That is my cultural lesson for this week!! Japanese toilets areextremely complicated. There are tons of different buttons to push,none of which I understand. On Sunday I thought I was pushing thebutton that flushed the toilet, and instead pushed one that sprayswater up. So I was experiencing a "I Love Lucy" moment at a very nicehotel with water spraying everywhere. I couldn:t figure out whatbutton to push. After about 30 seconds it finally stopped, buteverything was soaked. Lesson of the day: Never push buttons you can:tread!
On a more serious note....classes have been going very well. We havegained a few students in some classes and lost a few in others. A lotof our students are VERY excited about the Christmas Party on Saturdaynight, so expectations are pretty high.
If you have any ideas of simple, no-bake desserts that we could makewith the Preschoolers mothers on Thursday mornings send them our way!Today they did a neat craft with Melissa and had a good conversationabout their life goals.
Melissa had her first experience with the reality of spiritualenslavement. At one of the home:s she teaches in theya re notChristians, and spend an elaborate amount of money on food for thealtar. They are constantly trying to do good things that will bettertheir position in eternity. Very sad. They need to know the only Way,Truth and Life. Pray for that family. Pastor & Mrs. Ito and the twoof us will be having lunch with the wife and son in a few weeks.
Pray this week for creativity as we plan and clarity as we teach.
Pray for Pastor Ito and his wife as they faithfully serve the saintshere and reach out to their community in the name of Christ.
Pray for the presentation of the Gospel at the Christmas Party onSaturday, that seeds would be planted. Pray also that relationshipswould be built between church members and students from our classes.
Thank you so much for your prayers!
Anna
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Thank you for your prayers this week!
Here:s a rundown on my classes:Every day 9-10am, my precious six little preschoolers. Yuma, Kokona,Koji, Riku, Rin, Miho. They are wonderful. We have learned ouralphabet, 1-15, colors, some body parts, and started on farm animalstoday. They are so precious. They ahve also learned Jesus Loves Me,Head and SHoulders, Twinkle Twinkle, and ABC in English. They aresinging in church on Sunday for a special father:s day service. I alsowill be talking about Dad, and being a godly father. Pray for that.
Kids English Tuesday/Thursday 4:30-5:30- six little kids. We are doinga lot of TPR, like touch/walk/sit/stand/open/close/pick up. They areelementary kids taht used to attend the chruch:s preschool.
Adult English Tuesday/Thursday 7-8:30 - three highschoolers and twoyounger adults from the church. The know a lot of grammer but need alot of work in pronunciation and conversation.
Wednesday Kids at Aoki Home 4:30-5:30- eight elementary kids that livein the Aoki:s neighborhood. They are such an amazing Christian coupleand are really reaching out to their neighbors. Pray that theseEnglish classes will open doors.
Wednesday Adults at Aoki Home 7-8:30- four highschool students and anolder couple that many in the church have been witnessing to. Theyinvited us to their home. Pray that they will come and hear theChristmas message on Saturday night.
Friday kids 4:30-5:30. 10-20 kids ages 4 to 2nd grade. Quite a blast!
Saturday Teachers - 2-3:30 - Five teachers from the tutoring center.This is my most academic class and each student purchased a text book.They are very serious students. They are also close to me andMelissa:s age, so we are hoping that some friendships will develop.
Melissa has her own set of classes.
Few cultural observations from this week:
We had the opportunity to go to a ten year memorial dinner for a manthat went to the church. In Japan you have a memorial service andspecial dinner on the 3rd, 7th, and 10th year after someone dies. Wealso went up the mountain to a hotel for a traditional Japanesedinner. We sat on the tatami and ate everything with chopsticks. Therewere over 15 different dishes (mostly raw fish).
Japanese do not linger when they are getting ready to leave like we doin America. We were shocked a few times when the evening was windingup and they quickly packed their bag and seemingly fled to the car.There:s no fifteen minutes of goodbyes. The first time we thought wehad done something to offend them!
So, pray for all of my students. I am loving getting to know them.Pray for Pastor and Mrs. Ito. It can be very lonely pastoring inJapan. A hard ministry. But they are faithfully serving. Pray that wewould bring many people into the church that the Ito:s can follow upwith.
