Freezing in Nagashima...

It is cold. Too cold to type but I have things to do so I have been in here all day...freezing. I am learning to work to a certain point, fingers near numb, and then retreat to the one room with heat to recover before repeating the journey. Hey, it works for me.

This morning I had a brief opportunity to share thoughts about the new year with the church. I had four main points.

Family - This year I am praying that our family will grow and learn together as we serve here in Japan. I want our family to be used for God's glory.
Church - I am praying that the church in Nagashima will be a brighter light in the coming year than it was in the past year. We need to look beyond our own troubles and see the people around us in need of help and encouragement, but most of all Christ.
Japan - The church in Japan is in trouble. Unless we begin to actively train leaders for tommorrow there will be no church tommorrow. I am looking to increase my personal efforts to encourage potential leaders in the coming year. I challenged the church to begin planning for the future of this church as well as looking out to the rest of Japan.
World - I challenged us to be world Christians, to recognize our place as a small part of the church Christ is building around the world. We have a part to play that is much more important than just what we can accomplish in our local area.

It was short, sweet and to the point, at least in my mind. I can't really say if I said what I think I said. And that's life in Japan...

posted by Norman @ 9:05 PM