Support Linda with $40 to get to Japan!

Dear my loved ones, since last year I prayed for my calling, God has put me a heart for Japan, and He has directed me for campus ministry in Japan, after long steps of application, amazingly I got accepted in Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University with 80% of scholarship. In there I will study sociology (Asia Pacific Studies). This university has numbers of variety nations, its like mini earth, and I believe I can do something that I can make contributions to society & be an impact to the nations.

There’s another challenge as well, at this moment, there’s a few payment that I have to pay approximately $ 4574 in US dollars, for dormitory and Admission fee stuff. But I’m trusting God for His provision.
As you may know, the deadline is in November 30, 2009, but I prayed and after that I got deadline extension for the payment, until December 10, 2009, but God exercised my faith and until this day, because of God’s favor, the university still extend my deadline. That’s why I need to finish the payment as soon as possible, very very soon. Because the university can’t apply for my visa if the payment not yet has been made, and the college student visa application can take quite few months. And the term starts in April 2010.

I need your prayers support, and if you feel that God wants you to give, You can support me in just $ 40.
Ways you could give:
- Deposit into my BCA bank account either online or at your local bank (message me back for these specific details).
- Cash
- Cheque - made out to "Amelinda Lauren" or western union.

It's a bit scary, but also exciting - knowing that the only option I have is to do what I can and trust God to bring breakthrough, but then I ask God for his perspective. At the end of the day, he IS God, and he DID speak for me to walk this path - so I can trust (haha with you all as my witness) that he will make a way. If you are able to help me out with any of the above - it would be a huge blessing as I do need all of it!
I will keep you updated.
God bless you.
Much love,
Linda Lauren.
linda-lauren@hotmail.com

God loves Japanese…He created them in His own image, too.

During my Basic Bible Course, I became interested in missions as I always heard about unreach people group in our country especially the tribal group. When I turned to freshman, I took up missions major because I wanted to reach out people whose in their lives never heard the Gospel yet. After I finished my study, God led me to a Church where I met native people that belong to AITA tribe in Northwest Luzon. That was a great start, a taste of what I longed for! On the other hand, God exposed me to another group of people, the Japanese young people. It was my first time I met Japanese, and they were quite a lot, a number of twenty to thirty-one young people each batch four times a year.


In the beginning, my attitude was so indifferent towards them because I learned that they are not Christians. The first thing that came up to my mind was that what was going on in there, why those Japanese non-Christians were there? Why unbelievers and not believers who are passionate in helping our orphans. In addition to this, I didn’t really like Japanese people because of what they did in World War II. A lot of Filipinos were being killed by the Japanese soldiers and many Filipinas were being raped. Plus the fact that there are a lot of Filipina entertainers today in Japan are experiencing hard time with Japanese.


But God answered me and spoke to me by means of how they behaved and how they worked along with us. As I got to work with them, I learned that they feel sorry about what Japanese soldiers did to our countrymen in World War II that’s why their organization in Japan sent them here as an act of restitution to what their countrymen did to us. As I observed them how they do their work, I learned that they are hard working people even in their young age. They are well discipline, enthusiastic, cheerful, and friendly; they love kids. As I talked with them, I learned that they are loyal and law avider. These facts gave me a second thought about them. I remember what the Bible says about the fruits of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22, 23. Their characters and attitudes are somehow manifesting the fruits of the Holy Spirit, but the thing is that they are not Christians. Many of them don’t even know that there is a living God who created everything on earth and up in heaven. I also learned that many of them don’t even embrace their own religion, and more than 99% of Japanese people are not Christians and to many the Gospel is unheard.


As a response to that personal encounter with God and with them, I wrote a song for those Japanese work-campers as a token of appreciation for their hard work and raising funds for our orphans. I entitled it “MORE PRECIOUS ONE”. From then on, I started praying for them that God would send missionaries to Japan so that they may know that there is God who loves them and died on a cross and rose again from the dead in the third day that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.


With this encounter, I can strongly say that God loves Japanese people and He created them in His own image, too. He wants them to know Him as their personal Savior and Lord.

It is sad to know that only few Christian missionaries today are interested to go to Japan to reach out Japanese people. I read an article from OMF Japan published in 2007 that many Pastors left their pastoral offices due to lack of support from Christian congregations. I also heard some rumors that even foreign missionaries were being sidetracked by earning money rather than building the Kingdom of God in that place. I don’t know how true it is, but if it is true, I feel very sorry before God for them. A missionary in the Church said, Japanese people are hard people for the Gospel because they are rich and wealthy and they don’t need God. It must be true in some point, but I do believe that Japanese people are just the same like other people elsewhere around the world.


God has given me opportunity to travel to at least fourteen countries during my time on board ship the MV DOULOS. As we traveled from port to port and country to country, we shared the Gospel to different level of society or you may call it different level of lifestyle. But then, there is one thing in common around the world, and that is all people possessed sinful nature, and spiritually dead.