PRAY ESPECIALLY FOR SATURDAY NIGHT. We are doing a big outreach night.We are inviting all of our students and we are having a themed night.This week it is Christmas in America. We are planning to tell thestory of Jesus birth and give a clear gospel presentation.
Thank you all so much for your prayers!
Anna Martin
Here:s a rundown on my classes:Every day 9-10am, my precious six little preschoolers. Yuma, Kokona,Koji, Riku, Rin, Miho. They are wonderful. We have learned ouralphabet, 1-15, colors, some body parts, and started on farm animalstoday. They are so precious. They ahve also learned Jesus Loves Me,Head and SHoulders, Twinkle Twinkle, and ABC in English. They aresinging in church on Sunday for a special father:s day service. I alsowill be talking about Dad, and being a godly father. Pray for that.
Kids English Tuesday/Thursday 4:30-5:30- six little kids. We are doinga lot of TPR, like touch/walk/sit/stand/open/close/pick up. They areelementary kids taht used to attend the chruch:s preschool.
Adult English Tuesday/Thursday 7-8:30 - three highschoolers and twoyounger adults from the church. The know a lot of grammer but need alot of work in pronunciation and conversation.
Wednesday Kids at Aoki Home 4:30-5:30- eight elementary kids that livein the Aoki:s neighborhood. They are such an amazing Christian coupleand are really reaching out to their neighbors. Pray that theseEnglish classes will open doors.
Wednesday Adults at Aoki Home 7-8:30- four highschool students and anolder couple that many in the church have been witnessing to. Theyinvited us to their home. Pray that they will come and hear theChristmas message on Saturday night.
Friday kids 4:30-5:30. 10-20 kids ages 4 to 2nd grade. Quite a blast!
Saturday Teachers - 2-3:30 - Five teachers from the tutoring center.This is my most academic class and each student purchased a text book.They are very serious students. They are also close to me andMelissa:s age, so we are hoping that some friendships will develop.
Melissa has her own set of classes.
Few cultural observations from this week:
We had the opportunity to go to a ten year memorial dinner for a manthat went to the church. In Japan you have a memorial service andspecial dinner on the 3rd, 7th, and 10th year after someone dies. Wealso went up the mountain to a hotel for a traditional Japanesedinner. We sat on the tatami and ate everything with chopsticks. Therewere over 15 different dishes (mostly raw fish).
Japanese do not linger when they are getting ready to leave like we doin America. We were shocked a few times when the evening was windingup and they quickly packed their bag and seemingly fled to the car.There:s no fifteen minutes of goodbyes. The first time we thought wehad done something to offend them!
So, pray for all of my students. I am loving getting to know them.Pray for Pastor and Mrs. Ito. It can be very lonely pastoring inJapan. A hard ministry. But they are faithfully serving. Pray that wewould bring many people into the church that the Ito:s can follow upwith.
PRAY ESPECIALLY FOR SATURDAY NIGHT. We are doing a big outreach night.We are inviting all of our students and we are having a themed night.This week it is Christmas in America. We are planning to tell thestory of Jesus birth and give a clear gospel presentation.
Thank you all so much for your prayers!
Anna Martin
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Thank you so much for your prayers these last few weeks as I finishedschool. I am in Tulsa now spending time with my family as we preparefor my brother's wedding on June 6th. I have received confirmationthat I will be placed at Kaminoyama Church in Kaminoyama, Yamagatawith Melissa. We will be teaching preschoolers in the afternoon, aspart of the church's ongoing preschool ministry, and will be teachingoutreach classes in the evening for adults.
Continue to pray for:
Physical and spiritual refreshment for Melissa and I over the next two weeks.
For Park as he spends the next two weeks in Korea making preparationsfor his wedding in August.
For travel June 10th & 11th. Due to the Swine Flu scare, entry intoJapan has become difficult. Pray that I do not come into contact withanyone with the flu or exhibit any flu-like symptoms while traveling.
For Pastor Ito and the Kaminoyama Church as they make preparations forour arrival. Pray that they would come in contact with people that aresearching for truth, and that they would be drawn in by the Englishclasses.
That God would continue to prepare us to reach people with His gospel,along the way, and in Japan.That God would soften the hearts of our Japanese students.
