Jamison & Kathryne Pals Family Foundation

Father in Heaven,

You are our Maker and Sustainer. There is none like you, no one who can do the works that you do.  We are in awe of how you create and sustain every life, from the tiniest embryo to the mightiest man.  There is no one who can draw breath without your willful action, no one who can keep his own heart beating, unless you do it for him.  So, it is fitting that we entrust Calvin to you.  It is our joy to do so, because we know you!  You are a God who is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.  You will not deal wrongly with our boy.

Work within Calvin that which is pleasing in your sight.  May he grow strong in body and mind, only to be exceeded by the strength of his heart–You, Lord–be the strength of his heart and his portion forever!  As he increases in years, may he increase in meekness and experience the fullness of its blessedness in Christ.  As he tastes the sweet joys of life in this world, may he see them as gifts from your hand and receive them with humility.  When he drinks of the bitter cup of pain that all must taste, may he learn to quickly cry to you for help and seek to right any wrongs.

May he be a man who knows well his own sin but does not despair, because he has a great Savior.  O Lord, may the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, be sweet to our boy from a young age.  May he find redemption  in Jesus’ passion, forgiveness in His cross, purification in His blood, newness of life in His resurrection, a rich inheritance in His Kingdom, fellowship in His Body, security in the sealing of His Spirit and great hope in the promise of eternal life.  May he draw a fully supply from the treasure of blessings that are found in Jesus Christ, always.  Do this and more for our son, that the glory of your Son might shine brightly through him in Japan.

We ask this with great confidence in Jesus’ name, Amen.

We’re in a season of what most people call “support raising.”  We prefer to call it “partner development,” because it more accurately captures the reality that our ministry in Japan requires the participation of friends and family around the world.  You are our partners in the Gospel.  When you give, pray and support in practical ways, you’re entering into the work of proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ in Japan.  Our role in the work is going; your role in the same work is sending.  For this reason, we–like the Apostle Paul–thank God for you, every time we remember you in prayer.

We were recently blessed by the creative sending efforts of two of our nephews, Connor and Preston. On Saturday, they put together an excellent treat stand, donating 50% of their revenue to the work in Japan.  After taking a two-dollar order, Preston said, “One dollar for me; one dollar for Jamison and Kathryne.”  Praise God–that’s a beautiful picture of what many of you are doing for us…and for the joy of the Japanese people in Jesus Christ.

Thank you, Connor and Preston (and parents + Gavin).  And, thank you to everyone else who is partnering with us.  We know that you’re also working diligently and creatively to help send us to Japan, and we pray that “God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”-Philippians 4:19.

The first floor that we called “home” was much less than the advertised 900 square feet and was originally designed to house a printing press about 100 years ago.  The windows were so old that you couldn’t open them without showering yourself in paint chips, and it cost hundreds of dollars to keep the place from becoming unbearably cold in the winter.  The floors often squeaked loud enough to wake sleeping babies.  There was no bathtub, but there were lots of ladybugs.  The garage door could only be lifted by someone capable of squatting and pressing a couple hundred pounds, but the garage was too small to fit anything larger than a bicycle anyways, so it didn’t really matter.

But, it was our home, and, somehow, we will really miss this place.  It is, after all, the place where we brought home both of our children–the only earthly home they’ve ever known.  We will miss being three blocks from the Mississippi River and all of its trails.  We will miss mowing Mr. and Mrs. Johnson’s lawn in the summer and shoveling their sidewalks in the winter.  We will miss playing in the sandbox and sink-hole with our neighbors.  Mostly, we will miss our neighbors.

We’ve come to learn that the life that we’ve chosen to live is one of constant transition.  As soon as you settle in one place and begin to associate it with “home,” you uproot and move onto the next place.  While this comes with obvious challenges (Violet cried and clung to the couch when we gave it to Uncle Chris, “My couch, Daddy!”), it also comes with a clear, sweet reminder.  It’s an object lesson to us and our children that this world is not our home.  You can and, to some extent, must settle in certain places for certain seasons, but we will not permanently settle in until Jesus Christ comes back.

Here is what Jesus says in John 14:1-3, “Let not your hearts be troubled.  Believe in God; believe also in me.  In my Father’s house are many rooms.  If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”

Our hearts are not troubled, because our Father has a house with room for us.  Jesus Christ is there now, preparing a place.  He is coming again.  When he does, he will take us with him, to be with him forever.  Then, we will put our roots down deeply and not take them up again. This is a home we can starting sinking our roots into now–we have a home that comes with us wherever we go, and we never have to leave.  His name is Jesus Christ.

We had lots of help with the move.  Thank you to all those who pitched in–Grandma, Grandpa, Nana, Ben, Malia, Joel, Lev, Lizzie, Moriah, Trevor, Scott, Brad, Eliot, The Foursome Fine Men’s Apparel truck.

Over the past five years, there have been a handful of specific moments when it seemed clear that God might actually be pleased to send our family to Japan.  One of those took place on June 15, 2013.  I (Jamison) wrote a letter to Kathryne.  She calls it my second proposal, and she asked me to share pieces of it with you:

“You’ll remember the struggle that I had when we were dating before getting engaged.  I desired to have you as my wife, but I felt called to missions in a way that you apparently did not.  After months of prayer and deliberation, I felt that the strength of the Lord’s call toward marriage exceeded the call to missions.  I was more convinced that I should marry you than I was convinced that God would send me to bring good news to the nations.  Now as we near three years of marriage, I am increasingly certain that the Lord guided me to the correct decision–I could not be happier to have you as my wife!

Does that mean the call to missions has ceased or that my desire to go has waned?  Not at all!  I have come to believe that the Lord is indeed still calling me to missions–us to missions–to the unreached.  In fact, I am becoming more convinced as the months go by.  He continually opens doors, puts desires in my heart and thoughts in my mind to go to the nations.  At times when I am ready to give up on the idea (and there have been many over the past years), he stirs up a new passion to go.

I do not know how things will turn out for us.  As a husband, I feel obligated to lead our family toward obedience, whatever the end may be–whether it is life or death or discomfort or disappointment.  It is clear that the Lord Jesus calls us not to an easy life, however he calls us.  He bids us to take up our cross–just as he did–to suffer and die.  Perhaps we will toil for years to raise support and never make it overseas.  Perhaps we will go and utterly “fail” as missionaries from all worldly perspectives.  Perhaps we will labor for decades without any visible fruit.  Or perhaps through willing obedience, many will pass from death to eternal life.

I feel like the prophet Isaiah–a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips.  We’re not worthy to speak on behalf of God.  But, our God purifies the unclean and equips the unworthy.  Then, he sends them out.  The greatest hindrance to effective ministry is not a lack of knowledge or skill; rather, it is a lack of total dependence on the Lord Jesus for all things.  I would rather go to Japan with a wife who says, “Jesus, I need you,” than one who thinks she is sufficient for these things.  Beloved, our sufficiency comes from Christ who makes us competent.  This is why I believe God is calling us to missions together.

God has given you the knowledge, the experience, the skills, gifts and heart to make a great name for him among the unreached; yet, you feel entirely unworthy.  I take this as a good sign.  You are aware of your weakness–Praise God!  It is time to cast yourself upon the Lord for strength.  I thank God for your hesitancies, because they have checked my over-confidence and caused me to reexamine my own weaknesses.  I also am unworthy, and I do not think I would have seen this if I had not seen it first in you.

Kathryne, I am asking you to go with me.  Let’s go…or at least let us do everything in our power to go.  The Lord may see fit to keep us here, but if he does not, let’s go.  It may cost us much, but would you have it any other way?  Whatever we lose will be worth it if we gain more of Christ.  I believe the Lord is sending us.  I am asking you to trust me.  More importantly, I am asking you to trust God’s sovereign guidance and care.  He will be with us, and he will go before us.  Surely, his goodness and mercy will follow us all of the days of our lives.  We will dwell with him forever, wherever we dwell for this life.  You will never be without your God and your Savior.

‘How soon will some few years pass away, and then when the day is ended, and this life’s lease expired, what have men of the world’s glory, but dreams and thoughts? O happy soul forevermore, who can rightly compare this life with that long-lasting life to come, and can balance the weighty glory of the one with the light golden vanity of the other.’ -Samuel Rutherford.”

Although I grew up in a faithful Christian home, I never dreamed about being a missionary.  I have always wanted to be a mom.  Other kids dreamed of being astronauts, police officers or professional basketball players.  Not me–I’ve always dreamed of being a mom.  Jamison likes to remind me that I’m now living the dream, especially on days when it feels less than dreamy.

My call to missions began when God called me to Jamison.  We met in college, dated off and on for five years, became best friends and then realized marrying your best friend is a good thing.  We probably would have married sooner, if God had called me to missions sooner.  But, he didn’t.  The call to motherhood remained strong and clear throughout our college years, while Jamison’s call to missions grew stronger and clearer.  He was set on going to the nations; I was set on staying and establishing a home.

In some ways, nothing has changed.  Jamison still feels called to missions; I still feel called to motherhood.  Yet, the picture of motherhood that is taking shape is not the one I envisioned when I was playing with baby dolls.  And maybe the picture of missions that is taking shape is different than the one Jamison envisioned when he was living in homeless shelters and ministering to the men there.  God is sending us–not as individuals–but as a family, to live and minister as a family, in Japan.

