It's been a very long week, but it doesn't feel like a whole lot got done. It was mostly getting ready to head up to the Ishinomaki, the area that we'll be working in for the next week or so. Last Monday and Tuesday was just typing up orientation materials for the rest of the team that just arrived here on Saturday.
On Wednesday, I helped a bit with a sort-of daycare at the church nearby. All the children that showed up were little Japanese girls 4th grade and under. We played a kanji game and even though I won, I think they were going easy on me. One of the little girls obviously hadn't learned proper Japanese etiquette and commented on how my nose is big (which is actually the common stereotype of foreigners in Japan, and true in my case). I also think she said something like she thought all foreigners had blue eyes.
Two people also helped at the daycare: Mr. Suzuki and Mrs. Ishi. Neither of them are Christians, but Mr. Suzuki's wife is a member of the church and Mrs. Ishi's mother-in-law was also before she died, so they're both connected to the church. The pastor at the church, Pastor Kano, hopes that them helping will let them hear the gospel.
On Thursday, I went to the elderly English lesson. I learned that Mr. Moriyama, the Buddhist monk I mentioned before, has a deaf daughter. It seems that he's trying to find some kind of answers for why she is deaf.
Please pray for Mr. Moriyama, Mr. Suzuki, and Mrs. Ishi. Ask that God would open their hearts to his Word.
Yesterday (Saturday), two women from Wisconsin and a man from Hawaii arrived. Those three, two others that will come soon, Dr. Mehn, and I will make up the team that will head to Ishinomake tomorrow. I'll be there for eight days, so I won't be updating here for a bit. Expect a picture dump when I arrive!
God told Moses in Exodus 4:11 that God makes people deaf or mute. In John 9:3 Jesus told those around him that the blind man was blind from birth so that God's glory could be reflected in the man's life.
ReplyDeleteSo, although it is hard to accept, God brings difficulties and problems so that we will seek him. It is one of the ways that God draws us to himself. We'll be praying for you!