David works with the Okinawa Baptist Convention, teaching Bible classes, doing pulpit supply, and working in leadership development. Leslie is an administrator at Okinawa Christian School International (OCSI), and also assists with convention activities.

 

Leslie writes: David has written before, about Mrs. Shiroma, a believer in one of his Bible classes.  A mother of three children, her two sons became Christians and were baptized with her husband’s approval when they were young.    When Dr. Shiroma finished his medical residency, their daughter was born. She says her daughter became the “apple of his eye” and he did not want for her to become a Christian, and when Mrs. Shiroma began talking about it, he forbade it with his mother’s backing.    Mrs. Shiroma had burst into tears during a Bible study session last year as she gave this testimony and asked for prayer.  In a newsletter, David relayed that request to the churches.
Well, this year, the class explored Joshua 2: 8-15, concerning how, after Joshua died, Israel began to serve the gods Baal and Ashtoreth.    When David asked the class why they thought the next generation forsook God and “followed and worshiped various gods of people around them,”   there was silence.  So David asked, “Why is it hard for you to stay true to our God when you are with your family members who do not know the Lord?”

It was a “teachable moment” because the class had met just after “Obon,” the festival for welcoming the spirits of the dead. Most of the class members are compelled to participate in family gatherings at their homes and at the grave sites during the festival.  As believers, they know that they are not supposed to do anything that could be viewed as worshiping the spirits of the ancestors, and yet some, as eldest children or spouses of the eldest, must not only attend the event, but must even host the gathering.  So, this question opened a floodgate of discussion about what they may do, or must not do during these family events, and still be good witnesses to their loved ones.

Leslie said later, as we discussed this at home, that one of the elderly women in her Bible class at Naha Baptist Church had said that she always hosts the gathering for her husband’s family because he is the eldest son.  Mrs. Kinjo said, “The way I cope with the situation is to consider my role of hostess as a ministry to the family.  I make sure that when they arrive at the house that I have prominently displayed the Bible and other items and decorations that have deep meanings for me as a Christian. Then, when they ask about them, I have an open door to share my faith. “

 

• Will you, as faithful ministers of the gospel of Christ lift up this woman and her family? Will you pray, as well for all of the Christians in Okinawa who experience division within the family that Jesus foretold would happen to the faithful? When you do, you are praying for those who are truly taking up their “cross” daily to follow Christ. They are holding onto the lifeline of faith and their crosses, but they need encouragement through their struggles.
• Pray for David and Leslie and for their family as they minister in Japan.