After the famous text message of 2011, we began praying about the possibility of going to Japan.  God consistently answered our prayers and opened doors.  Every time we stepped through a door toward Japan, the Lord opened another.  Every time he opened another, I found myself depending more and more on him for strength and faith to take the next step.  I’ve never felt particularly equipped to be a missionary.  I don’t fit the stereotypical picture of an evangelist or disciple-maker.  I’m an introvert.  I often feel intimated or overwhelmed by the idea of leading others to Jesus Christ.  I’m a weak person.

The Lord reminds us, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).  I’ve had to come to a place of trusting that my weakness for the task will make God’s power shine more brightly.  Over the past five years, I’ve learned to embrace the idea that I’m not qualified to be a missionary.  I’m not qualified to be a mom either.  Knowing that is the only thing that qualifies me to do both.  I can’t do this.  Only God can–he has a history of using weak people like me.

Embracing weakness has allowed me to embrace the call to missions.  You can be a mom anywhere in the world.  Why not be a mom living among other moms who don’t yet know Jesus?  Why not raise children who make friends with other children who’ve never heard the gospel before?  The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.  Moms can be laborers, too, especially in places like Japan, where fathers often work long days at the office and mothers work even longer days in the home and neighborhood.

Ironically, we’ve been told a few times that I’ll have more ministry opportunities in Japan than Jamison.  It may just be that God’s aim is to reach the nations through weak mothers relying daily on his strength, so that in everything he might be glorified.

Last week, we officially reached the one year mark of partner development.  And, for the first eight or nine months, things were going so smoothly, all according to the plan we drew up.  Then, we got punched in the mouth.

We knew that this was going to be difficult; we didn’t know that we were going to end up in a dog fight.  Maybe I subconsciously envisioned this stage of ministry as something like climbing a mountain–it takes a lot of work, but at least it’s a stationary object.  If you’re in good shape and exert enough effort, you should be able to conquer, right?  We’ve come to find that we’re not up against a stationary object.  The mountain fights back.  Lately, it’s been more like a boxing match, and it’s definitely not a clean one.  It’s one of those matches where someone gets an ear bit off.  And, we probably shouldn’t be as surprised as we are.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.  Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”  Ephesians 6:10-13.

I don’t want to give the Evil One and his servants more credit than they deserve.  They’ve already lost the war, and it’s only a matter of time before the battles cease altogether.  Today, however, they still fight.  And, their inevitable destruction enrages them, as they oppose the already victorious Savior.  They hate the Lord Jesus, oppose his work and would seek to bring down any who belong to him.  Yet, I am still surprised every time we face opposition, when our climb turns into a fight.

The Apostle Paul’s famous passage in Ephesians 6 fittingly begins with the command to “stand.”  This command is a change in posture from the rest of the letter.  It’s a switch from offensive to defensive.  Previously, we’re told numerous times to “walk.”  Before we were rescued by God’s grace in Christ, we walked along, following the course of the world and following the one we now know as our enemy (2:2).  Our course and gait changed when God brought us from death to life, and we’re no longer to walk in futility of mind (4:17); instead, we are to walk in good works (2:10), a manner worthy of our calling (4:1), Christ-like love (5:2) and as children of light (5:8).  We are to pay careful attention to our walk, not as unwise but as wise (5:15).

The Christian life is spent pursuing a certain manner of walking, of living in light of the great salvation ordained by God the Father, purchased by God the Son and guaranteed by God the Holy Spirit.  Paul warns us that this manner of life faces active opposition.  It is a military march, not a stroll around Lake of the Isles.  You must stay soldiered up, so you can stand firm when flaming arrows fly your way.

The arrows caught us a bit by surprise.  In recent months, we’ve faced unusual health problems (consistently getting sick every time we have a meeting to share about Japan, in addition to a bit of cancer), uncharacteristically slow progress and strong temptations to discouragement.  For the first time, it feels as though something or someone is actively setting itself against us going to Japan.  Strangely enough, I find that incredibly encouraging.  I take it as a sign that we’re headed in the right direction.

Our God is strong; therefore, we do not fear.  He has promised that his Church would prevail over the gates of hell, that the gospel would go forward to gather people from every tribe, tongue, people and nation.  He will be exalted among the nations and in all the earth.  He does not leave us to fight alone.  We’re learning to fight by depending on him to fight for us, to protect us, to strengthen us and to send us.  Would you pray that God would do these things for us and more?

“Stand, therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.  In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit with all prayer and supplication.  To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words would be given to me in opening in my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,”  Ephesians 6:14-19.

It was a sweet time of focused fellowship, prayer, worship and learning.  We feel both exhausted and refreshed.  After all, spending five nights in a hotel room with sick children is tiring.  But, there is much grace to be had when your hotel is filled with loving people who are eager to serve and encourage you in the Lord.

I (Jamison) remember a time when a friend was grilling in the rain.  Somehow, the hotdogs ended up both charred and wet–quite possibly the only way you can entirely ruin a good hotdog.  And, that’s exactly how I felt going into our trip.  Burned out and soggy.  Tired and a bit apathetic.  Yuck.  Yet, somehow the exhaustion and encouragement of the past two weeks wove themselves together to create a new sense of excitement and freshness around going to Japan.  I’ve been reminded that the Lord is at work, gathering people from all nations to himself.

The Summer before I started first grade, my family moved into the home where I spent the remainder of my childhood.  Though the house is now on the market, my parents still live there today.  They’ve made a lot of updates over the years, including new landscaping outside of the front door.  There used to be a concrete slab just below the front step that angled rain water away from the house and its foundation.  It’s been replaced by outdoor tile.

I can still picture the concrete slab clearly, because I studied it as a young boy, though never for more than a minute at a time.  While my parents worked their keys into front door, my eyes would wander and observe the details of our home.  Early on, I noticed a small brown spot beneath the spigot, where our iron-rich water would drip.  I looked at that brown spot thousands of times as a child.

Over the course of what must have been a decade, the brown spot on our slanted concrete slab grew.  Not only that, but the occasional dripping of water over many years was sufficient to wear away at the concrete.  A small crack grew and began forming into a mini pot-hole.  As a teenager, I came home from school on a memorable day and saw the concrete had cracked through.  The brown spot was divided in two.  Through the crack, I could see dirt.  Surprisingly, something green was already sprouting up.

At some point, the final drop fell and split the concrete.  More than a decade of dripping–perhaps millions of droplets–prepared the way.  As soon as the concrete was thrust aside, life began growing.

We’ve been told numerous times that Japan is a very difficult place for missionaries, not materially, but spiritually.  It’s an “open” country in the sense that we can go there as Christians on religious worker visas; it is a “closed” country in the sense that people do not respond to the message of the gospel.  It is highly unlikely that we will face open persecution or overt rejection; it is, however, very likely that our message will be received with unbelief or apathy.  Hardness of heart toward God, like concrete, shows itself in many forms.

Yet, last week’s conference left a growing sense that there would be a day when God, by the power of his Spirit, breaks through the hardness in Japan.  In some places of the world, God comes like a jack-hammer through the preaching of the gospel.  Concrete hearts are shattered quickly, revealing a fruitful field.  In places like Japan, it seems that God works like a slow, persistent drip.  I believe there will be a day when the final drop lands.  Concrete will crack open.  Laborers will be surprised to find a soil that yields growth, instead of the persistent hardness that has characterized Japan for decades.  God may do a new thing among the Japanese people.

That is my prayer for Japan.  Perhaps it’s already begun, and the early signs of life are already sprouting up.  Or, maybe we’ll be one of a million drops that must fall, leaving an imperceptible mark while preparing the way for others.  Would that be a waste?  Would we be better used somewhere else?  I don’t think so.  And, that’s why I left the conference encouraged.

During the past two weeks, we heard stories of men and women who faithfully poured themselves out, so that the gospel would go forward into difficult places around the world.  While some have seen more fruit than others, it is clear that none of their lives have been wasted.  They have been–and continue to be–well spent.  That is my prayer for my family, that we would be faithful to plough and plant, even if the yield appears small.  Yet, who knows, perhaps the Lord will do a surprising thing in our lifetime?  It will be worth the effort to find out.

Though we still have much to do in the months ahead, we now have a much better picture of what to expect during our first term in Japan.  I’ll summarize some of the things we’ve learned in our next post.  For now, we just want to give a quick glimpse into a place that is starting to feel more and more like a second home.  This is our third trip to WorldVenture in the past twelve months.  Every time we have come, our love for this place–and its people–has grown.

Haggai 2:7 says, “And I will shake the nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of Hosts.”

Come, Thou long-expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free
From our fears and sins release us
Let us find our rest in Thee
Israel’s strength and consolation
Hope of all the earth Thou art
Dear Desire of every nation
Joy of every longing heart

Now, when you think of your favorite Christmas verses, Haggai 2:7 probably doesn’t come to mind.  In fact, I’d be impressed if anything brought the book of Haggai to your mind.  Most of us don’t know how to pronounce it or where to find it in the Bible , much less what the book has to say about the coming of Jesus Christ.  And, if you are like me, you probably asked, “How in the world did Charles Wesley go from Haggai 2:7 to Come Thou Long Expected Jesus? ”  While we don’t have access to Wesley’s thought life, we do have access to the same Book that shaped it.  Here are my somewhat-informed guesses on his thoughts, on why Haggai 2:7 is a Christmas verse.  I hope it helps you sing, “Come, Lord Jesus!” with a greater sense of sweetness and urgency.

