いきるを支える

いきるを支える　

鎌倉・逗子・葉山実行委員会などが主催する自殺対策シンポジウム

平成22年9月23日（木曜・祝日）午後1時30分から4時30分まで、いきるを支える　鎌倉・逗子・葉山実行委員会などが主催する自殺対策シンポジウムが鎌倉芸術館小ホールにて開催されます。基調講演にはジャーナリストの柳田邦男氏をお招きし、お話をいただきます。　また、企画展として、9月28日（火曜日）から10月3日（日曜日）まで鎌倉生涯学習センター地下ギャラリーにて、精神障害者の絵の展覧会と石井麻木氏の写真展を行います。http://www.pref.kanagawa.jp/osirase/15/1590/pdf/symposium1.pdf

Akita Suicide Prevention Symposium and Lectures

I am leaving to Akita for about two weeks from this Friday.
Akita is known as the prefecture that hasthe highest suicide rate in Japan for recent ten years. In my expository trip to Japan last year, I did some travel to Tohoku, preliminary Akita and Aomori, to "investigate" or try to understand the situation better by just walking around the city, feeling and sensing the atmosphere, and praying. God is so good that He led me to a dedicated team that had diligently spent more than ten years in working towards reducing the number of suicide in these areas. Excellent suicide prevention programs are going on in the city!

In the following two weeks, I have this opportunity to learn about suicide prevention and have fellowship with the local community by having this field trip to Akita. Although the church is small, yet I do pray that the Lord will give the local churches grace and strength to shine the light in suicide prevention in the community.

The Symposium/lectures below are all for the public who are interested with local suicide prevention:

September 18, 19 Akita Prefecture Suicide Prevention Symposium
September 24, Akita University Mental Health Lecture
September 25, Miyagi Prefecture Shibata-machi Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Lecture

September 29, Miyagi Prefecture Kurihara-shi Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Lecture

Spread the words around! Pray for the local communities in their alertness and aggressiveness in outreach to the lives and souls that are depressed! Finally, see you there!

Suicide Prevention Symposium ^ Akita

そろそろ秋田方面に出かけます

　自殺予防のために頑張っている先生たちから教えてもらえる素晴らしいチャンスです。だから心からありがたい気持ちであふれています！今回の旅は自殺予防の勉強のために計画しました、週末も忙しいと思います。残念ですけれど、教会を訪問するのは無理なようです。できれば、教会の先生たちにもシンポジウムに出席してもらえたら、そこで会えるので、とてもうれしいです。教会のみんなと一緒に、東北の自殺予防について頑張れますようにに祈っています。

東北「自殺予防」講演会予定

９月１８－１９日　秋田魁新報社主催のシンポジウム　「自殺予防」

９月２４日　秋田県立大学でのメンタルヘルスの講演会

９月２５日　宮城県柴田町での講演会

９月２９日　宮城県栗原市での講演会

http://www.iwate-np.co.jp/syakoku/1008311.html

【１８日】　午後１時３０分から秋田ビューホテルで、本橋豊秋田大医学部長と、清水康之自殺対策支援センターライフリンク代表による基調対談。先進事例発表。

【１９日】　午前９時３０分から秋田県生涯学習センターで、４分科会。午後１時３０分から秋田県児童会館で、総括シンポジウム。

Brief Reports : US trip and Japan

Brief Report:

The America Trip was divided into 3 parts*

1. Presentation on Hikikomori in Washington DC

Prayers

1. the voices of the hikikomori to be heard!

2. the possibility in finding Christians researchers to work together in this area.

3. the possibility in meeting other potential hikikomori workers.

Learned/Answers

- no. 1 achieved.

- I learned much on my own presentaion and others too;

- I also realized it would be a long way to go before I could have more Christians academian to walk along in this topic.

- Prayers are needed in this area as Christians scientists come together, so that we can seek His heart of parts and roles that we play, to fit into the body of Christ.

Prayers for following trips after conference

4. raise hikikomori gatekeepers and watchers!

5. raise Heart4Japan supporters in giving, interceding and going!

2. Fellowships in Atlanta

Learned/Answers

Hosted by my ex-cell group leader who had moved to Atlanta;

- 3 group sharing occurred with two local Chinese churches;

- Many of them heard about the needs of missions in Japan for their very first time;

- A spiritual awakening for the need to forgive Japan of their invasions into China, and to understand that most Japanese were innocent;

- Reconciliation and healings may be needed in future visits,

3. Meeting Heart4Japan people in Pennsylvania

Learned/Answers

- there is a strong prejudice against the relationship of the specific social culture of Japanese with the phenomenon of hikikomori, mostly due to the media illustration;

- learned about Asperger and its similarities and differences to hikikomori;

- had a few discussions about hikikomori and Heart4Japan with different families who have some Japan/Japanese connection;

- share resources with another two future potential Heart4Japan missionaries, Matthew(US) and Jia(Korea);

- this missions served to encourage both of them, and preparing the hearts of friends involved to support them in future missions to Japan.

Back in Japan (now - Dec):

1. Study and Research began;

2. Cooperation with NPO (Non Profit Organization) in working with hikikomori;

3. Suicide Prevention Internship in Akita;

4. Learning and Performance of Japanese Traditional Dance in November;

5. Working on the possibility of Tokyo U Worship Circle

August Trip in the States

With the network in Heart4Japan, I am in the States for the whole month of August. (Aug 3 - 25)

Aim: Share about my work on Hikikomori, and the missions of Heart4Japan.

