Category: 2016 Japan Mission Trip News

The Real Stuff

Sup guys its day 2 andddddd right now we’ve just finished a day of orientation at OMF Japan in Sapporo. Its been a really eye opening experience since we’ve began. Coming from Sydney, I’ve come to realise how blessed we are as we are rich in resources and gospel centred teaching.

It’s really apparent how lacking Hokkaido is in terms of available young pastors there are and comparatively low amount of church going Christians. In addition there is a lack of evangelism that is going out towards students and young people, due to stigma of religion as a “cult”. Obviously this is starkly different to the big campus groups we have at universities around Australia. Even though there are low numbers of Christians and a lack of resources, over the past couple of years there has been evidence of God working through the northern region of Japan. There have been a number of new churches that have been planted across Hokkaido and slowly a number of people being baptised. So yeah please pray OMF Japan as they continue working in in northern Japan. Please also pray for the people of Japan, that god will work in their hearts and it will bring many opportunities for evangelism.

We’ve also settled into the local Japanese Church Nagayama in Asahikawa. The local pastor Yamamoto sensei and 4 other ladies hosted a dinner with us, which was a traditional Japanese meal of somen noodle. More importantly we did some worship in both Japanese and English and similar in-group prayer. Afterwards Isaac and Anita shared their testimony with the team, which was deeply encouraging for the Japanese Christian.

Pastor Yamamoto noted, “Even though we have met for the first time, through God it feels like we’ve known each other for a long time”

Please pray for us that both the local church and the mission team can develop strong relationships with one and another and we can encourage each other.

The Dumb Stuff

So far as a team we have learned that convenience store is DA BEST THING EEEVVVVAAAAAARRRRRRR. Food is good, its convenient and etc. Other members of the group are also becoming addicted to the drinks from the vending machines, which are vastly superior and cheaper than the machines back in Sydney. Isaac is driving the whole team insane with his puns. Naomi, Sam and Calvin have started to catch onto his dreadful habit. I fear that this team will not last til the end of this week. GG. We’ve also experienced as a group going to a public bathhouse. For some of us this is the first time and others it isn’t, but overall no one was afraid and it was a good time. Boys became men and girls stayed as girls. For instance Naomi poured ice-cold water over Anita while she was in the bath while the men just enjoyed each other’s company. Highly recommend to others if you visit Japan, you should try out either the public bathhouse or an Onsen! Also Dave didn’t realise that Yamamoto Sensei was driving him for like 5 minutes in the car, lolololololol.

The Best Moment

Everyone: “parties, parties, parties, I love parties”

Dave: “I’m glad you know the story, but do you know the main point?”

– Phillip

Dear friends.

We arrived in Tokyo at 5.00pm and then caught another plane to Sapporo and arrived here about 9.30pm. So the team is tired and hungry. At the moment Vivian, Dave and Samuel are waiting for the others to arrive at the motel as they went by train. It might be a midnight ramen vigil! Tomorrow we have orientation at 9.30am.

And we’re off to Japan! Thank you for your prayers and support. All on schedule. Please pray for safety and for Hoi Yan at the moment who has had a recent back injury. Pray for healing as she’ll be driving us around a lot. We’ll be meeting Anita in Sapporo.

Hi all

As we’re about to depart, we’d love you to pray for us, Hoi Yan and the Japanese people.

For Japan:

1. Pray for revival in Japan, for spiritual breakthrough. Remember the leaders, especially Prime Minister Abe.
2. Pray for the unity and cooperation among churches.
3. Pray for leaders and pastors to live out and model holiness. Their struggles in little church growth and financial stresses.
4. Pray for a holistic witness in society by believers. Protection for Christians in spiritual battle.

 For OMF Japan

1. Pray for OMF’s direction and new structure in Japan.
2. Pray for their works in raising Japanese Christians becoming pastors/evangelists as well as Christians seeking to be salt and light where they work.

 For Hoi Yan

1. Pray for Hoi Yan and the team, to relate to all church members with humility and love.
2. Pray for her participation in the OMF International Gathering and for safety in travels.
3. Pray for opportunities to be involved in the community and with her non-Christian contacts (the Miyazakis, her neighbours downstairs; Miyuki, owner of a bakery)

 For the team members: Pastor David Chen (and Samuel), Jimmy and Vivian Wong, Anita Chau, Isaac Lee, Naomi Zhen, Calvin Chung and Philip Cheung

1. Pray for safety in travels.
2. Pray for the unity and harmony among members.
3. Pray for all the preparation works, the programs for English camp and kids camp.
4. Pray for the testimony sharing to churches.

A big thank you for all those who were able to come along to our sharing arvo tea a couple of weeks ago. It was an encouraging time to see so many people willing to support us prayerfully and practically. During the afternoon we were able to share about where we’re going, what we’re doing, have some some with culture games and enjoy a delicious traditional Japanese arvo tea.  Here are some photos:

Dear friends,

It’s not long now (4 weeks) till we set out from Sydney and head to Japan for 2.5 weeks. We have done all the training, booked our tickets, got vaccinated. In the midst of exams and busyness at church and in our own lives, it’s sometimes difficult to be focused on the task ahead of us.

Thank God that He has raised up a team that is passionate to see God’s Word and praises be known in Japan.

We would really value your prayers at this time. One of the team members has unfortunately had to withdraw from the team due to personal reasons, and another team member is waiting the results of her mother’s test results to see whether will continue with the mission. Please pray against the devils schemes who prowls like a roaring lion waiting for someone to devour. Pray for the health of the team. Pray for the families of those on team.

Thanks