The Bible says in Ephesians 2:1-5, as for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved. NIV


Being spiritually dead, how can a person respond to the Gospel? Is a dead man can hear, can feel, can see, can smell the fragrance, and can taste the good life that God has prepared for him? Not at all, unless he receives the breath of life that comes out from God, the only source of life John 1:1-3. That’s why Apostle Paul wrote to Roman believers this message, how, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" NIV


In closing, I would like to reiterate what I have already said. God loves Japanese people. He created them in His own image, too. He wants them to know Him and come to Him in faith with repentant heart, acknowledging Him that He is the source of life and everything in this world, and they were created by Him and for Him just like how He exactly created us and saved us.


I also believe that He wants them to use for the furtherance of His Kingdom in the future. But how then can they come to the Lord? The answer for this question is our task. If we consider that we are God’s people saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus, then, we can pray, we can get involved, and we can support by any God given means to those who are doing missions in Japan.


I still have a lot of things to write about this topic, but this is all for now.



Romulo Adriano/romyadriano.blogspot.com


Thank you for your Prayers!

Thank you for praying with me. God hears our prayers. Our God is really amazing and mighty in power. He can do whatever He wants to do and however He wants to do for His glory. My father is now getting well although he still taking medicines. Last Thursday as I was going back to Quezon City where I stay, I couldn’t stop praising Him. He got wound on his right ankle and arthritis on his left foot, but praise God he can walk now.

I went there early in the morning to see my father, but unfortunately I didn’t catch him in his house because he went to hardware to buy some stuff for his house. I went to cemetery and clean up the tomb of my mother. It was great, I got some friends who helped me clean up and paint the tomb. In four hours, the work was done. Praise God for that!

After the work got done in cemetery, I went to my father’s house. There I ate lunch and it was awesome, they prepare one of my favorite dishes. We call it TINOLA a native Filipino dish with native chicken; it was so nice, tasty and healthy food with soup and vegetable in it. After eating, I talked to him and learned what ailment he is suffering with. I had an ointment in my bag for back pain and arthritis; I gave it to him and gave some tips on how he will get quick healing.

I was trying to talk with all my brothers and sisters who are living nearby my father’s house, but unfortunately some of them were not around. I thank God because I learned that they are doing well. I was so anxious about them lately, thinking about how they survive in this life, but what a great relief last Thursday when I saw and heard what God is doing in their lives. God is faithful and marvelous in power. It has been my prayer that God would bless them especially my father because he is already old and doesn’t have much resources. Praise God and glory be to Him because He hears our prayers. He spared them from typhoon and floods and He is providing their needs. Now, I am more confident to face the challenge in life especially to pursue His calling to me.


You know, it’s quite hard to move forward when you are anxious about your family. It’s been an old issue even in the Old Testament and many times in mission enterprises all over the world, but I thank God for the prayers of the saints because your prayers really makes stand still for God and His calling. This is all for now. Thank you so much all of you!


Romulo Nov 3, 2009

Linda's studies in Ritsumeikan University

Hi my beloved ones, as maybe all of you knowing that I’m applying to Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Japan.


And you know what? I’M ACCEPTED !!! And I got 80 % scholarship from university (tuition reduction). This is a blessing from God, I’m very grateful for this.


I started preparing my application since last year 2008, and it’s all been through all prayers, fasting and struggling coz I’m facing so many challenge that leads me step by step and all of this increases my faith tremendously.


Amazingly, my God has been so faithful to me from the start, I’m so overwhelmed knowing that he always with me in every step that I take. After all this time I’ve been praying seriously for this, I prayed for visions, dreams, anything that He wants me to do in my life. I know I was prepared to do big things, and from that moment, God puts vision about going to Japan, at first I was “what God?” I just felt that God wants to use me there in to serve people in Japan.

Well, I fancies things from Japan like the music, food, culture, and stuff, but I never have an idea or even thinking about going there at all. And suddenly I become scared; whoa God is this really from you? I’m started to ask for confirmation and signs, because I’m thinking, this is a big deal for me to go for this application, and I know all this things could be complicated.

As I pray for that, surely, God hears my petition, He answered my prayer, even my ministry friend have vision from God, and there’s came this missionary, I don’t even know this person, but she started to talk to me and said stuff that is related to my calling. And the more God answered my prayer, I came to this feeling to go for it.


At first I’m thinking of applying to YWAM (youth with a mission) Tokyo, Japan, and I even already filled the application letter and is about to send it, but in the last minute, no peace at all. And I prayed more, “God what do you want? I never thinking of going to college there, you told me to do ministry there right?” in the end, for me, ministry is not just studying bible or go to the slum. But I can also serve society through my knowledge. Then one day I felt to go to education fair and here’s I found Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University. There I want to study sociology (asia pacific studies).


To make long story short, I’m applying there, with so many challenge, I have to study for TOEFL test, pursuing my teachers at my high school for letter of recommendation, application essays, scholarship essays, very complicated transcript from school, and so on. In every aspect from that application almost make me crazy. Because typically I never fight for something before, I believe if this is not from God, this application will never be finished.


