Days 9 & 10: Sunday and Monday

The last two days!

Sunday (yesterday) began early rushing out the door to Tokyo Bible Church with Joanna, Donn, and baby Naava. (Dea had not slept all night, so she stayed behind). The other two group went to other churches for ministry. During first service, I explained a drawing I did in worship and afterward, the three of us prayed for a few people who needed healing. One guy, after asking me to pray for a heart condition, requested through the translator that I pray God brings him a wife! One person had a drastic decrease in pain and many walked away in full faith despite the lack of instant-healing.

We also did a second service for the youth. Joanna talked a little bit about soaking in His presence and I explained some about how God speaks in various ways (pictures, words, impressions, etc.). We had all of the kids listen to God for themselves and even though only a few had the courage to share, when asked, no one said they hadn't heard anything. Some had some really clear visions and another girl got some freedom in identity. After the service, a few came up to share what they had heard. (We aren't such intimidating tall white Americans when one on one). That service didn't end until almost four so we did not get to the David and Maria's house until after seven (they had a barbecue in our honor that started at four) where we inhaled some food, chatted for a little bit, and took off to get back to Menamisenju. All of us girls were happy to be back by nine so we could make a run down to the bathhouse for a long, cleansing, relaxing soak. It's unanimous that the bathhouse will be the most-missed thing about Japan once we're back in the states (followed closely by the "special drinks" vending machines).

Have I told you about where we are staying? Menamisenju is supposedly the "Harlem" of Tokyo, but it's still 10x better than most cities, simply because it's safe. The area we are staying in has the highest homeless population, but even they are very organized in their habits and don't bother us at all. Ironically, the only one that has been approached by a couple of drunk homeless men is Donn (who is at least 6.5 and has blonde dreadlocks). Tokyo is such a safe-feeling place. It is not particularly friendly or easy to navigate, but the Japanese have such an isolated feel that no one really bothers anyone else and pretty much everyone does what they can to not affect anyone else's life with their own. As unhealthy as that kind of thought pattern can be, it makes for a relatively safe city.

Today was our off day! (Thank You, God!) We started out at ten (yay, sleep!) for Hirajuku and we all did a lot of shopping at the Oriental Bazaar where one can find plenty of Japanese knick-knacks. I was delighted to find an adorable Japanese teaset and a set of adorable bowls that I cannot WAIT to use at home! I also picked up a few postcards for my collection and for my sister's geography project. Afterward, Donn said we had to see the view from Tokyo tower so we went up there to see how the city literally stretches to the horizon from the north, south, east, and west! It was a nice place to take a break and eat some ice cream and then take the fancy elevator (it has constellations and blacklights built into it!) back down once we had enjoyed the view to the fullest. We walked the Hirajuku streets where there are a lot of funky Tokyo-fashion shops (I pretty much could spend one's life savings there!) and I took a series of pictures in various hats. From there, most of the group went to Shibuya to do more shopping but Naava was having a really rough day so Donn and I came back to Menamisenju. He took her back to the apartment he and Dea are at and I took some money for "dinner" and went to the grocery store. That was an experience all in its own-- this puts cafeteria "mystery meat" to shame! I couldn't read a single label. But I've done alright and once I'm finished with an email, I'm headed to go pack up so I'll be ready to head back tomorrow! Later tonight us girls may find another bathhouse to try out, too. Oh lovely Japan.

Well, happy trails to me! And I'll catch you cats on the flipside. (*ahem* stateside).

A few testimonies:
*In the youth service, our translator came up to Joanna and I to ask if we would pray for her friend. The girl was a Buddhist and it was her first time to go to church-- and she'd been totally rocked! She had an experience with God during soaking time which she didn't explain to us but she had tears streaming down her face. We prayed for more encounters!!
*Another team saw a second complete knee healing!
*There was also an increase of eyesight-- a guy had tunnel vision and his range of sight opened up significantly; he went home praying for more.
*I can't remember them all... check out our team blog for more.

Day 8: Saturday

Breakfast was a good kickstart to the rest of the day: Joanna whipped up some fabulous French toast and I even snagged a nap between breakfast and departure. We went back to the Yogen (Prophecy) Cafe and did an all day seminar of sorts. I taught in the first one on Treasure Hunts and after a break, we had a second session and I did a prophetic art piece. We had a lovely dinner of Japanese pizza (which is wayyy different than American pizza but great in its own way). One had corn and mustard on it, but somehow was delicious!!

After dinner, we went out to Shibuya (a major downtown shopping area, the place that is usually in movies filmed in/about Tokyo) and had our own treasure hunts. One of the team saw a back healing! Another ministered to a girl who was depressed because of conflict with her mother. That team also had two members that separately got the word for "red dreadlocks" (which is crazy random enough) and then found him! He got a hug and therefore a shock. (The Japanese are not a very affectionate people for the most part). Two of the girls stayed back for intercession and they found a treasure and got to pray for her connections in Tokyo; she was a believer. My team activated a few Japanese in the concept of treasure hunt and we approached four or five people in our hour of time.

Tomorrow is our last day for ministry and our team received a lot of invitations for Sunday morning. We are splitting into three groups and then will meet up for a barbecue in the afternoon with a family that is one of our main contacts. Joanna and I are stoked to go with Donna and Dea back to Tokyo Bible Church where we got to hang with the children on Wednesday. Monday will be our shopping day and then Tuesday we head out. My emotions are mixed; I very much miss home (my pillow especially) yet the thought of leaving this nation is difficult too. I just have to trust that Jesus will use my little seeds to His great purpose.