Lily Suzuki's Prayer and Newsletter

Vol 1. No. 3 -September 2000

Hi Everyone!

It has been exactly three months since I arrived in Machida, Japan. Praise God for cooler autumn weather. Though it is still humid and the rain persists, the mornings and evenings are pleasant. I heard on the T.V. confirming my thoughts that Japan did in fact have an extraordinarily hot summer this year. The choir of the loud scream of cicadas, made this past hot summer seem even hotter, but within the past few days the scream of the cicadas has disappeared and is now replaced with a soft chirping of crickets, announcing the welcomed arrival of autumn. Besides the beautiful autumn colors in the countryside of Japan, this season brings persimmons, chestnuts and its own variety of delicious fruits, vegetables and fish. The ladies in the church often share delicious Japanese dishes with me for lunch and dinner, giving me a sense of these seasonal foods prepared in a traditional style.

The congregation after a Baptism

At the end of July, I had an overnight church camping retreat, where Pastor (Dr.) Mandai, a young and dynamic speaker, addressed us. I came back refreshed and on fire for the LORD. I was housed at Hachiooji, a university summer campus dormitory. It had the atmosphere found only deep within the mountains, as it was beautifully wooded, all the while being in the middle of Tokyo. I was asked to give my testimony so I gave it in Japanese and made many friends.

Each day seems like God's training ground. Hot weather, preparing for my 13 English classes, receiving guests at my apartment (located right next door to the church), and most of all, my Sunday English Sermon, which I am required to prepare and deliver every Sunday afternoon, all combine to make an overwhelmingly busy and at times difficult first two months. It was only God's grace and your perfectly timed prayers, letters, e-mails, phone calls of encouragement, and love that have brought me through. I just cannot thank you and praise God for all of you. God is faithful and He continues to uphold me in every situation. I cling onto His special verse: "For God did not give us spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and self-discipline." 2 Tim. 1:7 NIV.

Pator Sugimoto and Lily giving a sermon

I wish I could say that many souls were saved, but it is so difficult for the non-believing English class students and others to accept Jesus as their personal Savior. Many seeds are planted each day at "Chapel Time" and I know that Jesus is the one that saves in His own timing. Rain or shine, the first thing most mornings, I have been walking to Serigaya Park to keep the LORD's Temple fit and healthy in preparation for the cold winter ahead. In return, God has protected my health even through many long days and short nights, which have contributed to lack of sleep and little rest.

We had our very first vacation Bible School, "Kid's Day Camp," which lasted for three days. The Pastor's wife, Reiko Sensei, had been praying for VBS for years and as we prayed about it over dinner and for a short time, God honored our prayers and in the middle of August when my English class had a week-long break, we had our "Kid's Day Camp" Northshore Community Alliance Style. Now that I look back, God trained me in Richmond, California so that it could be used in Japan.

One day at the river where over forty people joined us, we had a wiener and marshmallow roast, along with swimming and games. The children got their first experience of roasting their own wieners, Costco size (regular Japanese wieners are the length of our thumb, too short for roasting). I happened to find these wieners, made of beef, mutton, pork and fish, on sale when I visited my niece in Tokyo. The size was right and the taste was pretty good too! The children and the adults enjoyed the whole experience, even hunting for their own sticks, as I forgot to load the hangers. But God, always prepared, placed us near a small bamboo grove along the river. It was wonderful to have the whole church involved in VBS, especially the young new Christians who helped in the games. The ladies even prepared lunch for all of us each day. In my group, Taihe and his brother received Jesus.

Most recently, my friend, Momo, and I went to BSF this past Wednesday morning, but were put on a long waiting list as there were more then one hundred ladies present, most of whom were Japanese. We are thus waiting for more Discussion Leaders. Their Training Day is on Tuesday, which is my heaviest day of classes. I was told yesterday that I am now on the top of the list. In addition, JEMS's, Rev. Sam and staff are coming to Japan on October 15, for the 50th Anniversary celebration being held at a hotel in Shinjuku. I am looking forward to seeing them again. Finally, my computer hard drive broke and I had to send it back to Canada. So please forgive me for not answering your e-mails, as I have been unable to receive them. I hope to get my computer back very soon.

I will close for now, as I pray in thanksgiving for each and every one of you. Thanks again for your thoughtful prayers and support. We serve an awesome God, "Who has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done, but because of His own purpose and grace." 2 Tim. 1:9. I encourage anyone to go on the mission field even for a week or two for it is a blessing privilege to serve our LORD Jesus.

Thank you so much for your prayers.

His ambassador in Japan,

Love,
Lily Suzuki

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