Mk from Thiland and Mk from Japan

Mk from Thailand and Mk from Japan, what they have common? They love each other`s company:) Their mom and dad have been long time Friend, now they belong to some church in the states, both of them are serving as missionaries in Asia. They are all home schooled in English, so if there is a chance to spend time together, that is the best thing you can imagine.

well, the Tebows stopped by Japan for several days on their way back to the states for the home assignment. We had fun!!!!!! Visiting old castle, stopping by Mr, doughnuts for the snack, riding express train, playing `Risk` late at night.

That was the wonderful memories MKs can have.

Thank Tebows to make an effort to stop by. And come again!!!

Swenson Prayer Update - 5/3/2010

We apologize that it has been so long since our last update. After a rather long, cold, and damp winter here in Japan (lingering into April), we are thankful that the weather finally seems to have turned a corner in becoming more spring like (warmer and sunnier) over the last week or so. Here is an update on our recent happenings.

• We enjoyed having a dear Japanese sister in Christ, staying with us over the past few days visiting from Shikoku (southwestern Japan), whom we got to know in Minnesota while she was studying there several years back. She came to know the Lord while in the U.S. and was part of our Japanese fellowship at our home church in Minneapolis. We have been encouraged to see how she has grown in her walk with the Lord and that she is plugged into a local church in her area since returning to Japan.
• We are thankful that we have gradually been able to plug into ministry in our internship locales of Shonan Grace Chapel & Denen Grace Chapel and that we've been able to develop relationships with people at both locations. Greg was invited to join the worship team at Shonan on a periodic basis, and last week (Sun. 4/25), he played the guitar during the service as part of the team. Greg also had a chance to lead a men's discussion group at Denen in March which turned out to be an instructive experience for Greg in understanding the perspectives of the participating members. Also, Greg has been privileged to continue to meet with Mr. O. of Shonan periodically (usually on a Friday morning) at a coffee shop for fellowship, to encourage one another in the Word, and to pray for each other. We are also planning to host another fellowship dinner for the people of Shonan on Saturday evening, May 15.
• We were encouraged by helpful meetings with several leaders concerning our current internship and our future assignment upon the completion of our internship next spring (2011).
• We were so grateful for a wonderful time of refreshment, renewal and recreation at our mission's annual field retreat at a beautiful resort on the Pacific coast last month (April 17-19), which the whole family enjoyed. We were blessed by the messages on heaven given by a pastor from Victoria, BC who has been serving our mission in Japan over the past ten years or so by coming with his wife to these annual retreats to pastor the missionaries in this way.
• The kids have continued to enjoy their involvement in the kids' program at Shonan. In addition to all the kids participating in the Sunday afternoon program (on the Sundays we are at Shonan), Micah & Jonah also attend the programs Shonan has on Tuesday & Friday afternoons (after school's out). Moreover, Micah has begun attending a group started for middle schoolers last month (April is the start of the school year in Japan), also on Fridays. This not only gives our children a chance to rub shoulders with other kids, but it also is helping them improve their Japanese.
• Home schooling has taken a lion's share of Asa's time and energy, but things have settled in to a reasonable rhythm since the first of the year and the kids have been making progress in their studies. We recently received the results of achievement test that Micah & Jonah took on March 31st, and we were very encouraged with how they did. We are planning to attend a home schooling convention in Tokyo later this month. We are still considering the possibility of other education options in the near future, but we decided it would be best to finish out the current (Sept. - June) school year before making a change.
• Asa has resumed playing the koto (Japanese harp) recently. She started taking lessons from the same lady who taught her beginning in 1st grade through high school. The koto teacher is 80 years old and is only now thinking about retiring from teaching!
• It was a blessing to attend part of the All Nations Returnee Conference March 19-20 focusing on ministering to and equipping Japanese who became Christians while living abroad. We were thankful that the minor injury Micah sustained on his eyebrow when he fell in the hotel lobby as we were about to leave the ANRC was not worse than it was and that the wound healed well.
• Jonah had a great time at soccer camp in late March (Micah did not go due to his injury). He is now very interested attending the summer Bible camp they announced at the camp.

