Beloved,
It’s Monday morning and we’re reflecting on the
wonderful Sunday we had yesterday. It
was awesome, and we thank you, again, for your prayers lifted up for our team
(Evergreen, SBJCF, Crossway) and the members of the Ichikawa Church.
The van and car were all packed up from the night
before and we left promptly at 7:45am, Sunday morning. We arrived in Ichikawa well before the church
service which started at 10:30. The name
of the church is “The House of Liberty”, and it was recently renovated to its
present “newlike” status. The building
includes a tiny coffee shop (or café) just inside the entrance of the
building. This café was the idea of
Pastor Kei and it is starting to draw young people from the area. Half of the children who attended the
Christmas Party was the result of this café.
Praise the Lord!
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| The Older people were seated Pastor Kei is to the far right |
The church service was simple and very orderly. Pastor Keiko (Kei’s wife) gave the message
and played the piano and so many other things.
Pastor Kei was on the base guitar and Shohei (Evergreen) had an
impromptu guest spot on the drums. There
were a dozen members present, plus our team of 10. Stan felt very comfortable with this elderly
congregation most of whom were in their 70’s…..but “genki”.
After a nice bento lunch, we began preparing for the
Christmas Party which started at 2:30pm.
Now here comes a “God Moment”.
The church did not have parents pre-register their children. So they had no idea how many were coming and
made a very conservative and hopeful guess at 30. In other words, if 30 children showed up,
they would be blown away. Well, 36 came
and we were not really prepared (gift bags, name tags, game items) for that
many. But God was. We made do with what we had, the children had
a great time, the parents were very thankful, and the church members and our
team were truly blessed. Awesome
God! Thank you for your prayers, dear
friends.
The Christmas program was packed (literally). The 36 children, plus their parents, and the
staff were “wall to wall” in this small church.
It was great!! And sorry, we were
all running around so much that we didn’t get pictures of the kids playing the
games – again. And the elderly members
were right in there, some on their knees, playing with the children. It was a sight to see. Our cup of blessings just overflowed. Amen.
One thing about thankful people is that it’s always
hard to say goodbye,especially in Japan.
When it was time to leave, both the members and our team stood outside
of the church, shaking hands, bowing, saying “arigato” a thousand times. We were all thankful and blessed. Really wish you were here to experience it.
We finally returned to the church just after 7pm. Admittedly, we were spent, but we were not
tired. Does that make any sense? There is nothing like being energized by
doing the work of the Lord. Nothing like
it. Heck, it was also dinner time and we
had to eat again.
So one more day in the life of your team came to a
close. We leave you with the words of
Jeremiah as he lamented over the city of Jeresalem, but recalled the great faithfulness
of God.
“Surely my soul remembers and is bowed
down within me. This
I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord’s lovingkindnesses
indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:20-23
And we will
praise Him,
Your Machida
Team
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| Pastor Keiko |
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| Sunday Service |
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| Winner of the JanKenPo |
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| Yuriko giving the Message Invaluable team member |
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| Cup Cake Decorating |
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