Day 445 { Don't Cry, Church in my Area } Sunday, June 7, 2009

Day 445 { Don't Cry }

Dont Cry

Went to pick up some of the Chinese students to go to church today... But when I got to their dormitory, my interpreter was there standing with only 1 of the Chinese students. She said the others probably decided not to go at the last moment.
While in church, I noticed that my interpreter kept on going for tissue... Then I noticed that she kept wiping her eyes. I then immediately started to pray for her... She then thanked me afterward...

After church, she said the reason why she was shedding tears was because she said for 10 years now, she has been attending the church (the only foreigner in this area of approx. 35000 people) and she doubt if the membership has grown by 2 in the last 10 years... She said she is tired of trying and trying... I however gave her some encouragement and told her that she have to realize the following:

1) Japanese people are very shy...So to even go and have a simple conversation with someone, can be considered going out of their way...

2) The Japanese churches don't do much evangelism..... and if they do it, not many people are interested.

3) Most Japanese people in general, have no interest whatsoever in Christianity.

4) If a Japanese person becomes a Christian, they run the risk of being banished by their friends and family....

She then agreed with me about all this... I told her that if Christianity is to spread in this area, we would have to keep some sort of conference with many foreigners and Japanese together and have translators... I also think that some sort of English school would help out as well.

After church, a couple of us met up and had lunch at the same Okinawan-style restaurant where we went last week.