Background.  The book of Haggai is a set of oracles from to the remnant of Judah, recently returned from exile.  The people were sent back to Jerusalem charged with rebuilding the temple that the Babylonians had destroyed.  It was not a small task.  The original temple was built during the height of Israel’s peace and prosperity.  It took seven years, thousands of skilled laborers and vast amounts of gold, precious stones and massive cedars.  Those who knew the temple in its previous glory undoubtedly knew that they could never replicate it (2:3).  So, they focused on building their own houses instead (1:4).  The Lord made it clear he was not well pleased with their priorities (1:6-11).  Amazingly, the people actually repent, obey the command to rebuild and set themselves to work (1:12).  In response, the Lord reaffirms his presence, declaring in repetition, “I am with you” (1:13 and 2:4-5).

In this context, the Lord of Hosts rattles off a string of promises to the remnant of his people.  Rowdy Christmas promises, methinks.

Promise 1: “I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land” (verse 6).

Biblical authors used “shaking” language to recall or foretell cosmic, divine action.  It’s what the Lord did when he delivered his people out of Egypt (Psalm 77:18) and King David out of his trouble (2 Samuel 22:8 and Psalm 18:7); it’s the judgement God proclaimed on the nations that oppressed his people (Isaiah 13:13, 14:16, 23:11 and 24:19, Joel 2:10 and 3:6, Habakkuk 3:6).  Using theophany language, God is promising to do something significant on behalf of his people.  We’re talking about a cosmic event, one that alters the landscape of the world and of history.

Promise 2: “And I will shake the nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in” (verse 7a).

This is  not the shaking of a violent man, so filled with anger that he forgets himself.  The Lord does not shake willy-nilly.  He has an aim in his cosmic intervention, namely that the treasures of the nations would come to the temple.  Picture the Lord taking the world in his two hands and giving it a good rattling.  As the kingdoms of the earth crumble, the Lord so tilts the planet’s axis that the nations flow to the temple, filling it with their wealth and restoring it to glory.

Promise 3: “and I will fill this house with glory” (verse 7b).

The post-exilic community set their hands to rebuilding, knowing the promises God had made concerning his temple.  Israel’s rebellion against the Lord drove his glory from the temple (Ezekiel 10), but a day was coming when he would return (Ezekiel 40-48).  On that day,  the beauty and majesty of the temple shall be restored (Isaiah 54:11-14, 60:5-7), and God will undo the destruction wrought through Israel’s unfaithfulness.  He will bring his wayward people back to himself (Isaiah 60:4).  But, he’s going to do more. He’s going to break the stubborn hearts of the nations and bring them to  his throne and to his presence, as well (Jeremiah 3:17, Isaiah 60:1-7).

Promise 4: “The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former” (verse 9a).

Though the rubble once known as a temple appeared as nothing in the eyes of those who knew its former glory (Ezra 3:12-13, Haggai 2:3), things were going to change.  The people would know the Lord has acted when the temple is not only rebuilt, but when it’s glory is greater than ever before.  He would turn their weeping into joy.

Promise 5: “And in this place I will give peace” (verse 9b).

You likely know that the Hebrew word for peace (“shalom”) means much more than a mere absence of conflict.  Rather, it refers to a time of flourishing, when everything is as it should be.  Peace, quite simply, is the thing that we (and all of creation) long for.  Note that peace is promised in the temple, the dwelling place of the Lord.

Taken together, these promises would have given a great sense of expectation.  God was going to act in an awesome, earth-shaking way.  After years under the Lord’s discipline, the people would finally experience his favor again.  The temple would be rebuilt, with glory exceeding the former.  The nations would offer their wealth and allegiance to the One true God.  A day of peace and wholeness was on the horizon.  And so, they built and waited.

And waited.  Some Jews are still waiting.  Their expectations have yet to be met.  The second temple never reached its promised glory before it crumbled again.  The nations triumphed over Jerusalem, instead of bowing to it.  Things did not go as they should have gone.

But, God’s promises did not fail.  There was, in fact, a cosmic intervention.  A Savior was born in Bethlehem.  The nations brought forth their wealth and bowed down: gold and frankincense and myrrh (Read Isaiah 60:6, then Matthew 2:1-12).  They called his name Immanuel (Matthew 1:23), and, through him, God’s presence dwelt among us with a glory exceeding any building fashioned by human hands (John 1:14).  He is the Temple that was torn down and rebuilt in three days (John 2:19-21).  His death shook the earth (Matthew 27:51) and brought the nations to God (Ephesians 2:11-13).  And, in this Prince, God has given Peace (Isaiah 9:6, Romans 5:1, Ephesians 2:14-22).  Do you see it?  The long-awaited promises were fulfilled in the long-expected Jesus.

He is coming back.  Like God’s people of old, we wait for the day when God will shake the heavens and the earth again (Luke 21:26, Hebrews 12:26-28).  We wait for a greater Temple, the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb, to whom the nations will bow and bring treasure (Revelation 21:22-27).  We wait for a day of peace, when we have freedom from our fears, when the battle with sin will be over, when cancer and chronic pain are no more, when children are no longer murdered, when justice is done to terrorists, when death itself is thrown away, when those of every tribe, tongue, people and nation gather before God’s throne, when we will see the glory of Jesus Christ with unclouded vision, and the Lord sits with rule unquestioned and unchallenged rule.

Charles Wesley was onto something, not on something.  “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus!” is a fitting Christmas exclamation, because it not only celebrates the coming of Christ as a baby, but the second coming of Christ as a triumphant and ruling King.  It takes the sense of longing that Israel felt 2,500 years ago and puts it on our lips, as we await the completion of what was long ago promised.  They waited for a King to set things right; we know the King’s name and wait for him to finish the work he started when he came as a baby.

Come, Lord Jesus.  You are our Strength and Consolation.  You are the Hope of all the earth, the Desire of every nation.  You are the Joy of every longing heart.  Set us free!  Release us from our fears and sins.  You are long expected. Come!

Ezra is a boy’s boy.  He loves everything that involves tools, machines and hard work.  I assumed that he wanted to talk to the mechanic about worker-guy stuff, something like: “I have my own toolbox” or “I can fix the car for you” or maybe even “Do you have a snowblower?”

Ezra remained quiet, eating a piece of high-fructose corn syrup disguised as delicious candy.  Then, as soon as he had one foot out the door, he darted back inside to tell the mechanic his mind, “Tomorrow is my Mom’s birthday.”  The mechanic smiled and gave him another tasty, toxic treat.  At that moment, I realized how momentous Kathryne’s birthday truly is–it’s importance surpasses even worker-guy stuff.

With that, I would like to invite you all to join me in celebrating Kathryne’s birthday.  Go ahead and buy yourself some cake and ice cream on behalf of this woman.  More than other years, I am aware of how precious Kathryne’s life is.  And, I feel zealous to show her honor, like Gimli after meeting Galadriel.  Unfortunately, Kathryne doesn’t read Lord of the Rings, so compliments like that go unappreciated.

Kathryne–you gracefully endured much at age 28, facing down cancer for a second time, while raising two children and growing a third.  On top of that, you devoted yourself to preparing our family to move to the other side of the world, willingly sacrificing the rare hours of free time that young mothers normally enjoy on occasion.  This is likely the last birthday you will have in Minnesota before we depart to raise a family in an unfamiliar place, learning to function in a new language, culture and geography.

We thank God for the sacrifices you have made, the love that you have patiently shown and the woman that you have become over the past year.  May the Lord show you unique grace on your birthday and in the year ahead.  And, may you not grow weary in doing good, for in due season you will reap, if you do not give up.  Happy birthday!

And, we’re even happier to share that Jesus Christ knows how to comfort us in all our various circumstances.  To misquote our previous post on Samuel Rutherford, “Cancer hath this advantage, that it draweth our sweet Physician’s hand; it is a blessed surgery that fetcheth Christ to the bedside.”  True.  I would simply add that Christ often comes to our bedside through the presence and words of his people.  You have been an extension of the Lord’s care for our family over the past few weeks.

Recent trials–small ones we’ve experienced and large ones that others in our lives have faced–have brought me back to the writings of Samuel Rutherford.  The Banner of Truth Trust did us all a favor by compiling quotes from his letters into a small book called The Loveliness of Christ.  There are few things that have helped me love Jesus Christ, in the midst of various difficulties, more than this book.  And, there are few things that have given me a greater burden to speak of him to other people, especially suffering people.  I hope you read the quotes below, buy the book and find new comfort–for yourself and for others–in Jesus Christ.

