As we started to pray along the line of Kyushu, we began to see more things. But before I throw you more questions, I would love you to see a picture.
As we had shared earlier this year, that there are some people who were called for reconciling Japan with former enemies, particularly pointing the history of WW2. So, what they did was to repent their sins on behalf of Japan. I found one in HK last year sometime around end-August or October. And of course there were both sides of Chinese and Japanese which had come together, praying and seeking the Lord. I would not be surprise to find many of them are intercessors.
Our friend Joseph Ozawa and Keiko are actively involve in this campaign. They believe that Japan will be set free from blood guilt and revival will come to Japan. I believe, it is the forgiveness that these people are seeking. And with the forgiveness, the blessings shall flow without hindrances.
On the other hand, Pauline was reminded by her mom as she was praying for Japan at home. He mother shared with her that how her grandma (one of the victim that suffered in the hands of the Japanese during WW2 back home in Malaysia) had cursed the Japanese whenever she met one, or as she was reminded about them. The curses charged the whole generation! I am not surprise to this as well. If you basically heard how people curse others, especially the Chinese and the Indians ( people group that we could identify in this country), you know that this is not far from the true.
So, what had made Japan to loose out in the race of Gospel for all these years? Would it be of these curses? Japan, China, Korea, all three shared similar cultural background. China and Korea both had moved far. What happened to Japan? If you want to talk about persecution that brought forth revival, Japan had undergone 250 years of Christian persecution long before World War. Korea is a growing church, China is emerging church. But Japan, till today, after 400 years of Christian work, is classifed as Unreached.
The fire of revival had been prophesied to Japan for many decades now. Of course, sometimes we will have reports like Gallup Survey (2001) that suggested an optimistic view of changing face in current Japan. But we cannot deny that today, Japan is still under heavy bondage. Would it be the curse that had blocked Japan to receive her blessings? Had our dear brothers and sisters in China and Korea be a part of this "curse" giver? If we Christians, cannot forgive, or waiting for the Japanese to repent before we could forgive, we could never really release a true forgiveness to the Japanese! Then, what are we talking about "Salvation to come"? And do remember that we are dealing with the unforgiveness of the Christians now, how about the unforgiveness of the pagans?
Pauline suggested that the curses might have contributed to the tremendous high and increasing suicide rate in Japan. This link not only to spiritual death, but also physical death!
My friends, if you feel that God had impressed you to pray along Kyushu, please, do so! If the topic of "Curses and Blessings" had imposed a burden on you, please, pray about it! But if the Lord had lead you to pray in other areas, please, seek Him with all your heart, and allow Him to open your eyes and tell you where and what exactly. Share with us then, let us know what God is doing, and we shall pray together, and amen to each other. So, at the end of the day, we will have different groups to cover different areas and issues in Japan, that we would meet each other, and finally get to the point where God wants us to be!
Mark 11:25 When you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive your sins.
Shalom!
Thursday, June 1, 2006
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Stories to Explore
Nagasaki, 5 Feb 1597, 26 martyrs were crucified. 1945 Atomic Bomb.
Miyazaki, the place of the ancient tales of gods and goddesses, the making of the earth, and the making of Japan.
Oita, we have Lord Otomo, the Damiyo (a samurai) that became a Christian.
Kagoshima, the beginning of Catholicism in Japan.
Okinawa, suffered great lost of life during WW2. Even discriminated by mainland Japan.
Each prefecture in Kyushu seems to own an unique story by its own. It's worth to press on and pray! One thing that I had been challenged by my Lord, are we praying for them? Are we praying for the Japanese? Is it enough? We shall pray in one accord， crying to the Lord, deeply in our spirit, until we see a breakthrough in Japan! Amen.
Miyazaki, the place of the ancient tales of gods and goddesses, the making of the earth, and the making of Japan.
Oita, we have Lord Otomo, the Damiyo (a samurai) that became a Christian.
Kagoshima, the beginning of Catholicism in Japan.
Okinawa, suffered great lost of life during WW2. Even discriminated by mainland Japan.
Each prefecture in Kyushu seems to own an unique story by its own. It's worth to press on and pray! One thing that I had been challenged by my Lord, are we praying for them? Are we praying for the Japanese? Is it enough? We shall pray in one accord， crying to the Lord, deeply in our spirit, until we see a breakthrough in Japan! Amen.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Issues
Issues with Kyushu/Okinawa
Highlight of current Kyushu/Okinawan: Long life & healthy centurians
Somehow I feel that it is worth to check Okinawa or Kyushu area, while you pray.
