God is good...all the time. and all the time...

GOD IS GOOD!
i can't believe our team has only two more days before heading back home.
today, we held a ThankYou party at the New Communities Church, inviting those we encountered during our time in Japan (from homestays, Ryutsuu chat, Gaidai chat, children/mothers from english camp, and professional chat). it was a blessed time full of sharing, laughter, and fellowship. during this time, we had the opportunity to get to know one another and form relationships by exchanging stories, testimonies, and even email addresses. the thank you party was a great way for us to look past our language barriers or age differences, but have a great time of fellowship. God is def moving in Japan and we have full faith and hope God will water the seeds planted to something beautiful. God loves Japan and in His time hearts will be open, curiosity will erupt, and lives will be saved.

prayer request:
1.unity- our mission is yet to be finished.though we are "finished" with our mission work, the way we respect, treat, and love one another can speak wonders as we have our final days here in japan (sightseeing and debriefing)
2. strength- many of us ar mentally/physically tired... but we want not to lean on our own strength, but by His strength alone til the very end of our time in japan.

cant wait to see you all back in the states and share our japan mission testimony with you.

God Is Moving

It is an end to day 2 of Japan, and it has been nothing short of subarashii (wonderful)! After a much needed night's rest from our 14+ hour trip to Kobe, we met and had morning service with the brothers and sisters of the New Community Gakuentoshi Chapel. It was a blessing to hear the word of God spoken in Japanese by Pastor Mike today. Although the team received notes with the English translation, it was great and special to have worshiped the same loving God with the people of that church. HE is the same in all languages!

I was so encouraged by the outpouring of love from the members of the New Community Gakeuntoshi Chapel - everyone from the homestay families to the members who organized a welcome party for us. They were such a blessing through their hospitality.

Tomorrow is the team's cultural plunge day where we go to Osaka to experience the colorful culture of Japan and its people. But, in light of all that I ask for your prayers. The team has been praying for God's Holy Spirit to move within the people of Japan. We may not know the whole picture as God does, but we know that God is already stirring something in this country. In addition, please pray for protection against the adversary. A couple of our team members are sick with a cold or are still recovering from the travels, and we ask that you pray for physical healing. We have faith that nothing will stop this team from being the salt and the light of God's kingdom. All of us need to put on the full armor of God, be prepared, and be sensitive to the spirit. Please pray for the alignment of our hearts with that of God's so that his purpose is made clear to all of us.

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who come from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14

A Prayer
Lord, make your presence known here in Japan. We pray for a mighty wave of your spirit to move through us and throughout the people. May we have the boldness of John who proclaimed your holiness and goodness, and may we also acknowledge it and obey. Our identity stands firm in you alone. We will not waiver. We ask for miracles. We ask for growing and continuous relationships with the people we meet here through the church, English chats, and host families. Unite us so that we may be used most effectively and powerfully for your kingdom influence. Lord, You are moving in this place! May you be glorified and worshiped because you deserve our praise. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

We've Made IT!

We're Finally here in Japan after a long trek, but God is good and we've arrived safe. Right now we're all getting ready to sleep but I feel like God is stirring up our Spirit's to touch the people we meet here in Japan. =) We'll keep you all updated, but for now... Oyasuminasai! (Good night)

Blessings,
Justin

praise in heaven

just wanted to share this video. this is what i imagine praise in heaven will be like, of course infinitely better but the same feel. millions upon millions worshiping God unhindered by thoughts of self, with boundless passion and with complete abandon. can't wait!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR4CCLnmf1Q

some words of wisdom

I need to write down what i was just told:
Don't go thinking "this is it"; rather, go thinking "this is the beginning"
You are only a tool, a messanger, it has nothing to do with you
All it takes is a seed
This is about God's business
Keep in touch and make friends- keep their names to pray over them

Some Kengo with a side of Rehab

Rehab is an interesting character. She was a prostitute- so not really educated, not well-connected in the community, and probably living with a lack of purpose and significance- probably not somebody a present day "spy" would turn to for help. Yet, the LORD led them to this place, and look- her house is part of the wall so that they can escape! She could have chose to turn the spies in, but something told her nah, somethins abrewin. She could have asked for a ransom in exchange for the men but nah, instead she wanted to be a part of what was to come.
I see us as the spies- obviously- and Rehab represents the people we will be encountering. We don't know who we're going to encounter, but it's going to be the LORD leading us there, and more awesomely- He will bless us through them. They can choose to turn their ear and ignore but I hope that they don't. I hope they become curious, and even though they don't know much about us or who we are, they will continue to seek and join in because something great is abrewin.

By the end of this trip, we're going to have a feast!
And we will NOT "Chotto shut the tone down"

Got Prayer? (A Team Request)

I'm feeling the enemy trying to attack me, and I know for certain that the enemy wants nothing more than for the team to be bogged down or even just less hope filled for our mission to Japan. But as we spend tomorrow(Wed) fasting, I believe that God is going to do a mighty thing within us. I welcome it, and so as the team fasts tomorrow I'm asking for intercessors to join us in prayer through out the day for an even greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit to be upon us as we minister in Japan.

Pray for:

• God's love to be placed upon our hearts for the Japanese people in a real and passionate way.
  

• Divine/Angelic protection from the enemies schemes

• The leading of the Holy Spirit in all Power

• An even Greater sense of unity within the team

• Salvation! For Jesus to be known!

• And for the many encounters we'll have with those in Japan! Jesus met people for but a moment, and in that moment changed peoples lives forever! May it be the same for every member this team! Please pray that over us... It only comes about by the Power of the Holy Spirit!

Got Prayer?

"Then Joshua said to the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you." - Joshua 3:5