A Smile Goes a Long Way

I very much have an affinity with the Japanese. I have been involved with a Japanese student exchange program for many years between Bowling Green and our sister city Kawanishi. Each year it seems as if I give a little of my heart away to the girls who come to stay with Richard and me. They are such a sweet people. So when I saw a mission opportunity to Japan and crafts were involved, I was very excited. I consider my love of crafts a god-given ability. As the time approached, I taught the team how to make some beaded stars and developed a plan of salvation to accompany them. I purchased my supplies and prepared for the trip.

Tokyo was a very busy city. It was amazing to see the busyness of the city. Everywhere I looked, people were always on the move. It is interesting how God worked on this trip. The crafts that I prepared to do…we did not do them. Our team focused on two ministries – 5 minute English and prayer walking. The 5 minute English ministry, we would stand on a busy street with the 5 minute English signs. Random Japanese people would walk up and want to practice their English. With each visit, we were able to share a brief testimony of Jesus and at times share more about our Lord and savior. Our team was able to share Christ with around 100 people. Our team prayer walked wherever we went. The missionary told us that this is what they need the most, people to pray with urgency for the people of Japan. Spiritually, the country was very dark. The people are so focused on work and what they have.

It is interesting how God works; my crafts didn’t go to waste. Many of my crafts I was able to give away to others on the trains. God gave me a boldness to just talk to who I was next to. Since, we were on the train for a long time; I was able to share about my family and my crafts with others. It was neat to see how a small gift could impact a person’s life. The missionary said it would be hard to share and not to expect conversion, but he told us to consider the “seed” that we are throwing. I hope my smiles, crafts, and testimony found good soil.

One of my exchange students traveled 8 hours to come see me in Tokyo. What a blessing to see Yoko after all this time. She was able to come to Bible study with us. She was given a Bible and contact with the missionaries. Please join me in prayer for Yoko…pray that through our time and her time with the missionaries that she will receive Jesus as her Lord and Savior.

Judy Lacefield