“It is not a smooth and easy way, neither will your weather be fair and pleasant; but whosever saw the invisible God and the fair city, makes no reckoning of losses or crosses.  In ye must be, cost you what it will; stand not for a price, and for all that ye have, to win the castle; the rights of it are won to you: and there wanteth nothing but possession.” -page 10

“The only thing that commendeth sinners to Christ is extreme necessity and want.  Christ’s love is ready to make and provide a ransom and money for a poor body who hath lost his purse.” -page 13

“There are many heads lying in Christ’s bosom, but there is room for yours among the rest.” -page 21

“When we shall come home and enter to the possession of our Brother’s fair kingdom, and when our heads shall find the weight of the eternal crown of glory, and when we shall look back to pains and sufferings; then shall we see life and sorrow to be less than one step or stride from a prison to glory; and that our little inch of time–suffering is not worth our first night’s welcome home to heaven.” -page 19

“I am half content to have boils for my Lord Jesus’ plaisters.  Sickness hath this advantage, that it draweth our sweet Physician’s hand and his holy and soft fingers to touch our withered and leper skins; it is a blessed fever that fetcheth Christ to the bedside–I think my Lord’s ‘How doest thou with it, sick body?’ is worth all my pained nights.” -page 22

“O, pity for evermore that there should be such an one as Christ Jesus, so boundless, so bottomless, and so incomparable in infinite excellency, and sweetness, and so few to take him!  O, ye poor dry and dead souls, why will ye come hither with your toom vessels and your empty souls to this huge and fair, and deep, and sweet well of life, and fill all your toom vessels?  O, that Christ should be so large in sweetness and worth, and we so narrow, pinched, so ebb, and so void of all happiness, and yet men will not take him!  They lose their love miserably, who will not bestow it upon this lovely one.” -page 5

Of course, not all small churches are good churches, nor are all large churches bad (our church is quite large, and we love it dearly).  But, I draw attention to faithful, God-honoring small churches, because they don’t receive the recognition they deserve.  The fact is most churches, especially among unreached peoples, are small.  I’m told the average church in Japan has around 30 members.  I’ve seen some that are smaller.

Big stands out and draws our attention.  Big things, either in size or perceived impact, get talked about.  Whether we realize it or not, we tend to ascribe greater value to things, like churches, based on size.  Just the other day, I met a pastor at a community event, and a person later commented to me, “That’s so cool you got to talk to him.  His church has over 5,000 people, you know!”

On the flip side, we tend to minimize importance when things, like churches, are small.  I’ve heard many pastors and missionaries lament, “My church only has X number of people.”  I can understand why that might be discouraging.  But, there is something praiseworthy about these small congregations that continue to meet faithfully to worship Jesus Christ, preach the word of God, encourage one another and care for those in need, even when no one else notices.  They do not do what they do to draw attention to themselves.  Though they appear unremarkable, they will receive commendation from the Lord.  He takes careful note when no one else does.

Jesus Christ to the church in Philadelphia: “I know your works.  Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut.  I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and not denied my name” (Revelation 3:8).  

Commenting on the verse above, George Eldon Ladd wrote, “The church in Philadelphia was one so abounding in good works that she was pleasing to the Lord.  Although the church had but little power and was small with very limited influence, its character was such that the letter has only commendation from the Lord, not censure” (A Commentary on the Revelation of John).

In contrast to other churches receiving letters in the book of Revelation, the Lord only commends and does not rebuke the church in Philadelphia.  Though they did not have power or influence, the Lord is pleased with them.  He promises that the influential people of their day will “bow down before before your feet and learn that I have loved you” (verse 9).  They didn’t have a place among the noteworthy of their age, yet Jesus promises a greater, more permanent place in his Kingdom, “I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God.  Never shall he go out of it” (verse 12).

Faithfulness is not necessarily accompanied by numbers and influence in this age.  Nonetheless, it is pleasing to the Lord, and it will receive its reward in the age to come.  That’s what we’re banking on.

Japan has been called one of the hardest fields in the world by those who study missions closely.  Thousands of missionaries and Japanese ministers have labored faithfully for years without seeing much visible fruit.  While we pray for a breakthrough, we’re going forward with the knowledge that people have not yet come to faith in large numbers.  Maybe God will change that in our lifetime!  Some in Japan believe he might.  If not, we’re preparing ourselves for years of ministry in small, beautiful churches.  Small churches may not exert extensive influence or receive recognition among their neighbors, but we’re happy to devote ourselves to serving with them nonetheless, knowing the One from whom they will receive a reward.

Small children.  Below are some photos of Ezra and Violet.  We love them and so do many of you.  We’re sharing these, because we know many of you want to see them.  Disclaimer: these photos are terribly one-sided, depicting mainly happy times.  When we have photos of the temper-tantrums and dirty diapers, maybe we’ll share those as well.  It’s just much easier to capture a content, smiling child than to grab the camera and start shooting when they’re screaming uncontrollably or flinging yogurt.  We love our children, not primarily because they’re cute and smiley, but because they are our children.  God gave them to us; we are happy he did.

I (Jamison) began intentionally pursuing vocational, cross-cultural ministry in 2006.  That means I’m coming up on a decade of waiting (over one-third of my life).  I have often grown impatient and asked God in frustration, “Why is this taking so long?”  As we’ve gotten closer to going to Japan, I’ve been asking the same question in a more reflective, less demanding way.  I really want to know–What has the Lord been up to in the midst of our waiting?

He does not always provide definitive answers to “Why?” questions.  Some things will become clear eventually, but we may never know all the things God has done during this season of waiting.  Yet, I think the Lord has graciously opened the door a crack, so that I can at least peek in and catch a glimpse of  what he’s done for us over the past decade.

Walking with a limp.  One of my favorite men, Sinclair Ferguson, preached a series on the life of Jacob in the book of Genesis.  Jacob was a proud and deceitful man.  After 14 years of hard labor in a foreign land, he returned home.  On his journey, he wrestled with the Lord and prevailed.  But, the encounter permanently changed him, “The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip” (Genesis 32:31).  Jacob’s proud swagger was replaced with a limp.  But, notice the sun was shining on him as he went.  Happy is the limp upon which the Lord’s favor shines.  Happy is the jar of clay that best displays the power of God (2 Cor. 4:7).  And–I hope–happy is the man who, through many years of waiting, enters ministry in total dependence on Jesus Christ.

Ten years ago, I really thought I had something to offer–I thought that I would succeed at whatever I did, because I was The Man.  Yikes.  Thankfully, the Lord has given me years of realizing my own ineptitude and helplessness.  Apart from him, I can do nothing (John 15:5).  That was not a fun lesson to learn.  But, there is incredible freedom and hope in coming to know it–the Lord delights to use human weakness as a setting for his divine power.

A boat with ballast.  I think the idea of moving to a different country excites many, especially in my generation.  Pick up everything and live a completely different life–sounds kinda exciting, doesn’t it?  Retrospectively, part of my initial draw toward cross-cultural ministry came from the excitement of doing something new, fun, different, etc.  It’s an adventure!  But, adrenaline can’t sustain you for ten years (or longer), especially when you get married, have kids and start getting gray hair–it started on my beard and is now working its way up.

While I’m still excited about the adventure of missions, I’m no longer driven by it.  Adrenaline has been surpassed by conviction.  Our former pastor John Piper has a helpful illustration.  If the work of missions is a ship, the desire for God’s glory is the ballast that keeps it from flipping over in the midst of strong winds and tall waves.  A conviction that God is worthy of honor among all the peoples is a weight that gives your boat stability to press on through storms.  The only reason we’re still pursuing missions is the belief that Jesus Christ is worthy of all glory, honor, praise and adoration.  And, he is mostly unknown and un-worshipped in places like Japan.

People really matter.  Over the past several years, we have had the pleasure of meeting and growing with many precious Brothers and Sisters in Christ, many of whom are sending us, supporting us, working alongside of us.  Had we gone to Japan or somewhere else earlier, we would have never met many people we now know and love dearly.  That’s not a small thing.  We really thank God for the extra time spent with you all, and we feel supported and strengthened in ways that would have been impossible years ago.  Time with Family has been especially precious, as we’ve raised our children together.

Similarly, had God opened the door for us to go earlier, I think I would have placed more emphasis on developing programs or “ministries,” rather than focusing on people.  This time has helped us increasingly see how much people really matter.  Programs only exist to serve people.  There is something powerful about simply knowing and loving other humans.  Though they are messy, broken and frustrating at times, they are also wonderful creatures–bestowed with greater dignity and worth than anything else in creation.  What an awesome thing to have relationships with people who image God and who will live forever!  And, what an even greater thing that God became one of us, that we can have relationships not only with one another, but with the One who made us!  The desire to see that come about in Japan has grown with my gray hair.

The LORD is good to those who wait for him (Lamentations 3:25).

The emphasis we place on joy is not arbitrary.  Everything that we’ve come across tells us there is a particular need for joy in Japan, a perceptible lack of happiness rooted in real hope.

The emphasis on joy is also personal.  Happiness in Jesus matters a lot to us, because I (Jamison) wouldn’t be alive without it–without Him.  I remember years of preferring death over going to school.  Though I didn’t face the same pressure as Japanese students face, I wanted the same result.

I know I’m not alone.  Most of you have fought or will fight some form of depression, either your own or the depression of someone you love.  Maybe your neighbors are not as happy as they look.  Maybe your favorite barista didn’t want to get out of bed this morning–maybe she’s not as excited to serve you coffee as you think.  Maybe you spend so much time on your smartphone, because the numbness of depression sets in when your mind isn’t sufficiently distracted.

In my experience, depression is terribly deceptive, making death (or perhaps withdrawal) seem more appealing than facing what’s in front of you.  Depression distorts desire–it puts frosting on a razor-blade and then tricks you into believing it’s actually a cake.  Don’t eat it.  Jesus is the Bread of Life; whoever goes to him shall never hunger, ever.  He reorients desire, so that you hunger for what gives life, instead of what takes it.

I don’t want to be simplistic or overly spiritual.  Depression and suicide are complex; they should be addressed from multiple angles.  God gave us bodies.  The condition of our bodies affects the condition of our souls.  Thus, we should not be surprised that various physical causes of depression have seemingly unspiritual remedies.  I’m told medication is necessary for some forms of depression, and I believe it.  Personally, I find that sleep, exercise and a single cup of coffee go a long way in preventing depression.

