It All Started in Fukui…

In 1995, I (Sean) moved to Fukui, a rural part of Japan, to teach English in the public schools. I was only 24 then and was exploring a relationship with the Lord whom I’d fallen away from. My friends and family were concerned that my “shaky” faith might not survive a move to a non-Christian country like Japan.

No one ever could have anticipated what happened next. God provided two churches nearby, a Japanese church and a small international fellowship. I got serious about my relationship with the Lord, read the Bible voraciously, and enjoyed being a part of spiritual community that I had never experienced in the U.S. God changed my life! My relationship with the Lord flourished.

From 1995-1998, God gave me many opportunities to serve in the church and I especially enjoyed leading Bible studies and preaching in the local churches. God gave me a burden for the Japanese and I knew that God had called me to serve here long-term.

You Can Still Pray…

I finished my teaching contract in 1998 and felt the Lord calling me to move on to a new work. Nevertheless, my heart ached when I thought of leaving my students, friends and colleagues, most of whom didn’t know the Lord.

I had been praying for them for three years and briefly considered changing my prayer targets when I moved away. But I distinctly remember the Lord’s response, “If you stop praying for them, they may never be prayed for again, or meet another Christian.” I made a vow in my heart never to stop praying for them.

My Father is always at His work… and I too am working.” (John 5:17)

Since I left Fukui, I’ve stayed in touch with my friends, continued to pray for them, and visited several times. This past summer, we went to Fukui as a family and spent time with nearly 30 of my friends/co-workers. We can see God answering our prayers and working in these relationships.

For example, we were able to share the gospel with Susumu, a man who is really searching for purpose. Afterwards, we prayed for him in the parking lot before he left. Even though he wasn’t ready to embrace Christ, the Lord clearly moved in his heart.

In an e-mail he wrote: Thank you very much for all your thoughts the other day. I was really moved when you two prayed over me; I was just one click away from crying. I can't forget about it.

Please pray for Susumu, and that his heart would really hunger to know the Lord. And please pray for the people in Fukui and other rural areas of Japan, many of which do not have a single church.

Our Worlds Combine; a story of an international wedding

Over the past few years, we’ve shared with you about our dear Chinese friend Joy, a doctor, who came to know the Lord in Japan through Setsu, one of our church members. You may also recall that Joy led several of her family members (living in China) to Christ, and last year, baptized her mother and sister!

For a season, Sean and I (and our church family) had the awesome privilege of walking with Joy and helping her to discover the rich life that God intends for all of his children. God has blessed and encouraged us greatly through Joy’s love for Him and her passion to reach the lost.

Our Worlds Combine…

When we were first getting to know Joy, one of her desires was to meet other doctors who shared her passion for Jesus. She had never worked with any Christians, and naturally, she wanted to talk about her faith with someone who could understand the unique issues she deals with in her profession.

Immediately, we thought of one of our close friends, Kris King, a chiropractor from Alice’s hometown. Not only was Kris a doctor, but he also had been actively involved in outreach to Chinese students for over 10 years and was prayerfully considering going to China as a missionary.

Soon afterwards, Joy and Kris became good friends and eventually decided to get married! Their wedding ceremony was held last month in Mississippi.

The Grand Entourage

God worked it out so that we could attend the wedding after CRM’s worldwide mission conference in California. Four Japanese women from our church in Japan joined us, including our pastor’s wife, and Setsu (who led Joy to the Lord). Also in attendance were Joy’s mom and brother (who flew in from China), and her bridesmaid, Yumi, a woman she worked with in Japan. Talk about an international wedding… Three languages were being spoken throughout the whole wedding weekend!

In Christ, We Speak The Same Heart Language

One of the highlights came on the morning of the wedding. My mom and I hosted a “brunch” for Joy and the women in her wedding party. I guess a brunch the morning of the wedding is a truly southern thing to do. We have done many, but this one was by far, the most special.

Our pastor in Japan had prepared a DVD for Joy, with photos that spanned the time of her baptism in Japan until the time that she left Tokyo for the USA a year ago. Joy wept tears of joy (most of us did!) as she watched the video of her spiritual “home” in Japan and listened to congratulatory messages from her first church family.

We rejoice with Joy and Kris as they celebrate their new life together! Isn’t it exciting that we can be a part of God’s wonderful plans and divine purposes? Thank You, Jesus!