Thank you so much for praying!
Your co-laborer,Anna Martin
Continue to pray for:
Physical and spiritual refreshment for Melissa and I over the next two weeks.
For Park as he spends the next two weeks in Korea making preparationsfor his wedding in August.
For travel June 10th & 11th. Due to the Swine Flu scare, entry intoJapan has become difficult. Pray that I do not come into contact withanyone with the flu or exhibit any flu-like symptoms while traveling.
For Pastor Ito and the Kaminoyama Church as they make preparations forour arrival. Pray that they would come in contact with people that aresearching for truth, and that they would be drawn in by the Englishclasses.
That God would continue to prepare us to reach people with His gospel,along the way, and in Japan.That God would soften the hearts of our Japanese students.
Thank you so much for praying!
Your co-laborer,Anna Martin
Monday, May 11, 2009
One Month From Today
One month from today.....I will be arriving in Japan. Here are some things you can pray for:
Japan - that the people of Japan will be receptive to the Gospel, that they will forsake their religions and pursue the Lord. Pray that God would raise up nationals to do the work in Japan.
Japanese Church that I will be serving with. Pray that the World Venture missionaries will be able to prepare for our coming and for the ministry that we will be doing. For wisdom of how best to use our ministry.
For those that will hear the Gospel, that even now the Lord will be preparing their hearts to be ready, open and receptive to the Gospel.
That I will develop a servant’s heart, and that I will be ready to serve the Lord whole- heartedly, that I will have a Christ-like attitude throughout the entire trip.
For our health and safety (before, during, and after) while we are on your trip.
For those that we will be working with, that there will be unity as we work together, that we will be able to build each other up and encourage each other.
For those that will be following through on contacts that we make for the missionary and/or Japanese Church
That we will be able to quickly adapt to the climate, time zone and culture, and that we will be sensitive to the people and culture of Japan.
Japan - that the people of Japan will be receptive to the Gospel, that they will forsake their religions and pursue the Lord. Pray that God would raise up nationals to do the work in Japan.
Japanese Church that I will be serving with. Pray that the World Venture missionaries will be able to prepare for our coming and for the ministry that we will be doing. For wisdom of how best to use our ministry.
For those that will hear the Gospel, that even now the Lord will be preparing their hearts to be ready, open and receptive to the Gospel.
That I will develop a servant’s heart, and that I will be ready to serve the Lord whole- heartedly, that I will have a Christ-like attitude throughout the entire trip.
For our health and safety (before, during, and after) while we are on your trip.
For those that we will be working with, that there will be unity as we work together, that we will be able to build each other up and encourage each other.
For those that will be following through on contacts that we make for the missionary and/or Japanese Church
That we will be able to quickly adapt to the climate, time zone and culture, and that we will be sensitive to the people and culture of Japan.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant of the King
Matthew 18:21-35
Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.
Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, 'Pay what you owe.' So his fellow servant fel down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgiveyour brother from your heart."
In my hermeneutics class we have been learning the ways to approach interpretation of narratives. This passage became so much more alive and applicable today after doing some research. This parable that Jesus shares is about a king and a forgiven servant. God is figured into the story as the king throught the application at the end.
The story is simple. The king is settling his accounts. The king forgives the servant. The servant imprisons another debtor. Other servants report this to the king. The king confronts the first servant.
What exactly was happening here? What was this servant doing owing money to a king? It is probable that he was a tax collector. The "settling of accounts" was a time when the tax collectors came before the king and gave him their share of money from the areas that they had collected from. So this was a tax collector who came to the "settling of accounts" with no money. Something fishy was going on. Exactly how much money was this that the tax collector owed the king? 10,000 talents. Was this a lot? Well, one talent is about 20 years wages, so multiply that by a thousand, and in today's economy, factoring the average annual income at $40,000, that would mean that the tax collector owed the king about $10 billion. That is astronomical. Did tax collector's actually collect that much? Not really. King Herod was only allowed to collect 200 talents a year for the Ceasar. This truly was an astronomical amount of debt. Could the servant be that in debt? Could he ever pay that much back? No. So, why are these numbers so absurd? That is the purpose--to show a debt that is impossible to have accrued and impossible to pay back.
