Lily Suzuki's Prayer and Newsletter

August

Dear Prayer Partners, Supporters and friends of The Mission Work in Amakusa, Japan

It is hard to believe that this is my 5th summer in Japan. The cicadas are humming busily letting us know that the real hot and humid summer is here to stay. The “tsuyu,” rainy season this year was very short so we must be careful with our water. The farmers are busy harvesting their rice crop and the big Buddhist religious celebration, “Obon” has passed. I still cannot believe that my partner, Sue, and I are really serving the LORD here in Amakusa. We praise God every time we see the beautiful Island surrounded by the ever changing ocean, lush green mountains, breath taking sunsets, gentle people and real fresh air. We have gotten used to driving on the left side of the road and zipping around in our “wakaba” marked car like natives. The “wakaba” marked cars are driven by new drivers, so once people notice our mark, they stay far behind. It is convenient, because they give us lots of space. Our ministry area have also expanded.

God has blessed us richly and Sue, my partner, and I count our blessings each day and thank Him in awe. Since we do not have a Church or Pastor to be responsible for us like the past, every experience is new to us. Our rented house is a blessing and our landlord is very thoughtful. They are very kind and help us with directions and advice. We are trusted enough to be allowed to walk their dog, Ichiro, whenever we have time in the evening. We often miss our pets at home.

We thank you for your many prayers for us and know that God listens and honors them. Psa. 121 : 3 – 4 : “He will not let your foot slip, He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Isreal will neither slumber nor sleep.” We are often comforted with this verse and often share it with our students and new friends. People here have such rich history of Christian ancestors who were martyred, because of their faith, but the people here have very closed hearts and practice Buddhism or worship many gods. Tradition and customs are very difficult to break. Some Christians who attend church will continue to serve their family god and the reason will be that it is Amakusa and family tradition.

We have 3 Churches that we serve. On Wednesdays we serve at Rev. Omura’s Church, where we have 3 English classes in Hondo, about 15 minutes away from our home. One beginning ladies class in the morning, Children’s Class of 4 children in the afternoon, a Class of one adult and a high school student which ends at 9:00 pm or after. One lady, Akemi, accepted Jesus as her personal Savior. A Christian lady in our class whom Sue has been doing extensive counseling, has brought her neighbor, Akemi to our class. Akemi has been hearing the Word of God during “Chapel Time in our English Classes. In July, a Lady Missionary from Korea came to minister through cooking. She gave us her testimony as to how she was persecuted by her family when she became the first Christian in her family, after we ate her delicious Korean food. It was there when Jesus opened Akemi’s tightly closed heart. What joy to have a new Sister added to God’s Kingdom. God caused this testimony to touched and opened Akemi’s heart just at the right moment. It was not by coincident that I was sharing Mark 2 : 1- 12 where 4 friends brought the paralytic to Jesus at “Chapel Time that week. A friend brought Akemi to the missionary’s cocking class. We were taught how important it is to tell others our testimony. God has given us many blessings and His blessings are such powerful testimony to share with others.

On Thursdays, we have joined Hondo’s senior chorus group at the Community Hall to enjoy and to be able to meet people in the community to have the opportunity to shine for Jesus as we become friends. On Thursday, and Friday morning, we also go to volunteer at the City’s Autistic and Dawn Syndrome children’s Center called ,Sukusuku En, translated where the children grow freely and steadily. We enjoy helping and get to know each child and hope to eventually get to know the parents for they come to class once a week with their child to be trained as to how to better raise their child and to be able to meet other mothers for support.

On Saturdays, we go to Rev. Ezaki’s Church in Kawaura to help and to teach English to the handicapped adults and also to the Children’s Class. We can’t have “Chapel Time” during working time with the handicapped adults, because it is run by the City. We have been working along side, making friends, Sue teaching Hawaiian songs with her ukulele and singing traditional children song in Japanese. God never wastes our experiences. Sue remembers the songs her father has taught her and I remember the “douyou, children’s songs, we learn in primary school when I was a child. We sing while we work with our new friends. We fold and put labels on shorts sent by factories. By doing this they earn money for their own living. The handicapped friends taught us how to properly do their individual task, while Sue and I made many mistakes for we are slow lerners….., We were strictly taught with eagle eyes for they really know their task. Since we are their students, we are trusted as two grandmas. They always wait for us as we drive up and we are so loved. They decided that they will take a later bus and to attend the English Class with the children. Praise God! It is working out beautifully. The drive to Kawaura takes 45 min. or longer up the mountain road and it is breathtakingly beautiful.. We visit a shut- in Christian lady of around 85 who broke her hip, Mrs. Yoshida on the way or returning back and socialize and are praying that we will be able to do a short Bible study with her. Please join us in prayer. Mrs.Yoshida often waits on her front porch as she lives alone. After Kawaura, we drive half way around the Island back to a Rev. Minami’s Church in Reihoku where we used to live. We often take dinner and eat in our car, watching the beautiful sunset, praising God and thanking Him for His blessings and protection. We arrive just in time for the next adult English Class at 7:30 to 9:00 pm.