Objectives:

i. Raise awareness on how to further research and cooperate in the work of social withdrawn youth and people who suffer with poor mental health.

ii. Raise warriors in spiritual warfare for the work in Japan.

iii. Raise missions partners in terms of financial giving, forming local intercession groups, and mobilize missions to Japan.

iv. Explore and locate the possible hikikomori cases in the States.

Updates so far, thanks for your prayers! The presentation in DC went well, I myself had learned a lot through the preparation of the presentation itself.

As for the answers to these prayers in DC,

1. the voices of the hikikomori to be heard! yes! It had... though I'm not sure how effective it was, and the implications of it. Not many audience turned up that morning, probably due to the first day when people still adjusting to the jetlack, probably due to too many symposiums going on at the same time, most probably the main reason was that the topic of hikikomori was still very much unheard of, and therefore less attractive. Overall, the mental health issues were lack of focus in this Congress of Behavioral Medicine meeting.

2. the possibility in finding Christians researchers to work together in this area. Not at the moment, I haven't identify one yet. Only a few namecards were distributed, and hopefully they will look for me based on the clues of the scripture line printed at the back of the namecard.

3. the possibility in meeting other potential hikikomori workers. Met one, Amy Borovoy, who maybe coming to International Christians University in Tokyo next year. But I'm not sure if she is the key that I will be working with later. Cultural Anthropologist and Mental Health Public Health workers have very different ways in seeing things.

Well, the above have not ended, for there are still two weeks for me in the States. Will continue to share with the churches that I visit. I do hope the Lord will constantly bring the people from item 2 and 3 to me, either on the plane, at the airport, restaurant, or perhaps hopefully with the church!

4. raise hikikomori gatekeepers and watchers!

and finally,

5. raise Heart4Japan supporters in giving, interceding and going!

Have a sharing engagement in another 28 hours later in a local Chinese church in Atlanta, and probably another time of sharing on hikikomori too. Will travel from Atlanta to Pennsylvania on Aug 18, and meet up with the Zellners.

Let's pray that item 4 and 5 will be answered in following sharing sessions! And may the Lord bless me with all His wisdom, and may I be so sensitive to His voice, that I will put aside my will and put main focus on His will in ministering to His people. Thank you!

Another Perspective to Matsuri 祭り

While you were worshiping on Sunday (July 25), I joint the Kashiwa Festival with one of their marching parade in the city, representing Tokyo University, my country, and most thrill was to represent the Body of Christ!

As I was invited to join the festival, I made some research: The Kashiwa Dance 柏踊り is a traditional Japanese dance with rich meaning that resembles the Kashiwa City depicting the life of the Kashiwa people. The Kashiwa Matsuri (Festival) 柏祭り is more of a city celebration that try to bring people closer rather than an act of worship to any God. Temples and shrines took parts in different time slots of the festival, just as how churches in the States take parts in their national parade. Community network spreads through these connections.

Although the matsuri 祭り　was organized in conjunction with Bon盆、but there was also a clear separation of religion and culture in this festival. For example, the march that I joint, 柏踊り and 輪踊り, the people who organized it didn't want anything to do with the religion practices. The traditional dance stood alone without any influence or connections to Bon 盆 .

柏おどり　The Lyrics of Kashiwa Dance

---

一 柏おどりはヨー　春来てひらくヨー 利根の舟歌　曙山の 花にいななく　放れ駒 若い柏の芽が育つ　ソレ シャン、シャン、シャン　と打って　かしわで　シャン シャン　シャン　シャン　と打って　かしわで　シャン 二 柏おどりはヨー　夏来てひらくヨー かわいあの娘が　合いの手いれりゃ 葦の蛍が来てとまる 紅のたすきに　桔梗笠　ソレ

三 柏おどりはヨー　秋来てひらくヨー ビルに　工場に　二人の家に 夢がひろがる　小金原 映せ未来を　手賀の月　ソレ 四 柏おどりはヨー　冬でもひらくヨー 愛の豊四季　メトロでつなぐ ここは都の奥座敷 雪の眺めの筑波山　ソレ

It become a fine line of how we could differentiate culture and believes and religions. As being Japanese, there is always full of thanksgiving to the creation and the "gods" seem to be exist in everywhere. The culture itself is rich of thanksgiving, which is good! The Lord had revealed himself in His creation, that no one could deny His glory.

The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. Romans 8:19

How could this come to past, if we, the sons of God continue to refrain our steps in stepping into the common lives of these people?

Many people that I work with in Kashiwa city are people in their 50's to 70's. What an urgent need to witness to them who Christ is! At least an open window to Christian Faith!

『東大ワーシップサークル Tokyo University Worship Circle』

I always wish to meet people of same faith in Japan, especially in the academic field, where we can encourage each other to walk on the path of Christ, and to share this path to other people, so that none will be let out on That Day.

After the experience of May Festival in Tokyo University, I was shocked by the attraction of the techno music stage and the weird crowd that gathered at the side front of the medical main building. At the same time, I notice a huge unseen mental health needs in the campus. With this, I am planning to run a group in the campus, namely 『東大ワーシップサークル　Tokyo University (Christian) Worship Circle』, where we will accommodate people (students/staffs) who are Christians/non-Christians that would love to sing with us. Then during next May Festival, I would love our circle to take over the stage! I want to sing Christian worship songs on stage with the students!

Below is the draft of the missions of 『東大ワーシップサークル Tokyo University Worship Circle』 (Tell me what you think!)

