Fire and Glass

There is a fire burning, visible, so strong, yet it is enclosed within the glass.

What is it that had kept the fire inside me? Who had put the glass on the fire? And how does the fire keep burning in the confound of the glass?

Such prophetic prayers, and I knew God was revealing something, something deep inside me. The same thought that I was having this evening while I was riding to the church. I found the sharpness of speech reduce, I had been praying for a tame tongue. I don't think a tame tongue will be that glass.

What is it? I wonder. The glass will need to be removed, before the fire can burn those around me. Set a fire, isn't that what had been prophetically proclaimed before I came?

I need to see! Jesus! Help me! I need to see!

Push on! Press in! For Kyushu

As I was praying for Japan last night, I saw a strong light pierced across the coastal area, forcing its way through Kyushu, traveling its way up to Shikoku and the west.

If I remember correctly, the light started to force in at the coastal line of Nagasaki and Fukuoka, through Kumamoto. This is the line where Makoto and team met difficulties. If that is it, then the opposition is clearly the resistant against the light. The land is in thirst. The light that breaks in will sweep across the land, and take deep root within.

Push on! Press in! The uproar of the East Sea is fierce, but then we have Jesus on our ship!

Pray for the LIGHT to shine on the Land of Kyushu! Land that was once fertiled, land that was once gave up all it had for what they believed, land that suffered the longest persecution for Christ.

She is waking up!

Pain

What happened on April 16 in Virginia Tech laid a heavy burden in my heart, not only because the cruelness of massacre, and the looseness in gun control. But the characteristics of Seung-hui which so much alike to my research: Hikikomori, social isolation, ijime (school bullying).

Cho was described as a loner, shy, one who never speaks, someone seemed to be in a total social isolation.

His twisted remarks in his video clips that was sent to the TV channel, about him being forced into a corner, attention seeking, somehow when it came into my ears, had so much resemblance of a Hikikomori person. His final remarks on he was giving a chance to die as Jesus, and his mentioned about the pain and sufferings and humiliations that he had been put to in trying to associate himself with Jesus, was like a sharp blade, cut through me, leaving a bitter wound in my heart.

Cho Seung-hui might had somehow in some point of his time, had heard about Jesus. He might had read about bible, or he might had seen a Jesus film. We need not to explain about Christianity here much deeper, as I presume all who are reading this blog are mature Christians, people who are on fire for Christ. We know how twisted the remarks were, and how sad it was for someone to loose the grip of truth.

What was leaving behind is not only about the pain of loosing 32 in the campus, and the bereaved; but the pain of an ignored twisted soul that had killed himself and left such pain in the community. The twisted mind is a torment itself. Are there more of these kind?

It is often easy for us to reach out to an adorable person, to disciple a mature Christian, to spark up one's life, encouraging each other, to pursue the Kingdom of God. And that is often what a practical campus ministry means. We do not waste our time on unfruitful land.

How many times we look at the drop outs? Those who being bullied, those who are not success in anything in their lives? School failures? Exam failures? Are we extending our hands?

I'm sorry if I seems like grumbling, the incident just brought too much pain to me as it reminded me about the Kobe Killer in 1997, the bus hijacker, the slashing and so much more... There are many ought to be done ------ but not done.


As for the incident in VT, we see New Life Christian Fellowship had came in actively to help the students to forgive and move on in faith. Tremendous effort! But yet, there are many who are not ready to that.

Leaving these aside, are we ready to reach out to the people around us who do not fit in to the circle that we are in? I had one dorm mate who had been forced to leave this March, and I barely knew her because of her isolation, I did nothing to reach out to her, except for a "hi" and "bye" while we met at the corridor. I could have done more. God is watching us, there is no accident in all incidents. May God has mercy on us!

1 Kings 18 - News Outside Japan

NEWS : Oct 09, 2006

Eruptions Displace Thousands in Indonesia
Haji Hasan, the chairman of one of the lost villages, has turned to a thoroughly unscientific approach to saving the region. He has offered a reward of 100 million rupiahs, or about €8,400 ($10,840), for anyone who can convince the spirits to make the mud stop flowing.



More than 100 magicians, shamans and witches have responded to his appeal, much to the chagrin of local imams. For weeks the collection of sorcerers cast their spells on the volcano. One was an elderly woman who presented herself to the mud as the "Queen of Bali" and ordered it to stop flowing immediately.

