Privilege

January 11, 2019

Category: Missions News

Growth

2018 was another fruitful year for our ministry in Japan. We continued our weekly Bible studies, branching out from meeting in a small apartment to a community center classroom. This allowed us to invite more people to our services and grow the ministry in Japan. We completed our study on the Gospel of John, and are now halfway through the book of Romans. It is truly exciting to see the growth of people who attend, including us!

Great Turnouts

We hosted two conferences this year in Japan, one in the spring and one in the summer, and had great turnouts. Teams came with Pastor Steve DeVries and Pastor Dan Dunbar. We are planning another conference in late spring 2019. Dates TBD, but please let us know if you are interested in coming.

Orphans

The hospital we both worked at has several outreach programs, one of which is to a local Japanese orphanage at Christmas time. We were delighted to attend and see all the smiles on these kids’ faces as we played with them and brought them gifts on Christmas Eve. However, we were saddened to learn that Japanese people typically do not adopt children, as they believe in the sanctity of their own blood lines. Therefore, the vast majority of these children will never become adopted. Please pray for these children, that God will find a way to reach their hearts and souls, and one day they’ll know that He has chosen them and has personally adopted them.

Light

In Matthew 2, we read about wise men who saw a star in the east, and it “went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.” (Matt. 2:9) In Luke 1, there is the proclamation that Jesus will “give light, and guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:79) Throughout history, God has provided the necessary light to guide and direct men. His Word is a lamp to our feet, and a light to our path. (Psalm 119:105). Also, one of the privileges we have as Christians is to be used by God as light among men in a fallen, dark world, that they may see your good works and give glory to God in heaven. (Matt. 5:16)

God’s light, in all its different forms, ultimately leads people to His Son Jesus – who is the Light of our salvation (Psalm 27:1), the Bearer of our sins (Isaiah 53:6), and the Giver of eternal peace (John 16:33) and eternal purpose (Ephesians 3:11).

Pray for Japan

Please continue to pray for Japan, that the light of God’s Risen Son shines brightly on this land, and more Japanese souls are saved. – Tom & Nataliya Chung