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Konnichiwa, ogenki desu ka

Learning to say, "Hello, how are you?" in Japanese was just one summer missions challenge

By Elaine Lau, Class of 2005

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Click Photo to Enlarge Our team performs a drama on the redemptive power of Christ for passersby at Komyoike train station.

Click Photo to Enlarge Stephanie Zarlengo and our team leader, Katrina Jones, sing praises to God outside a mall.

Click Photo to Enlarge Hannah DeVries shares her testimony at a service while Ai Kusudo (on the right) translates.

Click Photo to Enlarge Crystal Shipp (in front) and I help to slice mushrooms and onions to be cooked for lunch.

Click Photo to Enlarge Our assistant team leader, Tim Hilliker, witnesses to university students who were on lunch break.

"Lord, help me," I prayed silently as I began sharing about God's love to a group of mainly Japanese students at a gospel music workshop. It was my first time preaching to non-Christians and through an interpreter.

In early May, along with nine ORU students, I embarked on a missions trip to Osaka, Japan, for two weeks.

With the exception of our team leader, all of us were on an ORU missions trip for the first time. After having attended countless meetings throughout the year, and enduring the Ropes Course, where I was stretched in many ways, I was excited to finally be there.

At the end of our 20-hour journey, we found our first challenge waiting for us at the airport. We had to take the No. 2 bus to Komyoike train station, where our contacts would pick us up. I had my first chance there to speak Japanese to a Japanese gentleman.

"Eigo ga wakarimasu ka?" I asked, which translated into, "Do you understand English?" That phrase would prove vital for us in communicating effectively in Japan.

Thankfully, we arrived at Komyoike station safely. The church we worked with was Izumi Christ Glory Church, with Pastors Fumimasa and Yumi Kusudo. Their daughter, Ai, was our translator.

With rolling hills and sea, Japan is picturesquely beautiful. Japan is also one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world. I was surprised at how clean the streets were, though it was a chore trying to find a trashcan. Almost everything was smaller in size--cars, roads, apartments, food and drink portions, and even the people. The Japanese are one of the most polite and gracious people on earth, and they are highly efficient in all they do.

The first week, we did mainly church ministry--various Bible studies, kids' services, English classes, homeless ministry, gospel music workshop, and cooking and cleaning.

Towards the end of the first week, we did the kind of ministry that we had been looking forward to: talking to non-Christians one-on-one.

We talked and handed out tracts and flyers to students at St. Andrew's University and at the train station. My team also performed a drama on the redemptive power of Christ at the train station.

The first time we went to the university, I was nervous. I hadn't had much experience in this type of ministry, and I didn't know how I was to handle it. However, the Lord taught me through this experience and many more after, that if I stepped out in faith, He is there to help and empower me. Even when we were laughed at, rejected, or ignored by people, it did not faze us.

Another highlight of the trip for me was serving the church in little things like cleaning the church building, and spending time in the kitchen dicing onions and baking cakes and cookies from scratch. My teammates and I were glad to be able to give moments of reprieve to the church workers.

I didn't know what to expect prior to this trip. It was definitely a growing and learning experience for all of us. I will always cherish the memories and the friendships made there. Though there were no major miracles or very many salvations, I believe we planted good seeds that will grow and produce fruit in the Lord's time. I also know that we were there at the right time, doing exactly what the Lord wanted us to do. And that is what truly matters.