For us, Japan has been a land of challenges, not the least of which has been learning the language. During our three years of language study there have been times when it has seemed that we would never be able to wrap our tongues around those foreign sounds. Thankfully, the Lord gave help, and little by little we were able to make more sense of it all, so much so that by the beginning of last year, I was ready to do a little more preaching and found that as soon as I started, the Lord continued to open the way for me to take an increasing number of meetings throughout the country.
About 50 years ago, the preaching of the gospel in Japan flourished and many assemblies were planted. Regrettably, over the past number of years there has been a rapid decline in assembly testimony and several of these small assemblies have ceased to function. Some of those that remain seem so weak, and in them the lack of gift among brethren is strangely widespread. We cannot accept that the risen Christ has not sufficiently provided for the maintenance of these testimonies and we are greatly concerned that brethren are "burning themselves out" pursuing their careers rather than giving themselves to the study of God’s Word. Consequently, there is a desperate need among the assemblies for men who can accurately and powerfully present the teaching of the Word of God. It is in this area of the work of the Lord in Japan that Mr. Jim Currie has been so useful; I cannot think of another who has such an understanding of Scripture combined with an ability to communicate it in Japanese.
Over the past few years, the assembly in which we and the Curries have been in fellowship has grown numerically. Also, there are a number of young men there who have greatly benefited from studying the Scriptures, and as a result their gift has developed noticeably. Mindful of this, and without disclosing our exercise to any, Ruth and I began to pray as to where the Lord might lead in our service for Him.
Last October, in answer to our prayers, a veteran Japanese gospel preacher suggested that we might consider relocating in Sapporo, Hokkaido’s capital city, where our brother had a burden for a relatively young assembly with thirty believers in fellowship, ten of whom were young men. Presented with the unique opportunity of pouring our lives into these young men and influencing them as the next generation of those responsible for assembly testimony, would we be willing to leave all that was familiar in Tokyo and start all over again, in what is a very different part of the country?
We laid the question before the Lord, and received from Him remarkable peace about the matter. Shortly afterwards, to obtain firsthand information about the situation there, we visited Sapporo, and experienced the peace of God presiding in our hearts. So then, in January of this year, we left Tokyo, and moved to our new city. From the beginning we have wonderfully witnessed the Lord’s leading, and often bow to thank Him for the way in which He has guided.
We can honestly say that, in spite of all the adjustments we have had to make, the assembly in Sapporo brings us great joy. On the first Sunday there we contacted a young woman who came with us to the Sunday afternoon gospel meeting. The following week, our neighbours, who have shown us great kindness and have been particularly supportive of Ruth, came to the regular Thursday evening gospel meeting and are expressing some interest in what the Bible says. Also, as now Ruth is forced to communicate only in Japanese, her ability in the language has taken a giant step forward!
The assembly meets on Tuesday evenings for prayer and Bible study, and for Bible study on alternate Saturday afternoons in a rented room near the large university. These meetings have provided an excellent opportunity for the systematic teaching of Scripture, the only limiting factor being my restricted ability in the Japanese language. The young men are like sponges soaking up the teaching from the Word. Additionally, to sing hymns and discuss the Scriptures, we try to have them to our home as often as possible.
On the first day of spring, we held a two-day conference. Tuesday evening and Wednesday were given over to ministry of the Word, and I felt hugely privileged on the Wednesday morning to bring to those gathered teaching from the Epistle to the Colossians. Ruth and I were personally challenged by some of the ministry given, and we give God thanks for His help. Some of the young folk attending drove five hours to be there, listened to the teaching for three hours, and then made the return trip, all on the same day! We trust that they received suitable help from the Word of God ministered.
In May I am to share responsibility for gospel meetings in Sapporo. We look to the Lord for His blessing and would value your prayers that we might be able to fulfil God’s purposes in this part of the country where He has already worked.
