All are invited to:

Japan Missions Dinner

When: August 23, 3008
Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Where: Korean First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall
6175 Lawrenceville Hwy, Tucker, GA 3008
Cost: $15 (all funds go to Japan Missions Fund)
What: 3 course meal and stories from Japan
Semi Formal Attire

Please RSVP by Wednesday August 20, 2008 to the following email,
ann3.park@gmail.com.

Closing Time: Tomei Zoo...

HELLO!!!! : )

First of all, thank you for keeping us in your prayers. We are truly being stretched and blessed. This is truly an amazing experience for all of our team members here. We are being taught patience, love, teamwork, and grace each and every day.

Tomorrow is our last day of camp. :( Sadly, it has come to an end already! We still remember the very first day of camp. It was not what we expected and it was so exhausting and tiring. But now we don't know where the time has gone! We are still in the midst of preparing for tomorrow. As we prepare our last curriculum and print out the certificates and make goodie bags for the kids, we can truly feel how much we fell in love with these kids. As we mentioned before (I think?) the kids' ages ranged from 5 to 18. It was hard to cater to all of them equally but at the same time, we truly formed an unforgettable relationship with each and every one of them. Some of the kids had to leave camp early to go to Korea and it was so hard saying good-bye to them, but we are so thankful for having the chance to serve them.

As we do prayers, testimonies, devotionals, and early morning prayers each day, we are constantly being reminded of God's unending grace, love, and mercy for each and every one of us. It truly teaches us to love and serve these kids with a humble heart and a stronger mindset.

Please keep on praying for our missions team! We are realizing each and every day how truly powerful prayers are.


In Christ's love,
the Japan Missions Team

More Than Half Way Done!

Ohio minnasan [a.k.a. Good morning everyone]! Hahaha :) We truly apologize for not updating every day, but we have been extremely busy taking care of the smaller details now that the English camp is well on its way. I am happy to report that we are feeling less exhausted each day, but God has still been challenging us throughout our time here in Japan. Please pray that our team will not get so discouraged/stressed and that we will be able to work as one unit during our stay here.

Yesterday evening, after the English camp was over, the team went out on an excursion to see the fireworks at Arakawa River. As we were watching the entire event, which lasted for almost two hours, we realized how rich this country is with its resources but how poor they were in spirit. They can afford to buy so many things, but they have yet to receive the true love that comes from God alone. Please pray for Japan that their hearts can be changed and that our coming here and teaching English are a sign that God's kingdom is forever growing.

Our entire team is grateful to every single one of you for your wonderful prayers. We are struggling, but Christ's love stands strong among us. May the children see the peace and strength of God's righteousness through our actions with them and with each other.

An Empty Nation

Hello everyone! I hope everyone is doing great back in the US! :0) The missions team and I have been busy with the English Camp that we haven't had much time to update the blog. Nonetheless, God has been extremely good to us day in and day out.

But even so, we fall short of His glory. In all honesty, we all have been stressed, frustrated, discouraged, etc., in one way or another, and God is truly stretching us (which we know is a great thing :D ) Please continue to keep us in your prayers. We have been tremendously blessed by them.

Today, the team and I had a debriefing after our day (it was a very smooth day praise the Lord! ^^ ). But as we went around to share prayer requests, one thing struck us hard, and it was a huge realization. Japan, and the people in it, have EVERYTHING...except the most important thing. Everything from TV enabled cellphones, 7 story toy stores, to the most updated technology in the whole world are all right at their fingertips. Yet, 98% have never even heard the name of Jesus Christ. It is very heart wrenching to know that they are praying to something that does not exist, that will not respond to their needs. The spiritual warfare is everywhere, but sometimes, we get distracted by the flashy lights and the awe of Tokyo.

As we go from one day to another in our camp, please pray that God will leave a mark on the hearts of these students through our actions, our words, and the way we interact with one another. If we do not do anything to change the spiritual course of this nation, it will simply become a footnote in the pages of history, such as past civilizations.

Please continually keep the nation of Japan, the people of Japan, and us in your prayers. And we will continue to keep you updated :)

From "Tomei Zoo"

The Team

We're glad to report our first day of Tomei Junior English Camp went well! The students enjoyed themselves throughout the day, getting acquainted with each other and with the teachers. Through the time we spent with the kids, we grew eager to reflect and to spread the love of Christ to these children. We are prayerfully awaiting for our Lord to work in these children's (and their family's) hearts.

Although there were many unexpected challenges during the day, our Lord is always faithful. Our gauge of the students' age, attention span, and English proficiency was inaccurate, to say the least. Much of our original planning fell short of capturing the kids' attentions but God willing, He provided us with impromptu games, teaching activities, and general guidance throughout the day and we are grateful.