Tokyo University Worship Circle exists to:

1. Reach out to the campus with Faith, Hope and Love:~

As worship songs contain a great extent of messages of Faith, Hope and Love, we believe that it is powerful to serve as music therapy to give hope to the lost and wearied. Therefore, we aim to take this opportunity to encourage and uphold the dreadful, wearied and lost souls in the campus with these messages.

2. Sings praise for the goodness of God and the beauty of His creation in the campus: ~

We believe that life is precious, and we hope to sing about the goodness of life and the beauty of creation. We believe that singing worship songs will install positive thinking, thus promote good mental health and influence good physical health.

3. Enabling peer support:~

We believe that it is common for everyone to feel down and wearied sometimes. However sometimes we may feel uneasy to share about our inner feelings and feel lonely and isolated. Singing helps to express ourselves thus release tense emotions. By singing together, connections and peer relations will form. We hope to provide peer support through sharing about our experiences in times of trouble and struggles in this group.

I am also hoping that by this, we will be able to bring all campus Christian workers together, and reach out to more people where KGK and CCC or other campus workers have not been able to reach. Living our lives as Christians includes 'bringing LIGHT into the darkness and ongoing DISCIPLESHIPS!

Listen and Wake Up, Church!

The symposium

I went to the symposium with a few colleagues. As I was sitting in the hall today, listening to the testimony and the work that these field workers are sharing, I began to have a deeper understanding of the issues of hikikomori, NEET, mental care in the local Tokyo community. The symposium ran from 10.30am to 6.10pm, with only one hour break in between, attracted around three hundred people at least (the hall was full), young and old, composed of many volunteers with only one hope, that is to see these kids get back on the healthy track again! How lovely if I have Heart4Japan members with me today, that we can pray together after the meeting, and come out with ideas and forming networks in urban poor outreach in future?

Gain and Lost

The symposium was not about academic gain, nor data, but its a gathering of a group of concerned people, hundreds of them... which all presented the feelings and desires of the people who are caught in this route of sickness, whether are they care giver or sufferer. The voices of the parents, and the efforts and theories of the psychiatric social workers, psychiatrists, the latest government policy on mental health care and the function of the mental care association was heard. The forum gives us a picture of what have been done, where were wrong, what were appreciated, and most importantly, what are the limitations! Still, the other Christians workers in the network had shown no interest in this kind of gathering. I could understand what should be made priority, and Sunday services should not be neglected. Yet, without being exposed to the real field, what could we really understand from the pulpit talk? How would we know where shall we start and how should we start?

Before we work, shouldn't we listen?

I am proud for the people who are really in the field, going all out to reach out to people, the poor and sick in spirit, with the little that they have... yet when the Christians are saying that they care, and the church says this is important element, how many care to spend a minute to give an ear to these people who are outside the walls of the church? and I guess if I stay longer in Japan, I can probably understand even more why the Churches are taking a step back rather than a step forward, because we do not know how to reach out, except of putting a "CRUSADE" banner at our forehead! We are so lost when we have to work with the buddhist, the "pagans", we do not know what to do about it, and we decided to run away. AND trust that if God is willing, these people will come to us, and we can use our theologies and knowledge of Christ to speak "life" into them. I don't blame the church nor the Christians,because I myself have very little time and have to "prioritize" too. We are minority, we are just too weak. Yet, seriously, I don't think we are too far from the Pharisees nor the common crowd when Jesus came 2000 years ago. Don't we realize that we have so much more to give while compare to others? We could give HOPE in the Spirit, LOVE of the Father that knows us all, and PEACE that could condense into the deepest bottom of the heart!

Do you not say, ''There are still four months and then comes the harvest? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!" John 4:35

The harvest is plenty, but the workers are few... How many people can realize that I can't do this alone, and I'm not called to do this alone. I need people to fill these gaps! If the Lord has called me to the field to see these gaps, as I identified it, and I need to share it, and that's where we will need people on the field! If you are in this group, you are called to PRAY, to GIVE your talents and thoughts and actions to the field! Church, WAKE UP!!! I pray that I would only be His mouth piece, where I need not to be smart myself to share about the needs in the field, it would and it should be His words and His desires that I speak of!

Community Support Symposium - Tokyo, Japan

I'm going to this Community Support Symposium organized by NPO Mental Care Association on June 27 (Sunday). The symposium will be in Japanese, and would touch on a several topics such as supports to the Hikikomoriひきこもり、NEETニート etc.

The meeting will be from 9.30am to 5.45pm. You will probably be able to meet a lot of people who are dealing with hikikomori, including the social workers, psychiatrists, and the family members of hikikomori and there will be a discussion session where people will discuss about how could they start from scratch in providing support to the stated above when they are lack of resources.

This symposium is very much driven to the public. I don't think that this meeting will be much of epidemiology or academic gain, but attending such seminar, we get to know what's going on in the field, and how people are dealing with it. Given the complexity of the phenomenon of Hikikomori and NEET, their experiences would be of much help as we like to start intervention on our own.

Therefore, I'm inviting those who have a Heart4Japan in Tokyo to attend this meeting!

Please log on to this website for more information as well as to download the application letter, or apply on line.

Let's have a H4J prayer meeting together after the event, to ask God of what He had spoken to us through this event, and how could we work hand in hand in order to provide social/community support to the hikikomori and the family members involved! It's time to WORK together, seek Him and the solution shall be given!

メンタルケア協議会

www.npo-jam.org/

Register before June 14 (Monday) to get a 200 yen discount.

