Testimonies from 2017

Along the Way–November 2017

Last night, I finished teaching a 5 week Evangelism course for a small group brothers and sisters.  Included in our 5 weeks were two opportunities to go out and intentionally follow the Lord in evangelism outreach.

As I reflect on the two times we went out, two stories are highlighted to me.  Both of these stories share a common theme: something happened along the way….”

In the first story, I was with Kate in downtown Grand Rapids, MI–USA.  It was cool and rainy and after some outreach in the Rosa Parks Circle, we headed for a nearby coffee shop.  But as we went in, Kate asked if I was sensing we were to stay there or go elsewhere.  I paused and the Lord brought the Lantern Coffee Shop to mind.  It was around a 10 minute walk, but we listened to the guidance and decided to head in that direction.  Along the way to the Lantern, we met a couple of retired US Veterans who were in need of prayer and encouragement.  They were greatly touched by our prayers and I was even able to give one of the a 4 points bracelet.

In the second story, I was with Jeff in downtown Holland, MI–USA.  We had prayed and listened before heading out and I discerned the Lord wanted us start at Pizza Hut and walk down the street towards Cherry Republic.  We did so and along the way, we slowed down a bit to look at a big dog sitting outside of a store.  Shortly thereafter, one of Jeff’s in-laws came out and started talking to us.  He asked what we were up to and we told him.  I asked if we could “practice on him” and we ended up praying over him and I received a word for him.  He seemed blessed then and I heard later that he was indeed greatly blessed!

I could share more details from our nights doing outreach or even from these two encounters.  But the point of this post is the highlighted portion: along the way!

In life, we are often so focused on our destination that we miss people along the way.  I believe sometimes, our destination may not even be the primary purpose of our journey.  God has good encounters prepared for us….along the way.  Doing intentional outreach with no agenda helps us to realize this.

How many people have we missed in the past along the way to somewhere?  That is not a question we can answer.  What we can do is seek to improve in the future.  My prayer is that we would all slow down just enough in life that we notice people along the way.  Who knows!  They may be the most important part of the journey.

Divine Appointment in Tokyo Starbucks–May 2017

I was waiting for my final team member to arrive at Tokyo station.  He had flown into Narita airport to join our outreach team and would be arriving on a bus soon.   While waiting, I went over to a nearby Starbucks.  It was very busy and I was eyeing the two open seats as I waited for my smoothie.

Just then, two 20-something age guys came in.  I watched them go towards the open seats and was not real happy.  Where would I sit?  But then God got ahold of my heart and I felt a sudden interest in the two guys.  Also about that time, another seat opened across from the two open seats.  As I came over with my drink, the two guys made eye contact with me and asked where I wanted to sit.  I encouraged them to sit together and I sat across from them.  This exchange, while simple, set a positive tone for future interaction.  Good thing I had that heart change!

I pulled out my Hiragana and Katakana flash cards and began studying my Japanese.  After a bit, I began to talk to the guys.  Japanese are always impressed at even my basic levels of Japanese and my studying the flash cards.  Interest in another culture speaks volumes!

Over the course of our conversation, I shared why I was in Tokyo and and was able to share the gospel using my Evangecube and share my testimony with them.  I also gave them some simple words about how God made them that the Lord put on my heart. Both were receptive. One had just recently moved to Tokyo and the other was from out of town.  The one who now lived in Tokyo shared how another believer has mentored him in the past.  Sometimes it takes hearing it from multiple people though (“I planted, Apollos watered” as Paul says).

When I left that day, the young man from Tokyo and I talked about meeting again.  And after some online communication, we did–in the same Starbucks!

I was more direct in the second meeting and we had a deeper spiritual discussion.  I was also able to give him a 4 points gospel card from the Shine Japan ministry.  When we finished our discussion, he asked me for people I knew in Tokyo that I could connect him with.  I was able to connect him to two others I knew.

I am excited for this young man.  I believe the Lord showed me he is a leader.  May he experience The Greatest Leader of all in a powerful way and fulfill all Jesus has for Him!

Expanding My Love for the Nations–May 2017

I was in Singapore on a ministry trip.  My host pastor and I went out to do some evangelism, but it seemed God had other plans that day.  We ended up with a few good interactions with believers.  Our fellowship was good, but I had a longing to share the gospel with someone.  After dinner, my host pastor left for home and said something to me about “sticking around” longer if I wanted to.  For some reason I decided I would.  We were in a large mall area near a Metro Transit station, and while I am not a big fan of malls–things just didn’t feel complete.

