SPRING IS HERE!

Hello Friends and Family!

 

Spring is finally here and we are so glad! We were told by many of our Japanese friends that this was an unusually cold winter with the most snow the Tokyo area has experienced in the last 20 to 30 years. It was beautiful but a slight hindrance for a large portion of the population who do not have cars (including us). On that note, I want to show you a photo of what I call a Japanese SUV...

 

 

This is one of the smaller SUV's. It is not unusual to see a mom driving one of these things with three seats. A third seat might be on the inside of the handle bars facing the rider; there are different configurations. The most amazing sight I have seen is a mom with bags of groceries hanging on her bike, three children in seats, and a baby strapped to her body. Think of this the next time you complain about having to put your children in the car and drive across town-- in the pouring rain! Wow! I admire these resilient moms!

 

I have just experienced my first sakura season. You know all those fantastic photos of cherry blossoms that you see on the internet in the advertisements of Japan? Well, they are absolutely true! What a beautiful season here in Japan and the Japanese people take the time to discover the beauty each year as if it was the first time. Here are a few photos of our personal hanami.

 

 

 

We found this quiet creek, canopied with sakura blossoms, in Yokohama. The blossoms last for the better part of two weeks. When the time comes for the blossoms to fall, they look like snow falling in the spring breeze. Totemo subarashi desu!

 

Much is going on here. Fuse Jesus Community is a cell group-based church, and we are preparing to multiply and spread out. This means our current cell groups will divide up and start new cell groups in different parts of the city. It is an exciting time, reaching further! What an awesome group of people! It is an honor to be a part of what God is doing here in Japan!

 

 

 

Girl's Night was an anointed time of testimonies, worship, prayer, and sugar!

 

 

 

A larger house shared by three young men was lent to us for the event, so we could accommodate all the  girls. It was transformed from a man cave into something all the girls could enjoy, complete with candles! It was a wonderful time of sharing God's Love and teaching what it means to have true Christ-centered relationships.

 

 

On Easter Sunday, Fuse Jesus Community had a sunrise service on the roof of our church building. It was cloudy but our spirits were not dampened! We still celebrated the "Son Rise". We had a wonderful time sharing God's Word, worship, food and fellowship.

 

 

I am a part of the "No Limits" cell group and we frequently fellowship outside the cell group or church environment to encourage camaraderie with our current members as well as many new friends not yet familiar with church. We were so blessed by new friends at our latest outing, a picnic in Ikuta Ryokuchi park.

 

 



 

There is much more that I have not shared. It has been a long time since I have blogged about my activities here, so I will bring you up to date with a photo montage of my activities since Thanksgiving, before I sign off.

 

We were gifted tickets to Kabuki Theatre in Shinjuku.

 

 

We were blessed by a visit from Lucas, a friend from Brazil

 



 

New Years Eve traditional Mochi-making event

 



 

Visit to Imperial Palace grounds in Hibiya

 



 

A few of our friends were anxious to meet the Emperor

 



 

Fun at Tokyo Station, Hibiya

 

The masked guy is to scare your children into submission! No Kidding! He was hanging out in the Station.

 



 

A beautiful night out with friends at Canal Café in Iidabashi

 

 

 

PAZ Japan fosters an afterschool program for local school children on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons which is now expanding to include Monday and Wednesday afternoons. Jenny and I will be heading up the two additional days, where we will be teaching English and Bible to children ages 6 to 8 years of age. Please pray for me and Jenny to be guided by God's Wisdom and Love for these beautiful children.

 

Thank you so much for your prayers and generous support! Your partnership with us is much appreciated!

 

Kami Sama ga shukufuku wo shimasu! (God Bless you!)

Rhonda



THE SPIRIT OF AHITHOPHEL

Konnichiwa Friends and Family!

I wanted to share with you something I received from the Holy Spirit as I prayed for Japan. This is not a new word but I believe it is a "Now Word" not only for Japan but for all of us.

 

A few weeks ago, I was praying for Japan and heard the Holy Spirit speak in my heart these words:  "Pray against the spirit of Ahithophel. This is a prevailing spirit over Japan."  I did not know what that meant exactly. The name was familiar to me but I had never researched his life. This is what I found:

 

In II Samuel you find the whole sorted story of King David's sons and their many transgressions. Absalom is the third son of King David, a very handsome and  secretly divisive man. Poor decisions and underhanded actions on his part led to many years of excommunication from the kingdom and absence from his father. After a few years, King David, allowed Absalom back into his presence, but Absalom was bitter and decided to win the hearts of the people of Israel with his good looks and deceptive love. After he had the support of Israel, he staged a coup. David took those who supported him and ran from the kingdom in fear, mourning the actions a very dear friend.  Not Absalom, but his close friend and counselor Ahithophel.

