2nd to last update

​Hello friends and family,

Thank you for your continued support and prayer. Today was the last day of the Nasu program and God really provided through the end of it. 

The kids seemed to enjoy it, and though not much English was learned, I hope that they were able to see the church in a positive light and that in their hearts the seeds of Christ are planted. I heard a kid humming one of the worship songs after we finished and it was pretty cool.

The Nasu program with most of the kids.

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Once the kids warmed up, they loved to jump and run around everywhere. This was one of the few quiet times...not really.

Bible story!

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Reflecting upon this week, I think the one thing that stood out to me the most was the story in Luke and Matthew about the lost sheep.

Luke 15:3-7English Standard Version (ESV)

3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

The area we are in isn't particularly populated, a common saying is that in Nasu there are more snakes than people. The total amount of children in the elementary schools that the program had advertised totaled only 300. So in a place where it might seem there aren't many people to reach, we see that God has set workers to look after and find those lost sheep. As mentioned in an earlier update, a child's father had not been to church in over 20 years, but through the program was able to talk to the pastor and showed interest in attending again. For me, it was a reminder from God that He cares for each of us deeply, and that in His timing is calling us all to heaven. Sometimes it may be a day, or it may be 20 years, but the lost sheep are being sought and will be found. In our stress and fatigue, God cares for every single one of us, and when we have strength, He is calling us to reach the lost, no matter how few or how many. 

Prayer Requests:

• That the relationships the church has built with the families will be strengthened and they will be called to Christ
• There is supposed to be a typhoon in the area that will hit Tokyo Sunday night, please pray we will be able to get to the plane safely and leave. 
• For the continued children's ministry and work the Japanese church is doing.

There will be one last update after this where team members will share their reflection of the trip as a whole. This will not be immediate so please keep your eyes open and thank you for your patience

-Will