Another question we have is, why did Peter ask his question about forgiveness the way that he did? Where did he get the number 7? Well, forgiveness was something that the rabbis of that day thought they had figured out. The general consensus was to forgive someone for the same thing three times then give up. But Jesus was trying to make a radically different point earlier in his ministry when someone asked him how many times to forgive. Jesus had responded, "If he sins against you seven times a day and turns to you seven times you must forgive him." Peter was taking it literally as forgiving seven times, but Jesus was being illustrative to say that you forgive as many times as they repent--an incalculable amount.
This parable also contains many beautiful examples of thematic repetition. My favorite is the phrase, "Have patience with me, and I will pay you." This alerts the reader that they are supposed to be comparing the two situations. Forgiveness is also a thread that runs through the entire tapestry of this parable.
Irony is also used in the story. It is employed in the contrast between the two characters that made the same plea. It is especially ironic because of the individual's different amounts of money owed, particularly in vs. 34 where the King says that the first servant will stay in jail until he can pay his debt, something impossible. Its as if the king says, "You will be tortured forever."
This parable fits into the book of Matthew, a book written to Jews that speaks against the rising synagogue system and teaching of rabbis in order to present a new way of living following the teaching of Jesus. When the temple was destroyed the question of how to be faithful of God was raised. The synagogue movement claimed rabbis were the way forward. Matthew is presenting a different way, the one true way.
So this parable fights against the cultural value of limited forgiveness. It highlights the absurdity of limiting forgiveness of others when God has forgiven my limitless sin. No hurt that anyone inflicts upon me compares to the sin that God has forgiven me.
We need to adjust our standards. So much hurt comes from expecting others to operate within ours. We claim a "justified reaction." We need to operate in a culture of mercy, not a culture of demands. We need to live a new way, the one true way. A culture of mercy that was demonstrated through Christ's work on the cross.
Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.
Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, 'Pay what you owe.' So his fellow servant fel down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgiveyour brother from your heart."
In my hermeneutics class we have been learning the ways to approach interpretation of narratives. This passage became so much more alive and applicable today after doing some research. This parable that Jesus shares is about a king and a forgiven servant. God is figured into the story as the king throught the application at the end.
The story is simple. The king is settling his accounts. The king forgives the servant. The servant imprisons another debtor. Other servants report this to the king. The king confronts the first servant.
What exactly was happening here? What was this servant doing owing money to a king? It is probable that he was a tax collector. The "settling of accounts" was a time when the tax collectors came before the king and gave him their share of money from the areas that they had collected from. So this was a tax collector who came to the "settling of accounts" with no money. Something fishy was going on. Exactly how much money was this that the tax collector owed the king? 10,000 talents. Was this a lot? Well, one talent is about 20 years wages, so multiply that by a thousand, and in today's economy, factoring the average annual income at $40,000, that would mean that the tax collector owed the king about $10 billion. That is astronomical. Did tax collector's actually collect that much? Not really. King Herod was only allowed to collect 200 talents a year for the Ceasar. This truly was an astronomical amount of debt. Could the servant be that in debt? Could he ever pay that much back? No. So, why are these numbers so absurd? That is the purpose--to show a debt that is impossible to have accrued and impossible to pay back.
Another question we have is, why did Peter ask his question about forgiveness the way that he did? Where did he get the number 7? Well, forgiveness was something that the rabbis of that day thought they had figured out. The general consensus was to forgive someone for the same thing three times then give up. But Jesus was trying to make a radically different point earlier in his ministry when someone asked him how many times to forgive. Jesus had responded, "If he sins against you seven times a day and turns to you seven times you must forgive him." Peter was taking it literally as forgiving seven times, but Jesus was being illustrative to say that you forgive as many times as they repent--an incalculable amount.
This parable also contains many beautiful examples of thematic repetition. My favorite is the phrase, "Have patience with me, and I will pay you." This alerts the reader that they are supposed to be comparing the two situations. Forgiveness is also a thread that runs through the entire tapestry of this parable.
Irony is also used in the story. It is employed in the contrast between the two characters that made the same plea. It is especially ironic because of the individual's different amounts of money owed, particularly in vs. 34 where the King says that the first servant will stay in jail until he can pay his debt, something impossible. Its as if the king says, "You will be tortured forever."
