Good Morning Guys!

Tuesday is now official over in Japan, and it was a great day. The Lord has really blessed John Pfile`s, Eric`s (still haven`t caught his last name…) and Isaac`s (drawing a blank on his last name as well) efforts to draw in college students. To explain: In the past we typically have passed out flyers around campus in an effort to draw in students to church events. Recently These two young men have shifted strategy, and the change really appears to be reaching students for Christ. As mentioned in the Day 1 Debrief, they have joined an “english speaking society” (which is basically an extra curricular club at Chiba University) and in so doing, have developed friendships with some of the members. In the first three days that we have been here, we have had closer interaction, for longer periods of time, with students than all of last year`s week combined. The basic idea is that John and Eric, who are involved in this club, bring us with them when they come to campus. Having us there as additional english speakers means that we can talk to more students and really spend time one on one with more people.

Today we split up into groups, went to different clubs, and all met with different people. David Seifert and Page went to a guitar club and met a young man there who played classical guitar. they found out that his grand father was a Christian, (which is amazing considering the tiny percent of christians in the country.) We can pray that the Lord will use that connection however small to help that young man come to know Christ.

Debra and I spent the morning with Takesh and his friend Edina, and we got to know Isaac (missionary) quite a bit better. Takesh we had met before at Hard Rock Last night. It was great to see him again and share more conversation as we ate lunch together.

Later in the afternoon, Cindy and Amy hit it off very well with one of the leaders of the english speaking society, and discussed everything from politics to Pirates of the Caribbean with him. (both are a big hit over here, lol.) Additionally, they had a lot of time to get to know Kon, a young man who has been spending a quite a bit of time with our group. Each of us has met Kon, and we think he is developing a great relationship with us, and, very importantly, with the Missionaries (John, Eric, & Isaac). Please pray that he (and all the others) comes to Christ.

Courtney, Terry and Patrick also were instrumental in meeting new people and welcoming them into the the group of students that came with us to Karaoke. Each brings a combination of wisdom, love, and friendship seeking to the students that builds trust very well. Among the students were were, Jun, a young man at Chiba University studying how to teach Japanese to foreigners. (That would be us, .) Yu, a student studying Law, Natalie who studies agricultural economics, A young man whose name is Sayuba I think…(clearly I`m terrible with names), who also studies agricultural economics, and of course Kon, who studies Information systems. Amazingly, two young men named Joshie and Harris, who are from Nepal and studying in Japan, happened to know John, and joined us for Karaoke.

Karaoke was nothing short of Awesome. Between American songs and Japanese songs with Kanji letters going across the screen faster than you could say, “Hajimamashite”… we rocked the place out like Boulder Field on Long`s Peak. The students had a wonderful time and it looks like they will be seeing us later in the week as well. Many have already said they want to come to our Texas Night on Thursday, which is exellent.

Sorry for being long winded. ALL of us want you to know how thankful we are for your prayers, how great it is that God pursues us, and how amazing it is that he does so even in the context of events like this.

Love Y`all.