 

II Samuel 15:12 reveals that Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counselor, is a co-conspirator with Absalom.  David is deeply wounded by his treasonous actions. Psalm 41:9 is written by David about his friend's betrayal...Even my own familiar friend, in who I trusted, who ate bread of my table, has lifted up his heel against me.  And again Psalm 55:12-14 For it is not an enemy who reproaches and taunts me--for then I might bear it; nor is it one who has hated me who insolently vaunts himself against me--then I might hide from him. But it was you, a man my equal, my companion and my familiar friend. We had sweet fellowship together and used to walk to the house of God in company.

 

What caused such a rebellion?

 

We all know the story of David and Bathsheba which is found in II Samuel 11. David should have been in battle with his men, but chose to relax at the castle while war raged. Taking a walk on the roof one evening, he spotted a beautiful young woman bathing. He sent and inquired about her. It was discovered that she was the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite. David knew these men and yet summoned her to spend the night with him. She did so and became pregnant. David being alarmed at this, tried desperately to get her husband to go home and enjoy his wife to cover his tracks. But Uriah the Hittite was a man of honor and refused to do this while his fellow warriors fought and died in battle. In a desperate act to cover his transgressions, David had Uriah murdered and married his wife!

 

OK, where does Ahithophel fit into this scenario? You find the answer in II Samuel 23:24-39. This is a list of "begats" that we usually skip over in our Bible reading time. Here we find a list of the top 37 mighty men in David's army and the secret to Ahithophel's rebellion. In this awe inspiring list we find Eliam son of Ahithophel of Giloh (vs 34) and Uriah the Hittite (vs 39).

 

Ahithophel is the  grandfather of Bathsheba! David's actions did not go unnoticed by his counselor. At this moment, I am feeling sorry for Ahithophel and thinking that he had every right to rebel against David! My senses are reeling and I am wondering why I should pray against the spirit of Ahithophel. But read on...

 

Picture this scenario:  Uriah is a decorated military hero. His funeral is attended by thousands and Ahithophel, being the military counselor of David, is charged to speak of Uriah's exploits. A week later, he attends the royal wedding of David to his granddaughter.

 

I can only imagine the seething anger and hatred that filled Ahithophel's heart and the revenge in his mind. And not without a cause.

 

Then as God would have it in II Samuel 12, David, with all of his heart, repented of his sins before God; and even though he paid a high price for his sins he was forgiven. He continued as King and prospered until his death at an old age.  In spite of his sins, he left a lasting legacy and is in the lineage of Jesus Christ. This is the power of forgiveness!

 

In II Samuel 17 we find that the plans of Absalom to overthrow the throne of David failed miserably and Ahithophel, set his house in order and committed suicide. We do not know from scripture if David ever asked forgiveness of Ahithophel, but it is clear from the counsel that he gave Absalom that Ahithophel never forgave him. 

 

What kind of man was Ahithophel before this happened?  II Samuel 16:23 says this: And the counsel of Ahithophel in those days was as if a man had consulted the word of God; so was all Ahithophel's counsel considered both by David and Absalom. 

 

He was an honorable man, a trusted and true friend with a bright future, but his life was cut short and his dreams extinguished by his unwillingness to forgive. 

 

I know the pain of betrayal, the hatred it breeds, and finally the freedom of forgiveness. This spirit of Ahithophel is seeking to destroy your dreams and if given enough room to work in your life, he will take it. 

 

Don't allow what someone else did, destroy the dreams and plans that God has for you. Don't allow the demon spirit of Ahithophel to prevail in your life.  The word prevail means to triumph, to persist, to use persuasion effectively. He is persuading you to persist in your unforgiveness with feelings of hatred and revenge. These things come from him. Ask God for His help. He will give you the strength to let go of the past, forgive, and turn to face your own bright future.

 

Bless you!

Rhonda

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

MERIKURISUMASU TO AKEMASHITE OMEDETOGOZAIMASU!

Joy to the World the Lord has come!!! Yes, He has! And we have had some record numbers in our church services here in Noborito this Christmas season! Good seed is being planted and we are believing for a harvest of souls here in Japan! Glory to His Name! I cannot describe the joy in my soul when I see the Japanese people worshiping Jesus! Here are some photos of our Christmas Candlelight Service. The Christmas message and the choir was wonderful! And everyone loves playing with fire!

 

 

 

 

I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas Holiday and are looking forward to a great new Year!