At this time I need your support, please pray for me, for God’s provision, because in less than a month, before 30th November 2009, I still need to finish the payment for admission. Here are the details: Admission fee: $ 1482, Tuition for 1st semester: $ 782, Dormitory fee: $ 2312. The total: $ 4574. I believe for what God has started, He’s also the one who’re going to provide me. He’s been faithful for me from the beginning, the author and finisher of my faith. Once again thanks for supporting me. I will keep you updated.


Love,

Linda Lauren Nov 6, 2009
linda-lauren@hotmail.com

My father is badly sick, please PRAY!

Hi everyone,

I would like to ask each of you to uphold my father in your prayer.

Last night I phoned my sister and she told me that my father is badly sick.
I am going home this Thursday to visit him and my mother's tomb.
I am not really sure if he had already accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and Lord. I heard that he once already prayed
the prayer of acceptance, but I could not see strong manifestation in his life that he follows Jesus. He is a very good sympathizer though.
Pray also for provision, he is already old man.
Pray also for me, I am doing self study and I need to buy some books.

Thank you for praying with me!

In His service,

Romulo

Romy needs your prayers!

Hello Everyone,

Today I received a response email from Tokyo Christian University for my application for studies.
Please pray for me for wisdom. If God will grant me this opportunity, this study will take four more long years. But the good thing in this, this will be a great chance to learn Japanese language and cultures plus I will have a lot of time to personally share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to Japanese people. The deadline for the submission of application form will be on February 1, 2010.

Thank you for praying for me.

Faithfully serving Him,

Roomulo

JCF Tokyo



Hi. For those of you just about to arrive in Japan or who live close enough to Tokyo to join us, I thought I'd let you know that there will be morning prayer in one of the rooms at orientation (Abidemi has the name of the room or you can ask at the AJET secretariat) on the Mon., Tues. and Wed. mornings of both orientation A and B and JCF night out will happen after the welcome dinner both Mon. nights and around dinner time both Tues. nights. For those, we'll meet in the lobby (maybe near the bottom of the escalators or by the cloak check) and then go from there (prob'ly to Shinjuku i-land patio because it's close, so it's harder to get lost. If you're not sure how to find us, you can call my keitai at 090-4175-8038. God bless.
Deb R.

CDTS Training

I received a letter from YWAM Penang, where they are calling to raise fund for Jovita to attend CDTS course in Penang. Jovita is not a missionary yet, she had been one of our faithful prayer partner in Heart4Japan. CDTS is a path where she is preparing herself to Japan. If you are thinking of supporting her in finance or prayers, please feel free to contact her at this email address, leong_kenyuen@yahoo.com. Bless you!

Dear Friends of Jovita,

We are writing to introduce the course of training that Jovita Leong Ken Yuen has applied to with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in Penang from 12/08/09 to Jan 2010. The Crossroads Discipleship Training School (CDTS) is a course uniquely designed for adults aged 35 and above who want to be better equipped to share their passion for God with others. This course is conducted in a mentoring environment designed to be an optimum opportunity to allow our students to be spiritually renewed and receive fresh vision for their lives from the Lord.
YWAM's passion is to know God and make Him known to all nations and our CDTS training course actively trains individuals to minister in their spheres of influence. Students with our school develop a closer walk with God as their Father and grow in their obedience to Christ as the Lord of every aspect of their lives. We find that they are then equipped to share their faith out of the overflow of their experience of God's contagious love and goodness.
Our course is divided into two parts. The first part is the lecture phase in which students receive twelve weeks of teaching about God's character and our response to who He is. The second part consists of an eight week outreach phase in which our students will be given an opportunity to further apply the things they have been learning. As a multicultural outreach team, they will see the transforming power of God's grace firsthand as they serve and minister to others.
For many of the students who come to us at a "crossroads" juncture in their lives, the CDTS is springboard to jumping into a second career in missions. For others, it is a springboard into a deeper, more fulfilling and intimate relationship with the Lord and they return to their homes with renewed commitment to daily follow the Lord's leading.

Jovita feels the Lord has prompted her to apply to take this course and is working diligently to come up with as much of the funds as she can. The course is about two weeks away from starting and she has communicated to us that she is still short on the required fees.
We are writing to you, on behalf of Jovita, to ask if you would just pray and ask the Lord if you should be a part of donating a certain sum of money to this cause. Please feel free to ask Jovita (012-9142937) any questions you have about her motives for taking this course and how she has worked to gather the funds needed.

We have been praying for all of our students and feel that Jovita is to be a part of this school. We also know that often God will prompt churches or individuals in our student's lives to help them realize this goal financially. This is one of the ways the Lord uses the body of Christ in being in fellowship with one another.

Thank you for considering this opportunity,

Bruce & Beverly Blatz
CDTS Leaders
YWAM Penang

God is Faithful

Hi Everyone.

I am glad to inform you that my training for English proficiency for Call Center is over. It really helps me improve my English, though, I still need to polish my English and more vocabularies to memorize. As you may know, I haven't gotten a full time job and still struggling but God is really good, He is faithful in meeting my everyday necessities. I just found out that it's just a perfect situation for me to have a goo focus in my studies.

