What Have You Learned? Any questions? What Next?

This is the question I have been asking many of my students as we near the end of the school year and the end of LLI. I wanted to know what they have learned about the Bible and about God during their time at LLI. Sometimes it's hard to tell what is sticking with people, and what is getting lost, so I wanted to check in and see. I also wanted to check if there were any lingering questions they had, and what they would like to learn in the future. It's been really interesting to hear what they've had to say and so I wanted to share it with you. I'm putting their words in quotes, but it is not an exact dictation.

"Jesus loves me all the time."

"I learned to speak English and that we should be kind to one another."

"Before if bad things happened to me I'd say "Why me?" or "I'm so unlucky". Now, if I have problems I know God will help me through them".

"I am already a Christian, so I didn't learn so much about the Bible, but I learned how to share my faith. I want to tell my family and my friends."

"I learned that God is three persons in one; the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit."

One of my high school students always pays close attention during the chapel time. At the end, I always ask if she has any questions. In many other classes, people have questions, but she always says no. There is a church member in the class, so sometimes if she thinks something is difficult she may give a short explanation in Japanese. However, last week when we were talking about what she had learned so far, and if she had any questions she actually asked one! She wanted to know about Jesus. Is he God or human? Great question! So I answered "both!" and then went into a more detailed explanation. Try explaining about the virgin birth in simple English, let alone a concept that tricky to wrap your mind around haha! But, I feel God gave me words to say and I ended up going into the trinity using the apple concept.

Recently, in my Tuesday Bible study which is supposed to be 30 minutes before our English class, we have had a really hard time ending on time, and of course I want to just keep on going! They are a group that doesn't stop asking questions which is great. Today we talked all about Jesus death and why Pontius Pilot said, "surely He must have been God". Then we had a long discussion about the four gospels; when they were written, how they were written for different people (Greeks, Jews, Gentiles, the early Christian Church) and more. It's so hard to imagine that I only have one more class with them because I feel we have so much more to delve into! They are sooo interested right now and I don't want them to slip away. I'm so thankful though that there is a church member in the class with them who has been amazing at working with them and will continue to be a link to Christ for them even after the school closes. Please pray that God would continue to work in them a desire to know Him more fully and bring them to faith in Jesus!

Why Are You Afraid?

Today I as I sat in the stillness of the Center Church sanctuary praying for students, other missionaries, and for God to use me He convicted me. "Why are you afriad? Trust in me". I was struck by this, confused at first, but soon completely consoled by it. I think recently I have been too caught up in focusing on myself and wondering what I have accomplished these last two years. I am afraid I didn't say the right things during chapel messages, afraid I have missed opportunities to witness, afraid I didn't connect to current Christians enough and train them for mission. Yet, when I take time to sit in silence with God he slashes through those lies and reminds me that He is in control and the only thing I need to fear is Him. Psalm 112 reminded me as well to continue to trust in God no matter what bad news comes my way, because I also have the good news of what Jesus has accomplished.

I am currently working on putting together a memory book for the 57 years of ministry at LLI. Last week we sent out a letter inviting people to come to a service of thanksgiving on March 13, and so I included a letter asking people to send me their favorite memories from LLI and what the school has meant to them. Slowly responses are coming in, and it has been such a blessing to read how God has truly used LLI to change lives. For many people it was a place not only that they became a Christian, but was just the beginning of a life of service to him as a pastor, teacher, etc.

I hope you can take some time to be still and listen to what God desires to speak to you. Don't be afraid, fear only God and his awesome power which excites us to live out his commands.

Psalm 112

1 Praise the LORD.
Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,
who finds great delight in his commands.

2 His children will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.

3 Wealth and riches are in his house,
and his righteousness endures forever.

4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. [c]

5 Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely,
who conducts his affairs with justice.

6 Surely he will never be shaken;
a righteous man will be remembered forever.

7 He will have no fear of bad news;
his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

8 His heart is secure, he will have no fear;
in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.

9 He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor,
his righteousness endures forever;
his horn [d] will be lifted high in honor.

10 The wicked man will see and be vexed,
he will gnash his teeth and waste away;
the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.

Unfortunately....Fortunately

God has finally opened my eyes a bit to what He is doing even in unfortunate situations. It reminds me of an English activity in one of the English books I teach. The students have to continue a story by using every other sentence as "unfortunately" and then "fortunately".

Unfortunately, LLI will be closing in March.
Fortunately, there were 57 years that the school was open, and so many people who became Christians and even Pastors because of it.
Unfortunately, all our students will have to find a new school.
Fortunately, most of them are interested in going to another Lutheran School.
Unfortunately, many are not baptized who have been interested in Christianity.
Fortunately, they are connected with other church members, Pastor Saito, and have said they will keep coming to the church even after the school closes.
Unfortunately, so many new people have been coming to my office asking about English classes and I have to tell them the school is actually closing.
Fortunately, I can invite them to Bible Study since they can join that class whenever, even in the middle of the semester and it's free! And...many of them have!
Unfortunately, many of them didn't have a job because of the economy and so they were looking for something to fill their time.
Fortunately, many of them now found a job AND are still coming!

Ever since learning about the school closing I have trusted that God would use it for His good, but I don't know if I actually believed what I kept telling myself until He hit me over the head with it this week. I have just seen so many ways which verify to me that God has the students in His hand. I've seen students who say they have no interest in Christianity immediately go to another Lutheran school when this situation could easily be their way to transition to another English conversation school. I've seen students interact with the Pastor as if they were close friends. I've heard students say how much the trust the missionaries because of their relationships with them over the years. Praise God that He has the power to change lives in ways that I can only pray for, and point them to scripture that shows of His great love. May God's spirit keep working in ways beyond my imagination!

I Can Cook Japanese!

I returned to Japan from my winter vacation to snowy MN on January 8th. After arriving back in Tokyo I was feeling in the mood for some Japanese food. And, I was feeling in the mood to cook. Several months ago I bought a cookbook called "The Asian Vegan Kitchen" which I have been meaning to put to more frequent use. So, I checked out the section on Japan and selected several dishes that sounded good and went well together.

The first thing i chose to make because it sounded so good for these cold wintery days was miso soup. Miso soup is a staple in many Japanese meals. Especially for breakfast, which made sound strange, but trust me it is so wonderful! Miso soup can come in many varieties depending on what region of Japan you are in, or what kind of ingredients you like. But, I made a tofu and vegetable soup. Miso can also come in many varieties, but it is primarily made from fermented rice and soy beans. It comes in a plastic container and is the consistency of a paste.

While that was cooking I made braised onions and potatoes, and stir-fried lotus root. Both had very similar seasonings so it was easy to make them at the same time. The lotus root especially had a kick to it as you saute dried red chili pepper with it. Both sauces included dashi (a japanese soup stock made from water and dried mushrooms), sake (japanese rice wine), sugar, mirin, and soy sauce.

Everything was really delicious and it made much more than I could eat in one meal, so I was able to enjoy the miso soup especially for many days after. If you are interested in trying any of these foods for yourself just let me know and I can send you the recipe. I think you should be able to find most of the ingredients without much trouble. And, I don't think the sake is vital to the flavor if you might have a hard time finding that. Or, if you are still a bit intimidated perhaps I can make some for you sometime when I return to the US! And don't forget the white rice!