 

Also this month we had a Baptism service.  Four people were baptized. I love the way it is done here. It is a special time for the ones being baptized to give their testimonies and openly show their dedication to Christ. The joy of their salvation was evident. I was so moved by the way Christ has moved in each of their lives in such miraculous ways. What a loving God we serve!

 

 

 

 

 

 

After baptism, the parents and loved ones of each person being baptized, gives them a bouquet of flowers and hugs and kisses! So beautiful! Then all attendees posed for a photo! Say Hello to our new brothers and sisters in Christ!

 

 

What a blessing to witness the salvation of the wonderful people of Japan!

 

A week and a half ago I was asked to share a testimony at all three church services about the power of praise. Psalm 22:3 says, You are Holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. God has revealed Himself in my life through praise and what a privilege it was to share it.

 

 

December has been a busy month! We are preparing to launch a new Children's Church in the Fuse Jesus Community. The preparations and prayer meetings for this endeavor has begun. Please pray with us for all the necessary parts to come together. We need Japanese leaders, translators, quality supplies and a suitable place to have the services. Sounds like a lot! But we know our God is a big God!

 

 

Thank You for your prayers and being a part of the ministry to the children of Japan! I will keep you updated on the progress. If you have a heart to donate to this endeavor, send a check to PAZ Japan, c/o Project Amazon, PO Box 3253, Peoria, IL. 61612 and send a note designating it for the Fuse Jesus Community Children's Ministry. Arigato!

 

Thanksgiving was a special time here in Noborito. One of the cell groups put on a Thanksgiving Event. Many people were invited. We had quite a crowd! Almost none of the Japanese people attending had eaten turkey or pumpkin pie! Whaaattt!!! Of course there is no Thanksgiving here in Japan so we had to explain what it was.

 

And it all began as you might expect.....

 

 

Yes! At Costco! And we did stop for a bite of delicious pizza after our shopping extravaganza!

 

 

Then there is the business of all the cooking by so many people...then slicing and picking the turkey off the bones for serving. The crowd was too big to cut it up at the party so it had to be done ahead of time. Edilaine and I were up to our elbows in turkey parts. There was also pumpkin soup, pumpkin pies, rice and curry, macaroni and cheese, sashimi, and many other delicious dishes. Quite a multicultural spread! The faces say it all!

 

 

A wonderful time was had by all. Totemo oishiikatta! And the fellowship was even more delicious!

 

Family Camp took place in November near Mount Fuji outside the town of Gotemba. It was a three day camp filled with praise and worship, ministry regarding relationships and family, and sporting events that we could all get involved in. 

 

 

Here Jenny and I are with Captain Yasu! He is the Associate Pastor of the Noborito Church and an awesome minister to the children.

 

The camp was gorgeous! It was very cloudy and cold most of the time but we caught an occasional glimpse of Mount Fuji.

 

Some pretty "WOW" shots I thought!

 

And God knows I love polka dots!!!

 

Jenny and I did take a day trip to Hakone with friends in November. It was a long train ride with beautiful views of changing leaves in the mountain passes.

 

 

We took the Ropeway up the mountain after arriving in Hakone. 

 

 

 

 

At the top of the mountain you see steam shooting out of the ground all around from the volcanic activity below the surface. Eggs are carried in small ropeway baskets further up the mountain to a cabin where they are boiled in the hot springs of the volcano. The minerals in the water turn the eggs black. It's a real tourist attraction so we decided to have one. They taste like a normal boiled egg just more fun!

 

 

Many people went up the mountain to see the eggs being cooked. The sulfur was so strong in the air, I was coughing and wheezing and had to walk back down to safer air. I didn't get to see the process.

 

 

Views of Mount Fuji were breathtaking. I love this photo of Jenny and Fuji-San together.

 

 

At the top of the mountain there was also egg soft serve ice cream! Oh my goodness, Yes! If you want an egg up here, this is the way to have it!

 

 

As the grand finale, we took a ship across lake Ashinoko, which is actually a volcanic crater, to visit an aquarium. Here is one of the most interesting fish. I have never seen anything like it before. The photo does not show the size of this thing. It is huge!

 

 

It was a wonderful trip! Thanks to our wonderful friend Chitose in the photo with us below! She invited and took care of all the arrangements for the trip!

 

Last but not least, we were invited by Chitose and another of her friends to be special guests at a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony in Shinjuku. 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed the photos of the past couple months here in Japan!  I want you to know how important each of you are to me. My prayers are continually with you. Please remember the beautiful Japanese people in your prayers and the ministry here.

 

  

God bless you! Have a wonderful Christmas and a Powerful and Prosperous New Year!

 

Rhonda