Lily Suzuki's Prayer and Newsletter

Vol 1. No. 4 - November - December 2000

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Dear Prayer Partners and Supporters of the mission work in Machida, Japan.

            As the year of 2000 draws to a close, we celebrate Christmas once again with the wonderful message of Emmanuel, God with us.  “JESUS, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isa. 9:6 

            I just thank and praise our Living God for the privilege of being able to serve Him here at Machida Christian Center, MCC.  I also praise and thank the LORD for each and every one of you, for praying for and supporting me in our LORD’s ministry.  I am so glad that we are in this ministry together as a team.  Thank you all for your thoughtful and encouraging letters, phone calls, faxes, and e-mails.  Your notes, letters, and messages sending love, seem to arrive in such a timely manner that I know it is from the LORD.  However, I feel so badly that I am often unable to respond to them as I should, so please forgive me.  In addition, please forgive me as I am sorry for the tardiness of this Newsletter, as these past few months have been as busy as ever.

My friend, Momo, and I visit a high school

            In mid November, the Shinjuku group of ladies invited me to the World's Bible Collection Exhibition.  I never thought that I would see part of the Isaiah’s Dead Sea Scroll, Mother Teresa’s Bible, or a whole collection of Bibles from different countries, but I did, along with Millions of other people, Christians and non-Christians who attended.  We had to wait for 45 minutes outside, but it was well worth it.

            Today is the first day of my Christmas Holiday, meaning that I will not have to teach my English classes until January 9^th, nor do I have to give sermons until January 6, 2001.  However with my past sermons, God has been so faithful in delivering His Sunday sermons week after week.  It is truly your prayers that God has honors.  In addition, everyone at MCC prays for me too.  I am beginning to feel His peace and mercy each time I deliver His message.  All I need to do is to be obedient to His call.

            Besides my weekly sermons, my 12 English classes, with students ranging from 5-72 years of age, have also occupied a great deal of my time.  However, it has greatly paid off, as I have been able to bond with them and have thus become friends with them all.  I can’t remember whether I mentioned Kenchiro, but recently, he received Jesus as his personal LORD and Savior.  Waiting for “Chapel Time” after the English lesson, he shows such a joy in his heart and a lot of enthusiasm.  His mother told me that his sister has received the LORD yesterday, so the whole family is now saved.  Praise God!  We have been studying in the Book of Matthew and Luke to learn the true meaning of Christmas and that Jesus is God.  The class now waits for prayer before our teatime, “Fellowship!”

The new "Career Group" celebrates Miyuki's baptism

                Towards the end of November, God taught me how important it is to pray and to trust Him.  I was asked to organize a Thanksgiving potluck dinner and  I gladly accepted the responsibility, but later on wondered where I was going to find a whole turkey.  I have never even seen a whole chicken in Japan, let alone a whole turkey.  So, I e-mailed friends in the States and asked them to pray.  Well, a man named Robert, a complete stranger, thought he needed church one day as he heard the music while walking by the church, so he walked into our Church.  Since he attended my sermon, I was able to speak with him afterwards, at which time I invited him and his family to our Thanksgiving Dinner.  In response, he asked me how I was going to get the turkey, and I responded that I was praying for it and God was going to provide it.  He said that he would provide it because he works on the U.S. Army Base and could get it there.  I had to tell him that I had no facility to cook it and he promised to cook it and even bring pumpkin pie.  Three weeks later, we celebrated God’s goodness and it was a glorious party with over 55 people.  We had a 24lb turkey, stuffing, gravy, preserves, and all the extras.  In addition, the Yee family, Rod, Koko, and Annie joined us for the celebration and Koko gave her testimony and Annie sang a Japanese hymn.

            To top the icing, shortly after Thanksgiving, our long prayed for and awaited sanctuary was completed, and instead of a capacity of 150 people, we can now seat 300 people.  We also have a built-in baptisary, where 3 adults and 9 children were baptized by God last Sunday.  It was such a blessing to hear even the 8 year-old give his testimony. 

The new enlarged sactuary

Our Pastor, Dr. Sugimoto is one of the young Pastors who are organizing a big convention called J. Passion (“J”, standing for Jesus and Japan).  This event is to evangelize and to encourage young pastors and people to have a vibrant passion for God.  Please pray that the big convention hall will be filled and that the people will leave with an inner fire for the LORD and for the future of Japan.

            God has given me a new verse, which has set my heart free.  It’s in Psa. 119:32, “I run in the path of your command, for you have set my heart free.”  Verse 45 proclaims, “I will walk at liberty for I seek your precept.”  I am now released from my anxieties and can trust God with all of the sermons.

            In closing, I know that God loves the Japanese people and has a great plan for this country.  Please continue to pray for a big revival here.  I always remember to pray for you too and for our country back home.  May God bless you and shower His blessings upon you and your loved ones through out the year of 2001.           

P.S.  My computer is not working again!!!

Prayer List

Praise the LORD for answering prayers.

1. God’s mighty movement of the Holy Spirit to draw the people of Machida and Japan to Himself.
2. Obedient to God to speak forth His Gospel
3. Vibrant relationship with the LORD.
4. Time management.
5. Health, physical strength, and protection.
6. God’s blessings and protection over Bible Study Fellowships (B.S.F.) all over the world.
7. God’s faithfulness and wisdom to help me prepare and to deliver the sermons.
8. Safe delivery for Wilmy and the baby and for my family in Canada.

Support:

For encouragement, letters and cards Machida Christian Center 4-18-3 Haramachida Machida, Tokyo 194-0013 JAPAN