I was thinking again about the theme for the World Mission Offering this year, “Be surprised by walking in different shoes”. Guests Herb Tsuchiya, Gordon and Helen Yip from Chinese Baptist Church in Seattle spent a couple days with us.  They shared their testimonies at the Nishi Okamoto Church Wednesday Bible Study and joined us at the Sone Church’s after school program, “Olive Club”.

In his testimony Herb told us that he has a picture of when he was 3 years old, at the pre-school at Japanese Baptist Church in Seattle.  His mother was a member.  His introduction to church however, was interrupted by WWII, and his family, along with other Japanese Americans, being sent to a “relocation camp” in Idaho by the US government. It wasn’t till after he graduated from college that, at a friend’s invitation, he returned to church and became a Christian.

Gordon and Helen also shared their testimonies.  As we listened to their faith journeys and shared in fellowship, the breaking of bread and drinking of coffee, Tomoko and I were struck by beauty of God’s family.  “There is one body and one Spirit…one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”(Ephesians 4:5a,6) Here we were Japanese and Americans, Japanese-American and Chinese-American breaking bread together. There was a time when our nations fought wars, and in our human frailty we can still mistreat, mistrust and misunderstand one another, but in Christ we are one. The beauty of that became clear as we laughed and prayed, sang and shared together.

Sometimes it is painful to put on the shoes of others, but Christ can help them fit.

Giving to the World Mission Offering, and supporting mission work is one way of making the words from Ephesians a reality in our world.  It is a way to be a part of bringing peace to our world, which, as we all know, is in need of peace.

 Thank you!

I had a wonderful 3 weeks in Kansas during September and October.  I give thanks for those families that hosted me for a night or two, and for the pastors and churches that asked me to come and share.  You lifted my spirit with your words of encouragement and your prayers.  You filled my heart with your love and caused me to gain 2 pounds with all those deserts. Thanks especially to our MPT, who worked so hard to make it possible and productive.

Hi-lites… Being in the new building at FBC Greensburg, rebuilt after a tornado destroyed most of the community. Hearing the testimonies of what the Lord is doing in places like Chanute and Hutchinson.

 

Finally, the new fiscal year is just starting for us. To all those who have recently pledged your support and prayers, and for those who have been on the journey for a while, we give thanks.  Tomoko and I are not yet at our goal, so there is always room for more to join us.

 

There are lots of neat things happening in the next few months and we look forward to sharing with you.

Grace and Peace,

John