Our last full day in Japan! It’s hard to believe that this trip is already coming to an end. In the morning, Rich and Mark took our luggage to the new hotel while the rest of us girls took the bus to a bakery and then walked to the Ikomaikan. The walk was beautiful, with scenery that you don’t get in the LA. We then helped set up for church and got ready for KSE Sunday!

The kids got to perform Magnified and Spinning, songs they’ve been singing and learning throughout the week. Pastor Hide then shared a message from our KSE theme verse: “Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!” Psalm 34:3. I loved how he connected the message to the truths we’ve been teaching the kids and singing about all week.

It was also so beautiful worshiping alongside our brothers and sisters in Japan. Some songs were unfamiliar, while others like What a Friend We Have in Jesus, were familiar to us. And for the final worship song, the whole KSE team came up to do it. This was something I never thought I would do, let alone in Japan. Naoto and Mark played guitar, Dani sang the first verse and chorus, and then the rest of our team joined for the remainder of the song in front of the congregation. We sang Chris Tomlin’s Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) in a mix of Japanese and English. It was moving to look out and see people in Japan worshiping the same God we worship. My prayer as we sang those words together was that those who don’t yet believe would take the lyrics to heart and come to know that the grace of Jesus is for them too.

After church, we prepared for the American Party. We served pizza, rotisserie chicken sandwiches, chips, and salad, and enjoyed some of our final conversations with the families. At the end, each team member had the opportunity to share a short message with everyone. It was emotional knowing this would be our last time speaking to them together. We shared how thankful we are for their hospitality, kindness, and friendship, but ultimately, our greatest prayer is that they would come to know Christ.

It was so hard to say goodbye. The kids and families were so kawaii, bringing us gifts and notes, and asking us to sign their shirts and posters. Our hearts are so full of love for these families, and at the same time, it breaks our hearts knowing that so many of them still don’t know Jesus. Please pray that the seeds planted this week would take root and that God would continue to work in their hearts long after we leave.

That evening, we had dinner with the Saitos and Kawais, wandered around a few random places nearby, and eventually ended up just loitering in a parking lot for a while (classic Lighthouse move haha). Then we headed to the hotel for our final night of rest in Japan.

The next morning, we had breakfast with the Kawais at the hotel before heading to the airport. And in God’s providence, we ran into another STM team who had just finished their own week of VBS at Mustard Seed Church. Cindy recognized some of them from her time in Japan and shared with me how Lighthouse had actually helped them get started with their VBS by providing resources and information. It was such a cool reminder that God’s work in Japan is so much bigger than any one team or church. We’re just one small part of what He is doing.

Then, at the airport, we got one more opportunity to spend time with the families. Some of them came to hang out with us before we left, and Japanese airports are nothing like LAX, so it’s actually is a fun place to be at. We got matcha soft serve, took more family photos, and enjoyed one last time together before saying goodbye. Then it was off to Narita before we finally made our way home.

Looking back on this trip, I am thankful to God, who brought us to Japan, sustained us, opened doors, and allowed us to see glimpses of how He is working. We may not see the fruit of every seed planted this week, but we can trust that He is faithful.

One of the songs we sang at Logos on Sunday was the Japanese worship song 花も (Hanamo). Its lyrics felt like a fitting way to end:

“Let the flowers and clouds, let the winds and the deepest seas, sing praise to the Lord. Let our voices light the skies, oh my soul, let your praises fly, give thanks to the Lord.”

After seeing glimpses of God’s work in Japan, our prayer is that everyone would one day join in that song of praise, that they would come to know the hope and joy found in Jesus and lift their own voices to worship Him! Our time in Japan is over for now, but we trust that the Lord will continue His work long after we leave and they will be in our prayers. Until next time, Japan!

And thank you to everyone who partnered with us, prayed for us, and followed along throughout this trip. Your support and prayers were truly encouraging to us!

If you’re interested in the 花も (Hanamo) lyrics and song: https://minishinningstar.com/2020/04/26/%E8%8A%B1%E3%82%82-hanamo/