Hello all!
As some of you may know, I have been studying the Japanese language intensely for the past 10 months now, in addition to my missionary duties and also working my part time job teaching English to Japanese and Korean students. A big part of my life and the first step to this ministry is and has been learning the Japanese language properly and it has truly been an enriching and rewarding experience. I sincerely know that studying the Japanese language is the first step to being able to share the gospel even more effectively and I personally have seen a lot of fruit from my time at this school. Not only do I have the privilege of learning practical, everyday Japanese that I can use immediately in my every day life, but I am also learning it in the specific dialect of the population that I have been called to minister to in Japan. This is extremely useful for this ministry and an immense blessing, though difficult! I can honestly say that my Japanese has improved dramatically (by the Grace of God!!!) and I am grateful that my communication with Japanese people has advanced to a much higher level. But there is still so much more to learn! Studying is never done!
-2 Timothy 2:15 KJV-
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God…”
One unexpected aspect of studying at the school is that I am directly confronted with and am able to learn the Japanese culture even better as well. Through being exposed to this type of environment, I am not only studying the language, but have learned so much more than I could have ever anticipated about the Japanese way of life. Through studying, I have learned more about Japanese history, culture, classroom etiquette, Japanese work culture, and overall have had the unique and necessary experience of understanding much more intricately of just how the Japanese work, live and study. I’ve gotten an inside look into their daily lives and can understand their point of view more clearly than ever before, by the grace of God. This has been a priceless experience and benefits this mission in more ways than one. Through understanding the daily life of a Japanese person, I am able to thoroughly minister to them from a place of knowing where they come from, what they’ve been taught and what they’ve been through. Through the Holy Spirit’s power, I pray I can master this language to be effectual in sharing the gospel to an even higher degree. For this reason, I believe the Lord is calling me to study for another 6 months and I will give my all to learning and absorbing everything that God is showing me through this experience in order to better serve Japanese people, benefit this mission and relate to the lost even better for the long run.
-1 Corinthians 9:22 NKJV-
“…I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”
Lifted Vision Ministry 