Monday, September 04, 2006

Door Knocking

...on the streets of Japan is not as intimidating as I am sure it is other places. I had the priviledge of going with a friend of mine, Alice, who is a missionary. She started studying the language when she was 14..before she was even called to be a missionary. It is amazing how the Lord works isn't it? Well, we went out last Thursday night, and I was excited to be able to watch Alice in action with the Japanese. The very first door we knocked on, however was an American, he is military, and had just moved in that day. His name is Doug, and we talked with him for almost an hour! I believe the Lord was truly tugging on this man's heart and sent us at that very moment for a reason. He had been up for over 20 hours! I think all he could do was listen :) We are praying he makes a decision soon. From there, we met a man on the street, and Alice and I bowed low saying "Kombowa" (sp) (Good Evening). "Dozo yunday Kodosai" (sp) (read this please) as we gave him a Japanese tract. Alice said a few more things that I did not understand, but she told me that she clarified that the tract we gave was to explain how to know Jesus Christ. Ladies,(and my family ;) ) I was sooo excited! The Lord is so good to allow me to be in attendance to His mighty work. We knocked on 2 other doors where 2 other Japanese gentlemen answered. "Gomenisai" (I'm sorry) for disturbing them, and then more low bowing. Alice said that is alot of communicating with the Japanese...apology and bowing...especially if you are an American. ;) Alot of Japanese think they must already be Christian in faith to even accept a tract..they don't think they are "allowed" to attend our churches unless they are already a Christian. It is for this reason that door-knocking in these countries to spread the gospel is so imperative. Alice kindly explained that they can read the tract even though they are not Christian...we take so many things for granted don't we? There are shrines all over this island where the Japanese believe there dead ancestors spirits live-they worship their ancestors and pray to them. They have a huge festival once a year for their dead and they go and "feast" with them. Late into the night I could hear their drums and music as they worshiped...very heartbreaking. The Japanese..especially Okinawans are a gentle, polite, beautiful people I am so thankful I am having this opportunity to help get the gospel to them. Our church has a Japanese ministry- we have translator headsets for our Japanese and a separate service- just last night a Japanese couple who recently received Christ as their Savior was Baptized :) PTL He is so merciful.

13 comments:

Angel Feathers Tickle Me said...

Love to all.........

Kristi said...

That's wonderful. It is amazing how God works and puts everything in order for His purpose. I know it's difficult to be away from your family as your hubby serves our country....been there, done that. But aren't you ever so thankful for the opportunity God has allowed you to serve HIM there as well?

~Kristi

Heather said...

Kristi- it is neat how the Lord provides oppurtunity no matter where we are! We have been so blessed...

abrightnewdawn said...

awwww, Heather, you can whine WHENEVER you need to!!! I feel ya, sorry but I might as well be overseas sometimes WAY out here! But I don't know your pain. And I'm REALLY grateful we are non-deployable right now. Such a nice break for us. ANYways..I will meet you SOME day, and I know you so well all ready!!! The Marine Corps is SUCH a small world, and really so is the United States, we will definitely connect sometime!!
In the meantime...whine away, whine away...

abrightnewdawn said...

oh yeah, and I really admire your soul-winning efforts. Not in a way of pride, but I just have such a fear. I know, I know. But I do. Some day. Right now it's not really possible with all the young kids. But I used to take out kids in NC and hand out tracts and flyers every week, but not door-knocking. SUCH a chicken. Especially when these teens could and I couldn't. (They were raised doing this, and they were SO comfortable and good at it!!)
Anyways, great testimony, and keep it up!!!

abrightnewdawn said...

sorry for the books!!!

Heather said...

:)Dawn, I started as a silent praying partner...just watching and learning. Every other Tuesday morning, we all rotate watching the kids :) I am always fearful beforehand....until the door opens and we talk...then the Lord takes over!!The Lord gets all the credit for the boldness- Eph 6:19 is a wonderful verse to meditate on!!

Susan said...

More! More! I want to hear more! :) I love to read about soulwinning in other countries. I've been a soulwinner for over 16 years now, and I always heard that one particular way works the world over. Well, I've found that's not true, after living in another country, so I love to read how it's done effectively in different countries. There are so many ways to reach out to people, things that work well in one country but not in another, etc. And I'm always scared as I'm going, but so many times the fear goes away in the excitement of sharing the Gospel! The Lord does give courage and strength in the moment we need it.

Heather said...

Amen Ms Susan, so true!! BTW...still need to get the info from the Navato family to you :)

Anonymous said...

I found some tracks on line that I want to get. I know that is the "chicken" way to go about it. Oh well. A for effot I guess :~)
I was told by my friend Crystal, "You can't take someone home, if you don't know the addrss." or something like that. I'm not fast enough in the Bible to answer peoples "hard" questions...so, tracks it will be until I'm not such a "Baby Christain".
I will be praying for all the people that you have/will "talk" to there in Japan.
Miss you,
Tobi

Mishel said...

Thanks for sharing this Heather. As Dawn said, I too appreciate your soul-winning efforts...when you were here AND now in Japan. It's something I struggle with (going door to door)because of fear. : ( But when I hear stories like yours and how the Lord works through going door knocking, I am enouraged.

Love you tons,
Mishel

Heather said...

::hugs:: to my friends..it is truly only the Lord...only Him- I'm sorry if it appears I am trying to take any credit whatsoever. I am truly just on the recieving end of a blessing...totally undeserved I promise you. Tobi, I love you, it takes boldness to hand someone a tract...you go girl!

Free In Christ said...

Heather, you never cease to amaze me. The Holy Spirit just permeates from your writings. I got chills (good ones) when I read this post. You are such an encourgement to me--once again. I will be praying for your door knocking experiences.

Love in Christ~~~~Melissa