I went to University of the Philippines this morning for my Japanese language class that I am taking very soon, and I drop by to Education building to check if there is already result for my application for Teaching English as Second language next semester, and I found out that my transcript of record is qualified enough for the course. It's really awesome, isn't it? and I was like I want to jump in joy when I heard it from the registrar personnel. But I would like to encourage you to continue praying for me because it's not yet final, there will be another screening in oder to grant my application. Pray also for provision. By the first week of August, I am going to enroll at UP Linguistics Department for Japanese language class while still enhancing my English.

This is all for now. Thank you so much for praying.

In the service of the Lord,

Romulo
2009.07.15

台湾学园短宣队在东京的代祷信

親愛的弟兄姊妹平安,

謝謝您成為今年學園傳道會日本短宣的支持者。到今天為止,我們已經在東京事工滿一週了!這段時間內,在上帝的祝福與保護之下,我們每位隊員的身體都十分健康,也不斷經歷神。請讓我們與您分享一些短宣中美好的感恩事項,以及一些新的代禱消息。

感恩事項

  1. 今年短宣隊的成員是:學園同工廖惠滿、方琳鈁、在美國工作的日本電器(NEC)員工裴瑞、從美國的大學畢業的學生博鈞、學園團契的學生語慧、品琇、敏華、與孝慈。雖然每位隊員都來自不同的地方,有迥然相異的性格,甚至帶著不同的文化背景,但是,在神的愛之中,短宣才開始不久,我們就彼此熟悉了起來,也漸漸培養出共同事奉的默契。七月三日晚上,隊上因為一些事件而產生爭執,但神仍然在我們當中行了奇妙的工作,使我們更加認識、接納彼此的不同!那時,聖靈引導、光照我們,使我們認罪,饒恕,悔改,並重新接納彼此;藉由這個事件,神使我們經歷了雅各書516節所說的:「所以你們要彼此認罪、互相代求、使你們可以得醫治。義人祈禱所發的力量、是大有功效的。」此後,神真的更新了我們的心思意念,團隊的氣氛也更加融洽,隊員們更加確定是神親自揀選了短宣隊裡的每一位成員,更能合一地事奉神。願主繼續幫助我們!

  1. 六月29日是我們抵達東京的第三天,日本學園傳道會的「西東京同工隊」為我們預備了一場短宣的說明會,與我們分享目前日本學園傳道會的事工情況,並且指示我們當如何在校園之中與日本大學生建立友誼。日本同工們的友善、熱情、與他們深深愛日本的心非常激勵我們。由這次說明會,我們知道東京大都會之中約有七十萬名大學生,占全國大學生的四分之一(全國大學生人口則是佔總人口的百分之二)。比起這麼龐大的數目,今日委身於大學生事工裡的真正重生得救的基督徒實在是太少了。因此,日本同工們一直在禱告的一件事情就是:「神呀!我們如何能將祢的道有效地傳給東京地區這麼多的學生們,甚至是這個地區其他年齡層、從事其他職業的日本人呢?」一直以來,日本學園傳道會也不時調整事工方式與策略,願與神親密同工,得著失喪的靈魂。請為日本學園傳道會禱告,願神打發更多工人來收割這些發白的莊稼。

  1. 感謝神使我們在過去一週陸陸續續與津田塾女子大學、東京外國語大學、及學藝大學的學生交上朋友。只有極少數的學生拒絕我們,或以冷淡的態度面對我們;大部份我們所遇到的日本大學生都是很有禮貌且友善的。這些學生當中,有些已經決定要來參加七月九日的Taiwan Party。請為這群我們接觸過的學生禱告,也為我們將來即將要接觸的日本學生禱告!願神在這些學生心中工作,賜他們得救的智慧,也賜我們能力,使我們能把握機會傳講福音,Taiwan Party的籌備也蒙主祝福!

  1. 短宣期間,我們與學藝大學、東京外國語大學、以及津田塾大學的基督徒學生們見面,他們也會參與下禮拜四的Taiwan Party的籌備,與我們一起準備台灣美食,一起獻詩。這些學生雖然為數真的不多,但他們對神對人的愛心卻深深激勵著我們。他們當中不乏僅信主一、兩年的基督徒學生,但這些學生卻明顯地活出了對神的愛還有傳福音的心志。其中一個激勵我們的見證是:有一位信主兩年的國際基督教大學(International Christian University)的學生Yusuke,不久以前,因為在校園裡傳福音而被校方召見,連續兩天同時被五位校方的師長質問為何在校園裡傳福音,並且被禁止再繼續這樣做,學園同工們也不可以再進入這所學校。但是,禱告之後,Yusuke仍然相信傳福音是神的心意,認為不應該停止這間學校的福音工作。在這樣看似困難重重的情況之中,神奇妙地藉由他所學校的基督徒教授與ICU裡面熱心的基督徒教職員,再次打開了福音的門,賜給Yusuke和學園同工傳福音的機會。感謝神賜下強健的信心給現有的基督徒學生!請為這些寶貴的學生禱告,願神繼續建造他們,使用他們來成就神對日本的心意!

