Faith in Action...

This past week, I had the honour, privilege and God-given opportunity to attend the 2012 East Japan OMF Conference in the mountains of Nikko. I really had no idea what to expect, but felt in my heart that God would reveal Himself to me in a special way... Of course He did. SMILE.

It was encouraging, eye-opening and fulfilling to hear about the many ministries that are taking place around this country. What was most amazing though, was meeting the people who have chosen to be a living sacrifice in such a 'front-line' kind of way. Worshiping our God with them was an experience I will not forget...

We were able to do some sight-seeing which included a group of us visiting a beautiful but snowy waterfall!

A picture by the pretty lake...

I got to see one of these guys!!! Click HERE for more info on these adorable but fierce Japanese monkeys!

I also got to visit one of the largest temples/shrines in Nikko... Being there definitely reminded me of the state of things in the Old Testament where only select priests were able to enter into the 'holy of holies'... This type of thinking still exists in places like Japan. There was a section that was built with lofty walls around it to show that it was the most sacred place in the vast temple grounds.

Prayers written on pink hearts... Each one is a symbol of the hope and longing of a Japanese person to find a lasting 'home' in a relationship with some one else...

GROUP PHOTO! (haha... can you spot me among the many foreigners who know Japan SO much better than I?)

The conference was truly like a taste of heaven to me. It was strange and humbling to be surrounded by so many non-Japanese who, for so many years, have had a much deeper passion and knowledge of the country my family originally came from. As I was about to leave, a lady I was able to get to know over the past few days looked me deep in the eyes and thanked ME for choosing Japan. What an astounding experience it was for me, to look back into her blue eyes that seeped out sadness for this foreign country she now calls her home. Thank ME for choosing Japan? sigh... How possible it could have been for me to be one of the Japanese people she and other missionaries would pray and fight so hard for, had my ancestors not have moved over to Canada.

The harvest isn't just plenty over here in Japan... Sometimes it feels like it's boundless, immeasurable and overwhelming when you live in a place where hearts are just so hard, so impenetrable. YET, God is alive in the fierce, passionate, energetic, fun-loving, Christ-centered missionaries who have said YES TO THE CROSS. . . YES TO CONCRETE SOIL. . . YES TO MANY YEARS OF SERVICE IN A FARAWAY LAND. . .

'the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.'
Hebrews 11:38

'All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth'
Hebrews 11:13



My Jesus, my God... Have mercy on this broken people, this rock-hard nation. So proud...So seemingly wise, yet so lost. Jesus, show us how to love them. Through Your good grace, save Japan. Save this nation, save our people.