Project Ezra - Luke 2

This Monday I was privileged to participate in Project Ezra again. Although the recommended reading was different this weekend, I still wanted to participate in some way, and I'm glad I did. This weekend, they got teams together to read the whole Gospel of John in the open air. I'm not quite there yet, but I still praise God that they are doing so many exciting things to increase involvement.

Since there are many Japanese people who have very little idea of what Christmas is all about, I chose to read Luke 2. Monday afternoon, the weather was cold but clear and sunny, and I headed out to read in Suido park. Just as I was about to leave, I realized that my very friendly neighbor lady was outside shoveling, and I prayed for boldness to be able to share with her, and prayed that God would save her. She is very easy to talk to, and usually starts the conversations, sometimes to my chagrin if I'm leaving in a hurry. But I do always try to be kind and talk with her a moment. So, as I left my apartment, it was no surprise that she started talking to me and asked where I was going. I explained that I was going to read aloud in Suido park, and somehow or other started reading Luke 2 to her. I only read about half of it, as it was quite cold and I read very slowly in Japanese. I'm also not sure if I was even reading loudly enough, as she kept leaning closer in to hear. Chatting briefly, she seemed happy to hear me read, and wanted to have me read to her again. If I understood her correctly, she's illiterate. I offered her one of my New Testaments, but she didn't accept it because she couldn't read. But she said she was really looking forward to me reading it to her again!

I walked to Suido park then, and it was very cold, but I was filled with praise. Recently my favorite Christmas carol praise songs are O Come All Ye Faithful and Joy to the World. I got to the park which was nearly knee-deep in snow, and so I didn't walk the perimeter, but went straight to my usual tree on a hill. I began to read, and presently, two little girls who were playing at a house across the street came running over. One of them is a student of mine, in second grade, and she also attended the Catholic kindergarten. I told them I was reading the Christmas story from the bible and asked if they wanted to hear it. They said yes and came and stood next to me. So I squatted down so they could see what I was reading, and continued. They listened, but were fidgety, playfully pushing each other. Halfway through I stopped and asked them if they had ever heard that story before. My student had, by virtue of attending the Catholic kindergarten, but the other girl hadn't. I offered them a Christmas present of a New Testament, which they joyfully accepted, thanked me, and ran off, clutching their new treasure and escaping to the warmth of the house. I finished reading the second half, and then went home, praising God and memorizing the new girl's name.

It is such a blessing to be able to have these opportunities, and I want to try and find time to go to the other parks during the week, now that I'm on winter vacation. I don't even mind having gotten a wet backside from squatting in the snow or letting my toes get frostbite. I realize I still have a ways to go in the area of boldness, but I'm excited by the ways God has been using me.

That night too, after orchestra practice, I invited the other horn players and anyone I could, to come to our Christmas Eve candle service. One clarinet player I invited said she couldn't come because she lives so far away. She mentioned the town Kashiwazaki, which is at least two hours away, but maybe doesn't take that long on the tollway. But it started a good conversation where I was able to share the meaning of Christmas and the Gospel with her, which she had never heard before. I want to be more bold, so that I don't miss any of the opportunities I have left! Even though I often come away from such times feeling like I didn't say enough, or didn't make much sense, it's encouraging to remember that it's not about my performance, but about God's grace.
To Him be the Glory!