我們的代禱事項

  1. 目前我們正緊鑼密鼓地籌備下週的佈道會(Taiwan Party)!博鈞、敏華、孝慈、與裴瑞四人負責聚會的設計與聯絡。我們會預備台灣美食(炒米粉、滷肉飯、珍珠奶茶、愛玉冰、芝蔴糊)、台灣的學生常玩的團康遊戲、短劇、見證、並獻詩。有一位美國同工Scott會講道,清楚地分享福音。求神給我們愛心、信心、與需用的智慧,使這場佈道會可以榮耀主的名。

  1. 孝慈的爺爺在短宣期間的六月三十日因病逝世了。請為孝慈與孝慈的家人禱告,願神親自安慰、保護他們全家。也求神保護短宣隊員與短宣隊員的家人!

  1. 願神使我們可以一直保持充足的體力!由於今年短宣隊僅於東京停留兩週半,而事工的內容十分充實,所以我們的時間表時常都是緊湊的。願神使隊長惠滿姊有智慧,可以明白如何妥善規劃、運用我們的時間,隊員們也保持一顆積極、儆醒、順服的心。

  1. 求神保護我們的事工安全。短宣隊員抵達以前,日本同工們就已向津田塾女子大學提出了入校許可的申請,但校方並未核准。因此,目前我們是在校方尚未批准的情況下進入學校接觸學生。另外,最近東京外國語大學也張貼佈告表示,如果學生在學校遇到奇怪的宗教團體,一定要主動向學校舉發。我們相信,當我們在學校內事工時,保護著我們的並不是校方的態度或我們的策略,上帝祂自己才是我們真正的保護者。願神祝福我們這一週在校園內的服事,無論在怎樣的情況下我們都可以勇敢事奉神。

  1. 這一週我們會繼續在校園裡認識新朋友、邀約、並把握機會傳講福音。求神使我們可以遇見那些預備好心,對基督信仰有興趣的學生領袖們,並帶領他們來聽福音。

再次感謝您以禱告支持著日本短宣隊!我們相信神必定已經答覆了你我的禱告,因為我們每天都經歷到神的祝福與更新!J您在神面前所擺上的禱告,對我們與日本學生們而言,實在是重要無比。請您繼續以禱告和我們同工,神必垂聽我們,使重生得救的基督徒在這個國家日益加增,成為日本的祝福、全世界的祝福。

與您一起協助完成大使命的

2009日本短宣隊

              敬上

Amy needs help to go to STINT in Sendai


你們好, 我是Amy, 很高興可以跟你們分享一件感恩的事情. 下年3月, 我將會到日本仙台參加學園傳道會的一年短期宣教計劃 (STINT), 盼望弟兄姊妹透過代禱/金錢支持此次短宣. 神帶領參加stint經過, 學園傳道會及仙台事工簡介, 這次宣教的需要可參考代禱信 (如想收取代禱信, 請send e-mail到amyli282@gmail.com).

由於我需要在12月確定有足夠的認獻才可以如期出發到工場, 所以盼望弟兄姊妹現在就為我的需要代禱, 並且作出回應.
(注: 1. 一次過奉獻的起步經費需於12月籌足並收妥
      2. 每月奉獻需於12月確定有足夠的認獻, 而正式奉獻由下年2月中開始, 為期一年)

以下是最新的籌募狀況及感恩/代禱事項, 盼望大家能夠以禱告記念/金錢支持此次短宣.

1. 籌募狀況:
   a. 起步經費($43,587-->$33,370): 90%; 尚欠$3,270
   b. 每月奉獻($16,766): 62%; 尚欠$6,366

2. 感恩/代禱事項:
  a. 11月底踏出信心的一步--辭職後, 神很快便給我大大的鼓勵!!! 因著神的恩典, 我和jojo可以繼續租住即將返港的宣教士珊珊的地方, 而且業主願意少收部分訂金 (入伙裝修費), 而珊珊同工亦有不少物品可以留給我們使用, 所以起步經費大大減少了$10,000!!! 真的很感恩神以不同的方式供應及預備, 希望有更多弟兄姊妹盡快作出回應, 以金錢支持此次短宣, 一起踏出信心的一步!!!
(你求告我, 我就應允你, 並將你所不知道, 又大又難的事指示你. 耶33: 3)
  b. 藉著弟兄姊妹幫忙將代禱信傳給其他弟兄姊妹, 讓我有機會跟一位素未謀面的姊妹見面及分享. 這位姊妹在轉寄電郵中只是看到我宣教上的經濟需要, 她甚至沒有看到我的代禱信, 但是, 因為神的感動, 她主動查問我的聯絡方法, 並且約我出來見面. 真的十分感恩神透過這位姊妹供應我經濟上的需要, 而且透過她的分享再次大大的鼓勵我.
(神能照著運行在我們心裏的大力充充足足地成就一切,超過我們所求所想的. 弗3: 20)

因為籌募時間只剩3星期左右, 所以盼望大家能夠盡快回覆 (收取代禱信/以禱告/奉獻支持).
宣教事奉實在很需要弟兄姊妹代禱/金錢的支持, 盼望得到大家踴躍的回應!!!

