On December 14, the short-term team split into two groups. One group stayed at NCC and the other went with Michael to Hope Tsu church in Mie Prefecture. Michael is a team leader through the Presbytery for that church-planting work. The team helped do a kid’s program and Michael preached. At NCC, one member of the team played piano (pictured left), one member gave a testimony and the Associate Pastor gave a presentation about their church in America. It was a great opportunity for our church to hear the joys and struggles and to be able to pray for our partnering churches!
On December 15, we held our last Church English outreach classes for the year. Our team helped with all four classes and various projects. Afterwards we had dinner with the English teachers and heard a testimony from one of the mom’s and her daughter who were baptized in May.
On December 16, we went to the local pre-school and the team spent the morning playing with the kids and did a program about the “Legend of the Candy Cane.” This was a theme the team used in multiple places and was a great way to share about something Japanese see as a Christmas decoration, but actually can’t buy here as a candy! It also is a natural way to share about Christ and the true meaning of Christmas. Afterwards our older kids, who had the day off of school, helped the team tour Nagoya Castle, which is just a 15 minute walk from our church.
On December 17, we split the groups into two and the men held a mini-lunch concert at Mon Ami Cafe. The cafe is a partnership of Nozomi Chapel, a church plant and Life Hope Network, a women’s pregnancy help organization. We love to partner when we can with this church and it was an excellent opportunity to serve! The women helped host a Ladies Christmas Luncheon. It was disappointing that not many from our church could attend, but many from Shiga Church and friends from our neighborhood came. It was a sweet time of sharing and building relationships. Plus wonderful food!
On December 18, we took the team touring in Nagoya. So, it really wasn’t about Christmas, but we toured the Christian Martyr museum in town and some of the temples/shrines in Nagoya. A woman from our church joined and helped translate and give a Japanese perspective to the team. We pray for all those worshipping false gods and idols! May they come to know the one true God!
On December 19, we once again split into two groups. One group helped at Shiga Church’s kid’s club and the other helped with Next Ministries Connect Youth Group Christmas Party. We also set up the tree for the Christmas Tree Contest at Aeon Mall. This year we won “The World Peace” prize. It was such a wonderful opportunity for thousands to read about Christ and be introduced to our church. We are always grateful for this opportunity.
On December 20, we once again split into two groups. One group helped host our church’s children’s Christmas outreach. There were two sessions—one in the morning for younger children and one in the afternoon for older kids. Michael’s group went to Gallery NANI in Seto, where they held a separate children’s event.
Our hosts were initially a bit nervous that the content might be too religious, but after speaking with the moms, they were encouraged to hear them say, “This is great! Our kids need to learn this!” It was a powerful reminder for all of us to be bold in sharing the Gospel and to look for natural, meaningful ways to connect it to Christmas.
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