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.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
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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