謝謝你們~
願主祝福你們~

主內,
Amy

P.S. 1. 弟兄姊妹可以個人/小組形式回應.
       2. 請各弟兄姊妹幫忙將代禱信傳給其他弟兄姊妹.

2008日本短宣心得

在這趟宣教旅程中,我學習到許多跨文化宣教的功課。向日本人傳福音,第一件需要放下的事情就是自己熟悉的語言。每一天,我們都使用英語和極其有限的日語和日本學生交朋友,當語言能力不足時,就更需要用從神而來的愛心、喜樂、親切的笑容、專注的眼神與他們建立友誼。另外,我也學習放下自己待人處事和事奉的習慣。在這裡,初次見面就談論太過「個人」的問題是很不禮貌的表現;突兀地轉換話題、插嘴會令日本學生覺得不被尊重;聚會時要預先安排好讓每位學生都能參與的方式,不冷落任何一位;當日本學生用委婉的話語、遲疑的表情回應我們的邀請或請求時,要聽得懂這就是日本人表達「拒絕」的方式……。這些細微的事情,過去的我都不太懂得留心,但是為了更多服事日本人,不僅要明白他們的習慣,更要接納這樣的溝通方式,以他們感到舒適的方式與他們交談。一邊學習,一邊事奉的過程中,最感恩的是,儘管適應異文化並不容易,也有一些日本學生拒絕我們,神仍賜下一些對我們敞開,並且對福音有興趣的學生!在我們的Taiwan Party佈道會上,有十幾位與我們成為朋友的日本學生在自然、輕鬆的氣氛之下,很專注地聆聽我們的見證和短講,這是他們第一次清楚地聽到福音,其中有些甚至表示願意繼續參加Student Impact的活動。看見聖靈確實在日本學生的心中工作,我們都覺得很受鼓勵。

短宣期間,另一樣重要的收穫是稍稍體會日本屬靈爭戰的真實。在日本,地鐵站的自殺事件是很頻繁的。我們每天都搭乘地鐵,數不清看過幾次「人身事故」的消息。有一天,我看見四起自殺事件在四條不同的路線發生,內心就一直惦記著這事。不知道為什麼,這消息在我的心裡漸漸形成一種屬靈的暗示,到了晚上,我們要搭地鐵回住處時,走上月台,看見一輛電車快速駛入月台,內心竟感到一陣聲音說:「你也跳下去試試看吧!」這聲音使我害怕,令我不敢直視鐵軌,又一直縈繞在我的心裡。那天,直到睡前,我都沒有辦法擺脫那聲音。後來,與室友一起禱告了一段時間,才漸漸感到這樣的聲音與我毫無關聯。我想,如果一位心靈憂傷的日本人在地鐵站興起了想自殺的念頭,又沒有聖靈的幫助,那是一件多麼可怕的事情。

參觀淺草與明治神宮時,我的內心也沉重起來。我看見在這些地方,旅客用數百到上千日圓的錢購買各式御守,以求事業、愛情、課業、健康等等的平安;明治神宮的許願牌一個要價500日圓,上面寫滿了人們各式各樣的願望。我想到我所相信的神是一位多麼樂意將平安白白賞賜給祂的兒女的神,又看見在神宮中有這麼多向虛無的神明虔誠祈禱的迷失的百姓(他們有很多渴望,卻不真的明白自己是在向誰祈求),不知不覺就掉下淚來。在明治神宮外,也有一群身著奇裝異服的青少年,將頭髮染成誇張的顏色,作漫畫人物一般的裝扮,控訴著這個社會無法接納他們、了解他們。神宮、廟宇內外都滿是不認識真神的百姓。當我的內心為所見的光景感到憂傷時,彷彿感到這是神樂意把祂對日本的心痛與我們分享,也更深體會到主願萬人都得救的心意在日本也是何等真實。主實在是願意更多日本的百姓悔改回轉歸向祂!

日本短宣隊回國的那天,我知道我是帶著滿滿的恩典、美好的回憶和更深的使命感回來臺灣的。從前,有一群被神感動的外國宣教士,跨越千山萬水,更跨越了語言、文化的藩籬,前仆後繼地在華人世界把福音傳開了。如今,日本還有99.8%的百姓不認識神,甚至一生都沒有聽過福音。願主繼續引導我,使我明白怎樣繼續為日本禱告、奉獻,也願主差遣更多對日本有負擔的工人前往日本,與那地的百姓分享福音的好消息。

日本 ---- 少明少珊家書


感恩的事:

在事奉上:

1)     我們剛開始帶領一個新小組,除我們一家人之外,其餘的是三位婦女.她們都是資深的教友.另有兩位傳譯員.這小組一開始就實踐「人人都是領袖」的精神.起初,她們覺得自己沒有信心做領袖,但後來明白所謂領袖不是一般所想的有高的權位,很好的學識,能力等.聖經裡所說的領袖就是願意服待人,作別人的僕人;所以連我們的女兒樂霖也是領袖.

