A New Sign for Americans on Base – Feb 23, 2017
A new sign for Americans on Base has been set up in the parking lot. It is facing the Rt. 16 and the Yokota Air Base. Americans who drive on Rt. 16 can visibly see the sign and will notice there is a Church of Christ near the Base.
Speaking on the Work of the Holy Spirit – Feb 23, 2017
I gave the second lecture on the work of the Holy Spirit on 18 February. I did the first one on 8 January. This is a topic we may have ignored a lot because there are so many unknowns in the work of the Spirit. As a result many people can speculate about it. Speculations would give us only uncertainty. This would be very unproductive.
I realize I cannot avoid it nor escape from it. Therefore, I have accepted this challenge and decided to study in depth and share the study with others. The topic of the first one is “The Old Testament and the Holy Spirit.” I discussed how the Spirit operated and what He did in Old Testament periods. In the Old Testament periods, the Spirit was given to only particular individuals such as prophets and leaders and even skilled men when the tabernacle was built. In the second lecture, I discussed “the work of the Spirit and the Characteristics of the New Covenant.” In the new covenant the Spirit was given to every baptized believer as God’s gracious gift so that he or she can be called God’s child. Also every believer can have an access to God and understand God’s will through the help of the Spirit. The third lecture will be held on 11 March.
A Future Missionary Couple’s Visa Application – Feb 23, 2017
I was working on the visa application of the future missionary for a while. I received a letter from the immigration office. It is unfortunate that their visa was denied this time. The issue that the immigration office had was that they would be self supported and work without any financial support from US and Japanese churches. The office did not consider them as a missionary.
They are a retired couple and financially capable of supporting themselves while they are in Japan. They would like to devote their lives to the Lord. Please join me in prayer for them.
Seeing the Bright Side – Feb 25, 2017
I can see Yokota Air Base when I open the door of the church building. It is in front of us. While looking at the base, sometimes I wonder why I am here. It has never been easy for me to juggle different tasks for both the American and the Japanese congregations. However, I try to see the bright side of working with the two congregations. I sincerely pray that God will give me wisdom to see it and help me make every opportunity meaningful and fruitful. Would you pray for me and Yokota Church of Christ?