Non Members: 2, 500 yen (before event), or 3,000 yen (on the day registration)

Drop me a line if you are attending, so that we can try to sit together, and I can budget a place for our meeting after the symposium! Blessings!

Time of Harvest

Many who have sown in Saki’s life would be in extreme joy last Sunday, for she finally received her baptism. She had been with the bible study group and exposed to mission trip for two years, where many people have been praying for her, yet she had never come to any decision of faith. Yet, during the IFJ Camp in Osaka during Mar 31-Apr 3, 2010, she told me on the way back home, she had finally came into a decision.

Today I received a joyful news from her. She said, “Hey, I wanted to tell you! I got baptized last Sunday....... Thanks, arigatou.” I shouted with joy, “God, thank you!” As I am writing this, I realized that because I am on the field, and God had allow me to have this joy to taste the harvest that I have not sown. Seeds have been sown into the soil, and the TIME has come, this is the time of HARVEST! Saki’s baptism on Sunday no doubt is a great gift to many of us who have play that tiny little part in God’s whole plan for her. From now on, she will have to trod on her relational trip with Jesus by her own, but not without cheer.

In beginning of April, towards the end of IFJ Camp, the Lord gave me a great gift of dedicated souls in committing to being the LIGHT of this nation. To me, that was an overwhelming joy! 65 pieces papers that had written names, prefectures, and their dedications to the Lord, and a huge map of Japan were given to me as a gift, to remind me about our Father’s love towards the Japanese. These are souls that have committed to stand guard in their position to reach out to the lost and those in the dark. Carrying these pieces of dedications, I felt that I have become a witness to these dedications, valuable resources for me to pray... to love. In the meantime, a strong reminder for me, to stand on my faith too!

This is the TIME of HARVEST! Let’s ride on the wings of revival, and move forward! Move in full force! Start with prayers! Prayers for the Japanese, for their needs in lives to be met in God, and their spiritual eyes would be opened, knowing salvation is through the Holy Child of the Lord.

Seving Fever!

A lot of fantastic things had happened on May 14, the last day of the Global Mission Conference. As everything was over at Sun Plaza, we walked out to Nakano Station. I was happy that I had a chance to finally chat with this humble pastor who had served restlessly from down stage to up stage.

When he is not on stage, he would be at the information counter, not only translating and chatting with people, but diligently keying in the particulars of the people who need help to the airport so that he can have an idea of how many people going on to the same bus at the same time, to be able to make an estimation if the bus is enough to fit everyone or not enough.

It was ten thirty at night. He wanted to go to a church in Higashi-Shinjuku, and he looked tired, very tired. I decided to walk an extra mile with him, to accompany him to the church that he is heading to, and see him back to this station safely. I felt that was a service that I could offer, and by serving this servant of the Lord, I am serving the Lord Jesus. Having a company to the same destination, it will spare him a few minutes to take a nap in the train. I know how exhausted this is and how terrible it could be when one travel alone after working so hard for these few weeks......

He didn't even sleep last night because he was trying to make sure the list was right, and try to key in all the particulars one by one. But during the conference, he didn't feel at all because there were so much to do. He translates from English to Japanese, from Japanese to English, making announcement, monitoring things. Getting the bus for the delegates, arranging list, is probably one of the most headache thing to do in all conference, if not most. When one could work so restlessly, and having all these patients and concern for all the other delegates, I could strongly feel his passion. As I felt his passion, I was motivated to serve too.

I am no longer at the age of after-ing Gospel stars, yet I do constantly observe role models that I could learn from. Without knowing his name, he have become one. Just as how George Verwer quickly became my role model after hearing him speak and reading the compilations of his sermons. His attitude of giving it all out for the Lord, the frankness and directness of his failures and mistakes, had influenced me. And the strength that I have in serving is sustained not only by His love, but your prayers and friendship have certainly plan an important part in cheering and encouraging me to move on! By realizing this, I fell compelled to fall on my knees to praise the Lord for His goodness!

When I reached Tochomae　都庁前, it was 1am. All public transport had stopped, except for taxi. I decided to take a walk back to the department 研究室. As I reached my research，it was 4am. :-)

I am glad that I took the walk. Not only because I enjoy the fellowship with the Lord, but also the opportunity to peek the night and things that I would not have been exposed if I did not miss the train. The image of rows of homeless old men covering themselves with papers and boxes alarmed me, how could it be possible that the Tokyo 2010 Global Mission Consultation had taken Japan out of the unreached list? If Japan is considered have

heard of Gospel because of so many years of the effort in mission work, then what is the reason of Malaysia or Mexico being listed in the list? What are the standard in listing the unreached? What is the standard in setting priority in field urgency? As I was approaching 飯田橋Iidabashi, I saw another homeless sleeping on the street with just one sheet of cover. This time, a woman of her 30's or 40's.

Ar... I must be too tired now. I can't think about a good reason. The Lord had surely preserved me by giving me strength for the journey. He had even hold back the rain and protected me from the wind. Your prayers must have supported me. Thank you for your prayers, amen!

The subway starts running now. It's time to go home to take a shower and a nap before Jesus March. I hope I would be able to attend. Will update you soon!

Another thought of Passion Tokyo

I collected different comments from the students that I invited these days... the concert ticket is really not expensive! And of course to students who have been exposed to Passions, they were excited and can't wait to go! the remark would be, "Oh, I love Passions!"

So it just come back to the idea whether if one is willing to sacrifice their time, and their one or two times of 飲み会　nomikai (drinking party) if they wish to attend the concert!