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Though our bodies may tire and our patience may run low, we are reminded to keep our hearts focused on Christ, having a purpose for our work. We are reminded to discipline our bodies and to exercise self-control in order that we can be efficient workers for Christ.

As we continue to modify our curriculum and structure for the camp, we are hopeful that you will keep these few things in your prayers:

• For the hearts of the children, for them to experience the Christ's love through us
• For the staff at Tomei International Christian Church, pray for blessings upon them for offering so much of their time and energy preparing for this English camp
  
• For our curriculum and structure, so that we may present excellence to the students and their parents as we are Christ's testimony
  
• For physical rejuvenation and healing, some of us have gotten sick these past few days

As always, we are ever grateful for your prayers and support.

'Till next time!

Konnichiwa!!!

Narita Airport

Ohayoo-gozaimas! Today is our 3rd full day here in Japan. We all made it here safely. Thank you all for your prayers, and we ask you to please continue to do so as we strive to do God's work here.

In the past 2 days, we were able to spend a little time sight seeing after our morning preparations. The first day, we went traveled around Asakusa district and visited Sensoji Temple and the surrounding area. Large strips of shops surrounded the outside of the temple gates. As we entered into the courtyard of the temple, there were a few people praying, but mostly, there were a lot of tourists walking around. But because of the hustle and bustle of the place, it was easy to forget that this place was in fact a place of worship.


Sensoji Temple




Yesterday, we went to the district of Harajuku, and visited the Meiji Temple. This temple was dedicated to the emperor and empress of the Meiji Era, to enshrine their souls for their influential role in modernizing Japan. This temple was more tranquil, and we were able to sit and watch people coming into the temple and pray.


Meiji Temple




Witnessing these events were an eye opener to all of us. It was really heart-breaking to see people seeking answers from gods that are not there, that are non-existent. They pray to things that were man made, and put their hopes into things that cannot give them what they're hoping for.

Tomorrow will the be start of our English camp. As we prepare for the coming 10 days, we know there's a lot of work ahead of us. Pray that God will give us the strength we need as we face challenges of showing God's love to a people that are seeking for hope.

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord for the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
~ Matthew 9:36-38

Departure

God is good...Amen!

It's been a tough week. We are in the midst of a spiritual warfare.
God's been teaching us to rely on His strength, wisdom, and guidance.
We are truly being stretched in many different directions:

One of our members have been in a car wreck.
One lost their passport and therefore departure date has been postponed.
One has an expired passport and is unable to join us.
There have been minor incidents in all of our lives in the past week.

However, we've come to trust in the Lord wholeheartedly. Trusting in His everlasting love, faithfulness, and guidance. We are reminded that God uses all things for His glory. We humbly ask for your prayers.

There is more to come. But as we travel please pray for.

• Safe Travels - two of our team-members are traveling by themselves.
• Spiritual Warfare - to guard our hearts, to fix our eyes on Christ

Greetings...

Hello everyone!

The mission blog is up and running! We thank you for all the support and welcome you to join us as we journey together through the sharing of the Gospel in the heart of "the Rising Sun" - Tokyo, Japan.

As our departure date approaches, we eagerly wait in anticipation for what God is preparing ahead of us. Even though we have and will continue to face trials and difficulties, we do not fear because God is good, and He is greater and mightier then anything else of all the world. We ask you to continue to pray for our hearts as we strive to plan and carry out what God has called us to do. Pray that our eyes may be fixed on Him, that we may seek him for strength and wisdom, and that we may have a burning desire to spread the Gospel through our lives.

Like any modern country with material wealth and national prosperity, it is easy for the hearts of the people to be led astray and become blinded by monetary and financial gains. The riches of this world tells us lies about how unnecessary God is, and how all we need is to rely on our own strength. And with the weight of the world on our shoulders, our hearts are completely overwhelmed by the burdens and tragically become a place of darkness. We then turn to various means, such as false religions, bodily pleasures, and/or substance abuse, to alleviate, escape, and cope with the burdens. This is even visible within the communities we live in. It is only by the grace of God that we live in a society that is based mostly on Christian values and beliefs. But this is not true for Japan. Today, roughly only 1 to 2 million Japanese are Christians. That translate to just about 1% of Japan's population. And even though Japan may be considered a Shintoistic and/or Buddhistic society, in actuality, religion does not play a big role in the everyday life of most Japanese. Secularism and materialism dominate the way of life. This is why there is a great need for the Gospel to be preached there.

So, we ask you to please pray for the people of Japan. Pray that the lies of this world will no longer have its grip on this nation, and that His light will shine bright like a beacon of hope in the darkness of Japan. Pray that God will soften their hearts, giving them a desire to know Christ, so that He may grant them true joy and peace that only comes from the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.


In His grace and mercy,
The Japan Mission Team