感謝主,她們都很樂意做領袖,因為日本人本來就特別喜歡服待人.每次小組她們都帶一些特別的食物分享給其他組員.另外,她們也正積極地籌備一些新朋友活動.七月底我們小組會舉辦一個展覽及義賣會,籌得的款項是給四川的災民.很感恩她們都是很主動及投入地參與,因為她們知道自己就是領袖.我們也期望這小組半年後就由她們自己帶領.

 

2)     另外,我們也在參與另一個由日本人帶領的小組.這小組大部份組員都會英語,所以比較容易溝通感謝主使用我們服待他們.有組員會自己到我們家裡來找我們為他們祈禱.感恩的是他們很受教,並願意接受挑戰.

 

3)     我們來到日本第一次請大假去旅行.在我們一家人最享受一起度假時,我們帶了一個巴西裔日本婦女(在酒店裡每天服待我們的服務員)信主在這過程裡有很多奇妙的事發生.第一,當我要為那婦女祈禱時,我的小女兒就哭起來,於是,我請少明為她祈禱.少明為她祈禱,但他要我為他們傳譯.嘩!我想我怎可以把中文譯成日文呢.少明真是睇好我呢!不一會兒,我真的不知如何譯下去,但少明在等待我譯,而那婦女也因此開了眼睛等待我,於是,我就用手語及有限的日文全情投入地表達.那婦女很驚訝地說,少明的祈禱表達了她的心境及需要.於是,她因此而信耶穌.第二,後來我們把這事情告訴那個介紹我們入住那酒店的教友後,那教友也很驚嘆主的作為,因為在她離職後(她以前也在那酒店工作),一直都很掛心那個婦人.所以她很興奮知道她信主並且將來可以跟進她的需要.

在這個經歷裡,我們看見未信主的人見到我們一家人很開心,彼此相愛,因此就認出我們是主的門徒了.就是這麼簡單,主提醒我們要好好享受神給我們的一切,並且無論作什麼,為的都是榮耀主,這就是事奉,就是宣教了.

 

4)     很感恩的是我們在日本很容易認識新朋友,其中一個原因是我們的大小女兒都很容易吸引人;此外,是樂霖鼓勵我們幫她去認識新朋友,其實在香港我們是這樣教她的,以致她能更快適應日本的生活.我們先後在街上認識了十多個小朋友,由七歲到十歲,並已交換電話號碼.有些小朋友甚至自己到我們家裡來玩.有次他們主動走來擁抱我們,吻我們.雖然我們的日文有限,但一起玩是不受言語限制的.他們特別喜歡看少明搞笑.我也很享受這種簡單開心的時間.樂霖的生日會他們都來參加,樂霖也是第一次收到日本小朋友送來的禮物.此外,我們也認識了一些太太及婆婆,並已經交換了聯絡方法.有個婆婆說自己沒有朋友,所以好希望與我們做朋友.有個鄰居也曾返我們新開的小組.想不到在日本更容易識新朋友.

 

5)     我們經常邀請教會的弟兄姊妹來我們家吃飯.很感恩神賜少明很多恩賜,又會煮菜,又會幫人恢復筋骨的健康.日本人都很感動可以吃少明的料理.他們也會貢獻他們所有的.有些婦女帶來一些自己種的菜及花.另外,我們也曾收到當地人種的米,而這裡的米是日本最好吃的米;還有一個弟兄有好幾次有幫我們剪草,而他是一個園丁.有婦女幫我們補衣服,也有一些婦女主動幫我們搬屋.有些日本朋友也帶我們去不同的地方玩.其實日本人都很能幹,大部份的婦女都是大學畢業,她們也是多才多藝的.而且他們都很勤勞,很願意服待人.今次四川大地震,在電視上見到很多日本人的確很關心中國人的需要,並作實際的幫助;我們好希望更多日本人能認識耶穌,並且將來成為宣教的國家,祝福更多有需要的地方.

 

在隊工上:

        1)     首先我們一家人的關係有很大的進步.其中一個原因是主提醒我們要享受生活,特別要享受一家人在一起的時間.大小女兒一個星期有四天上學,而星期六,日及一就是我們全家人一起的時間.我們會好珍惜我們的家庭時間.

 

        2)     好欣賞我們在日本的香港隊工.我們大家都很熱心事奉,並很樂意彼此配搭.我們剛去完一次同工營,大家都很享受一起的時間.我們又燒烤,又有火鍋,早餐又弄中國式的牛肉粥和炒面;另外在日本我們當然有泡溫泉的時間.能夠享受隊工走在一起的時間就是最好不過了.

 

        另外,很感謝我們的隊工幫助我們一家人在日本生活上的適應.特別在我們未有車之前,他們都常常接送我們;女兒樂霖說很感恩得到他們的幫忙.有些時候,大小女兒身體都不適,Zoe及她丈夫在零晨時份車我們去醫院並且幫我們傳譯.志基及Joyce也經常車我們去辦理各種各樣的事情.有次樂霖說志基叔叔真好人,常常都幫助我們.

