Japan Journal - 12th May

Fukuinkan church – Sunday Morning. I prayed with Richard before I went that I would be able to encourage people in the church to reach out to their friends. People in the church have been really gracious in looking out for me and I want it to be that I am able to serve them in witnessing. The service was good and I’m beginning to get the hang of singing the odd string of words in songs (I have no idea what I’m singing but figure it must be fairly good). The moment the service ends is the worst bit. The pastor’s wife (my translator) leaves me because if she stays then people won’t even attempt to speak English to me. They get a little self-conscious which I can understand.


So I’m on my own at the back of church. The building had 4 floors with the church on the top two. Church lunch is on the second floor which I feel I need to attend if I’m to have any hope of being part of the church. So I head down which buys me some time, get my food and then have to choose where to sit. I went and sat with two lads who were sat on their own. One of them was there for the first time so I figured I might be able to relate to how he was feeling. I was a bit disappointed that none of the people from the church had gone to sit with them. After about 10 minutes of attempted conversation things went very quiet. They spoke a tiny bit of English and didn’t like football, movies or western music. That was pretty much my topics of conversation exhausted. I was in trouble. I prayed. I prayed that God would step in and help.


Within the space of a minute a girl I’d met before came and sat with us. She speaks great English and so was able to guide the conversation including both the lads and myself. Just perfect! A few minutes later another couple of girls joined us. Then a guy. Then a load of little kids. Suddenly we were in the middle of a very relaxed, enjoyable gathering. I hope they felt welcome and like they were a part of something. I wanted to make them feel at home but knew I could barely introduce myself. So I did what I could and prayed the rest. God took care of it!