Another Report From Japan

Guest Post by David Jordan
 
My friend Josh, a missionary in East Asia, was able to visit Japan recently. He came alongside longterm missionaries like Mark Wolter (as Doug posted yesterday) to bring aid to those in need.

Josh's report left me both chuckling at his self-deprecating humor and deeply thankful to God for the faith He has given the Japanese church:

When we got to work, I expected to meet with pastors just struggling to stay afloat.  I thought we would supply them with food, and say something like, “Hey, here’s an idea.  You can use this tragedy as an opportunity to share the gospel with unbelievers around you!  So why don’t we give you tons of stuff and you can serve the community!”

I felt incredibly foolish and humbled within a couple days as I saw that the churches in Japan had, indeed, read the book of Acts as well...The Japanese church, though small in membership, is enormous in faith, generosity, and love!  These brothers and sisters are true soldiers of the faith – “of whom the world [is] not worthy” (Hebrews 11:38).  It was a privilege to serve them!  Through this experience, God has taught me much about his mercy in the midst of disaster, and how he uses it to establish his Kingdom.  Pray that He will be bringing in a harvest in Japan.

Josh concluded his letter with the last verse of the Albert Midlane hymn, Father For Thy Promised Blessing:

Let no people be forgotten,
Let Thy showers on all descend
That in one loud blessed anthem,
millions may in triumph blend
Give reviving, give refreshing,
Give the looked-for Jubilee
To Thyself may, crowds be pressing,
Bringing glory unto Thee