At the same time, I think the Gospel of Jesus Christ speaks powerfully to the particular type of depression that wreaks havoc among Japan’s young people.  Many of the lives lost to suicide shared the common threads of shame, fear and relational brokenness.  They are ashamed about who they are or what they’ve done, feeling that they have failed in some unredeemable way.  They fear facing others who look down on them or openly ridicule/bully them.  They lack strong relational bonds and support systems.  And, they have no hope for things improving in the future.

There is hope in Jesus Christ.  I have found that the sweetest, most powerful remedy for my depression is knowing that, in Christ, the almighty God is 100% for me, not against me.  I know of nothing else that can so comprehensively remove the sting of shame, fear and relational brokenness.   The Lord’s undeserved and sovereign favor has delivered me from many dark nights.

I have heard a pastor say that Romans 8 is the greatest chapter of the greatest letter in the greatest Book ever written.  I am inclined to agree, especially for the depressed and hopeless.  Here are a few brief thoughts:

Shame: “There is, therefore, now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” -Romans 8:1.  In Christ, you are free from shame.  God does not condemn you for who you are or what you’ve done.  Instead, he gave up his Son to be shamefully treated, beaten and murdered in your place.  “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” -Romans 8:32.  There is no greater act that God could have done to make a way for you to come to him without guilt or shame.  Yes, you have done shameful things.  No, you don’t need to be ashamed any longer, if you go to God through Jesus.   

Fear:  “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” -Romans 8:28.  Is there any promise in Scripture more universally applicable for the people of God?  All. Things. Similarly, “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all of creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” -Romans 8:38-39.  Nothing.  In all of creation.  The Lord has bound himself to the Believer in love.  As long as God’s word is true, you need not fear.  All must work for your good, bullies and entrance exams included.

Relationship:  “…You have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’”  The average “salaryman” in Japan spends 17 minutes/day with his children.  But, there is a Father in heaven who never leaves, nor forsakes his children.  He takes us to himself, calls us his own and is eternally with us.  Jesus Christ, the Man of Sorrows who is well-acquainted with grief, is also well acquainted with you in your sorrows, by His Spirit.  He knows how to comfort and counsel.  He is a Brother and a Friend who will carry you through.

Hope: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” -Romans 8:18.  A day is coming when God will glorify all those whom he has already justified in Christ.  Things will not be the way they are forever.  All that is wrong will One Day be made right, including your depression.  You always have hope.

Almost ten years ago, Jesus provided me with hope that sustained my life, even when I didn’t want it to be sustained.  And, we believe He can do the same in Japan.  We are excited the team we are joining, Christ Bible Institute (CBI), is starting a Christian counseling ministry. We believe this ministry has the potential to “help bring real, personal, healing of Jesus to hurting Japanese.”  Pray for the CBI team as they launch this important ministry.  And, please pray for the joy of Japan in Christ.

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You have heard that we’re going to Japan, right?  And, you probably know that we’re going there, so that we can tell people about Jesus.  Maybe you have even been praying for us.  If so, thank you so much.  It means a lot to us.

There is a lot to like about Japan–great food, beautiful mountains and ocean, interesting cities, fun places to visit, kind people, and safe neighborhoods.  But, there are a couple things we love that Japan doesn’t have.

First, most people in Japan don’t know Jesus yet.  That makes us sad, because we think Jesus is the best.  If you know him, you know the best person in the entire universe!  Never forget that.  Many don’t know him.

Second, Japan doesn’t have you or your family.  Japan is far away.  We’re going to be there a long time.  Maybe the rest of our lives.  Sure, we’ll come back to visit, but we’re going to miss you.  We won’t be at many of your birthday or Christmas parties.  We won’t be able to play at the park with you most summers or go sledding with you most winters.  We might not be there to give you a hug when you’re sad or high-five when you’re happy.

There’s something we want to share with you.  Even though we’ll be on the other side of the world, we can still be friends.  In fact, we can actually be better than friends.  How is that possible?  Here is what the Bible says:

“You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God.  For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.  Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth” (3 John 6b-8).

The Bible says that we can be fellow workers.  That’s exciting!  We can be like two farmers working the same field or two soldiers fighting in the war or two teammates playing the same game–just on opposite sides of the world.

We are going to Japan “for the sake of the name.”  That means, we are going, so that when Japanese people hear the name “Jesus,” they would say something like, “Jesus! He’s my Savior, my Lord, my King, my best Friend, my God and so much more!”  We don’t want him to be a stranger in Japan any longer; we want Jesus’ name to be spoken often from many happy lips.

Do you want the same thing?  If so, you can work alongside us.  And, you don’t have to come to Japan to do it (though maybe someday God will lead you to join us in Japan…we would like that).  If you help send and support us, the Bible says you are a “fellow worker for the truth.”  Our ministry is your ministry.  We just have different roles.

William Carey was a famous missionary who lived about 200 years ago.  He went to India.  A friend of his said something like, “India is a gold mine that seems as deep as the center of the earth; who will go down into it?” William Carey responded, “I will go down, but remember that you must hold the rope.”

The same could be said about Japan.  And, you hold the rope for us when you and your family remember us, support us financially, pray for us, ask how we are doing, encourage us with your words or tell others about our ministry.  By God’s design, we can’t go down into the deep gold mine without you.  Keep holding the rope.  Do it for the sake of the name of Jesus Christ.

In the few intentional conversations I’ve had with Japanese people about Jesus, I have only heard one objection.  Something like, “I can’t believe; I’m Japanese.”

Now I’m sure there are other reasons people in Japan reject Jesus.  There are certainly deeper issues beneath the surface of this objection.  To date, it is the only one I have heard verbally expressed from the lips of a Japanese person.  It is almost as if being a Christian and being Japanese are popularly viewed as mutually exclusive.  Not only that, but the two are so obviously incompatible that if a person mentions his or her Japanese identity, the hearer should then respond: “Oh, I see.  Now that you mention it, being Japanese does make it impossible for you to believe in Jesus and be saved.”  Game over.  Case closed.  You cannot pass. The door is shut.

Except it’s not.  That a Japanese nationality or ethnicity is a hindrance to faith in Christ is a misconception based on misunderstandings about both the Christian faith and Japanese history.  I think people use it as an excuse to not engage further with Jesus Christ.  That’s nothing new.  People of all cultures look for easy-outs when it comes to dealing with Jesus.  But, national and/or ethnic identity is an invalid excuse.  Here is a demonstrable fact: In the history of the world, there has never been a religion more globally encompassing and culturally adaptable than Christianity.  It’s not even close.  There is no ethnic, national or cultural identity that precludes someone from faith in Christ.

The Christian faith entered Japan over 200 hundred years before the United States of America even existed.  It is true that Christianity’s influence has been comparatively greater and more visible in the U.S., but it’s presence dates back longer in Japan–to the mid 1500’s.  I once heard a secular historian state that the church in Japan was larger in 1590 than it was in 1950.  Then, there were an estimated 300,000 Japanese Christians.  That means there were more Christians in Japan than there were Europeans in the “New World” at that time.  Obviously, something changed.  Here’s a little background info.

Japan in the 1400-1500’s was led by local warlords or “daimyo” who owned much of the land and set up their own laws and local armies.  Cities and villages were responsible for defending themselves–one of the roles of the samurai.  At the time, Japan was sort of like a petri dish for civil conflict, piracy and strife.  Eventually, these things made the journey across the Sea of Japan, straining relationships with China and Korea.

This is when Francis Xavier and the Jesuits arrived on the scene, introducing the Christian faith to Japan.  Some may take issue with the form of Christianity they introduced, Christianity began sinking its roots into Japanese soil nonetheless.  And, it really seemed to flourish for a season.  Many were drawn by the honor and practical application of Christianity.

Then, in the late 1500’s a daimyo named Hideyoshi began rising to power, conquering and/or uniting warring clans.  At first, he enacted policies to stop the spread of Christianity.  But, his stance softened, and policies were only loosely enforced.  Many of the early Christians were daimyo or samurai with significant influence; some became Hideyoshi’s generals.

Hideyoshi ordered an invasion of Korea with the aim of eventually taking down the Ming dynasty in China and establishing Japan as the greatest power in East Asia.  The Japanese army quickly defeated the Koreans until the Chinese army intervened, bringing the attempted invasion to a standstill.  Instead of retreating back to Japan, Hideyoshi ordered a second offensive.  However, it soon became clear that they could not defeat China and Korea.  So, Hideyoshi began turning on the Christians again.  He crucified 26 Christians (20 of whom were Japanese), including three children.

Hideyoshi died in 1598, and there was a great civil battle in 1600.   Tokugawa Ieyasu emerged victorious, kicking off what would become known as the Tokugawa Shogunate, lasting until 1868.  Still fresh off a defeat in Korea/China, Japan largely soured on everything international. Thus, the Tokugawa period is famously marked by isolation.  With a few exceptions, Japan largely cut off interaction with other nations.

Internally, the Tokugawa clan viewed Christianity as a threat to their own power.  It was not expelled because of its foreignness; rather,  Tokugawa did not want other clans in Japan uniting against his.   They rightly saw that Christianity had the potential to bring enemy clans together with a strength and unity that would rival their own.  They did not want competing allegiances.  So, Tokugawa immediately enacted laws against Christianity.  In the 1630’s, his successor followed suit and enacted stricter laws.  The Shimabara Rebellion in 1637-1638 was a last attempt to push back against these laws and others, but it failed.  Over 125,000 troops came in, defeated the rebels and executed those involved.