Haji Hasan's experts, as it turned out, were just as successful as the hordes of engineers and scientists who had traveled to the region -- in other words, not at all.


The news reminded me about Elijah and the prophets of Baal.

Until today, the erruption continues.

Even when we are praying for Japan, it doesn't mean that we loose our sense with the nations! Indonesia, Malaysia, China, Japan, Korea, we are all in the Western Pacific Region!

Guys, speed up! There are a lot of things that we can do in SEA! The land is crying out, for the mercy of the Lord! How can we be of assist in the work of the Lord? Let us encourage each other and get people to get their feet wet in the field!

PEOPLE NEEDS THE LORD!

Recapturing Ideas

The relationships of Japan, Hong Kong and China.

As I came to Hong Kong, I saw this: Hong Kong is an image of Japan, and an example of China. What is a dominating factor in Japan that affects its economic system or politics or trends of youths and young adults, will be absorbed and tolerated in Hong Kong in less than 10 years time. For example: Suicide rates, Aging, Low Birth Rate, Animation, Yakuza (gangs), Entertainment, Fashion, Sexual Industries, and now Juvenile problems. China on the other hand, though hated Japan, is fast in adapting what Hong Kong had adapted, and completed the cycle in less than 5 years.

For example: the works of 村上村树 have more than 10 translated versions in China.

Linking Japan to Back to Jerusalem movement.

While we were talking about "Back to Jerusalem", where the Chinese were inspired to bring the Gospel back to Israel, we had often neglected that there is still a big hole, a large LACK, in the air of Asia Continent: Japan and North Korea. Well, we see people are on fire for South East Asia, we also see a revival of the Holy Spirit, as well as good doctrinal schools sprung up in Malaysia, Philippine, Singapore. And we see a lot of outreach, mission attentions had been pulled towards Cambodia, Vietnam, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand and Indonesia, local or overseas. Yet, in Japan and North Korea, we are really lack in both resources and advancement. Or, are we lack of VISION?

What is happening here?
And the next, what is the problem then?

The Largest Leftover

First, the cycle would not be complete, having Japan and North Korea left out from the revival. Japanese is the largest unreached monoculture, mono language people on earth, 128 million!

It just doesn't make sense when Wycliffe is trying all they can by not even loosing out one in the minority group. They are certainly right! Not one shall be lost! But when it comes to missions or 10/40 windows, many times Japan would be just singled out! What are the rest doing?

The "Dark Hole"

Second, the "dark hole" serve as a dark hole, to pull in all energies that passes by, and it will expand! That is the theory of dark hole. Another word, without having Japan and North Korea, the revival will not be complete! Too much energy had been consumed, our legs will be pulled. In weeping pain, I felt that the clutch of the devil upon Japan is so firm, that it just refuses to let go. And that hurts God! God loves His people, not one to be lost! There are so many in Japan that do not even know their right hands from left hands. It is time!

By the way, the Gospel landed in Japan first before China or South Korea.

Mini Version

I always sense and believe that Hong Kong is an image of Japan, mini version. And Hong Kong is an example for mainland China. South Korea no doubt is copying Japan too.

It is important that we see it in that way with our spiritual eyes!

I remember Ps Andrew with so much passion towards China said this to me, "I believe that God is calling China churches to Japan following the footsteps of Korean churches. Japan is our Samaritan brothers." that certainly encouraged me. "By finding the key to unlock the spiritual block in Japan, might lead to the key to unlock the spiritual block in China and Hong Kong!"

Yeah, the

key

! What is the key?

The key to Japan might be the same key to Hong Kong? Japan leads to Hong Kong? Hong Kong leads to Japan? Which key comes first? How about South Korea and North Korea?

There are still much to be pull out and put together. We shall learn and share in the process!

Sea sick

Okay, I really became sick. I was weak, and my hands and feet were cold. The nausea and body ache continued after I got home yesterday. So, can't blame all on Lan Kwai Fong too.

God had been gracious to me, as so many locals had fell terribly sick so many times in the seasons of change, but I was spared. I got sea sick on the last trip to Lamma Island.

I remember as I was in Kabuki-cho, there was a moment that I felt I was lost, miserable, and heavy. I am not sure if that was a kind of spiritual warfare. But I knew a desperate harsh warfare swifted it after that.

To be correct, Lan Kwai Fong is like a combination of Bukit Bintang (KL,Malaysia) and Kabuki-cho (Shinjuku,Japan).