Kyushu/ Okinawa is far off from the mainland Japan, not much of economic contribution, low density, far off from development, lack of excitement, not much of future prospect, and the youths are moving to the mainland and cities, what left behind are the old people and of course, centurians! Even spiritually, is neither a center of Shinto worship or Buddhist worship. Kyushu, doesn't seem important to me anywhere, never in my thoughts.
However, God had caused me to move, and my perspective towards Kyushu had changed. There are a few interesting facts that I wish to share with you about Kyushu.
1. Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku. Kyushu is the 3rd biggest island in Japan.
2. The longest and deepest roots for Christianity in Japan. (Francis Xavier, 1549)
3. The fewer churches per population ratio in Japan while compare with western Japan.
4. First of persecution, 26 believers were crucified, and thousands died as matyrs. 1597. More abandoned their faith.
5. 250 years of ruthless suppression in Chrisitianity.
6. The Ryukyu language was playing a major role in Japanese language 1500 years before.
7. Today, the Kyushu were discriminated by the mainland Japanese.
8. Earliest human habitation traced in Japan.
9. The location of Kyushu fall exactly into 10/40 window. Which means, Japan was made qualified because of Kyushu.
10. Island of longevity.
Factor 10 is the only reason for Kyushu to be put on stage in Japan. Japan Times told us that Kamato Hongo at the ripe age of 114, was still enjoying life's little pleasures before she passed away at age 116. Another oldest man ever on record was Shigechiyo Izumi, who died at the age of 120 in 1986.
They were not only long life, but healthy. They were know of their lifestyle, the food, the water, and also being active in participating in daily activities as well as traditional dance which related to tirual exercises.
Our challenges here would be:
1. What does Gospel mean to them?
2. What does happiness mean to them?
3. How are we going to present Gospel to them?
4. What is their needs?
5. How should Gospel bring fulfilment to these needs?
Jesus said, Mat 5:3-11 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. (ASV)
Question: Where are the Okinawans in this setting?
Highlight of current Kyushu/Okinawan: Long life & healthy centurians
Somehow I feel that it is worth to check Okinawa or Kyushu area, while you pray.
Kyushu/ Okinawa is far off from the mainland Japan, not much of economic contribution, low density, far off from development, lack of excitement, not much of future prospect, and the youths are moving to the mainland and cities, what left behind are the old people and of course, centurians! Even spiritually, is neither a center of Shinto worship or Buddhist worship. Kyushu, doesn't seem important to me anywhere, never in my thoughts.
However, God had caused me to move, and my perspective towards Kyushu had changed. There are a few interesting facts that I wish to share with you about Kyushu.
1. Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku. Kyushu is the 3rd biggest island in Japan.
2. The longest and deepest roots for Christianity in Japan. (Francis Xavier, 1549)
3. The fewer churches per population ratio in Japan while compare with western Japan.
4. First of persecution, 26 believers were crucified, and thousands died as matyrs. 1597. More abandoned their faith.
5. 250 years of ruthless suppression in Chrisitianity.
6. The Ryukyu language was playing a major role in Japanese language 1500 years before.
7. Today, the Kyushu were discriminated by the mainland Japanese.
8. Earliest human habitation traced in Japan.
9. The location of Kyushu fall exactly into 10/40 window. Which means, Japan was made qualified because of Kyushu.
10. Island of longevity.
Factor 10 is the only reason for Kyushu to be put on stage in Japan. Japan Times told us that Kamato Hongo at the ripe age of 114, was still enjoying life's little pleasures before she passed away at age 116. Another oldest man ever on record was Shigechiyo Izumi, who died at the age of 120 in 1986.
They were not only long life, but healthy. They were know of their lifestyle, the food, the water, and also being active in participating in daily activities as well as traditional dance which related to tirual exercises.
Our challenges here would be:
1. What does Gospel mean to them?
2. What does happiness mean to them?
3. How are we going to present Gospel to them?
4. What is their needs?
5. How should Gospel bring fulfilment to these needs?
Jesus said, Mat 5:3-11 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. (ASV)
Question: Where are the Okinawans in this setting?
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