1. discipline issues- pray the kids know we love them when we discipline them...not a concept that is well received in Japan, I think. Discipline is either way too harsh or non-existent, nothing in between. Some of the moms who are helping us had mentioned to me that several new children need to clean up their language and change their negative attitudes towards others and towards the program in general. Maybe it boils down to understanding how to love God and love one another, the 2 rules Ev presented at the beginning of our VBS program this year. May God show us his mercy and grace when we need to send kids to the "time-out" corner to think, because they have forgotten these 2 very basic, very important rules for our VBS program this year.
2. purpose- perhaps it is lost in translation, but do the children understand why they are at VBS and what they are supposed to be doing here? Do they know this team gave up their own vacations and raised support just to provide this program for them? Are they here to learn about Jesus or is this just fun time away from home to act up and be obnoxious? This is a big concern for me, since we hope to see these kids at NBF on a regular Sunday after the program is over.
3. grace and mercy- two very big words with very deep and rich meaning for all of us. we pray these children would understand these words at a much deeper level and know how it applies in all areas of their life, especially in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
As Al has mentioned, we ask for prayer for sustained health, energy and healing for those suffering from various conditions right now. Wednesday is a big day for us, moms and Costco pizza as well as PE in the park and the nursing home visit in the afternoon from 3:00-3:30PM.
Thank you for praying for us and with us. Hope tomorrow will bear fruit, especially our time with the parents at lunch!
Oh, dear Shirley! I praise God for your presence there and also that of your entire family. You are all light in the darkness, and the enemy is not happy with you as you walk around in Jesus' name, reclaiming the territory back for the Lord!
ReplyDeleteFather, hallowed be Thy Name! Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who Provides...provide all things needed today for the PE in the Park, Pizza time, and nursing home visit! As Your children plant seeds, water the soil, invest in Your kingdom, sweating away in the humid heat, O LORD, come down with Your mighty power to convict hearts of young and old alike, that repentance would follow and that Your kingdom would grow by leaps and bounds! we are believing for a great harvest, LORD! We will have the boldness to proclaim that because You love these lost ones, that You will draw them to Yourself. What Jesus has done on the cross has opened the way so open the eyes, ears and hearts. do not harden them as pharoah did. soften and break them and show them there is Your AMAZING GRACE that is so foreign to them! what a concept! Give them understanding and let not the enemy cloud their minds and confuse them. Clear it out LORD! let them be in awe of Your provision for them, and Lord, bring Your calling to them, so that You will raise up native missionaries to go out into the hills and valleys, cities and towns, villages and seaports of all of Japan, to proclaim your GOOD NEWS! Hallelujah!! You are so GOOD, GOD!! Your lovingkindess is everlasting! Praise YOU!
PRAISE YOU! amen and amen.