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30th Year as a Missionary to Japan

Discussion in 'Evangelism, Missions & Witnessing' started by John of Japan, May 5, 2011.

  1. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    I wasn't going to do this, but I'm sitting here listening to "My Tribute (To God Be the Glory)" and revising our translation of Rom. 15:20-21, which God used to confirm my call to Japan on my knees in the fall of 1976. I'm just filled with the privilege of being a missionary, my own smallness, and the hope that God is glorified through what we do here.

    We arrived in Japan for our first term 30 years ago today, which is June 6 in Japan. Just before midnight we got on an airplane in California on the 4th. Not realizing what time it was there, but in answer to his request, I had called my college friend in Hawaii and woke him up in the middle of the night to tell him we were heading out. We've been paid back for that many times (got a phone call from America late last night)!

    So we left the US on a China Airlines flight just a few minutes before midnight. No one was there to see us off, since we were far from home and the church we ministered in there had no time for us. We celebrated our 2nd anniversary on the 5th, which lasted just a few hours before we crossed the international dateline. I gave Patty a Belgian crystal necklace, I remember. Our baby boy didn't seem to care much about any of this!

    We landed at Haneda Airport on the 6th since China Airlines was not allowed at Narita International Airport, being the Taiwanese airline. I came off the airplane expecting to see kimono all over, but saw nothing but suits and dresses.

    Three missionary couples met us, the Nortons, Kuehlmans and Robinsons. On the way to Dr. Norton's, were we would stay until we moved into our first home, we stopped for a bite to eat. I was looking forward to my first Japanese meal when lo and behold, the missionaries saw a Denny's and all wanted to stop there!

    The years have been full of both joy and frustration--joy at the Japanese sometimes saved, and frustration at the hardness of their hearts. Only 0.5% are evangelical Christians after over 150 years of Protestant missions. That's less than the Muslim countries! But I wouldn't trade any of it for all the gold in the world.

    If God ever calls you to be a missionary--say yes as quickly as you can!
     
  2. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
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    Happy 30th

    May the Lord continue to bless and uphold you and your wife JoJ. What a ministry.What an anniversary.

    I'll be in Japan for a layover in a few hours before heading for America.
     
  3. menageriekeeper

    menageriekeeper Active Member

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    What a milestone John!

    May God bless you and yours.
     
  4. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    I have prayed that God will continue to use you and bless you. What a wonderful thing you have done by surrendering your life to missions!!
     
  5. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    Thanks, Rip. Too bad we don't live near Tokyo or I'd run out to the airport for a cup of coffee with you. :wavey:
     
  6. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    Thanks much, menageriekeeper and Scarlett O. :wavey:
     
  7. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    Many thanks for persevering through hard times. The Lord will bless you for your labours and sacrifices. I know it is sad when so few respond, but the Lord does call His own in His own time and you can rejoice in them. In our weaknesses we find His strength, and rejoice.

    Every blessing,

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
  8. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    John - God has used you to further the kingdom in Japan and for that, I am ever so grateful. May God continue to bless you and your ministry - and your family - as you continue for hopefully many more years!
     
  9. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    Thanks much for the encouragement Jim. I appreciate you!
     
  10. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    Thanks much, annsni. God is so good!
     
  11. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    I learned my love for missions under Oswald J. Smith of the People's Church, Toronto. They support over 80 missionaries from that church.

    Not all are called to foreign missions, but we can all support it.

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
  12. NaasPreacher (C4K)

    NaasPreacher (C4K) Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the update John. Amen and amen!
     
  13. dcorbett

    dcorbett Active Member
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    Thank you, John...I learned my love for missions after doing a survey trip to Uganda with 18 other members of my church. We actually saw our monies at work, and it was such a blessing!

    May the Lord continue to bless your service to Him, and thank you so much for being where you are and doing what you are doing!!!

    Debbie Mc
     
  14. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    Thank you, John. I doubt if anyone could do what you have done (or would want to) unless God had truly called him.
     
  15. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    He was a great missions pastor. I have a book of his missions messages, The Cry of the World.
     
  16. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    Thanks, brother. You've been on the field your self for more than a couple of decades, right?
     
  17. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    Praise the Lord for your missions burden, and thanks for the encouragement.
     
  18. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    Amen. If God hasn't called, it's foolish to try!
     
  19. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    I want to say that I truly thank God for my missionary wife, Patty. I wouldn't have been here for this long if it had not been for Patty. She's my sweetheart, my best friend, my partner, my church financial officer, my evangelism partner, my secretary, my janitor! In short, the one person I could never be a missionary without! :love2:
     
  20. NaasPreacher (C4K)

    NaasPreacher (C4K) Well-Known Member

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    Just coming up on two actually, though some days it seems like it has been A LOT longer :)
     
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