And knowing how much the Christians community had put in to make this concert affordable, and how much the Passion Team have to come out with just to make this tour as an outreach to thousand of students out there, 2000 yen is not much to pay for a single soul!

Now, it comes back to the question of who goes to the concert? and how we get the target group to the concert?Let's continue to work on prayers! If you can join me in praying... probably 1 time in a day, 3 times in a week... and it is really not a lot of time that you have to spend from now... because it is only all together 3 times before the concert......

(i) Invited students would respond to the invitations and eager to come and experience a unique Christian concert;
(ii) The preparation of the hearts and souls before they come for the concert;
(iii) A great time of harvest!

Let's pray for Heart for Japan born in Passion Tokyo 2010 !!!

A glimpse of Tokyo 2010 after workshops and before evening plenary talk.

I always wonder there must be a reason that the Lord had brought the Global Mission Conference to Japan. My question was motivated by two simple reasons:(i) Japan has the largest unreached people group, but this was not the highlight of Frontier Missions; (ii) If this must is an event that the focus is turning to Asia, then Korea as the second largest missionaries sending nation would have a greater potential in hosting this event.

I begin to see something different today as I walked into the hall as a volunteer. No one asked me where I was from, which church that I belong, and we just worked together, anything hands on would be helpful. I saw Global Mission Conference staffs ranged from different churches, although mostly conservative and traditional churches, but from almost all prefectures, were here. Pastors, Elders and Reverence, dedicated themselves as ushers, clerk, security, camera men, key in data, there was no questions about background nor denominations.

Helpers were many, but still the workload was huge. I am glad that I went.

I think God is pushing another wave of networking among the Japanese churches, the Japanese Christians need to SEE BEYOND the networking with Global Missions, or missions opportunities overseas. I felt there are more than that...... a networking is forming, and the wall is soften. As I am writing this, the rounding of Jericho seven days came into my mind. Let's pray.... we may not see results instantly, but God is a god out of the box!

Let's Pray:

(1)May God do what He wants in Japan!

(2)May His heart for this nation, Japan, be heard in this conference!

(3)May this conference crack down the walls of denominations, the walls of churches, and recommit the Lordship of the land to Lord Jesus!

(3)May Christians in Japan arise and shine as the light should not be under the bowl but on its stand to give light to everyone in the house! ～Mat 5:15

Location: Nakano Sun Plaza 中野サンプラーザ

Let's pray for Passion Tokyo 2010!!!

I began to introduce Chris Tomlin in my personal website, and also facebook profile sharing a few youtube clips of previous passions concert. And I am planning to be there as a volunteer representing Heart4Japan, and also bringing people together with me! So let's hope that the Passion Tokyo team will allow me to help out before and after the event, because I would want to be by the side of friends that I have invited.

Passion Tokyo cost around 2000 yen for a ticket. Nothing comes free in Japan, and many church leaders think that Japanese people do not appreciate things that comes freely to them. 2000 yen is not expensive at all for a concert, yet 2000 yen is no doubt expensive for students! Some people that I know have turned down the invitation because of the cost. And we can't blame them, because they know no Jesus, and even if they know, a church service maybe just enough for this moment, UNLESS their lives have been touched by Jesus, they would appreciate concerts as this. I myself would not spend this money if I am not aware of the changing power that lies in this concert! and I certainly want my friends to be there, I want to be there. Yet despite the passion in us, we need to recognize some of the issues that maybe the core to the unbelievers especially students!

Travel in Tokyo itself could easily at around 1000 yen for a single trip. Back and forth could be 2000 yen. Travel + Concert Ticket + dinner in town = around 5000 yen (around 17 bowls of 牛めし beef rice in Yoshinoya 吉野家　or Matsuya 松屋）These are cost to count, and probably Christians organizers should beware of. Japanese bible is already far expensive, 3000 yen at least, how much can we give out to the unreached who are economically not doing well? Or how many nonbeliever or seeker would spend that money to buy a book which describe a "foreign god" or a "legend" which they may not even going to read it? 3000 yen could pay off for two very decent meals, or 10 bowls of beef rice. However, I shouldn't be barking on these issues.

The main reason to write this is that I pray that you can pray with me: that Passion Tokyo would be a success in directing hundreds maybe thousands of souls to Jesus, the eternal grace! Let this concert be a life changing camp, that shows us how to live, and help us how to live, a life that is meaningful with faith, hope and love!

May 22, 2010,

Tokyo International Conference Hall,

PASSION TOKYO!

Featuring JESUS!

Leading: Louie Giglio and Chris Tomlin.

We’re waiting for a CHANGE! a WAVE to swift over Japan!!!

The Reason to Love, to Do What I Do......

(original taken from http://web.me.com/roselineyong/Faith/Blog/Blog.html)

It began to strike me when I was questioned why do I come to Japan? and how did I begin in researching hikikomori? What are my major interests? It never occurred to me other answers while I was being facing these questions from Christians, even with my professors and friends from HKU who were non believers.

At the welcome party in my new department, I was again asked this question. I answered, “I became a Christian a few years back, and my life was changed. I started to pray for people, and when I prayed for Japan, I realized that there are many social problems and urging issues in the field, and I started to do my own research and readings. Here came the issue of hikikomori, that was totally confusing, and current reports were highly biased, more frustrating than being helpful, that I decided to work on this issue, to learn more about hikikomori, the epidemiology of it, so that I can re-channel these resources to the field workers.”