Christianity was officially outlawed.  Those who refused to recant were tortured and killed.  Japan withdrew further into isolation, ensuring that foreign Christians would not enter the country again for over 200 years.  Although a small underground church remained, the rapid spread of Christianity in Japan came to an end.

Here is why I think this matters: Christianity can and even has flourished in Japan.  It was uprooted, primarily because it was viewed as a threat, not because it was culturally incompatible.  But, Christianity is a threat (and asset) to every culture.  Japan isn’t unique in that way.

I have heard some lament how hard it is for a Japanese person to come to faith in Christ.  Some missiologists call it the difficult mission field in the world in terms of seeing people turn to Jesus.  Difficult, yes, but not impossible.  The Japanese don’t have genetic immunities to Christ.  That can be proven from both history and the Scriptures.

I don’t know why God has directed the history of Japan the way that he has.  I don’t know why so many Christians were martyred on Japanese soil, nor do I understand why so few believe today.  But, I trust that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.  I have great hope that Lord who guides history could again do what He did almost 500 years ago.  He could do far more.

We desire to see Japanese people come to faith in Christ, because we think that will bring them joy like they’ve never experienced before.  “In his presence there is fullness of joy; at his right hand are pleasure forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).  We want to see a gospel movement spread throughout the country–and beyond.  We pray for a day when it’s clear someone can be Japanese and a follower of Jesus Christ.

Occasionally, we also answer in other ways.  Biblically, we are commanded to make disciples of all nations.  Missiologically, the Japanese are the largest unreached people group in the world.  Preferentially, we like sushi and fast trains.  Compassionately, Japan is home to some of the highest rates of depression and suicide in the world.  Theologically, Jesus is Lord of all and worthy of the worship of all.  Vocationally, our gifts, experiences and desires make us well suited for missions in Japan.  And, of course, there are more.

Here is the super secret answer that I never give but really want to:  Growing up, I spent too much time reading (and then watching) the Lord of the Rings trilogy.  It’s somewhat embarrassing, but  there are several paragraphs that I have accidentally memorized.  Other than the Bible, no other book or series of books has been more influential in drawing me toward cross-cultural ministry.  Does that surprise you?  If so, you need to stop reading this blog and start reading more Lord of the Rings.

Since marrying Kathryne I’ve had to restrict my Lord of the Rings intake considerably. Marriage necessitates sacrifice.  So, each year I alternate between reading the books and watching the movies around Christmas time.  I have come to realize that when I’m about half way through Return of the King, I need to begin preparing myself for a post-Hobbit depression.  Without exception, I am always sad when it’s over.  Other Lord of the Rings fans tell me this is normal.  There’s something about the story that feels more real, more significant than normal daily life.  When I leave Middle Earth, it almost feels like I’m leaving home.

This is what I mean: We were made by God to live in a way that more closely resembles the epic storyline of Lord of the Rings than the storyline of the American Dream.  You do not exist to seek comfort and security for yourself or your family.  Tolkien’s trilogy captures the idea that we live and fight for something massive.

The Lord of the Rings has helped shape my heart, so that I have always longed for adventure.  But it’s a particular type of adventure–one that really matters and one that is pursued alongside people you would die for.  I would rather live like Frodo Baggins and never be the same than enjoy the beauty and comforts of the Shire without ever fighting for something greater.  That desire aligned with providential circumstances over the course of roughly a decade to lead us to missions and eventually to Japan.  So that’s why we’re going.

I share this for a very specific reason.  Actually, two very specific reasons.  First, I hope you read Lord of the Rings and other epics stories…and read them to your children.  Consider it training for missions, either local or global.  I started Ezra on the Hobbit at one month; it’s a little more “age appropriate” for infants than the trilogy.

Second, I’ve recently been marveling at how God uses so many things to shape us, guide us and send us.  I don’t think my Dad knew that he was shaping my heart for missions when he played Lord of the Rings on tape during those road trips to Ida Grove, IA.  That certainly wasn’t Peter Jackson’s aim in directing the films.  Yet, that was the effect nonetheless.  There are 10,000 other things happening in our lives that we have no idea how God is using.  He often works through ordinary means to shape us into particular types of people or direct us toward particular ends, good ones for those who love him and are called according to his purpose.  I love that about God.  He is the type of God who can bring the nations to the obedience of faith through Hobbits.

1.  The first week of training focused quite a bit on public speaking.  We were required to create a three minute presentation and practice it several times in front of our fellow “appointees”–aka missionaries in training.  After the first practice session, Kathryne was discouraged.  A combination of sleep deprivation, being separated from children (repeatedly) and the stress of speaking in front of people weighed heavily on her.  About half way through our training, Kathryne (along with the rest of us) shared in front of over 100 people.  She did awesome.  The Lord did a visible work in her life through it.  After two weeks at WorldVenture, I (Jamison) think Kathryne is coming home a stronger, more confident woman in Christ.  That alone was worth the whole trip.

2.  Before we all went on stage to share our three-minute stories, the leadership at WorldVenture gathered us in a room to pray.  Then, in remembrance of Jesus and his disciples, they got out water basins, pitchers and towels and used them to wash our feet.  The ceremony illustrated something we saw throughout our two weeks–humility.  The leaders at WorldVenture demonstrated it over and over again.  There were countless moments where Kathryne and I commented to each other, “I’m so glad that we’re going to Japan with WorldVenture.”  We feel like we’re in really good hands.

3.  Ezra made friends quickly.  Baby Luke (5 months old) and Baby Cora (10 months) were two of his favorites.  One morning, he crawled into bed with me at 5am and immediately said, “Daddy, Baby Luku is my friend.  I really like him a lot.”  Another time he commented, “Baby Cora is so precious, Daddy.  She has little teeth.”  That pretty much summarizes Ezra’s two weeks.  He was the unofficial shepherd of the Tinies.

4.  Oh man.  There are so many people I want to share about.  I wish that all of you could know the people we’ve had the honor of knowing since July 4th.  Michael and Christie, who are headed to Bangkok with their two beautiful girls, sat with us every day and quickly became some of our new best friends.  We love them.  We stayed up late talking to three other couples nearly every night–one couple who will also be going to Japan, another who will hopefully be coming to Japan and a third who won’t be near Japan but will be near our hearts.  All three families are the types that we’d joyfully partner with for years or decades to come.  Pray for them.  Pray for their families and supporters.  Ask us about them and the many others at APO, so that we can share more.

5.  On Saturday, July 11th, we drove out to Winter Park, CO for a wedding.  (Thank you, Chris and Natalie, for planning your wedding around our training schedule).  We rode a ski lift to the top of a mountain, where the ceremony/reception took place with the sun setting in the background.  I can’t imagine a better setting to celebrate the covenant of marriage.  I’m reminded of our own wedding text, “For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” Isaiah 54:10.  A special thank you to my parents who flew out for second half of the training and watched our children, so that we could attend the wedding and have a hiking date earlier in the day.

6.  Speaking of my parents, I think the training was good for them.  And, it was good for us to have them there.  Not only were they a tremendous help with the children, but their presence helped me begin the mourning process inherent to the missions life.  When we were getting ready to go up on stage to share our story, I told myself, “Don’t look at Mom, or you’ll start to cry.”  Mom and Dad, we’re going to miss you.  We’re going for the sake of the Name of Jesus Christ, and I think we will all agree that the sacrifice of distance will be worth it, even though it will be hard at times.

7.  On one of the last days, all of the TCK’s (Third Culture Kids) received matching T-Shirts (“Life is a Pair of Ducks”).  Seeing them all together, made us realize that our children are now members of a new community.  They will be growing up in a place where they won’t completely fit in and going “home” to a different culture where they don’t completely fit in. The TCK community is one where they can be understood.  They will have friends around the world, living the pair-of-ducksical life together.  It was a blessing to see Ezra walking up to the older kids and saying, “Look, I have a duck shirt, too.”

8. When we pulled away from WorldVenture on our way to the airport, Ezra said, “I’m not ready to leave Colorado yet.  I like being here.”  He was audibly distraught.  I silently felt the same way.  Yes, it’s nice to be home after two weeks away.  At the same time, leaving WorldVenture felt like leaving home.  The people we spent APO with feel like family.  We won’t see many of them for years, if we ever see them again in this life.  We will miss our dear Brothers and Sisters.  Yet, I’m incredibly encouraged to think about them spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ literally around the world.  I hope that thought encourages you, too.

He looks at me with confidence, “Daddy, the grass is reawwy long.  I think I’m gonna mow now.  Do you wanna mow with me?”  He helps me open the garage door.  He helps me clear rocks and sticks out of the way.  He helps me pour gas in the mower.  He primes it–one, two, three times.  Then, he stands back and waits while I pull the cord (at least five or six times).  Finally, it starts.  I look up and wave him over.  My favorite moment.  He smiles with anticipation and takes hold of the lawn mower with his Daddy.

When I mow by myself, it usually takes about 20-25 minutes to finish ours and our neighbor’s lawns.  When Ezra and I mow together, it takes around 45 minutes.  There is no doubt in my mind that every single extra minute is worth it.  I would not have it any other way.

The other day I was humbled by the realization that God does not need me to complete his work any more than I need Ezra to mow the lawn.  God is not served by human hands as though he needed anything.  He is sufficient in his own being to accomplish all of his purposes.  His work could go on without you and I.  Yet, the Lord chooses to use human instruments.

