-
-
The Sun Is Setting…
the date is 01/07/11, which means this is the teams last day here in Sapporo, and in only a couple of hours they will be taking flight and heading to Ichikawa, Tokyo for their debriefing session.
This week saw the very last of the English classes that Alice, Claudia, Lizzie and Roz were teaching. Though it was a very upsetting time for both teacher and pupil, a couple of the students eagerly wanted to celebrate the occasion and the ‘English Summer’ by dressing the team up in kimonos. What an experience that was! Again, the team have seen the seemingly unlimited amount of hospitality and generosity that those at Hill of Hope church. The team give their thanks to all those who participated in blessing the team with such an opportunity as this.
So yesterday (Sunday), was the teams’ Farewell Party and what was probably the very last time that the team will see the many friendly faces of Hill of Hope church. It was a beautiful time. The party started off with a wonderful PowerPoint presentation assembled by Lizzie; showing pictures of the team during their service at the church. It is amazing how a whole 5 weeks have gone by so quickly! What followed was a time of free chat so the team could speak to and thank all those whom have made them feel very welcome. Then, team leader Claudia, gave an inspirational and heartfelt speech (translated by Chris Pain) thanking the church in general; including those who aren’t Christian yet attended the English classes, the Homestay hosts and everybody who has supported them with prayer or otherwise. Claudia conveyed the teams gratitude well, but they know that their complete gratitude cannot be expressed through words alone, so presents were given out to extend the gesture. After a few words were said by a couple of members of the church to extend their individual gratitude, Pastor Takemoto (yes, the Jedi Master himself) expressed a general thanks on the churches behalf by sharing some beautiful words concerning the thing that Japanese Christians and English Christians have in common – their belief in Christ Jesus and the Gospel. He really brought to light how in unison the many nations are because of the receiving and spreading of the Gospel, no matter the age, colour, culture or social status. The team was then showered with gifts (which has been a usual occurrence in the past week or so) from countless members of the church!
The day was tearful but joyful day of celebration, thanksgiving, goodbyes and of course, food. We praise the Living God that Helen who has felt ill these past three days, has come through and given her strength so that the team could all go out to eat with the Pains and have their final meal together.
It is unsure that this blog post will be the VERY last blog post during our stay in Japan, but one must keep it short.
God has blessed the team verily. Each member compliments the other, and every last one of them are thankful for the opportunity to serve alongside one another. The team also appreciate all their prayer partners who have been praying for them and with them, to give them strength and support during this mission trip. No one was baptised because of their stay, many did not come to believe during their stay and prophetic messages did not come from the mouths of the team unto the church, but you know what… the Resurrection power of Jesus Christ was working in Hill of Hope church. There had been many seeds sown in the form of conversations, invites and social outings and our prayer is that God continues to work and is light and water to those seeds!!
Thank you all so much for tuning in – whoever you are – and please do stay tuned because the aim of this blog has not yet been fulfilled. I, Jordan Christian aims to post links to the many videos and pictures taken on this mission trip so that you may enjoy them, yet be edified and encouraged by them too. (A couple of hilarious quotes made by the team will also be posted).
Please pray for a safe journey for the team as we head for Ichikawa for debriefing. Thanks and God bless!
-
Day 30… :)
A couple of members of the church were so kind as to teach the team calligraphy today in a one hour session. unfortunately Claudia and Helen were unable to make it as they were feeling a little under the weather. But praise the Lord that they are now back to full health again!
These are the last days for the team and the church memebers intend to spoil them rotten :)
