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I was reading Jeremiah in my devotions the other day and came accross a very “vivid” object lesson God gave to the people of Israel and Judah. In chapter 13 God tells Jeremiah to go buy a loincloth and put it on. Jeremiah obeys God’s strange request and gets himself a new set of underwear and puts it on. God then tells him to hide it in some rocks near the Euphrates river. Again, an odd request, but Jeremiah obeys. Finally, some time later, maybe days, possibly weeks, God tells Jeremiah to go get it. Jeremiah digs it up and says:

“And behold, the loincloth was spoiled; it was good for nothing.”
Jeremiah 13:7b

No kidding. It’s been sitting by a river, probably muddy, damp and moldy by this time, a smelly, disgusting pair of underwear that no one is ever going to put on again. It’s humourous at first to hear all this talk about spoiled loincloths, but the point God makes is pretty graphic.

  “Thus says the LORD: Even so will I spoil the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem. This evil people, who refuse to hear my words, who stubbornly follow their own heart and have gone after other gods to serve them and worship them, shall be like this loincloth, which is good for nothing.
Jeremiah 13:9 -10

Now, my first thought on reading this passage was that God’s point was that because Judah had fallen away from God and worshipped idols, this would cause them to become worthless and disgusting to Him, like a spoiled loincloth. This is close, but things are subtley different.

  For as the loincloth clings to the waist of a man, so I made the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah cling to me, declares the LORD, that they might be for me a people, a name, a praise, and a glory, but they would not listen.
Jeremiah 13:11

Here’s a shocking statement. God made Israel to be like his underwear. And the point of underwear is that it clings. It stays on good and tight. Judah’s refusal to cling to God made them like a loincloth that wouldn’t stay on. God fastened them to Himself, and they abandoned Him. So because they were not serving the function they were supposed to God was about to cast them off and leave them to rot till they were not only like non-functioning underwear, they would be like spoiled, disgusting, non-functioning underwear, utterly devoid of any use or value.

This is a difficult illustration. It’s hard not to laugh at it, but at the same time it’s very vivid, and converys how disgusting and damaging sin is. Even though this was given to send a message to Judah, I think it also accurately conveys the overall state of humanity. All of us were created with the purpose to cling to God and bring Him glory. Yet we have all fallen short of that, and abandoned God. So God tossed us aside and left us in our sin for a time till we became rotten and disgusting. But then He did something unthinkable. He picked us up, washed us off, repaired us, and tied us back around His waist, so that through Christ we might actually become for Him a people, a name, a praise, and a glory.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1 Peter 2:9-10

This last weekend Tomo and I went to a conference put on by Reaching Japanese for Christ, an organization whose primary mission is to reach out to Japanese while they are in the U.S. and sending them back to be a witness for Christ in their native country.

My favorite speaker was Pastor Nakagawa, a pastor from Tokyo who has a fairly large television ministry. In his opening talk he gave some up very up to date information and statistics about the current state of Christianity in Japan, and also hinted at some encouraging trends that may indicate that Japan may finally be able to open up to Christ. I love stats, so here are some of the ones he gave. There are 7,987 protestant churches in Japan, with an average membership of 64.3 people, and an average weekly attendance of 40.9 people. Recent surveys have found that over 20% of the Japanese say they have a favorable opinion of Christianity, while 4% actually claimed to be Christian.

Some quick math shows a fairly large discrepancy with the statistics of Christians vs. the people actually going to Church. We find that 0.4% of the Japanese population is members of churches, while on a given Sunday 0.2% actually attend a church. This is more in line with the statistics that most missionaries and pastors that I know in Japan still hold up as accurate. It’s encouraging that 4% of the population identifies themselves as Christians, but they aren’t in church… so where are they? Pastor Nakagawa also acknowledged that the actual percentage of believers is much lower than 4%.

His opening statement really caught my attention, because he stated out loud something I had long suspected. To paraphrase, he stated that he did not believe anyone knows exactly why the gospel has not penetrated very deeply into Japan. I think that is something that is very important to keep in mind, because it means that we haven’t figured out the best way to reach the Japanese with the Gospel. Protestants have been in Japan for 150 years, and Catholics even longer, yet the percentage of Christians has never really changed in that time. For whatever reason, the strategies for reaching people for Christ that work in other parts of the world don’t work in Japan.

This leads to one other thing that I really took away from this conference, and that is how radically different the Japanese culture is from our own. To most of us, Japanese people might seem a little formal, maybe a little shy or awkward sometimes, very driven and intelligent, and to a degree these stereotypes are all true, however this only scratches the surface. The world view and culture of the Japanese is so different from our own that I think it would be most helpful to assume that we were from not merely different continents, but different planets. It’s as if Japans philosophy, culture and ideals developed without any knowledge or influence from our own, and vice versa, and historically this isn’t far from he truth.

