Day #7

Dear Friends and Family,

Today is Day 2 at the Nasu English class. It went smoother from beginning to end.

Attached below are pictures of the bible study and my 3rd and 4th graders practicing counting with candles on their "birthday cake."

Prayer's Request:

-I'm greatful the kids are listening more, but I still have to tell some to stop kicking and hitting each other throughout the day. I pray the shy kids will be encouraged to speak english louder and participate more. I also pray the troublesome kids will be being more attentive. I pray the kids and mothers will enjoy this program and spread the word.

-We had a long discussion with Ohashi-sensei and Pat. We pray for God's provision in the future of the childrens ministry here in Otawara. There is a huge need with this Japanese church and in Japan as a country. We are grateful the mother's want this program to continue, and enjoy American speakers to lead the English classes.  Ohashi-sensei and Pat have a vision for future Summer programs that will help lead more people to the Church and to Christ. There are many English classes in Japan, but Pat shared that the combination of activities and crafts is something not seen in typical English programs here.

-Thank God for Christy's safe arrival back to LA after several train and airplane transfers.

-We pray we will share God's love to the kids, their parents, Ohashi-sensei, and Pat these last 3 days before we head to Tokyo.

<3 Steph and the team

Day #8

Hi friends and family!!

Thanks for your prayers and support! Today was our third day of English camp in Nasu. Woohoo!

There's one thing about Japanese people that I admire a lot - it's their punctuality (which equals being early). I feel like one blessing of ours even though it may seem bad...is that we are not as punctual. We should be ending our camp at12 pm, however we've been running slightly over. BUT, this has allowed the parents who come early/on time to pick up their children to sit in on the last part of our Bible story and song. Hopefully this is giving them a taste of who God is and allowing them to be curious!

The first day of camp was a little discouraging with lack of excitement from the kids, but God has really been over this camp and the kids and our hearts. God has been teaching me what it means to rely on Him and how to have a greater heart to share His love with the kids even in the midst of these challenges.

Ohashi-sensei shared with us a conversation that he had with Namie's (a fifth grader - she's the one below with wrist wraps) father. Namie's father went to Sunday School 20 years ago, but after moving to Nasu, he hadn't been since. Ohashi-sensei was able to invite him to the Nasu church service. This is a huge blessing and also an affirmation of why God has brought us to Nasu to do the English camp - to help open doors. Praise God!

Playing Memory using fruit cards!

My class playing Jenga while practicing names of countries!

Bible story time! It is really awesome having church members involved and seeing their energy! The way they tell the stories is super animated, I almost understand...JK, I don't really understand but it keeps me engaged :D That's John the Baptist!

Today for dinner, the Shindo family invited us over to their home. Riko and Saho came to our Otawara English camp for only a day, but still Shindo-san willingly had us over. They had attended the camp last year as well. It's been so encouraging to be able to visit and eat with the families. Shindo-san was so nice and generous to us. We had okonomiyaki and yakisoba for dinner and ice cream for dessert.

Shindo-san making food for us! And Steph making an origami tanuki!

They also taught us how to prepare tea!

Will whisking the matcha tea furiously! That is Riko to the right.

Group picture in their beautiful home! From the left: me, Riko, Stephanie, Saho, Tink (as in Tinkerbell!), Shindo-san, and Will

Prayer Requests:

• For the team to have continued reliance on God for His love, patience, and strength. Also, for daily renewal through His word - that it would be sustenance for the team.
• For the Ohashi's to have more opportunities to talk and share with the parents. Also, for their church plant in Sakura City, that they'd be continuing to trust in God's provision.
• For the children to be able to experience Christ through this short time that we are with them whether through interactions with us, Bible stories, or singing of songs.
• For Manami-san and Shindo-san to have continued curiosity about who God is and have a desire to get to know Him more. Also, for the family we will be visiting tomorrow. Pray for God's hand to be over these families and that He'd be softening their hearts to be able to be receptive to His Word.

That's it!!! TWO MORE DAYS LEFT! Where did the time fly?!

:D

Nariko and the team

Day #9

Dear Family and Friends,

Today is the second to last day! Thanks you for your prayers and support. I am uplifted from our last devotional by Ohashi-sensei. He shared that Manami-san is extremely touched by our presence at the English camp and her home. God is using her to share her excitement and appreciation through photos and videos to other families on facebook. Throughout the two weeks, I've been able to see God use me to connect to the mothers, fathers, grandparents and children here at Japan.

Practicing colors with Candyland.

Singing 'He is God'.

We went to Mika-chan's (Kendo outfit) and her family's house today. We were pleasantly surprise to see Manami-san, Momoka-chan, and Fumiya-chan there too! They weren't able to see us Saturday we when leave, so decided to see us today instead.

Manami-san happily providing dessert.

Prayer Requests:

• For the team to continue to use God's love to reach out to the kids and their families.
• For the Ohashi's to keep in close contact with the parents and continue them to attend church and bible studies.
• For the children to enjoy the camp even though they don't understand much of what we say.
• For Manami-san, Shindo-san, and Mika's family to continue sharing their appreciate of the church and the camp to other families.

<3 Stephanie and the team =)

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