All in all, it's been a great first full week of ministry.
Well, now comes what I have been learning. If you need to take a break and come back, go for it. If you want to stop, that's fine too. Just don't forget to pray for the Japanese!
Ok, so I think the biggest thing God has been showing me is that He accomplishes His purposes in His perfect, sovereign timing. That has been beautiful. That is probably going to be a theme for the summer, which I am way excited. I love when God allows bigness moments to just marvel at all He is. Speaking of which, let me tell you how great our God is. Thursday night I was really struggling. Satan knows my weak spots, and as I've heard it said, he magnifies your weakness on the mission field. I know this to be true from experience. I was really having trouble, as girly and ridiculous as this sounds, being patient for my husband. I know, so silly, but it has been a struggle since forever. Honestly, it was just a cover struggle for me not believing God was enough and that He truly knew what is best for me. Satan had been messing with my thoughts all day. I was tired. I hadn't really journaled in a while, so I said goodnight to everyone and busted out the journal. I just spilled it all before the Lord. He gave me peace about it. I knew that I would have freedom from it, but I figured it would be a summer long fight. I went to bed exhausted in every way, but assured that God was in control. After a long but good day of ministry yesterday I stayed at our ministry site because I was supposed to meet a volunteer team there. Well, I thought the were getting there at 5:30 so I just waited around for about 45 minutes for the call from a missionary of the exact time. It came at 6, they weren't going to get there until about 8:15. My heart sank. I felt like I had wasted time. I walked around a little more, found for sure where I was meeting them, then decided to use the time to listen to a podcast or something. I went into McDonald's got a drink and set up shop. I felt like I needed to watch a Breakaway podcast called "The Sacrifice of Isaac". Friends, it was the most freeing sermon I have heard in my life. It was perfect for where I was. Even though I had heard it before, I took notes again. God showed up big time. I saw that once we enter a relationship with God, He does what He needs to until everything in our lives is under His rule. To seek our highest satisfaction in something other than the Lord is death to us. Because of that, the most loving thing He can do is take away what is destroying us. Abraham didn't hesitate when God told him to sacrifice Isaac, the child of promise. It says in Hebrews that Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, he knew the true character of God even when he was told to do something that went against all logic and reason. Wow. What faith! What Abraham knew, and I have learned, is that when we trust God with everything, we get to see the beauty of His provision. To receive God's provision we must first get to a place where we can handle it. We must be buried in the dirt until He is all we love and care about. God finally opened my heart to see that when our lives are completely open before Him, we are able to see a to a greater extent, and experience more fully all He is doing in His universe. Through this all, He set me free. I was putting my hope in a man that may not even be out there, and if he is will definitely let me down and not even come close to fulfilling my soul like Jesus.
My world has been completely rocked. I feel like every single worship song I have ever sung I can sing to a great extend. I can now say without a doubt that this Love is greater than life. I don't care if I ever get married or get to be a football mom. I don't really care what happens. Everything melts away in comparison to my Savior, my Redeemer, my Jesus. All else really is rubbish. I cannot even explain the freedom I feel. I never thought it would come this soon. I just wanted to run through the streets singing at the top of my lungs. Everything is different. Thank goodness for miscommunication and that McDonald's in Kichijoji. I am forever changed. I don't care if this summer just goes down hill from here, if I never talk to another Japanese person. If I came for the sole purpose of being set free, that is perfectly ok with me. If you have had this moment, I am sure you rejoice with me. If not, I pray earnestly that you will. Friends, Paul was right: nothing, not one thing, compares to the surpassing greatness of knowing our Savior King. How great is the Father's love for us! I am unaware of any afflictions, eclipsed by His great and mighty glory. I can go on forever, but I will stop for now.
Thank you for reading my ramblings. I love you sweet friends.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Isaiah
I'm sorry I haven't been updating y'all, I was kinda just waiting for something to post about. The rest of the team got here a couple days ago. I don't think I've ever been more excited to see people. It was so great to see people who I had already met and new friends that I hadn't. After only a couple of days, I can say that I love this team so much. God has done a great work in bringing people together from all over the country and different walks of life to serve Him together this summer. I got to experience the most amazing community with the team from last summer, and it has been weird not seeing them here with us, but I am excited to see how God unites us this summer for His glory. Everything is different from last year: new team, different missionary, different ministry plan, and I can just feel that something glorious is going to happen this summer here in Tokyo. We may not fully see the results for years, but I am confident that God is going to stinking rock Tokyo and Japan this summer.
