The Night I got Lost - Japan IV

On the last night, we had my departure dinner with some of the close friends (mainly the older folks) at my host family’s place which I was staying at. In the midst of dinner, I rushed off to the supermarket to buy some peaches for my family and partially because I wanted a walk. On the way back, I was talking to God (praying), “Are You sure You want me to come to this country? This is a hard ground and I can really fall big time any moment in this country.” Having been there for 5 days, it was quite obvious to me that the Japanese are just difficult to reach due to their culture which is traditional yet I may just also get caught in immorality (if I am not careful) as they are also liberal in many ways. As I continued in my prayer stroll, I started to realize I might not be in the right route back. Yes, I was lost! There was a low wall right beside the path I was on without any house build in it (which means I will have a view without any obstruction) and my first instinct was to peek over it to see where the house is. Well, the next moment when I peeked over, the 1st place I saw was actually a CEMETERY!

I was caught in shocked for a little while but shortly after, I answered, “Yes Lord, I got the message! Wherever You call me to go!” I was reminded of the fact that every second of the day, people are dying and it doesn’t matter if the people are hard to reach or not. My role is to be the messenger that brings the Good News of Jesus Christ who saves us and gives us the love and hope which the world is looking for. Most importantly, what matter most is everyone is precious in the sight of God and He loves the world!

I am actually quite uncertain when God would have me go to Japan and if that is where He would have me go in time to come. It might not be Japan initially but I should continue to press on to share the Good News be it in Singapore or any part of the world.

For my family in Christ, do we really see the people around us as God do? If we do what are we doing about it?

For my friends, do you know that God loves you?

The Unease of the Funeral – