Lily Suzuki's Prayer and Newsletter

Vol 4. No. 3 - October 2003

Dear Prayer Partners, Supporters, and Friends
of the Mission Work in Japan.

Many of you are probably wondering where I am or what I am doing at this time. After the completion of the Machida ministry in Tokyo and a difficult farewell, I returned to B.C. Canada to relax with my family and to prepare for my future ministry. The wonderful thing about our modern technology, e-mail, is that I am able to keep in contact with my friends and students in Machida and to continue my Care Ministry and friendly communication with my English Class students, here from Canada.

I was home for 2 weeks and then went to JEMS’ Office in LA for briefing. To my surprise, I was invited to return to Japan with Rev. Sam, our JEMS’ Director, to go to Tokyo for a meeting concerning the Amakusa ministry. I was really delighted, because that is my heart's desire and what God has imbedded into my heart 3 years ago as my life-long ministry. It all started as I went to an in-service called “Dynamics of Early Christianity in Japan.” at Mt Hermon, Ca. which was given by Mrs. Tsuneishi, my dear friend, Koko’s, Mom. I thought I should have some background knowledge on the history of Japan before going there as a missionary. Well, this seminar was the turning point of my life. She taught us history which went back to 1549, when Xavier from Portugal landed in Kagoshima, in the Southern parts of Kyushu, Japan and introduced Christianity. The reason I was going to Japan was because I heard that it was only 1% Christian at present, but to my surprise, I found out that there were over 750,000 Christians at one time in Japan during the Christian Century. Foreign ships came to trade and brought missionaries to Japan. Cutting the story short, one of the Daimyo, Tokugawa Ieyasu, felt fear at the threat of colonization from other foreign countries. This was the beginning of the persecution of Christians in Japan. An edict was carried out from the Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu eras. Christians were asked to step on the picture called the “fumie”, a picture of Jesus, Mary or other sacred relics and were given a chance to recant their faith or be put to death. I saw a picture of a lady with a child in her arms standing in front of a “fumie,” looking horrified, trying to make that decision. I also read a board, an edict that announced persecution to death of Christians. When I was told that over 200,000 to 300,000 Christians were martyred or went into hiding as “kakure Christians.” it touched my heart. Mrs. Tsuneishi challenged us by saying, “The blood of the martyr is the seed of the church. The land of Japan was covered with the martyrs’ blood in Amakusa and the challenge today is where are the churches planted by so many lives?” John 12:24 says, “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” As I saw the “fumie” picture, of the mother with her child in her arms and one behind, the LORD spoke to my heart that Amakusa was my life time ministry. I was to go one day to share the “Good News.” This has never left my heart.

Well, I believe that this day will be coming very soon. As I attended the meeting in Ochanomizu, Tokyo, I thought the only part of the agenda was on Amakusa. To my great surprise, four distinguished well known Reverends and Pastors, including Rev. Sam of JEMS, attended the meeting and the whole thing was on Amakusa. As I shared my testimony as to why I needed to go to Amakusa and was waiting for 3 other missionaries to join the work for this ministry, (Mark 2:3, “And they came, bringing to Him a paralytic, carried by four men.” Four helping hands.) it was suggested that Pastor Timothy Himei and I go to Amakusa on Oct. 2-4th to investigate the possibilities.

So off we flew to Kumamoto, rented a car and Pastor Himei was most gracious to drive to the Island of Amakusa. He arranged ahead of time to meet many people, visit city halls and to visit museums in the area of Amakusa. As we visited the museum called, Amakusa Shiro Kan. Amakusa Shiro was a young Christian about the age of 15 who was gladly martyred because of his faith. Bus loads of people visited and it is one of the busiest tourist attractions. It was in a very beautifully designed building and the history was well presented. We were able to see a very informative film presentation of the Early Japanese History and Christianity in the 1500’s, which showed the persecution of Christians. When the presentation ended with the message of “Freedom, Peace and Love of all people in the World and Japan forever.” I was terribly disappointed.

The film said nothing about why these Christians chose to die for their faith, and why the 26 Christians gladly hung on the cross while other sang praises. The presentation said nothing about Jesus dying for our sins on the cross, so that He victoriously freed us from our sins when we repent, that we have peace, because we become God’s children and are given hope of heaven, eternal life, to enter God’s kingdom and how much we are loved by God. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16. The makers of the presentation only seemed to be able to show the fear that the martyrs felt and didn’t understand the joy they felt to soon be united with Jesus. I walked away from the presentation feeling very empty and sorry for the many people who visit the museum for they probably left without knowing the real truth.

I saw the picture of the “fumie” at Oe Catholic Church. I met a Catholic Sister there and she told me sad stories about the “fumie.” I learned that the Protestants and the Catholic Churches often work together and Catholics often visit the Protestant Churches to learn about the Bible. I met a Nun, the head of a kindergarten, and had a friendly heart to heart talk and she taught me the customs and ways of the Amakusa people. We also met kind and friendly people.

I needed a place to stay in the future while waiting for the ministry of Amakusa to develope. As I prayed the night before, God answered my prayer quickly the next day through JEMS. Rev. Himei found a Church in Tochigi prefecture called the New-Life Church Omochanomachi. I can spread the Gospel while teaching English. . I heard that there were many young children in the community where one of the Church was located. I went for a trial run for a week and taught English at two locations and met my future students. This Church is a very Bible teaching and praying Church in a country setting among the rice field and with friendly and kind people. I simply loved it. I will be staying on the second floor of the Church in lovely living quarters. I extend my trip of 2 weeks to over 3 weeks and it was a busy trip. I didn’t take my computer so that is why, except for a few people, no one knew where I was…….Sorry! I will never travel again without my computer. As the days pass, I will keep you informed. In the meanwhile, let's pray for each other and serve the LORD with all our hearts wherever we are with joy and praises. Thank you so much for partnering in this wonderful mission.

His Ambassador to Japan,
Lily Suzuki

Prayer Requests:
1. Please pray for the quick return of my New Passport and Permanent Residence
Card so that I can return to New-Life Church Omochanomachi to continue my new
assignment.
2. That my medical checkups will be accomplished and with good results
3. That my Canadian Citizen application will be started and granted
4. That God will send His 3 workers and His clear direction for the Amakusa ministry
5. Prayers for JEMS and Staff
6. Prayers for great Christian revival in Japan and all over the world..
7. Prayers for BSF all over the world, especially for Richmond, Ca. and Tokyo Classes. Thank you!