Look at the logic of Romans 10.¹³ For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” ¹⁴ How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? ¹⁵ And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

A principle to take from Romans 10: Missionaries and those who send them are God’s ordained means for saving people who have not yet heard of the Lord Jesus Christ.  This is a beautiful thing, even if the world does not receive it as such.

Why does God do it this way?  Wouldn’t it be cleaner and more efficient to use other means?  Couldn’t he, in an instant, send angels to preach the Gospel to every single person alive today?  Wouldn’t people take the message a bit more seriously from their mouths, instead of ours?  Or, couldn’t God speak with an unmediated voice from heaven, as he has done before: “Jesus is my Beloved Son; listen to Him!”?

I’m sure there are many true and good ways to answer those questions.  Even as I write this, my mind is swirling with them.  This is what hit me the other day: I want Ezra to mow the lawn, not because it’s clean and efficient, but precisely because it’s not.  I want to be with him, as he works hard and grows stronger.  One day, he will be a man.  He will have to work hard for his family and his neighbors.  Mowing the lawn is one avenue for nurturing those characteristics.  On the flip side, Ezra loves to mow, because he wants to be like his Daddy.  It gives him joy to do what his Daddy does, even as his Daddy does it with him.

The work of missions is a bit like that.  God seeks and saves the lost.  He sent his Son to bring the nations to the obedience of faith, at great cost.  Missions, then, is one aspect of imitating God–both going and sending.  At least one of the reasons God chooses to use us is that he is conforming us into his image, because our God is a missionary God.  He was not content to let the world go without the knowledge of his Son.  Neither should we be content when billions go without Christ.

There’s more.  After Ezra and I finish the lawn, we reflect together. We love to talk about mowing almost as much as we love mowing itself, “Ezra, God gave you strength, and you worked really hard.  You did a great job!”  I want to give him the opportunity to experience Daddy’s good pleasure.  He gets to hear, “Well done, Ezra.”  I say this to him, even though I know he didn’t mow the lawn in his own strength.  He could have never mowed without me there with him.  But, that doesn’t take away from the fact that he actually mowed the lawn.  I really am pleased with him, even though his presence actually makes my job more difficult.

Could it be that my presence actually makes the work of missions messier and less efficient for God?  Could it be that God still wants us to go, that he even takes pleasure in our going?  Is he happy to see those aspects of his character that both goers and senders reflect?  This is a source of humble confidence.  Certainly, we could not do the work of missions alone, but there is no doubt that God could do it alone.  And, he has promised to be with us in it, “Surely, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Ezra takes joy in mowing the lawn with his Daddy.  That same joy is ours as we pursue the glory of Jesus Christ among the nations with our Father.

Sometimes circumstances alone are enough to qualify as trials; other times we only experience circumstances as trials because we walk through them as sinful people.  In these cases, our hearts are our trials.  We have corrupted, often self-centered desires or expectations that are not being met.  And so, we throw adult versions of hissy fits, usually placing blame on people or things other than ourselves.  Picture a toddler who screams at his mom, because she won’t let him play with a sharp knife.  That’s the kind of trial I’m referring to.

I share this, because I want you to know how to pray for us, especially me (Jamison).  I don’t want to fall in the trap of using busyness as an excuse for wickedness.  We are choosing to be busy during this season for the sake of Christ.  What I desire is not more rest (we’ve had opportunities to rest every week), but a particular kind of rest.  I want the kind of rest that reorients my heart toward loving God and loving others.

When we experience trials of various kinds, a natural reaction is to pursue some kind of complex solution.  A common temptation in the Christian life is to look for something new, something novel that you haven’t tried before.  I have found the exact opposite approach to be the most powerful.

“The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul.”  -Psalm 19:7a.

Praise God for his Word!  The Bible is an awesome book.  This is not a new revelation; it is an old, time-tested one.  Returning to it has revived my soul.  God’s Word is perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, true, righteous altogether, more desirable than Gold and sweeter than honey.  It revives the soul, makes wise the simple, rejoices the heart, enlightens the eyes and endures forever.  In short, God’s word is exactly what we need.  In the midst of a busy season of support raising, we ask that you pray for God to breathe life into us through the Bible.  You could even use Psalm 19 as a prayer guide for us.

Going back to the first sentence of this post, we’ve had some rough weeks.  Lately, we’ve also had some very sweet days.  God’s Word, applied by the power of the Holy Spirit, really does do what it says it does.  It revives the soul.  Happy are those who hear it and keep it (Luke 11:28).  Pray especially for our children, that–as they grow–they would “set their hearts to study the law of the Lord and to do it and to teach it” (Ezra 7:10) among those who do not yet know Him.

Sometimes doing things that are worth writing about requires that you stop writing, in order to do them.  That being said, we desire to be good stewards of your support and interest in our lives, for the sake of Christ.  Here are some randomly–providentially–ordered things related to the Pals’ family and/or Japan.  If you’re here solely to see pictures of our children, you can scroll to the bottom.

Progress update: We officially started the partner development stage of ministry in March.  Since then, we’ve shared our story with about 50 people.  The Lord has opened the door for many to join in sending us to Japan.  By God’s grace, we’re at roughly 35% of the monthly support needed to pack the bags.  We’ve also been plugging away at learning Japanese (15 minutes/day keeps monolingualism away) and the training assigned by WorldVenture (9 of 11 book reports done and submitted).

Prayer request: We realize most people feel life is too busy.  In fact, you’re likely so busy that reading this far has been a sacrifice for you.  We hope that means you can sympathize with us in our weakness.  The burden of work, ministry and family feels uniquely heavy right now.  It’s less about a lack of time than it is about a divided heart–an inability to be fully engaged in any one thing because other things are always waiting to be done.  Here’s how we’d ask you pray for us during the next couple weeks: that we would not “eat the bread of anxious toil” (Psalm 127:2) but instead would find deep, satisfying rest in God alone (Psalm 62:5).  The Lord works for those who wait for him!

Up next: In addition to continuing with partner development, we’ll be in Colorado during the first two weeks of July for training (and a wedding).  Ezra is already looking forward to the airplane ride.

The Unseen Face of Japan:  I recently read a book by this title, written by anthropologist David C Lewis.  As we go to Japan, we want to take your hearts with us.  Not literally, of course.  I mean that we want you to desire Japan’s joy in Christ, just like we do.  To that end, here are a couple quick thoughts from The Unseen Face of Japan: 

• Only 18% of men believe that there is life after death; yet, the majority of men reported making religious offerings to or on behalf of the deceased.  Why?  Remembrance of the dead, tradition, social pressure, fear–50% of people surveyed feared that divine punishment would befall them if they did something bad.  The conscience betrays the doctrine.
• 64% of Japanese adults and 83% of teenagers wonder why they exist.  We know why and want the opportunity to tell them.

Tulip Festival:  Here are the promised pictures.  We spent May 15-17 in Orange City, Iowa celebrating all things Dutch.  Needless to say, John Calvin would have felt right at home.

Me: Ezra, did you know that tomorrow is a special day, when we get to thank God for Mommy.  Can you say, “Happy Mothers’ Day”?

Ezra: (starts to sing) Happy birthday to you.   Happy birthday to you. (trails off…)

Me: It’s not Mommy’s birthday.  It’s Mothers’ Day!  Is there anything you want to tell Mommy?

Ezra: I don’t know.

Me: Maybe you could tell her thank you for something.

Ezra: Thank you for the lawn mower and the grass and the brrrrrm.  Haha.  That’s funny.

Me: Are there any stories that you’d like to tell Mommy?

Ezra: One time, I mowed the lawn.  And, ‘of a sudden, the lawn mower broke.  Mechanic! Mechanic!  And the screwdriver went around and around and around.

Me: Violet, is there anything you’d like to say to Mommy?

Violet: (claps hands)

Me: Are you clapping your hands for Mommy?

Violet: (Laughs at Ezra who is making funny faces at her)

Me: Violet, God gave you a good Mommy.

Violet: Duh duh duh duh duh

Thank you for being Ezra and Violet’s Mommy.  I am amazed by your perseverance, humbled by your daily sacrifices and challenged by your consistent gentleness.  Much of what you do for these two little ones goes unnoticed.  But, “in due season, you will reap, if you do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).  You are most deserving of a Happy Mothers’ Day.

When I first began considering missions about nine years ago, I tried to talk myself out of it.  If I’m honest, there was only one thing holding me back from fully embracing the idea–financial security.  The idea of raising support and depending on other people to provide for me and my ministry was unattractive.  Or, maybe repulsive would be a more accurate descriptor.  I think that many potential missionaries have been kept off the field out of a fear of asking for money.  In our pride, we would prefer to be financially independent–to not have to ask anyone else to help us out.

Obviously, God has done something to change my heart, or I wouldn’t be in the middle of the support raising process right now.  I want to share how my views have changed, in the hope that it will encourage others who are wrestling with the same thing.  I want to see more laborers enter the field.  Don’t let a fear of support raising keep you from laying your life down for Christ.

We officially started asking people to support us financially in March, and I can honestly say that it has been an incredible blessing.  Don’t get me wrong, the past two months have been difficult.  Just not in the way I expected.  Nine years ago when I was first wrestling with the idea of support raising, I was afraid of “feeling like a beggar.”  The picture I envisioned was a man cowering in a corner with a timidly outstretched hand, whispering weakly, “If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, could you please, you know, giving me some money or something.”  I thought the difficulty of support raising would be a sense of shame for needing money to go for the sake of Christ.

