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.