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