Yet, not long after that, I was again being asked the same question. To try to put more input of how God loves Japanese, I began to add new elements to the answer, and of course these were nevertheless the very true of how I was motivated in the beginning. “Well, I was praying, and I felt God was sad about Japan, and I began to discover social problems and the people are struggling with many issues and unhappy......” before I could continue, a remark was made by my Japanese friend, “Why do you think that Japanese are unhappy? You know Japanese do not express our happiness like other people group, but I think we are happy 幸せ　people. Many Japanese are happy and content......” and of course, I listened to what my friends have to tell me, and probe for more of what they feel about being a Japanese. Then I began to realize we set values and targets of “happiness” and “expressions” in different levels, and being poor in Japanese vocabulary and poor in language expression, I could utter no other word to share about my faith nor His marvelous love for them.

I began to realize that I was probably hitting the chord at a wrong timing. Yet when will this ring a bell to the people that I care and love? I do not know. For me, I just have to keep trying. It’s not only about my research for hikikomori. My research is to help the field to understand better the elements in hikikomori, so that we can facilitate help and motivate self-help strategies and approaches. Despite the difficulties in undoing the harm that was done in heart and the life of hikikomori, I believe God can restore the broken hearted, and give a new meaning into the life of hikikomori.

Yet, regardless of who we are, people need to know that God loves them! and He is eager to heal and have the relationship with us! God help me! Because I’m so single minded, I felt I am stealing from your honor when I don’t mention about God as the reason of why I have come to love Japan, to love the culture and the people, and hold hikikomori so dear to my heart! My heart breaks when the people that are dear to me are not heard of the passion of Christ all because I am stumble at my words and poor expression...... it hurts!

Help me, God! Help me to be faithful to what you call me to! Help me to be able to deliver your love to the Japanese people!

Go, HUG Japan! ~ A Reminder from IFJ Camp

It shocked me as I hugged the map of Japan on Good Friday in IFJ (I Follow Jesus) Camp. The Lord whispered at my ears, "Go, hug the map of Japan......" as I was amazed how the Lord had led us to pray for a scene that happened right before my eyes where the youths, the Japanese people were standing around the map of Japan, identifying their location, praying for His Kingdom come.

I constant ask a question when I think about God's Kingdom, "Why then the Kingdom must come to Japan?" So then, the light would shine into Japan and chase away the darkness, and Japan will be release from its evil clutches, and people will be set free and be able to see the value and self-worth in them when God first created them, to come back to the reconciliation with God as their Father through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, to feel His love and to be filled with His love. And this means, the Japanese would no longer be confused about their identity, no longer be lost, no longer chasing after images that are far weaker than reality, and the power of His love is so strong that He can mend all the holes and wounds inside us. And this could be testified from my own personal journey with Him, and probably the same with many others who had met Jesus along their lives.

I tried to resist the idea to "hug the Japan map", which it literally meant that I would go to the front, lie face down on the map, and "HUG" Japan. Yet, I could not resist the call and the deep cry in me. I did as what I was asked. The minute I did it, I began to sob, I didn't know why I should cry as I was happy to see what we had been praying about for all these years had came true and sooner than I expected, yet I cried like a child. Then I knew I had fall in love with this nation unknowingly through prayers, and I had begun to pray and intercede and work for this nation with the drive of love that sprang from within me. And then I felt that the Lord wanted me to love Japan and hug this nation as my own child, and that brought me back to the memory of the child bearing pain that I suffered each time when I intercede for Japan early in the morning while I was with the Korean church in Hong Kong. As soon as I came to the understanding of Christ intention of me, I felt His hug, the hug of God that hugged me tightly while I was hugging Japan in me. I was totally embraced and immersed in His love on April 2, Good Friday. A sister came and hug me, it was a double hug, :-) a hug at the front from God, and a hug at the back from the sister, and Japan in our midst. I couldn't grasp what the others were saying or praying...... but I knew the Lord had touched them equally to love Japan, to intercede for this nation that they were born within. And that's enough for this moment.

It was truly an amazing moment, as we ended up placing our hands on the map of Japan, watching for the field, dedicating ourselves to the Lord for His service one more time for this land, and then it warmed my heart as Kai from Hokkaido asked the team to watch for Tohoku as well. It became a flow of prayers that flowed from the north to south, and the south to north. A true intercession was birth among these teenagers!

I follow Jesus, that was the reason why I had quit my job and took on the full-time volunteer position for Heart4Japan. A ministry that was so new, heading no where, yet I felt strongly it was time to give it a go. I remember that was how I described it as I shared in the church, "There is a train that stops before me, and I caught a glimpse that the driver is Jesus Christ. So I decided to step in, knowing that at other stops some will join me, and some may leave at the other stops, where most of the time I would probably be alone. But it is my desire to get into the train at that moment because I want to follow Him." So IFJ (I Follow Jesus) camp came right in time before I started my new journey in Japan after 4 years of preparation, to remind me once again my passion and reason for taking up this path. It was nonetheless "I Follow Jesus". God loves this nation, and so do I, because I love Him and decided to follow Him.

I used to admire how God had called my friend to Heart4Japan, as she would slain in the spirit, and then she would post a posture of crucification, then she would run to the big globe and then stood right in front of the map of Japan, and then gave it a hug...... and God clearly spoke to her, "See this is how I have crucified for you, and now you must take this gospel to Japan, you must do the same for the Japanese people." And I remember what God had said to me was, "Who should go for us?" that was a big sigh... and I responded quickly, "Here I am, send me." I used to think, probably God had not called me to Japan, but to sense His heartache and cry for Japan, so that I could respond and pick up things that were being neglected in the field and getting others attention on it so that we could pray together for His will in Japan. Maybe I wouldn't be in Japan, I don't need to if He had not called me to. Yet, as he opened doors and directed my steps, my simple desire to be with Him had brought me here. Now my friend's experience became mine, hugging Japan!

