A death.....

Just recently, people in Japan were shocked by a death of 6 years old boy.
Here is the story. The boy and his mom were at Play ground and she realized her boy was missing. She and some other people started a search for him . Half hour later, he was found dead at restroom near by the play ground. Mom was broken with tears. Couple days later police arrested a killer of the boy. That was his own mother who killed him.
How this could happen?
This mother was very caring, even she made him carry a cell phone with GPS so that she knows where he was and was ready to help him any time.

This mother had some physical problem and often had to ask her son for assistance as she uses restroom. The day, her son was not happy, he didn't want to assist her, and said some harsh word on her. " I don't want to have a mom who is a handy capped"
That word was a final push to make his mom to be a killer. She strangled her own son and tried to hide it.

She was depressed, lonely, suicidal... There were many reasons and factors that lead this tragedy. However not many people are talking about this boy's final word to his mother.
I know children says harsh things but not really means it. They say whatever in their heart and don't think twice before they say it. It is O.K. because they are just a kid.
Well, in this case that was not O.K. That killed him. The word changed his loving mother to a monster. He said wrong words to wrong person,,, a depressed mother.

I started to wonder,,,, Do I really understand the power of words. Am I using this powerful weapon very carefully? Have I killed anyone with word in a past? ( I should ask my own children and husband) Have I made someone a killer because of my sinful attitude and words?

Amazingly, God is teaching me about this matter at "Desiring God conference " this weekend.
The theme of this year is.....".The power of words and wonder of God. "
You can read or listen to the sessions on line at http://www.desiringgod.org/
More than 3200 people are gathering Minneapolis to ponder about this heavy issue.
I will write about it later...

A birth....

Recently, God gave me an opportunity to witness a birth. No I was not in a hospital but in a quiet coffee shop. No, a woman didn't have an emergency birth there. I am talking about the spiritual birth.

One Saturday afternoon, I was introduce to a sweet Japanese lady who was eager to learn more about the Bible and Christianity. My Friend has been a faithful witness of Christ for her . She has been laboring more than a year to introduce Christ to this lady (I call her A-san here). Out of blue my friend called me with saying "Would you talk to A-san about Christianity? she is really seeking"
So here I was, meeting someone who were very to close to be born spiritually for very first time. I didn't know what to expect or what to say but just praying that I would be sensitive to the holy spirit. We spent about an hour to talk about her back ground , her doubt and fear about making a decision. It was like a baby who almost peak out her head but refusing to go, maybe waiting for the final push. She wanted to believe but something was holding her back. Again she asked me a very simple but significant question. "Would you tell me what faith really is? " I said " I think faith is to walk with living God who created you and give you every blessing of your life" She paused and all sudden tears rolled down her cheeks.
" A peace just come down to me, the peace I never had before, I can't deny Him anymore"

A new birth. Her face was beaming with joy. I was a simple witness of what God had done. He just gave her new life and that was clear demonstration of His power.

I had to admit I had been struggling about faith myself. The long process of support raise pushed me to spiritual dessert time to time. It was God who arranged everything so that I could be encouraged by this new birth. I started to cry too, because I saw a power of living God who can give brand new life and a beatiful new born!

Our visit at Faith Baptist church (Park Rapids)

One Saturday morning, we left home for Park Rapids MN. Faith Baptist church of Park rapids graciously invited us again as a family. That was busy weekend but we were greeted by wonderful people of the church, beautiful prairie and lakes.

On the way to Park Rapids, we stopped by Long Prairie to meet a retired missionary ,

Helen ,who served in Japan along with Greg's parents. She showed us pictures of baby Greg and told me she was there when he came home from hospital. She is one of our faithful supporters and prayer worrier. That was very very special visit.

We said good by to Helen and hit the road again to Park Rapids, Along the way we spotted Amish girls and a wagon, they were selling quilts , baskets and baked goods. Their chocolate cookies were the best!! I could visit there again just for the cookies.

At Faith Baptist church, Pastor Russ Paulson welcomed us with warm smile and introduce us to the congregation. They were wonderful God's family that reach out community as well as around the world! Kids became little bit antsy after they had to greet for 3 services for the weekend but they seemed felt very comfortable at the church. They especially loved to visit Lake Itasca when we had little free time. That was such a treat. Thank you for having us! It was such a privilege to present the needs of Japan and it was wonderful to meet people who have passion for His kingdom.

On the way home, Micah said "Ah~, That was the best church visit ever " as he bite into sub way sandwich for our late supper . All kids went to sleep in our van shortly after that. Maybe this kind of moments are the most memorable moment of their childhood. Mom and Dad, every body with mini Van took long trips to visit churches, big sky , cattle, simple meals , sleep in the van, but we were all together and dreaming about life in Japan..... I am already miss the beautiful prairie we saw at this trip.