We had just eaten, but I was still hungry for some reason.  I grabbed a sandwich at 7-11.  In Singapore, you cannot eat on the Metro, so I looked around for some place to sit down and eat my sandwich.  I ended up coming out to to street level right next to a skate park (reminded me of my days prayer walking in Wyoming/Kentwood, MI!).  I sat down to eat my sandwich on some steps.

As I ate, I noticed a young man (“D”) sitting to my left.  “D” was taking a break from skating it appeared.  I wanted to talk to him, and dialogued with the Lord about it.  I felt the Lord ask me, “Why do you want to talk to him?’  My answer, “Because I love him.”  I felt a love for these people–who looked to be a different ethnic group than any I’d seen before.

About then, another young man came by.   He had on a hat with Korean writing.  I asked him if he knew what was on his hat and he did not.  I used my phone to translate it (as I didn’t recognize it either). It said, “Soon handsome,”  I laughed and shared with them.  This was the open door to conversing.

I ended up talking to “D” for quite some time.  At one point, I shared I was a Christian missionary and later when I asked about his religion, I learned he was a Malay Muslim (his people originally came from Malaysia).  When he shared he was a Muslim, I shared, “Oh, I love Muslims.”  He seemed surprised, but I shared about my love for all people.  I shared a bit of my faith journey and some disagreements I had with those close to me regarding my faith.  At one point, I mentioned how I did not agree with Muslims killing Christians–but that as a Christian I was called to forgive them.  I was a little surprised this came out of my mouth–but it happened so naturally and it seemed to build trust.  Authenticity tends to do that.

At some point in there,  I shared my evangecube with him in a really natural way.  He asked me some questions and we had a really nice interaction.  I felt the Koinonia presence of the Holy Spirit—in such a way I did not want to leave.  Finally I sensed our interaction was over and I did go, though we exchanged contact information before I left.

As I left that night and headed towards the metro, my heart was stirred for the Malay people.  I felt deep love for them and my emotions were real.  I debriefed some with my host Pastor by voice chat and continued home.

Sometimes I wonder what is up with me–loving all these people groups like this. What is my life?  But friends, this love is the very will of God.  After a night like this of seed sowing and love, this entire trip was worth it.  Every penny.  Every hour I have given up not “working” a regular job, etc.  Jesus is life.  To share him with others is such a joy.  It is to share life itself.   Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  Ans surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

A New Impression of Christianity–April 2017

I was meeting with a middle aged man who was “on the journey back to God.” We were having a good time, but his wife was calling him and I found out she thought that I was in a cult.  In Korea, I have heard there are many cults, so it was quite understandable that his wife had some concern.  I found myself praying for his wife.  I believe I even mentioned her out loud as I prayed for our meal.

Later on as “the husband” and I were walking and talking, his wife called again.  At some point, I suggested that she meet with us.  I wasn’t sure that was a good idea and am not always interested in meeting people opposed to the ministry I do.  Yet it came out of my mouth for some reason.  Eventually, “the husband” mentioned that to “the wife” and was surprised when she agreed to meet with us.  He commented, “Apparently your prayer must have worked.”  This was turning into an interesting evening!

When we met, she was kind to me but a little shy–and I assured her I was not a cult leader.  I shared that I didn’t care where people went to church, I just wanted them to know God and have community.  That seemed to help a lot right there.  She spoke some English, and her bi-lingual husband was able to translate well.

I ended up sharing my testimony–religion, rebellion, and relationship (in a nutshell).  She seemed intrigued.  Than I shared my Evangecube with her and she listened intently.  I shared past testimonies of physical healing  and although skeptical, she shared of some things she had heard from another Christian friend.  She had some questions for me and I learned how she had been hurt as a child by “evangelists” telling them all they were “going to hell.”  Someone must have forgotten to share the “good news” part of the gospel!

I listened, as patient and loving with her as I could be.  I shared that there is a reality that all of us will die someday and (eternity) is something we must consider.  But God’s love is what draws us to Him!