God had indeed called me to this nation! Receiving hugs from the youths, crying together and hugging each other, I realized that I was fully accepted. It was an amazing experience and I was deeply encouraged. Realizing this, I remember my friend and I cried again. If God could use me this way, how much more will He use my friend, Yean? I sincerely pray that she will come to Japan, and fulfill what God had installed for her here. Many more missionaries are out there, potential tentmakers are waiting for their turns to come into this land. I pray that Lord, send your workers in for the harvest is plenty! Raise the local workers! Increase the bond between each! I pray that the readiness in the field, the unity of the body of Christ will become ONE. Let us watch for each other, it is easy to slip and tumble here when we are alone.

ありがとう、みんな！お互いに祈りましょう！

The reminder for me: the beginning....

Some thoughts after meeting Tokyo House Church Movement

After the experience with Kansai Be ONE network, I was exposed to another house church network in Tokyo, both were equally mentored by Mr. Mitsuo Fukuda, the house church movement leader in Japan.

A quick reference that I would love to make about this group is that: these are very genuine people, being in the field for many years, have various denominational background, had decided that it's time to move towards what God wants for Japan rather than what they themselves or the denominations want for Japan. It was an interesting meeting where many seemed simple straight forward issues (eg. Lord's supper, baptism, funeral, etc.) being discussed: the way of doing it, how to go about with it, and cautions on principles, exchange opinions of different cultural/doctrinal background. They meet up regularly (once a month) to encourage each other, share their work with each other, I guess in some sense, creating the accountability in what they are doing too. As Richard said, this is probably minority of the vast missionary field that we have in Japan, but it's a good start! ^^

When Heart4Japan began to pray for "Breaking down the walls of denominations, sharing resources on the table", we thought this would only happen in another 10 years time. Yet, the Lord again had favored on us, we have indeed soaring together with our prayers and intercessions on His wing, that in less than 5 years, people from different denominations started to get together, thinking seriously about what God wants for Japan rather than their want for Japan. I thank the Lord for this blessed hours with these missionaries, みんなすばらしかった！

What I would like to see more in this group, is probably the availability to pray together after bringing out issues that we face in the field. It is important to take time to pray together, and seek for His confirmation again for what He had stirred in us, so that the accountability is not only lie on reporting and gaining consent of each other for what we are doing, being reminded about our principles of what and why we are doing this, but also going back to the relationship with God, that is this ultimately what He wants, regardless of what we "biblically" believe. For this, time is needed to pray and seek God together in a quiet place. If we don't have this time, we are not much different of doing "what we want", except this time, we are listening to others who come from other denominations, which is in another word, "a council of wise men". The reason for change is really the fact that we see the failure in past was because we have not been seeking His heart for Japan. I know it is hard for missionaries to take out a few hours in a day to work on this, but I figure, and time/place are often a struggle to achieve this, but I think it is still worth for us to try to move to this. A place where we can hear Him, not only alone, but with the others! Feeling His heartbeat does not equal to understanding of what He has in His mind. When we seek for His heart together, our decisions can then be more concrete, and we will have the confirmation of peace that He install in each of us.

Well, I probably have spoken out of the perspective and experience of an intercessor for Heart4Japan usual practice, but what do you think?

Rising Eagle & Rose' Updates

Good news: God had raised new intercessors and disciples for His fire in Japan!

God's Fingerprints

Both exhibition on Mar 18 and the national women conference on Mar 20, people had come to me and made commitment to pray for Japan. Having raising new diciples and intercessors, my wish is that now the Japanese people will rise up and pray for their nation, the wall in between denomination should no longer stumble His way! "God's Fingerprints in Japan" had challenged the audience on Mar 18 evening, in seeking and reconsidering the relationship of Gospel and the traditional culture. And this is exactly what "Cultural Rredemptive Analogy" is about. I had passed a copy of each, "God's Fingerprints in Japan" and "Israel Roots in Japanese Culture" to the FGA KL mission department, so if you wish to make a copy, please request from them, thank you. (There are records of the event in facebook for your reference)

The Blessed Gift

I would also like to share with you another heartfelt gratitude that I have for my deaf friends from Sign of Love (SOL). So many of them had taken initiative to come to me and ensure that they will be praying for me and Japan, it is not only about their love that I appreciate, but the sacrifices of the widow that had caught Jesus' attention, I know they will be blessed so greatly and the return of their prayers and giving is multiple! And as a receiver of that, I gain the favor of God, I believe. For this, I encourage you to pray and give, sow your life into His harvest！At this present time, we are sent to harvest what we had not sown, and do not hesitate in sowing, for there is a season for everything.

Seek His Heart
An advice to all who are called, please focus your prayer on the heart of our heavenly Father for Japan! The focus of our prayers is not that "When God is bring 'me' to Japan?", "Why God is not bringing 'me' to Japan?", but the SALVATION of the JAPANESE PEOPLE, the RECONCILATION of RELATIONSHIP that our Father had LONGED FOR!!! I pray that you know what I meant here.

Watch for Others
Mrs. Kanazawa Yukiko who works in the canteen of Kansai Bible Institute is suffering leg pain, and it affects her back. For that reason, it is a struggle even to get up from the bed. She has two children, one son and one daughter. Please do keep her in your prayers!

