It's a rainy day in Japan...

Dear Everyone,
After receiving the internet last night, most of the team and I were up late emailing, checking grades, and blogging. We all just got up not too long ago and really dont have much planned for today due to some rainy weather. Someone on the team suggested that we go visit some local hospitals and malls to pray over them, which we may do later. The part of the day I am most excited about though, involves a couple college students we met last night coming over and playing ping pong (which hopefully I wont get beaten too bad).
Since being here for a few days and experiencing the culture firsthand, there are a few things I have learned about our trip's purpose. As some of you may not know, the number of Christians in Japan make up less than .05% of the population, which is a shocking statistic. Also, the Japanese culture is one of the most traditional in the world and one where change is not easy accepted. Thinking about that in the context of our trip means that the main objective currently is to encourage the local Christians. The church we are working with has between 50 and 100 attendees at a time which is amazing! There are only 5 to 8 churches in the Kyoto area which only have 10 to 20 members..These Christians need more support and prayer than I ever imagined..So far we have been able to pray with a couple members about their needs and fears as a believer in Japan. God is starting to do amazing things already here and it is only day 5/17!!
Continue to pray for the Christians in Japan. They suffer a cultural persecution that makes it one fo the most difficult places to become and stay a Christian. I appreciate all of your prayers and look forward to telling you more. Oh and I would like to say to my dear friend Clay that I saw a batman finger puppet the other day in a shopping mall. That's right batman has made it to Japan!!


Only By Grace,
Cody