Nishinari is the place where men and women live on the margins of society for decades, in an attempt to escape their checkered pasts. They often use fake names and cannot receive any type of aid due to living an anonymous life, ”off the grid.” Most are day laborers, and if they can find an odd job to do for the day to make enough money to eat, it is at a mafia-run construction site, a job with dangerous dealings and risk. Caught between the mafia, police, and the outskirts of society; the filthy ground and a piece of cardboard that they sleep on, they have come from a long ways away to escape something; the shame is insurmountable. When they arrive to Nishinari, they are tired, hungry, without a home or physical belongs, without food or even shoes; faces frozen in pain and tragedy. Terrified, hopeless, and with no feeling of security, they then try to start over from this moment on.
These are the people we get to share the saving gospel of Jesus Christ with here in Japan. These are people that God has chosen to enter into His Kingdom and rest. God meets these men and women right at the most broken and hopeless moment of their lives, when they have nothing else left to lose, and He saves them. Peace enters in, restoration happens, and freedom is found.
-2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV-
“where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
Johatsu or evaporation (蒸発), is a Japanese term for individuals who intentionally disappear, seriously vanishing and severing ties with their homes, families and jobs to escape shame, debt, or intense societal pressures. These individuals, known as “evaporated people,” often relocate to start over anonymously in locations like Osaka’s Nishinari. Aided by discreet “night mover” services, they attempt to live off the grid and start anew, among good company too. Nishinari holds thousands of people who have found themselves in this exact situation. The homeless men and women here all have their own story, yet they all share one thing in common: their need of a Savior (and not just any savior, the One True King, the God who saves, Jehovah!)
That is where we come in.
One of the ways we minister is through our weekly evangelism outreach in the park! Every Saturday before our church service, we go into the homeless park, with Bibles, tracts, and rice balls in hand, to engage the homeless there in conversation about Jesus Christ. We get to know them, listen to their story and then introduce Jesus. Our evangelism efforts have been rewarded lately, with people learning more about Jesus for the very first time. After our conversation, we invite them to learn more about this relationship with Jesus at our church, and bring them to our church service (which is connected to the park). So far we have one current member, with frequent “repeat” attendees coming, as well as new visitors joining us most weeks. It has been simply incredible to see the Japanese engaging in the pursuit of finding the meaning of life, especially when they find themselves on their last leg, and then to meet Jesus! It has been such a blessing to see them come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ and to be saved! We rejoice over every lost soul that has been found!
-Isaiah 61:3 NIV-
“and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor.”
(Please click on the photos to enlarge them!!!)
May the one true God continue to reveal Himself to the people of Nishinari, and through the knowledge of Jesus Christ may they be set free from the shackles of past regret, shame, addiction and torment, Amen!
-John 8:36 NIV-
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
All the Glory belongs to the Lord forever!
Thank you so much for all of your love, prayers and support!
God Bless You!
Lifted Vision Ministry 