Functionality

Well well... One month since I've written.  I will have you know that it is on my official list of resolutions to be a better blogger this year.  I'd like to think I'm setting the standard high... ministry is busy.  Life in Japan is fast-forward speed.  Planning a wedding is insane.

But... I do love ya all.  (here's the point where I wonder if anyone is listening to me...?)

This month.. Well, the last 6-8 weeks seem to have been one meeting after another.  A lot of informal outreach (which has been awesome)... and a lot of meetings with people I'm training to take over roles that I've played in Fuse... as well as my regular responsibilities/meetings/work schedule, arranging everything to be organized for myself when I head back to the States, a move to the church/mission base (not our church; another couple will be staying in my apartment for the time I'm gone-- I let them move in early so they can settle in)... sharing a room with another missionary girl... (OH... and the wedding!)

I'm trying to make the most of my time that I have here before I head back to become a "we". 

But, I definitely feel that God has set this all up.  Interesting that last month, there were 5 people who came.  3 people are gifted in the areas that I've been working in: life group leader, admin overseer and in design (the 3rd person- Andy, is a graphic designer.  He's professional... so I don't have to teach him anything-- rather he can teach me!)...

It's been cool to work in the area of trainer-- teaching "how to", being a mentor, handing over responsibilities... and overall-- as the missionary who has been here the longest so far (apart from our leaders)-- I've had the opportunity in informal settings to share vision, how to, practical ministry in the Japanese context, etc.  It's been cool to be in that function.

But anyhow... I want to write a quick report on a conversation I had last week with a guy we've known for maybe over a year-- but we are still waiting to see God "take the blinder off"...

I'm going to copy and paste from an email-- because I'm too tired to write it all out again... :X 

"...this evening we had an awesome dinner outreach, with around 10-12 non-Christian new friends who joined. I personally got the opportunity to share the Gospel in a way that really connected with a friend who came. Though he seems to have been staunchly against the Gospel, I think it struck a chord tonight... His demeanor definitely changed. We'll see what the coming weeks bring! :D I'm pretty excited about that."

One of the first things he said in a conversation I was standing in on was, "I don't need Jesus."  We talked for it awhile; Christine, the mission head here, sharing why she did.  She got called away... and he turned around and looked at me with the most sincere look-- "Why did you become a Christian?"  Like the email said, what I shared (about going to church and not understanding for a good 6 months what people were talking about) really connected with him.  But I said that God had changed my heart and made me understand.  He could experience that too with God. 

I think he is really opening up to the Gospel!  THAT is exciting!  After everyone left, Tim (Christine's husband, the mission head also) said that he noticed that the young guy looked a lot lighter as he left-- different.

So, be praying!  And I'ma head to bed!  :)