This parable fits into the book of Matthew, a book written to Jews that speaks against the rising synagogue system and teaching of rabbis in order to present a new way of living following the teaching of Jesus. When the temple was destroyed the question of how to be faithful of God was raised. The synagogue movement claimed rabbis were the way forward. Matthew is presenting a different way, the one true way.
So this parable fights against the cultural value of limited forgiveness. It highlights the absurdity of limiting forgiveness of others when God has forgiven my limitless sin. No hurt that anyone inflicts upon me compares to the sin that God has forgiven me.
We need to adjust our standards. So much hurt comes from expecting others to operate within ours. We claim a "justified reaction." We need to operate in a culture of mercy, not a culture of demands. We need to live a new way, the one true way. A culture of mercy that was demonstrated through Christ's work on the cross.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Time is Flying!
My semester here at Moody is coming to a busy close! This is my finalweek of classes, and many papers and projects will be turned in(hopefully :) ) by the end of the week. Next week I will take finalsin three of my classes and the following week I will be serving themany pastors that come to Moody's annual Pastor's Conference. My dadwill be among them and I am excited to be a blessing to these men thatserve so faithfully, as well as earn a little extra money to puttowards my fall school bill. :) Then it will be home for my brotherswedding and off to Japan! Time is flying so fast!
A few updates:First of all, there has been a lot of deliberation the last few weeks,on the part of the World Venture coordinators in Japan, of where tobest place me for the summer. There were several churches wanting tohost interns, so the questions was, where would we be most effective?and what locations could best ensure that we would meet the academicrequirements of our internships? After finalizing my location, thepastor's wife became ill this last week and the church decided thatthey could not host me. So,we're back to the beginning. Please PRAYfor Janet and Leon, World Venture field coordinators in Japan, as theymake the decision on my location for the summer. This is crucial inselecting curriculum and resources! I hope to know within a few days.
Also, thank you so much to all of you that are praying faithfully forme! What an encouragment it is that this endeavor is not a solitaryone, but each member of the Body plays its part through prayer, givingand going! I was blessed by a send-off from my church in Chicago,Grace Bible Church, this Sunday. Knowing that I am going on behalf ofso many is a blessing and confirmation. To those of you who havegiven, thank you so much! This truly is a partnership.
Pray:
1) That a specific location will be finalized very soon.
2) For the remaining $650 that I need by May 10th.
3) That God would strengthen Park, Melissa and I spiritually andphysically during the next few weeks before we leave.
4) That God would continue to soften the hearts of the students wewill be interacting with.
5) For many opportunities to spread seeds both in Japan and as wetravel to and from.
Thank you for your prayers and support!
Co-laboring with you,
Anna Martin
A few updates:First of all, there has been a lot of deliberation the last few weeks,on the part of the World Venture coordinators in Japan, of where tobest place me for the summer. There were several churches wanting tohost interns, so the questions was, where would we be most effective?and what locations could best ensure that we would meet the academicrequirements of our internships? After finalizing my location, thepastor's wife became ill this last week and the church decided thatthey could not host me. So,we're back to the beginning. Please PRAYfor Janet and Leon, World Venture field coordinators in Japan, as theymake the decision on my location for the summer. This is crucial inselecting curriculum and resources! I hope to know within a few days.
Also, thank you so much to all of you that are praying faithfully forme! What an encouragment it is that this endeavor is not a solitaryone, but each member of the Body plays its part through prayer, givingand going! I was blessed by a send-off from my church in Chicago,Grace Bible Church, this Sunday. Knowing that I am going on behalf ofso many is a blessing and confirmation. To those of you who havegiven, thank you so much! This truly is a partnership.
Pray:
1) That a specific location will be finalized very soon.
2) For the remaining $650 that I need by May 10th.
3) That God would strengthen Park, Melissa and I spiritually andphysically during the next few weeks before we leave.
4) That God would continue to soften the hearts of the students wewill be interacting with.
5) For many opportunities to spread seeds both in Japan and as wetravel to and from.
Thank you for your prayers and support!
Co-laboring with you,
Anna Martin
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