Yesterday my area team and I went to our park to prayer walk and just kinda scope it out. Our park is huge and has a lot of great things for park ministry days. The most interesting thing is the shrine to one of the gods of fortunes. I had been praying earlier that I just wasn't feeling the darkness like I had last year. I didn't want to be hardened to it, I wanted to remember how important the gospel is and feel the urgency to share it. So God told me to go to the shrine and pray. The darkness hit me immediately. I quickly flipped to Isaiah and started praying through chapters 64 and 65. I had forgotten how relevant Isaiah is to Japan. I was shaken up a little bit. I was definitely reminded. I read Isaiah 45-47 this morning, and just got so much out of it. It was one of the best quiet times I've had in a while, thank You Jesus. God reminded me that He will tear down the exalted places, but He does things in His timing. And His timing is perfect. The end of 47:11 says: "...I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have a purpose, and I will do it." Our God is so big and mighty and completely sovereign. He will make Himself famous in Japan and all over the world. But He knows what the right timing is, and it's not mine. If it were up to me, all the temples just all fell down and everyone would turn to Jesus and there would be mass revival all over Japan that would spread all over the world. But I am finite and know nothing of the grand plan the Master Planner has for His creation. I just have to trust, pray, and be obedient.
Please pray that our team would continue to mesh well and just become a family. Some our us are sick, please pray for total and complete healing in every way.
Please pray that I would be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and God's ancient work all around me, and that I would be patient. One of my friends who I went to Germany with in 2007 gave the best definition of patience I have ever heard: "Patience is not just waiting for your turn, it's being ok if you never get one." My job here is to do what I can to help the interns shine as bright as they can for the Lord. We went and did 5 minute English the other day and everyone got to talk to someone but me. That might be a theme for the summer, sitting back and praying for my friends as God uses them to share His story with people. Part of me thinks this in unfair because last summer I didn't really get to have a contact or a Bible study, I should get to have one this summer right? So very wrong. I am not God, He does what He pleases. He accomplishes His purposes in His time. There is no I or Kelley in God or Jesus. I don't really fit in the story, He chooses to use this broken, selfish vassal for His glory, even though I stumble all over myself and trample dirt on His name almost by the minute. That is a little bit of where I am. I am nothing. He is everything. I don't want my nothingness to get in the way of everything He wants to do.
Please pray for volunteer teams as they are gearing up to get here. I am not really sure how many we are going to have, but in the next two week we are going to have three. Pray things will go well, they will be ready to hit the ground running, and that all the interns will know what they are doing haha.
I love y'all. Sorry this is long. I will try to keep y'all more updated to prevent super long blogs in the future. :)
Yesterday my area team and I went to our park to prayer walk and just kinda scope it out. Our park is huge and has a lot of great things for park ministry days. The most interesting thing is the shrine to one of the gods of fortunes. I had been praying earlier that I just wasn't feeling the darkness like I had last year. I didn't want to be hardened to it, I wanted to remember how important the gospel is and feel the urgency to share it. So God told me to go to the shrine and pray. The darkness hit me immediately. I quickly flipped to Isaiah and started praying through chapters 64 and 65. I had forgotten how relevant Isaiah is to Japan. I was shaken up a little bit. I was definitely reminded. I read Isaiah 45-47 this morning, and just got so much out of it. It was one of the best quiet times I've had in a while, thank You Jesus. God reminded me that He will tear down the exalted places, but He does things in His timing. And His timing is perfect. The end of 47:11 says: "...I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have a purpose, and I will do it." Our God is so big and mighty and completely sovereign. He will make Himself famous in Japan and all over the world. But He knows what the right timing is, and it's not mine. If it were up to me, all the temples just all fell down and everyone would turn to Jesus and there would be mass revival all over Japan that would spread all over the world. But I am finite and know nothing of the grand plan the Master Planner has for His creation. I just have to trust, pray, and be obedient.