PRAY:

• For clear direction and vision concerning our future assignment after our internship ends next spring, including location, type of ministry, the kind of partnership with the Domei (the Japanese church association affiliated with our mission), and family issues to be considered (children's education, etc.).
• That we would have a good time of fellowship with missionary friends who will be visiting us for a few days next week on their way from Thailand back to the U.S.
  For the fellowship dinner we plan to host on May 15 for the people of Shonan, that it will be a time of mutual edification and encouragement.
• For Greg's participation in a joint Teamwork meeting (between JBF missionaries and Domei pastors) May 17-19 in northern Japan as he is scheduled to give a devotional testimony Tuesday morning (5/18).
• For wisdom and direction in considering educational options for our children. Presently, we are thinking about the possibility of sending the boys to a church based school which uses an English curriculum while continuing to home school Karin.
• That Greg will be able to successfully obtain his Japanese driver's license soon. Presently, he is able to drive with the international license he was issued before coming to Japan last fall, but that is only good for one year. There are a number of requirements that have to be met.
• That we will be able to cultivate meaningful, redemptive relationships with those among whom we live and serve.

Your partners for the Gospel in Japan
Greg & Asa Swenson

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.

Humle begening......

Crossing Mississippi by foot

We visited Lake Itasca where mighty Mississippi's head water was located last weekend. Kids were so excited to find out how this river begins . Surrounding by beautiful forest, Lake Itasca looked like ordinary Minnesota lake. Where the river begins, you see rocks lying across the "river" where you can actually cross Mississippi with just few steps. It was impressive . And before I knew it, kids were other side of river!

It was not like seeing Niagara falls or something like that. But I considered this experience was one of the kind you will never forget. Water was so calm and peaceful. It was so refreshing and welcoming. Kids can swim in lake and also Mississippi river which is like little creek. However, everybody there seemed to be touched by the fact they were dipping their feet where the great river just begins.

A humble beginning of mighty river. It is hard to imagine this creek leads to Gulf of Mexico.

Our vision and imagination is so limited compare to what God creates. We might never be able to see where He leads us as far as our ministry in Japan but by God's grace, we would like to be a little creek which gives joy to people and leads to greatness of God.

By the way, kids went far beyond just dipping their feet there, as we leave they were wet from head to toe and very content.

16 years ago, we were just two..

16 years ago, I met a young lady from Japan who just arrived to the States to attend a school in Colorado. I (Asa) was doing internship for my seminary degree at Japanese church in Denver area for the summer.

Miwa and I connected immediately and became good friends through Bible study, student out reach ministry. I sensed that she had very sincere interest in Bible even though that was very new to her. God brought so many Christians on her short time there , the seeds were planted and she returned home couple month later.

A year later I also returned to Japan. We kept in touch even though we lived in different islands of Japan. One day she called me to tell she was going to be baptized at her home town. I was so excited. By God's grace I was able to make a trip to witness her baptism!

Following the year I moved back to MN to marry Greg. Miwa took a trip to U.S. to attend our wedding and she was my personal attendant for the day. I still remember right before I walk down the isle, she prayed for me as I was so nervous.

Couple years later Miwa met a single missionary from Ohio at nursing school in Japan. They fell in love and married. They lived in Japan several years before Mike, Miwa's husband took a position as an associate pastor of CB church in Ohio. Now with their 2 cute boys, they visited us this summer!

It was amazing to see our children and their children created instant bounding with each other .

Just like I and Miwa was that way 16 years ago. They had great great time together .

Strangers must think they were brothers or cousins!

While kids were having fun together , adults shared God's grace and goodness for thier lives, and challenges as a minister or a minister to be or as their wives.

As I write this blog entry, I again see how God coordinated to gave me a very special sister in Christ 16 years ago. I had no idea we would share so many common grounds in future. It was amazing to see how her life was transformed and grow mature as a follower of Christ and now serving for Him.

This is the reason I want to go to mission field! I want to meet people who are looking for the meaning of life and witness their lives will transformed in Christ. I want to meet people like Miwa and watch them grow all over again!