I pray there will be more ministries in these places!

Thoughts and Lessons in Easter 2007

On the day of Passover, and Good Friday, I went out for fellowship and gathering, as well as an outreach event. Strange, I did not sit solemnly to reflect on Jesus at this time, but time was just filled and packed with events. Having quiet time with Jesus alone became a luxurious thing in Hong Kong during Easter.

Solemn with Jesus.
Rejoice with Jesus. Shalom!

Yes, I shared about Jesus, but I was basicaly feasting too. Okay, I felt, I knew I needed to go, I trusted that was the right thing to do. And yes, we see fruits bearing. Wonderful God, but I felt we should talked more about the meaning of the cross rather than just testimony.

The bible study in my room on Wednesday was good. Many questions were asked, and of course we just went straight to the point for why we were having the discussion. I find this kind of direct approach has more weight, and more sincere. No strategy, no material, but God had led it so far. I am expecting the next discussion. Do pray for us.

Having moved to the dormitory, I have not been able to hide myself, or shut myself in with Jesus for all day long. The burden to see my friends get saved grew stronger. The passion to share about Christ and His wonderful deeds was just so strong as He opens the door for sharing or discussions! It's not only a casual talk, I pray. It needs to be provoking, and causes life to change! That is Gospel!!!

I knew God is moving me and turning my heart to the young adults and students, as I had never gave them a second thought. I knew this in May 2005, and I'm seeing it coming, this will be my training ground, to wherever He is bringing me.

There was a lesson to learn too in this week. As Lily and I thought to make Easter the best chance to bring our friends to church, we planned to go to the service together, and urgent to Lan Kwai Fong for a dinner later. I knew the Spirit in me against this, but I thought to just be with them, and stick with the plan.

Yes, Aggie went to church, but then it was a weak sermon on sacrifice, I mean on me, I need to be honest with this. Well, God works in ways we cannot see. I was blessed, still. I asked Aggie how did she feel after the service, and she told me honestly that she felt just that, and it's not the first time she went to church, she did try to find Christ, but she was just not convinced. It's a tale in the bible to her. I think the problem in the churches in here, is that, they are too formal, too restricted in their own ways. A perspective that needed to be changed! A perspective that Christianity is a religion, and it is tied up with traditions, formality, lethargic! NO!!! Of course Christianity is not a religion to us, is a relationship! Why aren't people seeing that? I didn't hear or felt I was loved when I sat down and marched for the procession together with the congregation, it was supposed to be a time to reach out! The pastor was so 'great', shared his experiences, talked about Christ's suffering, and his voice was so poetic, just as he was giving a wonderful speech. And that is it! Huuuh.... God forgive me! I just wondered, how much people see, and how much people know by their hearts, how much of joy that they have for living in Christ?

I'll be just bleshemy if I go on. God, forgive me. Cleanse me within.

Okay, then the worse was the next. We went to Lan Kwai Fong. I was feeling uneasy. Lan Kwai Fong, on Good Friday? It will be different, if I'm going there to do a open preaching, or personal evangelism. But then, to have dinner after Easter service, and the venue is LKF? It sounded so foul, so hypocrite to me.

On the way, I passed through shops, and I became more uneasy. I felt just so evil that the devil was clutching those people in the pubs, using its hypnotic skills, to lure anyone who are innocent and unaware. ( Yet, to clarify this, we were just going to a restaurant in LKF for dinner, my friends were not up for a drink.) The spirit of lust was dominant here. With the banging music in Lan Kwai Fong, I felt like throwing out. I just couldn't stand straight, I felt my upsad tummy was just getting worse, the feeling of nausea arose consistently with the banging music. Then, they spared me off, Lily paid for my taxi fare to go home. What a good way to escape from this place....... But it pays!

Creative in reaching out, it may be. But Spirit discerning is important. There are some area that we need to consecrete ourselves. There are something that if the Spirit against it, I should not be going against it, and thought to try it out. Disobedience or going ahead before consulting the Holy Spirit just always make a mess out of my life. Good lesson!

I'm not suggesting that a Christian should not go to Lan Kwai Fong. Different people would have different missions and visions. I know, Lan Kwai Fong is just not my ministry. At least, at this moment.

Notes: Lan Kwai Fong is a place like Kabuki-cho in Shinjuku.

Several Prayer Items in March

I have a chance to interview my Japanese Language teacher, Hayashi Sensei on the issue of Hikikomori, this Tuesday(27/3) morning 10am.

Pray for me wisdom and discernment, and pray for more: a chance and boldness to proclaim the message of Christ to her. I really desire for her to have LIFE, knowing Christ.


There are a number of Chinese students around me who are more comfortable with Mandarin, and the burden to set up a bible study with them grew stronger.

I'm still praying if I can start a series of bible study with them coincide with Easter. Materials and Chapters to study as well as time are crucial. I had bought some NT bibles yesterday, so hopefully that will help. My own bible is with Helen now, she prefers to read the English one, so I'm using one from the library.

So, pray for Helen Ni as she is seeking. Pray for a several others too, can't name all of them, but God knows. Just keep them in your prayers, that will help the progress of the work, and shred much of my burden. Because then, it is because of your prayers that the mountains are removed! You are together with me in the field.

Pray that I can really do this fast, time is short. Easter is approaching. Semester is ending. Pray that these people can get the
most valuable in life before they off for home.

some upates in March

I had started to work on the interviews on Hikikomori. The Lord had moved in such a way that my professor had given me a free hand to approach the question in a qualitative method, where it allows me to explore freely among nations. This is rather interesting, but a lot of work and critical thinking and careful approaches are needed. Since I am aiming to publish the paper at the end of research, please pray for wisdom and open doors, and determination.

The Lord had shown me a handful of contacts that have a heart for Japan. We will need to bring this back to the Lord and see what He had installed for us. If He had called us together, what are the things that He wants us to do at this moment is crucial. It should not be what I want, or how they could fit in to H4J ministry, but rather what God wants us to know and to do while channeling us together.

I wish to have a mentor, a teacher that could guide me through the whole journey. Thanks to some of you had actually write to me or call me to encourage me and share with me what God had been spoken to you, giving me ideas of strategies, and reminding me to put God first in all things that I do. Very helpful, thank you!!!

Drowning and Rescuer

There were 2 people who walked along the river. They saw people drowning in the river. They began to try their best efforts to pull out as many people they could, and resuscitate them. There was a huge amount of people that were being drowned. No matter how they tried, they just couldn't get everyone out of it. Even those who they had pulled out from the water suffered so much that they eventually died regardless the effort resuscitation. More people joined them in the effort of rescue. But everyone got so tired after sometime. Nothing could be done. The amount of energy that had been put in was sucked in like a dark swamp, nothing much could be see, really.

So they divided among themselves, starting to look at the strategies, methods, and time factors in rescuing one person. They began to access their effort in different ways. Some focused at the number of people that they pulled up. Some looked at the number of the actual survival. Some looked at the time spent in treating one drowner. Some looked at the effectiveness of the help that had been given. And some looked at the cost effectiveness of the strategies that were adopted. Slowly, they broke into teams to continue the rescue in different location of the bank.

After sometime, there were still huge amount of people were drowning. The survival rate was little while you draw a statistic to have a closer look of the effort. Then they divided among themselves again, pointing fingers on the attitudes, alertness and reflectiveness of the rescuers. Some became frustrated and then gave up the rescue effort and return home. Most were disappointed, whether they said it or not. They broke into smaller teams now, and then recruited more people who were similar likeness. Now there were rescue troops in more locations. Still, mot much changes.

One began to wonder, what was happening here? He went towards to the upstream of the river bank. To his surprise, at the upstream, there was a man standing there, keep pushing people down to the river. Then, he quickly rushed down the river, gathered a team, then they went up to the upstream of the river bank, and they stopped the man. Now, the lower stream was peaceful and quiet. The rescue team finally had a pleasure to sit down, and nursed the wounded drowners, tended to their needs, and had themselves rest.


I see the issue in Japan the same way.

希望

“我们所可以自慰的，想来想去，也还是所谓对于将来的希望。希望是附丽于存在的，有存在，便有希望，有希望，便是光明。如果历史家的话不是诳话，则世界上的事物可还没有因为黑暗而长存的先例。黑暗只能附丽于渐就灭亡的事物，一灭亡，黑暗也就一同灭亡了，它不永久。然而将来是永远要有的，并且总要光明起来；只要不做黑暗的附着物，为光明而灭亡，则我们一定有悠久的将来，而且一定是光明的将来。” ~ 魯迅

Prayers

Dear Lord,

I pray that your love will fill the hearts of my friends, Bonny, Nichole, Roy, Sophie, Helen, Lily, Silent, Seng Qi, Amy. Heal all wounded hearts, and pour out your oil of mercy and grace, to conceal thier sorrows, to provide strength, to reveal love and hope that is so special in you. Lord, may the spring of the fountain flows within them! May they gain life! In Jesus, Amen.

I pray that you use every piece of work that you had thrust your hand on, and grant them a harvest in Japan! Lord, may you intervene and in our agony, and bring forth restoration of hope and faith and love in the Church! May you strengthen the work that you had placed in our hands. May you make good use of the findings of Keikyo, Kakure Kirishitan, Endo Shusaku, God's Finger Prints, Japan Harvest, Operation Japan, Hipopo Ministry, Lifeline, and many more! May your workers join their hearts and strength together in ploughing your land, to pray for your Kingdom to come, but not slander or stumble by your work!

God, I pray that you will use Dr. Ozawa on his missions in Feb and March. I also pray that you will bless the lineup team which is working to prepare the way for the ship, I pray that the ship will be able to serve the countrysides, and bring forth corporation and promote understanding of the churches! I pray that hindrances to be removed, so that people could come, and common people, non-believer shall come, to taste the delight in serving, to taste the love of Christ, to expose themselves to the light of life!


Lord, I also pray that you use the ministry of Jimmy Hayashi, the ministry of Ps. Suzuki, the ministry of Matthias & Yoko, Rie, Kazue, Masayuki, Richard & Candy and Sam Pillay. These people minister in different places, send your workers to the field, O Lord! They need helpers, they need prayer partners, they need teams of workers that are devoted and faithful!

I also pray that you bless Reimer and Nobuko who are now retired from their mission field. Lord, be our provider! A provider that will never fail us, never cease, always cheerful, always encouraging, always uplifting!


Thank you, Lord! In Jesus, Amen.


Love,
Roseline

What do you believe?

Japan, a place where St. France Xavier had held so closely to his chest. "The country in the Orient most suited to Christianity." This remark had caused more and more missionaries flushed in to this land, despite the seemingly never ended persecutions. We once thought the missions had borne fruits while the missionary schools were permitted, and the churches were built. We once witnessed the most glorious sacrifice for Christ in the believers' endurance in suffering. 26 matyrs in Nagasaki, followed by thousands and thousands of death of the devoted.

Some went because of their devotions towards God, some went because of the reports from many missionaries who went, some went because they knew, they needed to see God.

Some people get drunk when they try to forget haunting memories, some people prefer to run away from it. Seldom, there will be people who dedicately work on it. What does Japan means to you? In her long suffering of flock without shepherd? Was it a pain failure, or was this a wasted land? Or maybe simply God just abandoned this land, this people, this nation?

Does the Hidden Christian (Kakure Kirishitan 隠れ切支丹) mean anything to you? Or it was simply a joke?

Do you believe that God had preserved this place? Do you see the efforts of the flock risking thier lives to pursue the truth, to seek dignity of humanity? Do you see a flock of sheep without shepherd? Do you see a field thirst for water?

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE?

Hikikomori, Individualism and Christianity ?