I could go on for quite a bit longer, but for the sake of time I’ll stop here, and invite any comments or discussion. I’ve said some things that I didn’t have time to contextualize, so it’s possible I might sound a little heretical. Call me on it; I’m just itching for a chance to clarify.

All in all it was a really encouraging and beneficial conference, and only increased my desire to get over there and begin ministering to the Japanese.

It’s September! I don’t know if things are going fast or slow. Sometimes it feels like it’s way too fast, sometimes way too slow.

David and I are starting some new things from September, which is very exciting. First of all, David is starting his computer repair business because his hours at Jesus Film project got cut down to half. He’s really good at fixing computers. I can’t give you any furthur descriptions about how good he is or what he can do because I have no idea, but I know he’s really good and a lot of people have called him a genius or hero or something like that after he fixed their computers. So if you ever need a hero who can fix all your (computer) problems, you should call him up. We are hoping and praying that this will work out.

And God opened the door for me to take Bible classes at a nearby Calvary Chapel from next week. SEND requires the spouse to have some Bible education too, and I found some of their requirement classes offered there. I’m going to be taking Systematic Theology, Hermaneutics, and Biblical Counseling. I’m very, very excited and thankful for this opportunity because I’ve been having a little bit of a hard time finding things to do during the day lately since I’m still waiting for my work permit (probably for another couple months). Also, I will try and get a permit and start practicing driving. I’m taking the test next Wednesday. It’s all very exciting.

For the immigration stuff, I received a letter from USCIS last week telling us to come to an interview in October. They also told me to bring a bunch of documents to prove my eligibility to apply for a green card. It’s nice to see that things are in progress, but it also makes me think; “Just how many times do they have to see my birth certificate to be sure?” This will be the fourth time. But that’s just how it works, and all is good, because God’s in control of this situation. 

I want to share this verse from my devotions. 1 Timothy 6:17 “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everthing for our enjoyment.” It reminded me that God is the provider and that He provides us with not just what we need to barely get by, but “everything for our enjoyment”. And this is certain. Uncertainness always makes me anxious and so many things seem uncertain to me right now. But then this verse reminded me that God’s provision and love is the only thing that is certain and I’d always be anxious if I kept trying to make uncertain things certain.

OK, I’m gonna make lunch now. Hope you all have a nice week!

I’ve been thinking a lot about my purpose lately. Not my purpose in life, I already know that (to Glorify God and to enjoy Him forever), but more specifically, my purpose in being where I am right now, which is to say, still in America. Keeping in mind the purpose of my life, it’s simple to say that God’s purpose in putting me here in America is to glorify and enjoy Him, however the question remains… why? Why here and why now? Well, that’s actually pretty straightforward too.

 Tomo and I are here in America (I believe by God’s design) to prepare for a lifetime of service to Him on the mission field. A number of things need to happen before we leave. Chief among these is that Tomo still needs to join SEND. She’s sent in her application already, and Lord willing she will be appointed in January. Second, we need to raise a lot more support. Third, we both have some school loans that SEND would like us to pay off prior to leaving, so we’re working hard to do that. Finally, I believe God is using this time to prepare Tomo and I spiritually for the rigors of missionary life ahead. These are all things that I have begun to pray for in earnest, and I am confident that once God has answered all these prayers we will be ready to go to Japan and participate in the work of spreading the Gospel to the ends of the earth, in order that more worshippers may add their voices to ours in praising our Great God.

Lord willing, we will be ready to leave by the end of next year. While I am certain God will be using us to minister here in America during that time, everything is heading in the direction of Japan. And as each day goes by I am more excited about getting over there. For the first time in my life I decided to start a prayer journal, so that I can remember to pray daily for Japan, for more supporters, for friends and family. I can’t wait to see and record how God answers prayers. If there’s anything I can be praying for you, just let me know, I’ve got a lot of pages to fill!

 Reading: Jeremiah and Exodus for morning devotions, Let the Nations be Glad for further edification.

Hey everyone, it’s been a little while since my last post, good thing Tomo’s been picking up the slack for me. For today’s post, enjoy a series of brief, unrelated updates from our life.

Tomo’s immigration to the US is still coming along smoothly. Today we went to Santa Anna so the USCIS could take Tomo’s fingerprints, which is part of the green card process. Also, Tomo has succesfully gotten a Social Security card, which means she can be added to my bank account. She got her own ATM card in the mail today, and was very excited about it. Next we’re going to be working on a drivers license. I’m a little nervous about her being able to drive wherever she wants and buy things whenever she wants, but I hear that marriage requires lots of trust.

