Welcome back to my blog! It’s Day 4 in Japan! Today was my first Sunday in Japan! I was so blessed to spent it with my new brothers and sisters in Christ, as I had my first church experience at Hope Chapel in Nara! I had the absolute privilege of meeting Pastor Yasutaka Yoshida, his lovely wife and the rest of their congregation! They warmly welcomed me as family and let me be a part of their lively church! After Spirit filled worship in both Japanese and English, a wonderful message and a quick lunch together, we set out to the streets of Nishinari in an eight person team!
Pastor Yasutaka-san took our team out to visit the areas of increased homelessness and also the largest Red light district of Osaka. (Look out for an upcoming post on the specifics of how our time went in the Red light District). Pastor Yasutaka-san has experience serving and helping in Nishinari and is extremely passionate about the homeless population here. He graciously gave me an insider’s tour of the area so I could see how daily life is for these men and women first hand.
What we saw in this area was definitely shocking and difficult. Men and women were drunk and stumbling around- at only 1pm. Bars were full and many people were sleeping in the streets. Sake vending machines can be found on almost every street and it is extremely cheap to buy- about only $1 USD. With no food, shelter or clothing and locationally segregated, these men and women are the forgotten population of Japan.
We were able to reach out and have some conversations with some of the homeless men, however this area is much more dangerous than I had previously anticipated. I was blessed to have Pastor Yasutaka-san and our team with me and they helped me understand what to do. He let me know that it is actually not safe to walk around this area alone (in morning or the evening) and is therefore arranging another person or two to be with me so I can hand out food like I plan to do. Please pray for fellow laborers so that I am able to bless these men and women in this area specifically with food and the scripture tags! Please pray with me: God bless these men and women who struggle with alcoholism, homelessness and isolation in Nishinari. I pray right now that all strongholds would be broken in Jesus Name! That they would know the name of Jesus and be transformed from the inside out by the saving knowledge of Him! In Jesus’ Name, Amen! Stay tuned for more updates to come.
Lifted Vision Ministry 