I (Aaron) started off the day walking in the neighbourhood and putting the Yorokobi no Izumi (Fountain of Joy) leaflet into mailboxes of several in the neighbourhood that I used to distribute to monthly when I lived here before.
As I walked, I prayed for each of the leaflets that people would receive, that they might bring the light of the Gospel of Jesus into their hearts and lives.
I was reminded, walking up towards Hozanji (Temple of the Mountain Jewel), of the desperate need and of the spiritual darkness and blindness all around me.
Yet, whether we live in Japan, or in the West, a blind man is a blind man, no matter what the cause of his blindness!
Sometimes we pity those who bow and clap their hands in front of the temple entrance and as they walk before a statue, and yet what difference is there between that and a person who has idols of a different kind?
I was also reminded of the many believers there are in this city of 120,000 people. There are two Bible schools, one evangelical mission, several Bible believing churches and dozens of Christian families seeking to be a light here, and for that I'm so grateful.
Around lunch-time we headed off to KIUA (Kyoto International University Academy) where Crystal taught for several years before we headed back to Canada. Many of the same teachers are still there, faithfully seeking to introduce their students to the one and only Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Crystal is planning to help Naomi Kusaki, the grade 1 teacher, with some of her preparations and for the first week of the new school year (in Japan, the new school year starts in April!).
Caia will also be able to take part in some of the classes, for which we are so thankful to the school for giving us this great opportunity of exposing her to the culture and language of Japan in an environment where she will hopefully feel safe and at ease.
It was great for us both to catch up with many familiar faces, as the school uses some of the same buildings as Kyoto International Chapel, the sister church of the church we used to attend in Ikoma until 2010.
Please pray for all of these plans, that the Lord would be the One who is leading and guiding, and that His will be done. That we would hear His voice and do what He wants us to do. We believe our trip to Japan is not simply a sight-seeing trip or a catching up trip, but really a missions trip where we are seeking to be a blessing to as many as possible while we are here.
We truly are grateful to Japan Mission for their hospitality in providing us with an apartment to stay in, access to internet and all of the amenities we need, plus the use of a car with a GPS, which has proven to be amazing so far!
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| Caia outside her 'new school' in Kyoto |
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| Some very large rocks that have rope tied around them for some spiritual reason I'm not quite sure why |
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| A view over Ikoma city this morning on my walk |
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| One of the shrines at the temple near where we lived |
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