Pioneering in Japan

Mr. N and I had made plans to meet today for coffee. Last time, I gave him a Gospel of John, and he mentioned how he'd like to get himself a Bible (for an atheist, he shows more interest and enthusiasm for the things of God, than a whole room full of lukeys and christianettes). I told him that I'd found him a bilingual Bible on Amazon.com Japan . He kept saying he wanted to pay me for it, and finally the only way I could get him to take it, was to tell him that it was a New Years gift! So today he called me and insisted that we meet at Mitaka station (which is very near me, and about an hour or so away from his house!). I get to our nearby train and bus station, and lo and behold! There's a crowd gathered, with uniformed police and very capable looking agents in suits. They were all surrounding some men standing atop a van, making speeches. I rushed past them and into the station, and found Mr. N, then brought him outside. He said "You know who that is?!" (no....

I received an email this morning - "Dear Pastor Gary, A Happy New year! My name is H. N. I am a member of Victory Chapel Saipan.  I have a Father who lives in Sagamihara city wish to visit church. But he is a very strong Atheist. I have been talking about Jesus to him and I am very happy that he became interesting. But I am sure his interest is still Christianity as Philosophy. I really want him to be saved but I am so worry that he might not be accepted by your church. And I know it will take a time for him to be saved. Pastor Gary. Is it possible for my father to visit your church?  Can he call you before he go to church for kind of consultation? He is not very good but understand English as long as you speak slowly. Thank you very much. I pray that my parents will be saved soon. Respectfully Yours, H. N." I wrote him back - "Dear brother H.,   ...I would be happy to meet your father. Japan is 99.5% non-Christian, so of course I don’t mind...