They are distributing flyers for an outreach event.
Yuzuki Fujita
Hanamaki Grace Christian Church in Nagano
From the 15th-20th October, the Samurai Projects’ participants went on a mission trip to Osaka. One of the activities was a Friday night taco event for teens. There was no one there at the start of the event, but our team prayed and in the end 37 high school students came along to the event. This taught us that God answers prayers and has a plan far beyond our understanding. I was anxious and discouraged while praying and waiting. But I was taught that the mission is the Lord’s work and that it is a blessing to be humbled and brokenhearted while we wait.
I gave a Bible talk about Jesus inviting sinners to a meal (Mark 2:13-17). During the talk I reflected on how although we invited students to a meal, Christ had first invited us to a meal of eternal life and being added to God’s family. I also spoke about the grace of Jesus serving and coming and teaching those who do not deserve it. I remembered and thanked God for the grace He has lavished on me in my life.
We had given out leaflets for this event. I felt that I learned greatly from one fellow Samurai participant who prayed for God’s blessing for people on their way to school or work, even when they rejected our leaflets. And when seeing people with such gloomy faces, that Samurai said, “Maybe they are being treated badly at school, at work or at home. Maybe they don’t have a place to belong.” I was shocked and ashamed of myself, because at that time my head was full of thoughts only about how many people would come to the taco event. I realised that what really mattered was not the success of the event, but bringing the love of Jesus. I used to think of the pathway to salvation as ‘church event → Bible study → baptism’, but love is crucial as well. There is always a strong temptation to see the people who come to church as objects of our work or numbers to be evangelised. Pray that I will be transformed into someone through whom the love of Jesus is displayed.
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” (1 Corinthians 3:6)
We were reminded that mission work is the Lord’s work and that what we need to do is to sow seeds faithfully, pour water and pray to the Lord of the harvest, and display the love of Jesus who gives any growth. We thank God that we were able to learn this through the mission trip as we engaged with the people of Osaka, whom God cares for deeply.
