During out two week break from language school a Japanese friend suggested we visit the Okazaki (the town we live) Castle and eat at a famous tofu restaurant on the grounds. As we toured I was saddened with how distant the Shinto gods are to the people living on earth. As you walk the grounds there are areas with papers and wooden plaques the Japanese buy to write their prayer requests. A person buys the special paper or plaque at the shrine in hopes the gods will grant them their desire. Common requests are for good exam scores or a boyfriend/girlfriend. On stones names are engraved of those who gave significant amounts of money to the shrine is hopes of finding favor with the gods.
The part where I really was emotionally struck was the bell attached to the front of the Shrine. I asked my friend what it was for and she said it is the signal used to call upon the gods if you want to make a request. After my friend told me this I said out loud, “It is the most comforting thing that our God hears us when we call and never needs to be awoken from sleeping. In fact he’s active even while we’re sleeping.” We do long for the Japanese to know and understand this truth!
At our school there is an annual “matsuri” or festival held. It is a time of games, speech contests, food, entertainment and really an opportunity to enjoy time together. (A “matsuri” is typically an annual event held in all towns/schools across Japan.) For our school each class is given a designated task. This year Cathalain’s class was asked to be part of the procession. This is where once a year the school “kami” or (Shinto deity) is taken out and paraded throughout the school’s campus. Cathalain explained to her teacher she would not be able to participate even though most people know longer believe the “kami” is really a deity and the act is done out of tradition.
These alters are throughout Japan in Shrines, schools and businesses. Since in Shintoism gods are in everything these are important for success and prosperity as a town, school or business. We long for the Japanese to know the ONE, true God who is everywhere and listens at anytime of the day to his people call upon his name.
Below is a video and pictures of the procession with the kami out front and the musicians far behind.
This month we were informed MTW has a donor willing to match dollar for dollar up to $25,000 for the Church Plant being planned for the Nagoya Area. This is excellent seed money for a national pastor/worker and space for a church to meet. So far the team has raised over $12,000 towards the $25,000.
Please consider giving $5, $10, $50, or even more to this excellent project. For every $1 you give you really give $2 thanks to the match.
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.” – 2nd Commandment, Deuteronomy 5:8
Ministry Update
This month the majority of Japan celebrated Obon. This is a time where families gather together to worship their ancestors and Buddhist priests come into their parishioners homes to pray for the ancestors spirits and bless the alters within their homes. As God’s timing is always perfect, Cathalain “happened” to be teaching the Ten Commandments to the daughters of a family we meet with every week for dinner and to study the Bible. One commandment in particular grabbed the attention of the oldest girl. She wanted to know whether it was wrong to worship idols. This is quite interesting because although her mother is Christian her extended family is Buddhist. In recent months she has shown a growing interest in Buddhism and her extended family is eager to talk with her about Buddhism. Although she is only six, by the end of the night she realized how important Deuteronomy 5:8 is and how God is a jealous God. She began to understand how God commands us to put him first and worship only him. Pray as this young girl grapples with the truth of scripture and as there is a spiritual battle taking place for this young girl’s soul!
Church Planting
Over the past month we have been beginning to pray, discuss, and think more about where we will church plant after language school. Please pray as we try to gather a core group of Japanese, a Japanese pastor, and decide the specific area the Lord would like to see this new church start. Also, we were informed this month that an MTW donor has set up a matching fund for a church plant in the Nagoya area. For every $1 raised the donor will donate $1 up to $25,000. This is a great opportunity to raise some seed money for the church plant and help to pay the salary for a national pastor or for rental space. Currently our team has raised over $12,000. Please consider donating a small amount to this fund to help start a future church in Nagoya. (MTW Project #92886 – Togo Church Plant) For more information check out our website, www.cartersan.com.
Thank you for your partnership! Every day we are grateful for your prayers and support that help to sustain our ministry. Please continue to pray the many who worship many gods, but have yet to know the ONE, TRUE, LIVING GOD!
September Prayer Requests
Pray for physical health for the family as Tobin and Cathalain have struggled on and off this month with various sicknesses.
Pray for our two week break from language school classes. Pray our private tutoring time would be productive and help prepare for the time we will miss due to the MTW Asia All-Area Retreat.
Pray for the All Asia Area Retreat held October 12-19. Pray for this time of encouragement, fellowship, worship, and prayer as missionaries testify to God’s work throughout the region and as missionaries often come needing nourishment and encouragement.
Pray for the Japanese who we meet every day and have the opportunity to share Christ with. Pray the Lord would be planting seeds in the hearts of so many who are lost.
This picture was taken at a local store. It is common to have alters for sale. Over 90% of Japanese have some alter in their house where they worship their ancestors. Some alters cost well over $10,000.