Again, please pray that the Lord of Harvest to send workers to the field, for the harvest is plenty but the workers are few!



Personal Updates*
I want to thank SOL and friends and family that had came to send me off last night! As a result of your prayers, I've reached Tokyo safely!

It is pretty cold here, about 3C...... the wind is strong. The check out was smooth at the airport, and I was honest with the officers that I'm actually here for study and am awiting for the C.O.E. (Certificate of Elgibility), they didn't give me much trouble, good thing is that I don't need to lie ^^. The luggage is with ABC delivery company which they will send in my luggage to the dormitory in Kashiwa on April 5. I have seen my professor in the morning, and good chat.

Will leave to Osaka tonight at around 10.30pm, and reach Osaka (Namba) at 7.20am tomorrow. Then probably it takes another 20 minutes to Chad & Jennifer's place. I don't think I will be able to access internet over there, especially we will be very busy preparing for the camp and at the camp site, probably the phone wouldn't work... not sure. I will have my call system setup by next week. Let's pray for 1. relationship with the camp participants, committees, and also the word from the Lord to the youths!2. relationship with Mental Health Department staffs, colleagues, students;3. relationship with Medical Faculty Staffs4. relationship with Kashiwa Lodge officers5. relationship with missionaries/churches around Kashiwa
I am in touch with Richard and Keri (missionary couple) staying near my place, and they will take me to shop for my bedding on April 5. Class will start on April 6.

Will update you more. Please pass this news to your homefellowship members who are praying for me, thank you!

Thank you, and please continue to pray!
Thanks, Roseline

Let's pray for these projects! March - May 2010

I want to bring your attention to a the following four projects:

The first three projects are in March, and the fourth is in April. Let's pray that God's Kingdom will advance from here!

1. God Bless You Project, An Emergency Charity Concert for Haiti

Performing artists, 岩渕まこと, 岩渕由美子 林 美貞（イム・ビジョン）岩本正樹 国分友里恵 KISHIKO 塩谷達也 塩谷美和　 ジョシュア佐佐木　 Genuine Grace　西 由紀子　ベトウ路得子 ベトウ・マーク　他

Date: Mar 13, 2010

Time: 2pm - 4pm

Venue: Inochi no Kotobasha, Nakano Honbu Building, 2F, World Chapel, Tokyo, Japan

いのちのことば社，中野本部ビル２F、ワードチャペル

Cost: Free, but offerings will be collected for Haiti.

Prayer Points: May the Lord bring seekers to the concert, and may the audience be blessed! May the generous offering bring joy to the people who are suffering in Haiti.

2. Discovering Mission Needs in Japan

Date: Mar 18, 2010

Time: 8pm - 10.30pm

Venue: Full Gospel Assembly, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Basement 1

Event Type: Exhibition & Dialogue

Theme: Cultural Redemptive Analogy

Prayer Point: (i) May the Lord raise His warriors among His people in Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia for His missions in Japan; (ii) May the understanding of cultural redemptive analogy will remove fear in the hearts of His people; (iii) May the Church people will take interest and be determined to come and learn more about Japan; (iv) The commitment of the helpers; (v) Discernment

3. Osaka Youth Camp

Date: Mar 31-Apr 3, 2010

Venue: 大阪府立少年自然の家, Osaka, Japan

Target: 150 people

The camp is a result of co-work of few denominations from Kansai and Hokkaido.

Prayer Points: (i) May discipleship spring from this camp; (ii) May the participants in this camp catch visions and get close to God by learning how to listen to His voice; (iii) May the Holy Spirit strengthen the relationship among all staffs; (iv) May the Lord add strength to all who need to run errands for this camp.

4. Passion 2010 World Tour - Tokyo

Date: May 22, 2010

Venue: To Be Confirmed, Japan

Prayer Points: (i) The preparation of the events; (ii) the spiritual readiness of the audiences; (iii) the relationship of the artists and God, because they are going to bring us to the highest peak to meet God on that day; (iv) salvation of the people that you are planning to bring; (v) sufficient followup after the concert; (vi) passion grow, and missionaries to be sent forth!

Discovering Mission Needs In Jap

Its TIME to TRANSFORM our THOUGHTS into ACTION!

Type:

Meetings - Club/Group Meeting

Date:	Thursday, March 18, 2010
Time:	8:00pm - 10:30pm
Location:	Full Gospel Assembly KL, Basement 1

Description

A whole day event:

• Photo exhibition
• Documentaries (God's fingerprints in Japan 1)
• Food tasting
• Testimonies

This is the only thing that I can do before I leave to Japan. I wish that through these exhibition items and movies/documentaries screening will capture the audiences' hearts about the crucial needs in Japan.

I have no clue who will come as audience or helper at this moment, yet this is something that I felt that it needs to be done, to fan the fire before it dies off. The event is to help others who had not seen Japan as a mission field to begin to see the huge needs in Japan. And of course, this meeting is meant for people to pray for Japan!

If you are interested to join us as helper, please let me know. I can't do this by myself, I will need you. So, please drop me a message if you would like to come.

People from out station are welcome, I will try my best to arrange home stay for you. So far, we have one respond from KL, one from Indonesia and one from Singapore. Team, if you are serious about Japan, and His call in your heart, we need to get together and do something! Why not take this opportunity to get together, to pray, to work out something in our lives, paint a picture in others' lives? We will learn to uphold each other in difficult times!!!

Note: The size of the event/the feasibility of the event is very much depending on your commitment and your availability