Please pray that our team would continue to mesh well and just become a family. Some our us are sick, please pray for total and complete healing in every way.
Please pray that I would be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and God's ancient work all around me, and that I would be patient. One of my friends who I went to Germany with in 2007 gave the best definition of patience I have ever heard: "Patience is not just waiting for your turn, it's being ok if you never get one." My job here is to do what I can to help the interns shine as bright as they can for the Lord. We went and did 5 minute English the other day and everyone got to talk to someone but me. That might be a theme for the summer, sitting back and praying for my friends as God uses them to share His story with people. Part of me thinks this in unfair because last summer I didn't really get to have a contact or a Bible study, I should get to have one this summer right? So very wrong. I am not God, He does what He pleases. He accomplishes His purposes in His time. There is no I or Kelley in God or Jesus. I don't really fit in the story, He chooses to use this broken, selfish vassal for His glory, even though I stumble all over myself and trample dirt on His name almost by the minute. That is a little bit of where I am. I am nothing. He is everything. I don't want my nothingness to get in the way of everything He wants to do.
Please pray for volunteer teams as they are gearing up to get here. I am not really sure how many we are going to have, but in the next two week we are going to have three. Pray things will go well, they will be ready to hit the ground running, and that all the interns will know what they are doing haha.
I love y'all. Sorry this is long. I will try to keep y'all more updated to prevent super long blogs in the future. :)
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Passion World Tour
Last night one of my teammates and I had the amazing opportunity to attend the Passion Conference World Tour stop here in Tokyo. I already know that will be a highlight of my entire summer. Chris Tomlin led worship and Louie Giglio spoke. That in and of itself is a great way to kick off a summer long mission trip. The greatest part is that we were two of about 2,500. Most of the people around us were Japanese. Every song they played had both the English and Japanese words on the screen. Thousands of people were jumping and raising their hands for the Lord. In a city with a small Christian population, words cannot describe how wonderful it was to see and be a part of that. It reminded us that our God is greater, stronger, and higher than any other. He is awesome in power and Tokyo is His city. Louie presented the gospel so beautifully through a translator. It was exactly what I needed to hear to remind me why I am here, why we share the greatest story ever. God refreshed me, He gave me what I needed to speak to people this summer. At several point in the song portion, Chris would start singing in Japanese. The most powerful was in the chorus of "How He Loves". I wanted to cry it was so beautiful to hear my Japanese brothers and sisters singing of our great Savior's love in their heart language. It is not something that I will forget ever.
Tonight we got to join all the Baptist churches in the Tokyo area for a monthly prayer meeting and for a share time from one of the IMB missionaries. We sang Japanese hymns, listened to a Japanese pastor preach out of Act (all in Japanese of course), and got to be there as the missionary shared the vision for the summer. I think one of the most exciting changes for this summer is that we will be doing a lot more work with established Baptist churches here in Tokyo. I am so excited to see how God is going to use and bless this partnership. I am thinking Father is fixing to explode all over Tokyo and Japan.
I have spent more time with Japanese Christians in the past two days than I got to all summer long last year. My heart is so encouraged to know that this isn't a lost cause. God's ancient work in this city runs deep. I don't know why He chose me, but I am so thankful and humbled that God is letting me be here to see His power and might.
Please be praying for the Japanese church, that it would rise up and God would grow it like crazy.
Please pray for the interns that will be flying here this week from the States.
Please pray against satan's attacks on this summer. I know it will be a lot because I can already see God doing so much. This is not satan's country or people, everything is God's.
Thank you for your prayers! They go farther than you think!
Tonight we got to join all the Baptist churches in the Tokyo area for a monthly prayer meeting and for a share time from one of the IMB missionaries. We sang Japanese hymns, listened to a Japanese pastor preach out of Act (all in Japanese of course), and got to be there as the missionary shared the vision for the summer. I think one of the most exciting changes for this summer is that we will be doing a lot more work with established Baptist churches here in Tokyo. I am so excited to see how God is going to use and bless this partnership. I am thinking Father is fixing to explode all over Tokyo and Japan.
