Day 23 & 24
Saturday/Sunday, August 4-5, 2007

On August 4th we had a 90min performance for the VIP Club in Ueda. It was held at the same building we used in 2005. The performance went really well. At the end before we did our last dance to "Deep Deep", Alyssa spoke about the Love of God and sin, and how only Jesus can cleanse us and make us whole. She cried as she spoke passionately about the Love of our Savior and how she wants each of them to know Christ. She called out for them to make the choice to follow after Jesus. Tomomi was her translator that day, and she ended up in tears as well. We praised the Lord for speaking through them that day. We talked to people afterwards, some who came 2 years ago, and this time brought their unsaved friends. Hallelujah!

That night we went to the Chikage family's house for a dinner with the team. It was not just any dinner, it was just about the most fun I have ever had eating! The had a bamboo 'chute' set up outside the house, starting higher and traveling down to the end of the driveway. It looked like it was for water to run down, that was true, only there were also going to be noodles running down! You had to stand there with your bowl of broth and your chopsticks, and try to catch the noodles as they came sliding down, with water carrying them quickly to the bottom. So much fun!! I wish I could send you pictures, but I am not able to send pictures from the house where I am, so you will have to wait until we get home!

We all sat around outside, eating so much yummy food, with barbecue food that just kept on coming! The evening was beautiful, blue sky and green rice fields across the street. We all had a wonderful time together. After that we went in and sang worship songs and then they read the response forms from the audience at the VIP Club performance that day. Here are a few of the comments:

" I was impressed by your dance. You gave me hope to live"

"I could feel God's heart through your dances and testimonies"

"Now I want to study more about Christianity"

"Your testimonies were filled with the Holy Spirit"

"I felt like my heart was being washed, from seeing the dance that looked like angels"

"From your smiles I could feel your joy being loved by God"

"I received God's message through your dances."

"You showed us God's love, so now *I* am challenged to show this love to others."

"I could see the cross at the center of your performance"

All praise and Glory to the Lord, who shines through us to reach these people! Our team, and the team here, spent time that night sharing what God had done in our hearts and what had been meaningful moments during this trip. It was an awesome time of fellowship, sharing in what the Lord had done.

The next day, August 5th, we danced at Ueda Christ Church (our last performance for this trip). We danced, Naomi shared a testimony and I spoke about the ministry back home and also shared how we have been so blessed by the Christians in Japan. I could not hold back my tears as I spoke of the non-Christians in Japan, and the sadness I see in their faces, the hopelessness in their eyes. In comparison with the Christians we meet in Japan who are bubbling over with joy and passion for the Savior. My heart breaks for the people of Japan who do not know the Lord. Out team feels so privileged to be part of spreading the gospel in Japan and working along side the ministries here. We will be praying that God gives them the strength and endurance they need to reach these people.

Mikio said that the pastor of the church was very impressed and deeply moved by our dance and testimonies that morning. He definitely wants us to come back next year.

After church we sadly had to say good-bye to Tomomi. It is so hard to leave all these wonderful people! They took us out for the afternoon... eating, a bit of shopping, rest, and then we all went back to our host families to do final packing for our trip home.

Hannah and I had a delicious dinner with our family. They invited a couple, who spoke English, over to eat with us because they only speak a small amount of English and they wanted to talk to us more. It was another fun night spending time with these people. Mom Mori (last name) shared about how much she enjoyed the dances and our faces when we danced. She told us how wonderful it was that we danced to hymns, because she knew the words and it made the dances become so powerful. During our "Deep Deep" dance that morning, I saw her sitting in the front row, her face was so moved as she sat there with a covered mouth and tears welling up in her eyes. She can not speak much English at all, but there is no denying her love for God and joy in Him. We are so blessed by this family.

In each place we have been we say, "this is the best group of people, we don't want to leave them and go to another place!". But then we go to the next, and the next, and they are all just wonderful! They welcome us with open arms and make us feel part of their family and community, we will miss our Japan family.

Everyone is feeling well here, praise God! We hope that the Lord is blessing each one of you as you look to Him.

Seeking His Face,


and the CMA Japan Team