We had a talk with our support coach this week, first time since we got married, and discussed our plans for the next five months, until Tomo joins SEND in January. At SEND’s suggestion we’re going to continue raising support, albeit it at a slower pace in order to give both of us a little time to adjust to married life, and Tomo a chance to get used to living in the US, and then jump back into more active support raising once Tomo is officially appointed. Our goal remains to have all our support raised by the end of 2010.

Lately God’s been reminding me of the importance of spending time in the Word and in prayer, so I’ve decided to start getting up earlier each morning to do that. Tomo is also joining me, and although we’re still getting into the habbit, so far I’m really enjoying it. I also want to spend more time reading good Christian books, so I picked up John Piper’s Let the Nations be Glad. I think I’m the only person I know that hasn’t read it yet.

I’ve been reading Jeremiah in my devotions recently, and have been struck by Jeremiah’s love for Israel, and sorrow at seeing them turn their back on God. Despite their wickedness he, like God, had a great desire to see them repent, though tragically God fortold they would not. Sometimes I think I am lacking in my own love for the world around me, and all the Americans that have also turned their backs on God. Too often I think of them as enemies when I should view them as kinsmen, and long to see them repent.

Though it’s still not official, it looks as though Jesus Film will keep me on part time. I’m planning on starting a little computer repair business in hopes that God will provide enough work to pay the bills, and perhaps even enough to pay off some school loans too. Please be praying for wisdom, and God’s provision in this area. And if any of you need some computer repair work done, check out my website and give me a call!

www.davesupport.com

Hi friends,

Another late blog update… (supposed to be every Monday). Sorry about that. We’ve been kind of busy having fun with our little Japanese friend who’s visiting. Thanks Jon for great ideas! We did go to the beach… and got sunburn. Pretty bad too. I was a little worried that my little Japanese friend would be deadly scared of getting tan like a lot of Japanese girls are, but this one turned out to be a rebellious one. She said getting tan was what she was here for, (well, and shopping). She is studying piano at a music college in Tokyo where it is a norm for girls to wear fancy dresses to school and use an umbrella to keep their skin nice and fair. Apparently she is not afraid of being different from everybody else. That’s the spirit we need as Japanese Christians, not afriad of being different from everybody else, so I guess it’s good that my Japanese friend is getting tan over here in California. But sunburn is not.

Anyways, we did go to Ross as Jon suggested. It’s a clothes store. She couldn’t believe how cheap things were. Also, we went to one of the art fairs in Laguna Beach, the mall, Hollywood, UCLA, Santa Monica, Orange County fair, etc. She enjoyed shopping at American clothes stores like Old Navy and American Eagle. She’s had some Del Taco and McDonalds, and been to Walmart. Still gotta take her to In-N-Out. We’ve been doing a lot of High School Musical watching too. We have all three movies right now thanks to JoAnna and Netflix. Today we’re going to hit the beach again. A little sunburn will not stop her from going back. She has another week in California.

Please continue praying for our job situations. We still don’t know if Jesus Film will keep David for 20 hours/week or let him go after August. Tomo is still waiting for her work permit to come in mail. Praise God for being good and faithful!

A friend of mine (Tomo’s) came from Japan to visit!! She arrived on Tuesday and will be here for 2 weeks. She goes to my home church in Tokyo. It’s really nice to see her again and to hang out with her. And it’s also very nice to be able to speak Japanese again…. very very nice. We went shopping yesterday to Old Navy and got the same dress. We’re about the same size so we look like twins 🙂 Now David gets to drive around two little Japanese girls instead of just one! How fun, right?

Any ideas for things to do??

OK I think it’s Tuesday already. It was my turn to write something yesterday… Oh well. Here goes a day late update!

Saturday we had our US reception! David’s mom, Kathy, handled everything to put it all together, and all David and I had to do was to show up on time! (and bring a slide show of the wedding in Japan, which we forgot…) It was at David’s aunt’s church in Huntington Beach, and so many people helped with decorations and food and everything, it was just amazing. I loved the pink and brown and Origami flowers and cherry blossoms. David’s brother Daniel was the MC and DJ, and we had food, music, cake, bouquet and boutnier toss, dance.. all sorts of wedding fun 🙂 I enjoyed watching people dance. I also got to meet a lot of David’s friends and family that I had never met before.

I like how everything is not so formal in America and how it’s primarily about having a good time and not so much about what we’re supposed to do. I mean, I like the Japanese way too, it can be kind of fun sometimes trying to figure out all the invisible rules and “read the air”. I enjoy observing the differences between the two cultures.

Now, weekend’s over and we’re back to business. Today we have college and career Bible study. We are finishing up Ecclesiastes today. It’s a very interesting book. And tomorrow I’ll go get another shot, which will complete my whole immigration package…. finally. But this is not quite the end. I’ll have to wait for months for my conditional green card to come, and then in two years I’m supposed to go through a lot of paperwork again to lift the condition and get a regular green card, which is good for 10 years. This is because there have been so many abuses of the spouse status and now the immigration people are very suspicious of newly-wed, foreign wives asking for a green card. So my immigration saga must go on…

Anyways, I read this this morning. 

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 4:20-21

Amen!

Well, it’s again Monday night, and my turn to write the weekly blog entries. The last week has been pretty busy with two things in particular: job hunting and immigation.

Due to the way the economy is going the place I’m working had to cut back my hours, and may have to let me go entirely in in August, so I’m looking to see what God’s doing in this, and where He’s going to be leading me next, it’s an interesting time to be looking or a job. I’m not in a position to start a career, because as you all know, I’ve already chosen one; Lord willing I’ll be shipping off to Japan as a missionary by the end of 2010. To further complicate things, Tomo and I are hoping to go on partial support with SEND in January, where we’d have to devote 20 hours a week to support raising. This means that for the next six months I’ll need to be working full time to pay the bills, and then be able to drop down to working just 20 hours a week so we can dedicate more time to support raising, and get over to Japan. I’m very curious as to how God’s going to sort this all out, so please be praying with me for God’s provision. He has never left me hanging before, and I don’t anticipate He will this time, still this is yet one further test of faith, to see if I can rely on God to supply all my needs, as I will be forced to do once I’m in Japan in full time ministry.

Meanwhile Tomo’s been busy with filling out mountains of paperwork trying to get her conditional green card so that she can remain in the US legally until we move back to Japan in a year and a half or so. It’s a little frusterating how slow and expensive the whole process is, especially for Tomo. It took a few weeks for us to get a copy of our marriage certificate, which she had to wait on before proceeding to file her adjustment of status, getting a social security card, applying for a work permit, getting a drivers license or being added to my bank account. Since that finally came, all these things are now in process. There were a few vacinations she still had to get here, so she had her first ever tetnus shot today (her arm hurts), and she after I finally secured a drivers manual for her she immediately began pouring through California traffic rules so that she can get her driver’s permit. Soon enough she will be unleashed upon the unsuspecting roads of Orange County, free to go wherever her little heart desires.

 We had prayer meeting tonight, and tomorrow night we’ve got a young adults Bible Study we’re going to, where we’re studying Ecclesiastes. I’ve been reading through Exodus and Jeremiah for my devotions, though not as faithfully as I ought. Something to work on this week.

Hi friends and family, and anyone else who’s reading this blog,

David and I decided to take turns blogging so this week it’s my turn.

Thank you so much for all your prayers, support, and friendship! Like David said in last week’s post, we got married! We’ve been married for almost exactly a month now. We had a wedding in Tokyo, flew to Hawaii the next day, and came back to California as a married couple on the 9th of this month. (It was hectic!) We have a nice one-bedroom condo in Aliso Viejo in southern California. I love our place. David says it’s not too big but coming from Japan, this place is HUGE to me, at least for a newly-wed couple. I have to be careful not to get too used to all this space so I won’t start complaining how small the house is when we finally make it to Japan.  

We will be posting weekly, hopefully more frequently, on this blog to keep you guys posted on what’s going on with us. And here’s what’s going on right now.

We just sent out our first newsletter this afternoon. (Thanks JoAnna for licking the envelopes 🙂 We were also privileged to visit a friend of ours to talk about Japan and our plans this morning and had a very blessed time. It was such an encouragement because she called us and said she wanted to have us over and hear about Japan, instead of we called her and asked if we can meet with her, which is usually what happens. Praise the Lord for encouraging us as we just set out on our support-raising journey together.

Also, exciting news today, our marriage certificate came in mail!! I came to the States on a fiancee visa, and now I have to apply for a permanent resident card (or green card) so I can live in the States legally after my visa expires. And we were waiting for the marriage certificate to come in. Now we can start doing tons of paperwork again to get a green card, social security number, driver’s license, bank account, etc, and to file a Japanese marriage paper. I could do some of that without the marriage certificate, but I didn’t want to go through all the trouble again to change my name on everything so we decided to wait. I am not so excited about all the paperwork we have to do because getting the visa was a LOT of work and I feel like that should have done it, but I guess I’ll just have to get to work.

So that’s it for now. Come back again next week and see if I got the green card yet. Well, probably not, but we might have more exciting things to share with you so make sure you come back!