Darkness....

My heart is so heavy today! It is a heaviness I can't quite explain. One that I haven't felt in a long while. Today Lew and I embarked on a Tokyo adventure. Using expert direction we ventured off to see the major sites by ourselves. We didn't get lost once and the only mishap we had was buying a ticket for the wrong subway line. Hey, it happens! Anyway, the reason for my heaviness is the millions and millions of people we saw on a pathway to eternal destruction! I don't remember it affecting me quite as much the last time around. Obviously it must have since I'm here again, but I suppose I have a fresh vision...a new urgency...or just a renewed burden for the Japanese people today.

Our self-guided tour took us to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office where from the 45th floor we could see much of Tokyo. As far as the eye could see the buildings had no end in sight. It was crazy! Next was a train ride to Meiji Shrine...a Shinto shrine where we witnessed the end of a wedding and myriads of people throwing their money into the shrine and praying to gods made by human hands. The question crossed my mind as I watched...what would it be like to pray to a god I didn't know? One who doesn't know me intimately because it didn't create me? One that does not share intimately in my life? It all seemed so...empty.

People watching is one of our joys and people watch we did...I think if I were counting I would have lost count around 1.5 million. Ok, an exaggeration, but not much of one. It was cold so we were enjoying a nice cup of Starbucks from a 2nd story building. At least 200 people would cross the street every 2 minutes. We were there for about 60 minutes so what is that...6,000 people total? Incredible! This was definitely the 'people-watcher's' dream location!

After my lunch of shrimp, clam, squid, and pork casserole (you think I'm joking don't you?), we headed to Asakusa Temple. The temple was much bigger than the Shinto shrine and is a Buddhist Temple where elaborate decorations, incense, and holy water are all part of the temple experience. Once again I watched people, under bondage worshipping Satan...I mean, who else would it be? There was one particular man who was well advanced in years and who obviously struggled walking slowly up the stairs to 'pay his dues' at the temple. My heart broke for him as the reality of eternity and his eternal destiny washed over me. I have thought and prayed for this particular man many times since then! There is still hope for him...as long as he has breath.

Our day ended at a brand new church that just started earlier this month. About 12 of us sang and worshipped together. Though a lot of our interaction was in pantomime and with the help of an interpreter, I enjoyed meeting with my brothers and sisters here in Tokyo. I had the honor of playing Christmas carols on the piano for their worship time (yes, I'm quite rusty after not playing for 7 months). God gave me a passage for this nation of Japan as I sat and tried to glean as much from a sermon in Japanese as I could: Isaiah 43:8 "Bring out the people who are blind, yet have eyes, that are deaf, yet have ears." I suppose all of Isaiah 43 could apply, but this verse stuck out to me...the people of Japan have ears and they have eyes, yet they fail to hear and see the truth of Christ. My prayer is that God would redeem for Himself millions of Japanese people by opening their ears and eyes of understanding! I was slightly encouraged after church...yet still feel this heaviness. I would appreciate your prayers as He is in control of the salvation of all people. Would you continue to pray for an outpouring of His Spirit on this country?

Tomorrow...off to an even COLDER Kariuzawa! I've suffered without my coat the last few days because I wanted to use it to trick my mind into thinking I could stay 'warm' there. Not sure it will work...but I'm praying. And I'm also praying that the weatherman is wrong about no snow on Christmas. There is a 30% chance...but I'm praying for mucho snow to make Christmas white!