2019 Japan VBS: Day 3 – God’s Faithfulness

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We are halfway through our VBS program!  In all truthfulness, the morning started with most of the team feeling quite tired.  In our devo this morning, we were reminded that in our weakness, God’s power is made perfect.  Praise God that we can rely on Christ and draw near to Him in our weakness.  Psalm 73:26 says, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”  We long for the all the families at VBS to be able to say this as well!

Today’s lesson was “God loves you when you are struggling!”  The children were taught that no matter what their struggles are, Jesus saves them by providing comfort, guidance, and reassurance every step of the way.  We don’t have to face our struggles alone.  We had crafts, snacks, and rec time, but didn’t have a Life rotation today because we took a group photo![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes”][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”12211″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Something that we’ve been reflecting on as a team this week is how with each year that we have VBS, we also grow our relationships with the families who attend.  Some families have attended for all three years!  We’ve seen the children grow, and in some cases even the families grow!  We thought we’d highlight a family to you, because we are so thankful to have this front row seat to God’s faithfulness in their lives.

Mrs. H brought her daughter to VBS three years ago.  At the time she also had a newborn son with her (he actually turned three today!).  Some of the team members remember Mrs. H to be cautious in the beginning even as she explored Christianity.  They noted that last year she was starting to examine and grapple with what was holding her back from committing her life to Christ.  She attended Bible study with some ladies, and was baptized this past year!  Praise God for a life that was lost and is found!  This year she’s back with another newborn baby!  What a testament to the Lord’s saving power, and how He works through the faithful missionaries, pastors, and other believers who live and serve in Japan!

As we see all the growth in the children and families, we also pray for spiritual growth.  We hope that one day soon and very soon (fun fact: this is the title of one of our songs that we’re singing this week — you can ask Mark to show you a live demo) they will say “But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.” Psalm 73:28[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”12212″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”12213″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Prayer Requests:

  • Please pray for what’s happening behind the scenes that we may not be aware of — as the children go home and talk about what they are learning at VBS to their friends and family, may seeds be planted on soft soil.
  • Pray for the husbands of the ladies like Mrs. H who recently accepted Christ, that they may also come to know their Savior.
  • We will be sharing the gospel story in all the classes tomorrow, from kindergarten to 6th grade.  Please pray that the teaching will be clear and understandable, and that the children will see their own need for salvation.
  • Please pray for continued health and safety for all the people involved and attending VBS.  (The weather app said the “Feels Like” was 116 F today.  I learned that Japan sells electrolyte candy so that people don’t get dehydrated.  It tastes like salt.)

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”12208″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” onclick=”img_link_large”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”12207″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” onclick=”img_link_large”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Thank you again for your partnership in prayer!  I’ll finish with a photo from our funny moment of the day. Toshi and I got off the train but Mark, Ken, Cindy, and Jen didn’t make it off the train in time.  I took this picture when we reunited.  They said the people on the train were very kind and didn’t laugh at them (at least not out loud).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”12209″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” onclick=”img_link_large”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row]