Japanese Family Reunions + 2nd Grade Art Class + Riding a train alone in Kyoto = Amazing...

Dear Everyone,

It's so good to be back on the blog and share with you what has been going on the last 2 days. I have missed being able to chat with you. Let's start with Sunday. Shortly after my chacos post, I went off to church to reunite with all my Japanese brothers and sisters from last year, share my testimony, and share a song. It was indescribable...I walked in as the praise team was rehearsing and it was great to hear the Japanese worship songs which I still can't understand. The important thing is that God was getting the praise and I could feel it. Once the rehearsal was over, there was a little time for me to catch up with everyone. It was so great to see Carmen, Shimizu san, Misutani san, Tony, Louis, Okada san, and several others. The laughs and hugs were endless..After we had a short time of catching up, it was time for church to start. We had a nice time of worship and there were actually some hymns that I knew. I have never seen people sing "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee" with so much passion and desire to praise God. It was amazing..We sang a couple more contemporary Japanese worship song that I didn't know and then it was time for me to share my testimony. Wow is all I can say. It was hard for me not to hold back the tears and I shared all that God had done in my life and I pray that the Lord used me as a vessel to speak to someone. Thank you Lord for you restoration and redeeming love in my family! After my testimony, I sang Come Thou Fount with the pianist accompanying me. I had a beautiful time of worship with my Savior and I wish I could describe the experience I had as I sang but words would not do that time justice..
After I shared my testimony and sang, it was time for me to give a short message to the high schoolers of the church. We looked at Acts 17 when some residents of Thesselonica who didn't believe Paul's message about Jesus described the Christians in the town as "these who have turned the world upside down". I pray that God uses the church today to turn the world upside down and for the work and love of the church through the power of the Spirit to be unstoppable. The passage is a great challenge to all believers and my hope is that the youth of Kyoto Christian Fellowship take the Word and run with it! The message was very short and after it was over they had a nice time of Q&A about America for me. Once the youth service was over it was time for a church wide lunch. Japanese food keeps getting better and better every day I'm here. Wow. After lunch it was time for the youth choir practice and short time of worship. I just sat back and listened since I couldn't read the choir sheets and it sounded magnificent. Near the end of the worship time, I wandered to the back of the church and found a small group of older Japanese ladies sitting around talking so I figured I'd sit down and talk. Had no idea that it would turn into another worship time..I sat there and sang a few well known hymns with these ladies to a CD for about 30 minutes and it was fantastic. I sang in English and they sang in Japanese and it sounded perfect. Talk about being united through the Holy Spirit! Once that time was over it was time for me to leave and stay with Tony's family who is half American and half Japanese. I had a wonderful time with their family. Tony really encouraged me in the Lord as I told him I about seeking God's will for my life concerning Japan, teaching, and just serving the Lord however I can and prayed with me. Tony is a very wise man in the Lord and it was a priceless experience I know that the Lord set up for me. Thank you Lord for leading me every step of the way in Japan so far. Can't wait to see what else you have for me while I'm here.
Sorry this post is uber long but there isn't much more. Today I got to tour a school that Tony's works at. It's called Kyoto International University and is main a school for missionary kids and will be getting it's official accreditation next year. I got to help teach a 2nd grade art class which was absolutely crazy! All of the kids spoke English which was nice but they were still 2nd graders. Lot's of shouting, running, spilled glue, crazy scissor waving, etc. All i'll say is that God can teach you a lot through a 2nd grade art class.. Once my time a the school was over Tony took me to a Kyoto train station, rode with me halfway, then gave me the rest of the directions to meet Leena. It was an incredible experience to be completely alone in Japan again. Just me and Jesus. I really enjoyed the ride and didn't have a problem finding Leena once I arrived at the right station. Last bit of the post so hang in there! Once Leena picked me up, we went to the Kyoto Christian Fellowship for me to meet the Korean YWAM team I'll be working with for the next 5 days. They are awesome!!! They are all in their 20's like me and don't speak much English. They can understand it perfectly and there was instant chemistry and laughter as soon as we met. God is so good isn't He? It's incredible how people from different countries who are united by His Spirit who hardly speak the same language can communicate perfectly. Wow... Can't wait to live and work with them for the next 5 days. God is gonna do some amazing things. Once our meeting was over Leena brought me home and it was finally time to try the bidet toilet. Dun dun duhhh.. I avoided it completely last year and it was finally time for me to try it. Honestly, it wasn't that bad and was an interesting experience. Not my favorite, but I tried it and it's over with. Now I am just sitting in the kitchen listening to some country music typing this post while Leena cooks some curry. Can't wait because Leena has the best curry in Japan! Please pray for me and YWAM team as we begin our ministry. Pray for understanding and effectiveness as we go out into Kyoto to pray and show the love of Jesus. Last but not least are the shout outs for the day. The first shout out goes to... Robin Shaver. Miss you Mrs. Robin and couldn't help but think of you as I worked with those elementary school kids. You would have been perfect for them and they wouldn't have been near as crazy. You truly have a gift for children and are the best VBS teacher! Hope all is well. The second shout out of the day goes to...Clay. Miss you brother and hope Camp Spearhead is going well. You would be happy to know Tony is a 4th degree black belt and seriously practiced martial arts for 10 years. Yeah his nickname was Lethal Weapon. Not really, but he could seriously do some damage if he wanted to. Godzilla has nothing on this guy. Can't wait to see you again once I'm back. Sorry that this post was so long but Thank you everyone for your support and I look forward to posting in a few days or so.

Only By Grace,
CP