       

在生活上:

神的供應甚至於多我們所祈求的.其中一些例子是,現在我們真的有車用了,之前一輛是二手七人車,但因知道維修費及供養一輛大車費用昂貴後,我們就祈禱希望有一部新的細車.現在我們有的是一輛全新的四人輕型家庭式私家車,是樂霖選取的粉紅色車.真是難以想像!不是神的恩典,真的不可用別的來解釋.

還有,自從我們入紙申請公屋,只需兩個月時間,我們就知道真的有公屋住了.我們將於7月1日入住.另外,又有一件不可思議的事是,起初我擔心入住公屋的話,我們又要額外花錢購備一些必須品,當中最昂貴的是要購置一部熱水爐,一般要花費一萬多元港幣,還有的是水糟,即浴缸.我跟香港宣教隊分享我所憂慮的,經他們鼓勵後,我就不再想了.嘩!真是奇蹟!政府的官員告訴我們上一個租客把熱水爐及水糟,還有蚊紗免費留給我們用.至於傢俱電器及其他日用品方面,我們臨離開香港前送給別人的,神真的在日本透過日本弟兄姊妹多倍奉還給我們;現在,我們要什麼有什麼,神真厲害了!

 

給在香港親友的話:

很掛念在香港的弟兄姊妹及我們的家人朋友,我們有時分別在夢裡見到你們.特別想感謝牧鄰的前輩給我們的教導,我們會學效你們的榜樣,不斷反省,為神的國度打拚.屯元區的Jadie我們會依靠主戰勝自己的,好使神在日本大大使用我們.各位屯元區領導團的僕人們,我們也很懷念過去一起服待的時間,你們給我們的鼓勵及勸勉的話,我們也會緊記住.感謝我們的父母及兄弟姊妹的支持,你們給我們無條件的愛成為我們很大的動力.還有我們的每一個好朋友,你們都好像我們生命裡的小天使,守護住我們,祝福我們,使我們生命因為有你們而顯得更豐富,更滿足.願我們在不同的角落裡都一起燃點我們生命的光,將光帶給黑暗的角落裡.

2008 日本短宣隊 倒數5天!

Dear 關心日宣的弟兄妹們,

 

的日宣隊的行程就要進入尾聲了這兩週之間因事工忙碌沒有再寫其他的代禱信給大家但是時候是很實地經歷到神信實的、保護與帶領感謝您為日本靈魂所獻上的禱事工進行的同時我們也常常關注國內外各短宣隊的代禱事知道法宣隊、澳洲隊、竹北短宣隊、竹短宣隊等隊伍都面臨種不同的狀況。人人得救的心在各都是同的但各處的爭戰也都是烈且真實的我們一起為各處屬神的短宣隊伍守望:)

 

這兩個星期我們在津田塾大學和東京大學都接觸許多。感謝與的津田塾大學裡實有一些友善的學生意與我們穩定我們的中文午餐文午餐、Student Impact會活動

 

請繼續為我們禱告

感謝神讓隊身體健康雖然偶爾隊員會感到疲累參與事。這兩天隊員純含四肢發過敏現象手臂的關節部位周圍產像蚊蟲紅色腫胞也會有的感現在一些了。純含望這不會影響天在佈道會上的主願主隊員們也如何成為她的幫助

隊員詩雯到一個消防栓疼痛處之發生嘔吐狀。目前不確定是腦振願主保護她醫治

今天(7/12星期)午是台灣離開日本前的佈道會。我們預備了台灣、戲、和見證招待日本學生。願主大大祝福場聚使日本學生認識也請為服事的學生來禱告

甜點、場佈所有學生

主持人純含和慧 (慧怡是從臺差去的實同工負責日文)

遊戲淨淳

戲劇所有學生

見證語慧和碧芬姊 (碧芬姊見證翻成日文)

高橋洋介牧師

三鷹Student Center有一場Vision Night聚會。這是JCCC為所有國外短宣隊的成員預備的聚會讓不同短宣隊的學生能彼此交流也和所有東京隊的Staff見面認識日本的事工狀況。為隊員在其中的收穫

上週在津田塾大學的中文午餐會認識的學生有一位在決志雖然她沒有完全的內也沒有上就在同學面前自己基督徒但是她願意繼續參與Student Impact的各聚會激勵我們。主繼續領這位同學祝福她與宣日後的就會面在津田塾大學成為主的好徒。


下週語慧有會和一位津田塾大學的學生分享日文四感謝神她的內心柔軟靈繼續在她的心中動工她信心能接受耶作她個人的救主和生的主。


台灣短宣隊離開後國學園道會的EPIC team (亞裔美國學生團契) 會繼續在津田塾大學行中文午餐接觸我們認識的日本朋友。願主使她們將福音分享給這間學的學生。

 

主恩

 

您的姊妹,

語慧

 

 

P.S. 學園代禱網 是一個統整所有學園傳道會的代禱信的網在這裡可以看到傳道同工、宣教士、神學生、及海內外各短宣隊的禱告事項和一些事工分享。您有興趣可以訂閱這個網是定期上此網站以了更多代禱消息:)