In reality, the difficulty of support raising is the daily grind.  It’s like the two-a-day football practices when you’re in the hot sun, hitting each other for the first time in nine months.  It’s simply tiring and leaves you a bit on the sore, sweaty side.  If that sounds manly to you, that’s because it is.  Support raising is a lot of work, especially when you’re also working a full-time job and raising two little ones.   It’s a good work though, full of joy and deep friendship–a Fellowship of the Ring kind of bond.

The idea of doing business as mission is growing in popularity and deservedly so.  The thought is, “Why raise support to go to an unreached people group, when you can minister within the context of a self-sustaining business?”  There is certainly biblical precedent for doing so–the Apostle Paul is famously known for supporting himself as a tent-maker.

However, “tent-making” appears to be the exception, not the norm in the Bible.  I believe that tent-making and/or business as mission should be pursued when it is most advantageous for the spread of the Gospel. Even Paul relied on the support of other believers part of the time, if not most of the time (see 2 Corinthians 11:7-9 or Philippians 4:15-18 for a couple examples).  More importantly, Jesus, the manliest Man of all, relied upon the support of others (Luke 8:1-3).  If the King of the Universe who lacks nothing and reigns over everything can humble himself to accept the support of others, who I am to think myself above it?

Although we initially considered the idea of going to Japan as English teachers, we believe that our gifts, personalities and circumstances lend themselves most effectively to the spread of the Gospel as full-time missionaries.  Once we reached that conclusion, it was a simple choice–we must sacrifice financial independence (or at least the illusion of being financially independent), because it will free us up to do what we really feel God calling us to do, namely make disciples.  We will gladly rely on the financial support of friends and family members, if it will result in people coming to know, love and savor Jesus Christ!

So now, here we are.  Two months into support raising.  Like I already mentioned, it’s tiring work, but it’s a good kind of tiring.  It is an awesome thing to invite people to become “partners in the gospel” with us (Philippians 1:5).  Every time we share our story with others, I get a little bit more excited…not only about the work we will be doing in Japan, but also about the fact that the people we love get to be a part of it.  By God’s grace, you are literally what makes our ministry possible.  We are the ones who are uprooting our family and moving to the other side of the world; yet, we’re not the only ones who are making a sacrifice.  Many of you are, too.  Praise God for this gift!

By the grace of God, I can now confidently ask–without any sense of shame or loss of manhood–“Will you consider being a part of our ministry to Japan?”  We’re not after money.  We’re after more than that. “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  We want your heart to be invested in our ministry.  And, we want the opportunity to tell people about Jesus Christ who would otherwise not hear about him in a true and meaningful way.  We can’t do that without the generous support of our friends and family members.  And, we wouldn’t want to, either.  If you haven’t already, please let us know if you are interested in being a part of our ministry in Japan.

There are over two billion people on earth today who don’t even have access to the gospel. Most of them will be born, live and die without having a single person tell them about Jesus Christ in a true, meaningful way. We call these people “unreached.” You can Click Here for a video that shares more about it (start at about the 15 minute mark).

Our call to missions did not include anything miraculous. Certainly, God has worked in our lives in a unique way; however, we never had any visions from God or prophetic words spoken to us or dramatic dreams calling us to the field. We definitely did not hear an audible voice telling us, “Go to Japan!” Our conviction that God would have us go to Japan came primarily from the Bible (how novel!) and secondarily from the realization that the Japanese people don’t have access to the gospel.

Christ’s command at the end of Matthew 28, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And, behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” These verses leave us with the conviction that making disciples among all nations is in fact the call of all Christians. If you are a Christian, you are unquestionably called by Christ himself to bring the nations into the joy of knowing and worshipping God. The question is, “What’s your role?”

We believe that God has called us to a role similar to that of the Apostle Paul, “…to preach the gospel where Christ [is] not known” (Romans 15:20). Paul, like us, found his primary motivation for going in the Scripture. Yes, he was knocked off his horse with a vision of the glorified Jesus. But, he placed the foundation of his ministry in the Old Testament, not his own experience (see Romans 15:21). In other words, Paul went to the unreached, because he believed that God’s plan in salvation history has always been to gather all people to himself through the proclamation of Jesus Christ (Romans 10:11-15). We believe the same thing and feel the same burden.

So, why Japan? Well, depending on who you talk to, the Japanese people are either the largest or second largest unreached people group on earth. It just seems fitting to go to the place where there are the most people without sufficient witness to the gospel and all its awesomeness. The Church in Japan is not yet large enough to share Christ and disciple new believers on its own.  There is a need for more laborers.

This matters. It really matters. We’re not playing a game. We’re not after a fun, new adventure (though I’m sure fun, new adventures will be had). Jesus Christ is everything. You could take away all else in our lives—money, home, health, family, friends, the inter-web—and we would still be rich in Christ. Yet, if you were to take away our Jesus, then what would we have? Good things that will last only a handful of years? It burdens us to know that over 126 million people in Japan don’t have Who we have. We cherish Jesus Christ. We know that he is worthy of love, trust, adoration and obedience, no matter what people group you belong to or culture you identify with. We simply want to play a small part in bringing these things about for people in Japan.  We want Jesus Christ for Japan.  That’s what “the joy of Japan” really means.

That being said, the picture has been clearing up in recent months. We need to reach 100% of out monthly support goal and initial sending costs (for things like airplane tickets, training, buying a car, going to language school, etc.).  Good news–we’re currently at about 25% of our monthly support and 4% initial sending costs.  We thank God for the generosity that our family, friends and church have shown so far.  Like Paul mentions in 2 Corinthians 8:3, some of you have committed to giving according to your means and even beyond your means.  If the Lord continues to move things along at the same pace we are going, we expect to be in Japan sometime around the summer of 2016.  Some of us (Jamison) would like to be there sooner; others (Kathryne) are ok taking things slower.

In the meantime, we’ll be spending our days training for missions, learning Japanese, meeting with Japanese exchange students here in Minnesota, inviting more people to partner with us in ministry and praying for God to prepare the way for us (in addition to working full-time/caring for two rowdy children full-time, being involved at church and occasionally sleeping).  Needless to say, it’s a busy season.  Yet, we can testify that God’s grace is more than sufficient for such seasons.  He has been abundantly good to us…and so have many of you.

By the time I put the book down, I was thinking, “Why in the world are we putting our children through this?”  Essentially, the books tells story after story about how “TCK’s” never quite fit in anywhere.  They are strangers and aliens wherever they go.

Where is “home” for a child who spends the majority of his/her developmental years in Japan but carries a U.S. passport and speaks English at home?  What happens when he/she returns to the U.S. school system on furlough but feels more comfortable learning in Japanese?  How will our blonde-haired little boy feel about sticking out everywhere he goes in Japan?  Are you really prepared to miss all those family gatherings back home?

The more I learned, the more I felt the urge to protect Ezra and Violet from the difficulties of living in an unfamiliar, strange (to me) culture.  My children are precious little ones that need to be shielded from all the emotional trauma of the “TCK” life!  Then, the Lord graciously reminded me of another way to view them–not as fragile, but as potentially deadly weapons.  Can you see it in her eyes?

Psalm 127:4-5, “Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.  Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!  He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.”

Yes, it is good, and it honors God when parents protect their children.  I tell Ezra to stop every time he tries dragging Violet across the floor like a rag-doll, for example.   It is also fitting that parents raise their children with an eye toward letting them fly.  Our children are little, vulnerable and cute.  They’re also a very real threat to the kingdom of darkness.  We’re going to Japan, hoping and praying that God would call Ezra and Violet to himself and then use their experience, learning the Japanese language and the culture, to call many people to himself.  This is a family pursuit that we’re engaging in; it’s a multi-generation ministry.  Please pray for us, as we prepare to let our little ones loose on the nations.

Recently, I had coffee with a Japanese foreign exchange student. He would undoubtedly fit into the categories that the article mentions–depressed in the present and hopeless about the future. Although he doesn’t consider himself a Christian and doesn’t feel ready to put his faith in Christ, he is very interested in studying the Bible. It seems clear to me that he is looking for something tangible to hope in–studying abroad hasn’t given him what he set out to find.

As we drank coffee together, I did my best to share the core of the Christian faith with him:

From Adam onward, the world has been in rebellion against God. What would God do? Would He condemn the world–and us with it? What other option did He have? I read John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Faced with the choice of condemning the world or rescuing it, God chose rescue. Jesus came in the flesh. He served. He suffered. He died. This really happened. Jesus actually came and died, in history. On the cross, he took the condemnation that we earned with our rebellion. Then, amazingly, He came back. Death learned that day that it has no power over God and thus no power over God’s people. Happy Easter! Those who believe have eternal life. Those who trust in Christ have hope that lasts forever. Between now and eternity, a Christian should expect God’s absolute goodness in all things, without exception.

This is a message that many of us know well, hear often, take for granted most of the time. But, my Japanese friend, was apparently hearing it for the first time. This was his response: “This is exactly what Japan needs.” He went on: “We don’t know what it is like to be loved like that.”

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is awesome in power. It can break the chains of depression. It did for me. It can provide hope for the future, to age 40 and then to eternity. I am happy that Japan is pursuing educational reform. I hear that it is needed. I will be happier when a multitude of Japanese people gladly put their faith in Christ. We desire to go to Japan with a message of indestructible joy. We have started this blog as a way of inviting you, our family and friends, into this with us.

For the Joy of Japan,

Jamison (for Kathryne, Ezra and Violet)