The night progressed with some shopping and more conversation.  When we parted ways, I would say this woman was more open to the Lord than before.  It seems like she grew to trust me.  The entire interaction also strengthened the faith of her husband.  There was talk of them coming to a future church service—together.  Progress!

As I reflect on this, I really grieve for those who have been hurt by Christians.  At one point in the night, I shared an analogy:  If you go to a baseball game, there are many different kinds of fans.  Some are wild and all painted up, others are calm and unresponsive.  But we cannot judge the baseball game based on any one of these fans.  In Christianity, some Christians are weird and a little screwed up in their beliefs honestly.  I love them, but they can unfortunately do some damage to the reputation of Christ and Christianity.  We must see beyond THEM to HIM (Jesus).  This usually takes someone reflecting His true light.

Wherever we are in life, our goal should be to represent Christ well as His ambassadors.  Sometimes that means helping the individuals have a “new impression of Christianity.”    I believe that on that April evening in Korea, by His grace, I did that.  Lord finish what You started!

A Fool For Christ–March 2017

As I sat in my aisle seat on the airplane bound from Tokyo to Seoul, a young man took his seat to my right.  I heard the Lord say, “He is the one I want you to talk to.”  We began talking soon after.

I found out he was a Korean who had lived/worked in Japan for 5 years.  He was in his upper 20s. He was heading back to Korea for the first time in 5 years!  We got to know each other for a while and somewhere in that conversation he learned I was a missionary.  It was hard to discern exactly what his religious beliefs were as whatever he shared did not translate.  I think he was more agnostic.

After I asked Him about Christianity, He shared with me some negative perspectives of Korean Christianity from his viewpoint–including a lack of prayer, too much focus on money, and being a Christian by name without action.  He asked me about my Christianity and I was able to share my journey with him.

When he learned that I had a masters degree in economics, had taught at a university as an adjunct professor, and then became a missionary he was intrigued and wanted to know why I would do such a thing.  I made it clear to him about how God had transformed me and my own journey of healing and reconciling with those who had hurt me was hard enough that I developed a desire to help others know the Lord.  I could tell this was starting to get through to him.  Pray for this young Korean/Japanese man to encounter Jesus and become a disciple by the power of the Holy Spirit.

From this story, I came to an interesting conclusion:  In addition to being friendly, listening, and loving, the “odd” things in our lives that God has done/led us to are what is often most attractive to the unbeliever.  If they can’t figure it out, they become intrigued.  For each of us as believers: can we get over being potentially viewed as weird?  Or will we compromise our story to sound culturally “normal?” It is a great thing for all of us to think about.  I think sometimes we can have an “acceptance addiction!”  May the love of Jesus push that out and may we SHINE and be honest–unapologetically.  For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. -I Corinthians 1:25  

Fresh Off the Plane to the Bus-March 2017

As I left the bus from Tokyo Narita airport, I was feeling pretty good.  I was back in Asia.  Yahoo! As a Caucasian in an Asian world, one would think I would feel a little out of place.  But it was God who called and God was giving a grace to see past all that.  As I rode on the nearly empty bus, we made our way to the next airport terminal and picked up many people.  I had this sense that someone may sit next to me and we’d talk.  It seems like I may have had a vision of this happening in hours prior as well.  Hard to remember as I was trying to adjust to the new timezone.  One way or another, it happened.

I know very little Japanese, but I spoke “Ko-ni-chu-wa” (similar to ‘hello’ in English) to the young man who sat next to me.  He kindly spoke back.  I then spoke English to him and found out he spoke English.  East Asians are typically very modest on there English abilities and he was no different.  But we carried on a nice conversation.  I learned his name (we’ll call him “K,”) where he was from, where he was going to college.  Eventually I shared why I was in Japan.  At one point, I pulled open my bag and shared my evangecube with him.  (If you don’t know what that is, here is a link  http://shop.e3resources.org/ecube-classic/) Then I felt the Holy Spirit leading me to “let him hold it” so I gave it to him and he looked at the pictures.  He seemed to have heard of Jesus before, but I don’t know how much he knew.

Before I left, “K” and I took a photo together (see below).  Since then, we have been chatting via the internet.  I know from my experience from last summer what these chats can lead to.  Despite all the sinful pitfalls of technology, God is working through it to bring people to know him.  May he continue to bless our conversation!  Pray for the salvation of “K” and his family.