I am reading this book, "Shutting Out The Sun", by Michael Zielenziger. I don't really agree with all that he says, but here is one interesting quotation from the book.

~~~While young Japanese glean superficial images of what they believe to be "individualism" from the Western movies and TV shows they watch, they don't grasp the deeper Western sense of individual responsibility that accompanies such freedom, Kawai told me. "Their appreciation of individualism remains quite shallow," he said. "In your country, individualism is at first really based on Christianity. Even though you do what you like, you never forget about your God. God is looking down, like an ego, judging you. But in Japan, there is no God but ie," and no one to judge but the group. "Westerner have a long history of becoming individuals, and you have established how to create relations with others. But we don't share that experience in Japan... I often think that our challenge now as Japanese is to come up with a new way to become individuals without relying on Christianity." ~~ the comment was made by Hayao Kawai (Clinical Psychologist) -pg 69-70.

Matthias thinks that individualism can as well lead to very ugly things (as seen as well in the west) and he doubts that people in the west these days have, generally speaking, a great sense of "god who is looking down"......

Joe O. thinks that "individualism" is more of a philosophy of the French Enlightenment or maybe Greek philosophy.

All these are interesting points. However, reading the comment of Kawai, I was excited somehow. Wouldn't people be curious to know more about Christianity rather than seeing it from afar in such shallowness? Why didn't Kawai think that the Japanese can rely on Christianity too? ......

I know this is hard...... It is difficult to tell the Japanese to embrace Christianity, when the believe prohibits them to Matsuri, shrines and temples that had been heavily as a part of their lives.

I pray that God will reveal to them the Good News! Pray for wisdom to those who are ploughing on His field. Pray that they will be able to speak life into their neighbours' hearts. Blessed are those who poor in spirit. Mat5:3

Be Still And Know

The CNY is approaching, perhaps there is still an urgency in many things. When there is urgency in my life, I either did a lot of things by my own strength, calculating all the possibilities, and working hard to avoid damages, trying my best to save the situation. Or I would be doing nothing, just waiting, listening to the Lord even He was very quiet about it, but I would just wait to see what He is going to do next. Often the latter came after the first action, where I became too tired and exhausted, and I knew I couldn't work things out by myself, there was just no way to
it.

Leaving things in God's hand is not going to be easy either. But when He said, "Be still and know that I am God." He means it.

~ : Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. (Exodus 14:13-14)

My mom often likes to sing this song, "God will make a way, where it seems to be non way. He works in ways we cannot see, He will make a way for me. He will be my guide, hold me closely by His side. With love and strength for each new day, He will make a way, He will make a way. " Amen.

And often, I find resting in Him and see Him moves, is much fruitful and fulfilling that I hop on it myself before I see His hand.

Being offered a place in the student mansion

Great! We see miracle again! I was offered a place to stay in the student mansion next to my faculty in Sassoon Road. A place where I always dream of. The cost of living went down, and I will begin to mix with students. Most of all, I can start cooking again, and have more space to move around and pray! Amazing, wonderful grace!

Visiting Churches......

My move to visit the churches proved to be right. In January, I felt that the Lord was kicking my back to move out from ICA. I had been comfortably stayed in ICA for more than 3 months, it became a habit for me to worship in that church on Sunday. Somewhere deep inside me, I was still searching for a family, a spiritual place where I can feel belong, and grow.

Until the Lord showed me in the beginning of January, my family is in His FAMILY, and I don't really need to search for one, He has one for me! He had actually bought many nice people to my side, since beginning.

But as I was naive, hoping much to have a church where I can feel as home, and thought that's the only way to be, and then totally forgotten about my mission here to visit churches and meeting people. I was pretty tight with study, and visiting churches with a "complicating" identity is strange. It is pretty tough to answer the questions, such as, "Why are you here? You are praying for Japan? and you are here as a HKU student? Your church sent you? How do you pay?" I was tired, embarassed. Then, God brought me to ICA Cantonese service. He told me to stay, one month. Pretty good, I thought. I had a shelther. The worship songs were familiar, the youths took me in warmly, the elderly people were kind, the pastor was energitic, and there was a girl, who like Japan a lot. After one month, I stayed on. In December, I found that it had become a habit to move my legs to that direction of the church on Sunday.

