Asking for Help
The global pandemic has also hit many Japanese families, with more and more slipping below the poverty line and unable to feed their family. This year in (our city) Kiyose alone, with 75,000 people, there were over 500 requests for food. The Japanese tend to first rely on family or close friends before relying on the government or other organizations for necessities. Thus, this statistic is large for a people group that has traditionally rejected outside support. To meet this growing need, Kiyose Foodbank was established in July. I, Don, seeing an ad for volunteers, joined in August. I am praising the Lord for this opportunity as it allows me to rub shoulders with a crowd of people who may have never crossed paths with a Christian. Also, this provides valuable language experience as well as insight into a locally run organization. As churches have historically met the needs of their local community, we'd like this to be a resource for a future church-plant.
God always uses crises as a loudspeaker to get our attention. He is certainly helping the Japanese to become more aware of their own physical and emotional needs as well as those of their fellow Japanese. Many are beginning to seek help. Please pray that as they seek help, many would be lead to a church, a Japanese believer, or a foreign missionary. My Japanese teacher said that he believes all Japanese feel unhappy right now, and 'they are realizing money and things can't make them happy'. He believes, the church actually can 'help meet emotional needs of the Japanese'. Please pray for God's people here in Japan, and around the world, to rise up and point to the life-giving, void-filling Jesus! Is it not times like these that we can say, 'For such a time as this, God has placed us where we are at to point the way to Jesus!'
Yes, there are times when we feel bogged down in language learning or when it feels like just doing life here takes so much more time and energy than in our passport country. However, how much more inconvenient did Jesus make His life when He left heaven to come down to 1st century Israel? With His strength, we want to bear the inconveniences and weariness because the message has to be brought to every corner of the earth. Thank you for being part of helping us be in Japan! We are thankful for when you pray for Japan and our family, and when you support us financially.
May the Lord satisfy you this morning with His unfailing love, that you may sing and be glad all of your days.
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