Debriefing...
The "Taste of Japan" event was really good. Though it's always difficult for the person (who is involved in it) to assess the "success" of the event (whatever that means), I really believe that God was ultimately glorified through it all. Let me tell you... I was stressed prior to the event. Melissa was cooking and baking up a storm at my house (there were times when I left my house to pick up ingredients from T&T and also to pick up Shisuka from Yorkdale). She seems to be fairly familiar with my kitchen now :) She made Japanese cheesecake, red bean filled mini-pancakes, fried pastry thingys, potato snacks, etc. I wish I knew the authentic names for each snack, but I guess my description has to do for now... It was nearing 6:15pm and I hadn't left my house yet. After picking up Shisuka, we headed to my house, so that she could grab a bite to eat before heading out to the church. Because I was setting up for the church, I had to leave my house pronto, so I left Mel and Shisuka alone at my house (them meeting for the first time that day!). What could I do...
Driving to the church, I got a phone call from Kev saying that the church was still locked and that they were all waiting outside. I was seriously sweating by this point. I told the church secretary to have the church opened by 6pm, and it was 6:40pm and the church was still locked... what are we going to do!!! I was panicking. Kenny called my cell phone and I told him of the situation and he said that he was almost at the church and he'll figure out what to do. He then called me back like 5 min. later saying that they opened the church... thank God! By the time I got there, it was 6:45pm and I had to set up all the displays, powerpoints, books, etc. Since I've never been to the church before and didn't know their facilities too well, it was also challenging to figure out where everything was. People were coming up to me asking me what to do and when we were going to start and why this, where that... I was going to scream at all of them to leave me alone! I couldn't think properly... But somehow, everything worked out. I was grateful to Kenny and Mindy for helping to set up the books, CD, displays and the brochures. They were even creative putting up the posters using the coat hangers ;) Kev set up the sound systems and got the technical aspects working properly. The church secretary was gracious to help set up the tables and put cloths on them. Josh' parents were awesome in putting up the Japan posters and the flag, making the place look more authentic. Mel and Shisuka arrived and had the delish Japanese snacks set up. By the time we started, it was 7:30pm... not too bad :)
The most significant time was our threesome prayer before we started. It really helped us to get calm and still before the Lord, asking Him to work and be glorified by all of this. We knew that the pressure wasn't on us to "perform," but that we were servants for His ongoing work. It really puts one to ease, knowing that God is in control and not us :) The rest of the event was a blur. We showed some clips on the OMF ministry in Japan (including the Ghents' ministry), Josh shared about his goals to reach people with disabilities and Kev got the chance to share about how God has been leading him to embark on this venture to Aomori, Japan. Though there were some technical problems, the prayers uttered and the awareness of what God is doing in Japan was clearly evident throughout our time. I thought about all those people praying for this event and knew that God was answering each prayer, because many sitting there were blessed and challenged. The best part about the event was the fellowship at the end. People lingered around enjoying the many Japanese dishes and talking away... it was awesome to see. One guy came up to me and showed a desire to join the Japan Kids Gospel Music Team. That was neat.
Driving Shisuka home, we had a really good heart-to-heart talk... (can't really mention on this blog what we talked about). Getting out of the car, she prayed for me. The two words that stuck out during her prayers were: Righteousness and Holiness. These two things have been sticking out to me the last couple of weeks (is it because of the calendar?)... Anyways, just a random side thought :)
What a joy to be a part of God's team (as Pastor Sean preached this Sunday)! Even though I am not technically "going out longer term" myself to the "mission-field," I am the sender, encourager and empowerer to those that are called to go out and spread the love to those who so desperately need it. I am part of the link, piece in the puzzle, cord to the plug, ... ok... I'm getting carried away... I'll stop now ;) ... You get the gist...
Driving to the church, I got a phone call from Kev saying that the church was still locked and that they were all waiting outside. I was seriously sweating by this point. I told the church secretary to have the church opened by 6pm, and it was 6:40pm and the church was still locked... what are we going to do!!! I was panicking. Kenny called my cell phone and I told him of the situation and he said that he was almost at the church and he'll figure out what to do. He then called me back like 5 min. later saying that they opened the church... thank God! By the time I got there, it was 6:45pm and I had to set up all the displays, powerpoints, books, etc. Since I've never been to the church before and didn't know their facilities too well, it was also challenging to figure out where everything was. People were coming up to me asking me what to do and when we were going to start and why this, where that... I was going to scream at all of them to leave me alone! I couldn't think properly... But somehow, everything worked out. I was grateful to Kenny and Mindy for helping to set up the books, CD, displays and the brochures. They were even creative putting up the posters using the coat hangers ;) Kev set up the sound systems and got the technical aspects working properly. The church secretary was gracious to help set up the tables and put cloths on them. Josh' parents were awesome in putting up the Japan posters and the flag, making the place look more authentic. Mel and Shisuka arrived and had the delish Japanese snacks set up. By the time we started, it was 7:30pm... not too bad :)
The most significant time was our threesome prayer before we started. It really helped us to get calm and still before the Lord, asking Him to work and be glorified by all of this. We knew that the pressure wasn't on us to "perform," but that we were servants for His ongoing work. It really puts one to ease, knowing that God is in control and not us :) The rest of the event was a blur. We showed some clips on the OMF ministry in Japan (including the Ghents' ministry), Josh shared about his goals to reach people with disabilities and Kev got the chance to share about how God has been leading him to embark on this venture to Aomori, Japan. Though there were some technical problems, the prayers uttered and the awareness of what God is doing in Japan was clearly evident throughout our time. I thought about all those people praying for this event and knew that God was answering each prayer, because many sitting there were blessed and challenged. The best part about the event was the fellowship at the end. People lingered around enjoying the many Japanese dishes and talking away... it was awesome to see. One guy came up to me and showed a desire to join the Japan Kids Gospel Music Team. That was neat.
Driving Shisuka home, we had a really good heart-to-heart talk... (can't really mention on this blog what we talked about). Getting out of the car, she prayed for me. The two words that stuck out during her prayers were: Righteousness and Holiness. These two things have been sticking out to me the last couple of weeks (is it because of the calendar?)... Anyways, just a random side thought :)
What a joy to be a part of God's team (as Pastor Sean preached this Sunday)! Even though I am not technically "going out longer term" myself to the "mission-field," I am the sender, encourager and empowerer to those that are called to go out and spread the love to those who so desperately need it. I am part of the link, piece in the puzzle, cord to the plug, ... ok... I'm getting carried away... I'll stop now ;) ... You get the gist...
posted by Jess at 8:58 a.m.
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