Feb 16

Thoughts From Japan

avatar Published in Untagged  by Pastor Mark
 Before leaving in about an hour for Thailand, I thought it would be good to share with you a few of the impressions that we are taking with us away from Japan.  First the overwhelming need of the people here.  In this nation of 120 million people where less than 1.5% have any understanding of the Gospel of Jesus, the need here is staggering.  Yesterday Alex and Kathryntook us to an observation deck on the 48 floor of a building in downtown Tokyo.  It was a clear day and you could see Mt Fuji and the bay of Japan, but what really gripped me was the immensity of the need.  As you look out at the city and see nothing but buildings and towers and a never ending supply of people, it takes you back when you realize that 98% or more have no walk with Jesus.  Tokyo and it's surrounding area has more than 30 million people and yesterday because it was clear you could see most of where they lived. You and I are from Maryland where about 5.5 million people live; as we looked out we could see nearly six times that amount crammed into an area a fraction of the size.  But this is where you and I come in I would like to ask you to pray for Japan and to pray that the Lord of the harvest would send laborers into this harvest field.  These wonderful polite and gentle people are living in a hopeless world, even with all the modern conveniences and the efficient cultural advancements; this is still the nation with the highest suicide rate in the world. In fact we spent much of our times riding on trains through the city and at many of the station there are metal barriers that are being installed to serve as a deterrent to those who would attempt to throw themselves in front of one of the speeding trains.  Please pray that the Lord would speak to young people of Japan who would be able to reach a lost generation, and please also pray that the Lord would anoint Alex and Kathryn and others who are here with fresh insights and new understanding on how to reach this city and this nation.  It has been a joy to spend some time here with them and we are more impressed than ever by their heart to serve here and to be part of the answer.  You all would have been so proud of them as you see how they are mastering the language, the culture and are sharing their life with those here in small groups and in the church in which they now serve as associate pastors.  Jesus is the answer for the U.S and for Japan!  I heard the news yesterday about the college shootings in Illinois which reminds me we have an incredible work to do in our world as well.  Let us keep focused on Jesus and pour our lives out for Him.  (You may want to read My Utmost for His Highest for February 16th it will motivate you)

Secondly, I have also been impressed by how God allows our paths to connect and then reconnect.  Cornerstone as you know is made up of people all over the world and people that often transfer to different parts of the world.  Yesterday we had lunch with Ron and Julie Mitchell and there family who attend Cornerstone for about 2 years and moved to Japan last fall.  It reminded me that every thing we do matters and every time we greet someone at church and they feel welcomed it matters, and every person matters to God.  So church this week on Sunday and Wednesday will you go out of your way to be friendly and to welcome people, who may be with us for years or only for months, but who the Lord longs to encourage and grow through interaction with Cornerstone's family.  I will be praying for you this weekend that God will anoint the services at Cornerstone with a great presence of God.  We love you and thank you for your prayers as we leave for Thailand, and pray for the team as we arrive to minister and to encourage, May God use each one of us who call Cornerstone their home as ambassadors of His Love and Grace. Will write more from Thailand.  We love you and are praying for each one of you.