uno

...if you have been praying for a member of your family or a close friend or colleague to believe in jesus, you probably know the "great sorrow and unceasing anguish" that the apostle paul experienced and expressed for his friends and fellow jews throughout his ministry (romans 9.2)...


...in two months in japan, we have met many believers who know this sorrow and anguish first-hand...not just for one or two -- but nearly all -- of their family members who do not know christ yet...but praise God that in this not yet period of sorrowful praying and anguished persistence, God has not only sustained these believers in the face of family non-conformity, but, to his glory, God has strengthened and satisfied them with the type of spirit-empowered joy, peace and hope that the anguished apostle communicates in romans 15.13...


...everytime you read a post or reflect on an image, know that we truly thank God for you for spanning the pacific and being part of our working partnership and fellowship with families who endure the paradox of God's strength in our sorrow...families like that of pastor makio kodaira and his godly wife, megumi (fittingly, megumi means "grace"), and their darling children, shiori, hitomi, and takao...


...in the days, weeks, and months ahead, we anticipate times of ministry reverse, times of feeling skipped, and, as sinners, the countless need to draw on God's (four)giveness...yet, isn't it wonderful to know that during this same period of time, we can anticipate learning and loving more what it means to be UNO body in christ...

...what fun we had playing an american classic that's quickly becoming one here...

...for our sake, yoko-san suggested that we speak only japanese (honto...really???)...on his or her turn, the person would have to say something new (and correct, yikes!) in japanese...for every english word spoken, you would have to draw a card...pretty steep rules...with each passing game, claire and i started stretching for things to say...

...during one of the games, yoko-san (pictured below (center) with claire and shiori (right))...

...started singing along with a slow worship song...she started to sing the name "jesus," but halfway through, she realized the no-english penalty...so we heard an extended "jeeeeeeee" then silence....we all stopped playing for a moment and looked over at yoko...the funny thing to me was that everyone was listening not because they were blessed by her singing, but only because they wanted to penalize her... realizing that she dodged a bullet, we all exploded in laughter...

::: we thank God that we are UNO body in christ....thank you for joining us in learning, loving, and living in kobe (kansai), japan...thank you, kodaira family, for welcoming us into your home and your hearts :::