Lily Suzuki's Prayer and Newsletter

Vol 2. No. 5 - July 2001

Dear Prayer Partners, Supporters and friends of the Mission work in Machida, Tokyo, Japan,

It has been almost a month since I returned from the wonderful JEMS Conference, visiting friends, family in the Bay Area. Returning to Surrey, BC, Canada, to be with my family was such a blessing and a special time. I finally got to hold my new grandson, Daniel, and reunite with my daughter in law, son and grandchildren. It was amazing how the children grew and matured! They each have labored in love to prepare the house for my homecoming. It made me realize how God has taken special care of my family during my absence. “Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you,” 1 Peter 5:7 was my daily prayer and what I needed to believe in faith. God sure honors prayers. It was a well needed break and rest. I just praise God for that precious gift of time. It was great seeing many of you and yet I wanted to call and visit so many more of you , but the time was so short. Please know that I do pray for you! My sister, Nancy, flew in from San Diego and we got to celebrate her late birthday. I was able to spend special moments with dear friends at Mount Hermon to visit, to pray and to be nourished and encouraged by God’s Word. It was so neat to be stopped by people I didn’t know and to be told that they were praying for me and the ministry in Machida, because they read the Newsletter. I was so touched to know that so many people are praying for God’s ministry in Tokyo and for Japan.. God brought to my heart that we must pray for each other’s ministry that God has given us. It was so wonderful to gather with so many brothers and sisters who love the LORD, have such joy and love for Jesus in their hearts and to shine for Him in their daily lives. I was able to reunite with so many Bible Study Fellowship ladies. I was especially touched to see so many young couples, who are seeking the Lord’s guidance to raise their children as godly parents. The theme, “Arise, Shine, for Your Light Has Come,” Isaiah 60:1 was so appropriate.

I was so happy to see Momo and Kenichiro, my student and friend you have been praying for, greet me at Narita Airport. I was welcomed home by the Pastor and my second family here in Tokyo. It is nice to be back! The rainy season is over and so I need to quickly get used to the hot and humid weather again. They said that we are experiencing a record high temperature this year. That is what they said last summer!

The first news that I got as soon as I returned here was to hear that two of my friends have lost their precious children. However, because these children were raised by Christian parents and grandparents as treasures from heaven in Christian homes, we are so saddened and that the children will be missed so much, but comforted and given the assurance that they are home with Jesus and that we will see them again soon. I immediately called one family and Mrs. Watanabe said, “We miss him so much, but Daichan is ‘homestaying ‘ in heaven where he is most safe.” Instead of my comforting her, she was such a blessing to me…… It made me realize why God has me here in Japan. Please pray that God will open the hearts of the people who hear the Gospel and that many seeds will be planted and grow as we proclaim His Word in love.

Another miracle and great gift from God through Dr. and Mrs. Tomi is a chance to go to Amakusa this coming August 13th – 15th to pray and to visit. This trip was a great surprise to me, because this “Obon holiday season” is such a busy and most expensive time to travel and plans must be made way in advance, like months and months ahead. God also orchestrated this gift with such perfect timing, because I have August 11th to the 17th off from my teaching English classes! I planned to go last May prayerfully, but it wasn’t God’s timing and He didn’t answer my prayer. Many of you know that God has given me a quiet vision to do my third year in Amakusa so this is a perfect chance for me to seek His will in prayer there. Amakusa is small island and it is in the Kumamoto prefecture in Kyushu. I read that the whole island was once all Christian. Approximately 400 years ago, 23 Christians were martyred, including 3 willing children, were crucified and burnt to death by the order of Kampaku, Hideyoshi, the leader of Japan at that time. There were thousands of Christians from many parts of Japan, persecuted, tortured and many renounced their faith. Many were Catholic, but some were Protestants. There are many large Catholic churches, but only a handful of Protestant believers and very few churches. Many returned to the Buddhist faith. The seed has been planted, but where are the believers? God has put this burden on my heart some time ago.. God is going to send Momo and myself to pray there to seek His will for 3 days. I have met at least 3 groups of people in Tokyo, who used to live there or have relatives still living there. Amakusa is well know in Japanese History and text books, but an unknown small island except for tourists. I am so stunned by this generous gift and perfect timing, but we know that we serve an awesome God…… How He strengthens and encourages us with His perfect timing by His grace and perfect love! God has giving me Zechariah 4:6, “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit says the LORD Almighty.” I learned that God is the one that provides His power. He has shown me by the messages He faithfully provides each week. God will accomplish His will through us. It is not what we will do, but it is what God will do through us.

I have started a small ministry of teaching young friends how to cook in my spare time. Yes, me! Can you believe it? It is so that they will become self –assertive and independent in the LORD, and to eat healthy food instead of buying expensive prepared food at the “Conbini” the Convenience Store. This will give us a chance to get to know each other, encourage each other and to pray together in my apartment. The LORD is really blessing me more that I can help others. I don’t have to eat alone! One mother called and told me that her son prepared a whole meal of pan fried chicken, gravy,( not so healthy right ?), vegetable, salad with homemade dressing! Praise God! Please pray for this small ministry so that we can bond together and so that we can share and informally study His Word in action as we eat and work together.

Ten young Korean Christians and one Japanese missionary who are studying at the Trinity U.S. Seminary in Korea came from Onnuri Church to minister and to encourage our church last week. They prayed for us in services and also gave messages and testimonies, ministered in music and handed out tracks of our church near the train station. The amazing thing was that most of them spoke fluent Japanese. They have been studying Japanese to prepare for this trip for years in university. They had such passion for the Japanese people and for the revival of Japan. They sacrificed their time and finances to minister in different churches in Tokyo and excluded all plans of touring Japan. Please pray for Onnori Church in Korea and for blessings and strength for each person.

The Newsletter is getting long again, so I will stop here. Thanks again for your prayers, remembering me by your generous support, e-mail, letters, phone calls, letters and cards. I am also praying for you.

Love in Jesus,
His Ambassador in Japan,

Lily Suzuki

Prayer Request:

1. Vibrant relationship with the LORD each day and obedience to God.
2. Health, physical strength and protection
   
3. God’s mighty movement of the Holy Spirit to draw the people of Machida and Japan to Himself. Please pray for a big revival in Japan.
   
4. Time management and God’s wisdom for the preparation and deliverance of His message each Sunday.
   
5. Please pray for the English Class students so that they will open their hearts as they hear the Gospel and message.
   
6. Preparation for the Church overnight camping trip and blessings for the non Christians who will hear the Gospel there. Please pray that God will prepare their hearts. Aug. 25 – 26.
   
7. Blessings and protection for my family in Canada and U.S.
   
8. Prayer for Tomo’s mom so that God will heal the ringing in her ear and
   dizziness, so she can care for Tomo and to be able to continue to teach her piano lessons to her students.

Thank you for your faithful prayers.

Support:

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