I have spent more time with Japanese Christians in the past two days than I got to all summer long last year. My heart is so encouraged to know that this isn't a lost cause. God's ancient work in this city runs deep. I don't know why He chose me, but I am so thankful and humbled that God is letting me be here to see His power and might.
Please be praying for the Japanese church, that it would rise up and God would grow it like crazy.
Please pray for the interns that will be flying here this week from the States.
Please pray against satan's attacks on this summer. I know it will be a lot because I can already see God doing so much. This is not satan's country or people, everything is God's.
Thank you for your prayers! They go farther than you think!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
And so it begins...
Well folks, I am writing this from our apartment (the Cave) in Tokyo! It has been a very surreal, roller coaster day. I was able to get where I needed to be on time and never got lost, thanks to God and your prayers. I got to spend some good time with Father on the plane, as well as really get into Through the Gates of Splendor by Elizabeth Elliot. The two combined to be stronger than satan's attempts to get me off track and discouraged. I am excited to be here, but it is so sad being the only person in a room with 12 beds in it. One of the Journeymen told me to enjoy it because the Cave will never be this quiet again, which is very true. I am excited to see what this summer has for our team and the city of Tokyo. God is going to do something big y'all, just keep praying for it. Thank you for your prayers that got me here safely and on time. Thank you for your prayers and your encouragements whenever I need them. This is an invaluable network that I know God is really going to use this summer to make Him name famous in Japan and beyond. Thanks again. Love y'all!
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Well folks, May 18th is upon us. I've said most of my goodbyes. I'm mostly packed. But the closer I get to finally boarding the plane, the more unprepared I feel. Part of me wishes I was doing something easy this summer, as selfish as that sounds. I am tired and weary. I can't do this. I feel like I have just wasted my few days at home, I don't really even think I can tell you what I did in them. I would like to think that part of this is humility, but I think it's mostly just my sin nature peeking through. I know I have been called. I know I have been equipped. I know I have the Holy Spirit of the Living God dwelling inside me. And I know that is more than enough. I just want a break. This summer is going to be hard.
In his second letter to the Corinthians, I feel like Paul describes a moment like this. Paul says that even though he has begged and pleaded with God to take this thorn from his side, it remains there. But instead of leaving it at that, Jesus said "My grace is sufficient for you, My power is made perfect it weakness." I feel like God has really pressed this upon my heart recently, which probably means it is going to be a summer of learning what it means to let His power shine through. Which is kind of perfect, because I can think of nothing more that I need. Way more of Him, absolutely none of me.
Brothers and sisters, please pray for me. Please pray for a restful peace to come over me with all of this in my remaining hours in America. Please pray that I would cling to His Word and seek it daily more than food or water. Please pray that I will do what I need to do and be who I need to be to accomplish this task for our Lord. Please pray for my teammates as they are undoubtedly facing some of the same feelings. I am being prepared for an absolute battle this summer. Please pray for strength, humility, harmony, sympathy, and mercy for me and my teammates this summer.
I love y'all very much, and just know that it is by your prayers I am here, I am going, and I will be able to do anything worth anything for God this summer.
In his second letter to the Corinthians, I feel like Paul describes a moment like this. Paul says that even though he has begged and pleaded with God to take this thorn from his side, it remains there. But instead of leaving it at that, Jesus said "My grace is sufficient for you, My power is made perfect it weakness." I feel like God has really pressed this upon my heart recently, which probably means it is going to be a summer of learning what it means to let His power shine through. Which is kind of perfect, because I can think of nothing more that I need. Way more of Him, absolutely none of me.
Brothers and sisters, please pray for me. Please pray for a restful peace to come over me with all of this in my remaining hours in America. Please pray that I would cling to His Word and seek it daily more than food or water. Please pray that I will do what I need to do and be who I need to be to accomplish this task for our Lord. Please pray for my teammates as they are undoubtedly facing some of the same feelings. I am being prepared for an absolute battle this summer. Please pray for strength, humility, harmony, sympathy, and mercy for me and my teammates this summer.
I love y'all very much, and just know that it is by your prayers I am here, I am going, and I will be able to do anything worth anything for God this summer.
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