January, I was very depressed. I didn't really see people who had a heart4japan, and that was the fifth month. EPF still had not pay the school fees, the exams were tough, the church back home decided not to support me financially, I miss home, and I had no more money to go on. Then, the Lord supplied, in His mysterious way. More, He brought me to a church, moves heavily in prophetic worship, the pastor himself is a missionary, and they have services on Wed, Thu, Fri and Sat evening. Very much like FGA, great! There was an opening in the ministry, they need a staff. Prophetic, Worship, Missions, Services, Church Staff, most of all, DISCPLESHIP! Everything that I miss were presented before my eyes. What a blessing! I was in awe. But very quickly, He said, "You got what you wished, but it is not my will for you to work here. This is not your vineyard."

I went to Tong Fook Church the next Sunday. God grace, I thought I went there for sermon, but God brought me there to meet Joe Ozawa. He had always been an inspiration to H4J, and now we met in HK. Unbelievable!

I told him my struggle in learning Japanese, and felt I just couldn't be a "Japanese". He laughed, and he explained, "Somehow or rather, I feel the devil just do not want to give up Japan. Every people just wanted to be Japanese so much, and they became so tired, and disappointed, and gave up. You were just praying for Japan, not even there, but you already felt the same. You just need to be yourself!" Suddenly, the knots opened up one by one, I fell into the trap of the enemy! My homesick started as I found myself couldn't really expressed my inner thoughts as how a Japanese do! Then, one piled up with another, I could hardly breathe.

Gracious God! By knowing that, I was set free. Of course, then God showed me His healing power not only on me, but on many others too. I was amazed, and deeply touched by His gentle kindness. I took it one step further, knowing that was a promise from God, the prayers we have for Japan today would not just be washed down to the drain, a transformation is happening there! The cocoon is waking up.

I also received long distant calls from church, affirming me, and I knew I was not abandoned, but loved, and being blessed.

So, I went on visiting other churches as He led. But this time, not with the aim of finding myself a family, but observing closely at the place that He brought me too, and paying attention if there is anyone He wants me to meet. Today, I met someone in the church, been in Japan, loved Japan, and did a study on Hikikomori before they came back. Isn't that amazing?

I believe there are more people that He wants me to meet! He wants to bring us together, to uphold each other? to pray together? to share information? to encourage? I'm not sure... but I am excited to see His hand, joining us to form a theme!


yeah... I think so. Most people don't get to move around! If I'm back home, I wouldn't prefer to move around churches especially on Sunday. So, I become a thread that He is using, to link one another together! Wow... Amen and amen.

Shalom!


p/s: I met another friend here in HK, and she is here to pray for HK. For that, she stayed here for 3 months. So, these are the sort of people that "walk by faith". Not really knowing that 'where' and 'what', but we are sensitive to the 'time'. I was deeply encouraged, knowing that I am not the only weird one eased me a lot, ;p This is the kind of people that FGA is producing, I guess ;-) Maybe not many, but there are some.

Qualitative Research

I think what is happening in me now, that I am asking questions like "What is going on here?" to the missions field in Japan, to the culture block in Japan, to the disturbing phenomenons in Japan. And by systematically exploring to the topic or setting as a learner, holding assumptions and knowledge in "abeyance" until they are confirmed.

So, this is a value-free approach, it just that I do not allow the theory to drive my research. In research means, this is called qualitative research. I am trying to organize the data and to formulate theory through the analysis. Then, comparing the findings from the setting with established theory and the results of my own research, drawing a template of others' work over the emerging analysis, to compare the fit.

From the book "Qualitative Research Methods", the researcher asks questions constantly about the data, such as, "Is this interaction supportive? Is this social support? How does this manifestation of social support compare with the definitions in the literature? How is it different? Why?" The researcher will then expand the sample to include participants who will be able to provide the information necessary to follow interesting leads identified in the data. ....... the continual comparison of these two levels of information and the multiple decisions that have to be made ("What is right, my data or the literature?") force the qualitative researcher to constantly think about his or her project.

So, this is what I am doing, and what God had put into me, a quality of qualitative researcher!

Qualitative research: It opens a door to communications. A window to the inside world of the subject. These areas are often been relatively neglected by other researchers or to look suspiciously at areas which the researcher believes may perhaps be incorrect or in need of modification.

尋求主在我們生命的心意！

日本今年的下雪量比去年少了４０﹪。這對北部，尤其是山區應該是好事的。但是相對的，日本卻有不尋長的龍卷風。去年龍卷風的襲擊，使北海道原本已經貧困的地區雪上加霜。海嘯的消息也不斷地傳來。

我知道每個地方都有它特定的問題，每個人都有他的難處。日本的民生問題怎樣也不比中國嚴重。何止呢？北韓，印度，柬普寨，越南，緬甸，菲律賓，有哪個地方不比日本來得悲傷呢？但是，在我的心裡，不知為何，很奇怪的，日本所遭遇的一切，就好樣我的親人在遭遇災難一樣，讓我挂念，哀傷。總希望看見我的親人在天堂，可以相遇。我適才提到的地方，我都看見禾場的需要和荒涼。我不住的為他們禱告的時候，我的心就更為日本著急。我想Heart4Japan就是這樣的一種感動吧！

所以我鼓勵你們也這樣的回應神吧！開始禱告，可能神放在你心中的是教會，可能是一個民族，可能是一件功課。在不同的時後，會有不同的呼招。我相信總有一個是給萬民的。許多人沒有聽過耶穌。沒人傳，他們怎能信呢？不要擔心會浪費你的禱告和氣力。當你竭力尋求神的心意的時後，你會清楚神放在你心中的感動的！

當你心裡有這樣的一個感動的時候，你就會很清楚神給你預備的去向了。我時常被你們中間安靜事奉，又時常鼓勵我的所感動！謝謝你們噢！

願神祝福你！