July and August! The hottest months of the year in Japan! The ministry has been busier than ever during this summer season and I have been especially grateful for the ways that God has ministered to the Japanese over this summer too.
Here are some of the past month’s activities and mission work we have been blessed to do!
- Prayer Walks with a team through the largest Red Light District in Osaka
- Outreach in Nishinari, giving Bibles, rice balls, coffee, tea, sharing the gospel and inviting the homeless to our Bible study
- A Home Visit to someone recently discharged from the hospital; read the Bible to them, prayed over them and brought a “get-well” basket of fruit and goodies
- Continued Nishinari Day Laborer ministry and weekly evangelism outreach
- Continued our Bible study and church, with 5 attendees currently
In the photo above is Nishinari Red Light District’s Five Dragon Deities Barrier (known in Japanese as the “Goryujin Kekkai”).
It is a “spiritual boundary” and local religious legend ties it to the Nishinari area of Osaka, Japan.
The story goes like this: long ago, this area was said to have a massive pond inhabited by a giant, menacing serpent. To appease the creature and protect the local population, the residents built small shrines to the serpent. As they came to worship the serpent, it turned into a water dragon and is thought to ensure clean water and prevent floods.
In the photo above, is the White Dragon, which precedes over the Western boundary of the area in this part of Nishinari where I live. The “dragon deity” borders the Red Light District where we go to pray and try to talk with the women who work there and/or are trapped there. The locals to this day credit this White Dragon to forming a protective barrier for keeping the neighborhood safe and even believe that they were spared from heavy destruction during the firebombings of World War due to its presence.
Although it is sad to know that the Japanese trust in these false gods, I’m reminded that the battle that we face as Christians is spiritual, not carnal.
-Ephesians 6:12 KJV-
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
What’s more, is that through Jesus Christ, we have the victory!
-1 Corinthians 15:57 ESV-
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Day-laborers form a line on the street of Nishinari,
waiting for this day’s work van to arrive in hopes of being selected to work so they can eat today
Fellowshipping after Bible study
-Hebrews 13: 15-16 KJV-
“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”
We will continue spreading the gospel, distributing Bibles and holding weekly services here in this place until every ear has heard the Good News of Jesus Christ!
May Jesus be glorified in Osaka, Asia and all over the world!
To God Alone Be the Glory!
Lifted Vision Ministry 