On Sundays, we worship and fellowship in 3 Churches taking turns where we teach English. We are able to work together having good relationship with the 3 Pastors and wives. We pray together and also attend prayer meetings and special events. We are sometimes asked to give testimonies and messages especially at Rev. Ezaki’s Church. Rev. Ezaki just had her little Birthday party which we were able to celebrate with the handicapped friends and she told us that it was her first Birthday celebration. We had a little birthday cake with candle especially for her at the Center and also invited her to our home to gather with her friends. Rev. Ezaki is in her late 70’s and she has been preaching in Kawaura area for more than 40 years. She was introduced to me by a Korean Missionary, Soul sensei, at Omochanomachi Church were I was for a year before coming to Amakusa. God miraculously brought our path together. Her Husband who was a Pastor was in an scooter accident many years ago and hit his head and is no longer able to preach or help her in the Church and he needs much emotional assistance. She also has a handicapped daughter who works at the Center. Please pray for Rev. Ezaki who has explosive energy, but is getting older and needs much encouragement to continue on. We try to go to worship at her church once a month. Last Sunday, her granddaughters and family came home for summer holidays so we were asked to do a testimony and message. Sue sang Amazing Grace and did her recent testimony of God’s grace. I was able to give a message, God’s Amazing Grace, 2 Cor. 12:9 – 10, “My Grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness……” We prayed for Rev. Ezaki’s granddaughter, Megumi as she went through an operation. God answered our prayers and her life was spared during the operation. Her church is the only Christian Church in that area so please prayer for her health, anointment and healing for her husband.

I was able to share about how God spared my son, daughter in law, 6 grandsons from an explosion of our summer cabin way up in the mountains in BC, last month. Only 30 minutes after the family packed up and left for home, the main cabin exploded and went up in flame with 3 other small cabins and scorched the trees. The praise also is that our neighbors were protected. The cabins are gone, but God graciously spared the life of 8. One grandson stayed at home with church friends. I realized how precious our family is and that they are our earthly treasures, gift from God. Another God’s amazing blessing and love. Robert my oldest Grandson is here in Japan visiting Aichi Expo and is on his way to Amakusa to visit Grandma on the bus willing help. God spared his life too. We have an awesome Living God Who answers prayers and watches over us.

We had 38 Korean missionaries, Pastor Lee Jong and his wife, 13 adults, 5 high teenagers, 20 elementary school age come to Minami Sensei’s Church to stay for 2 weeks. Their prayer meeting started at 5:00 am with all the little children praying and listening to Pastors sermon intensely. They delivered 6000 flyers throughout the week in the hot and humid sun in the morning and again in the afternoon. In the flyer were testimonies and tract that introduced our English Classes. The children delivered prayerfully and joyfully spoke in their learned Japanese that they were all the way from Korea. Some said, “Please read about Jesus.” They thanked receivers very politely by bowing. I was so touched by their boldness in witnessing for Jesus at such a young age. Most of the college students were studying to serve God in the future. We fellowshipped with them, prayed with them and attempted to learn a bit of Korean Language. They prepared Korean food every meal and the invitation was open to us. It was a wonderful fellowship and I learned a lot from these gracious people. It was difficult to say, “good bye”, but we were able to say, “I’ll meet you in heaven.” We exchanged e-mail addresses and in tears promised to pray for each other. Their love for the Japanese people, especially for the Amakusa people imbedded deeply in my heart. Korean people were so persecuted by the Japanese people in the past, but love shown through these precious people were truly a great testimony of Jesus’ love. What an encouragement to see God’s missionaries at work. It was such a privilege to meet and work together with these Brothers and Sisters in Christ.

We are getting used to living in Amakusa and are making friends. We have students and friends for social visits and counseling in our home, God’s house, and are planning for more in the near future. Please pray for God’s wisdom and for His ministry. Let’s remember to count our blessings especially in our trials, and give out our testimony of all His blessings. We are all God’s missionaries wherever we are. We are so thankful for your partnership in prayers and for your sacrificial support. You are such an encouragement to us. Sue and I are praying for you too and may God hear your prayers and richly bless you and your family.

His Ambassador in Japan,

Lily Suzuki

Prayer List

Praise:

1. Finally volunteering at “Sukusuku En” with the special Ed. Children.
2. Thankful to be so healthy and full of energy.
3. God’s answering your prayers for protecting my family.

Prayer List

1. Please continue to pray so that I will have a vibrant relationship with the LORD each day and to be obedient to his will.
2. Prayer for our new believer, Akemi and discipleship in the church.
3. Prayer for Fumi kun, the new believer who is not attending Church at present. Please pray for a chance to disciple him in love.
4. Pray for many students to enroll into our English Classes, answer to the many flyers that were delivered by the Korean Missionaries.
5. Prayer for the Korean missionaries, especially for the Children that they will become future Christian leaders.
6. Prayer for being able to help Pastors train people in the Churches for discipleship and for them to become Christian leaders.
7. God’s guidance for BSF classes all over the world and more Classes in Japan so we can also attend.
8. Please pray for Mrs. Iku Watanabe and Hide, my Sending Committee Member, for Lily Shinoda, for TJ and Deanna my prayer partners, in Ca. for Pete Tong and Grace and for God’s healing for all the friends and family who are praying for us.
9. Prayer for JEMS Ministry
10. Prayer for heath, God’s protection, guidance, and for anointment for us and the Amakusa Shinsetsu Ministry.
11. God’s protection for Sue and my family back home.

Thank you!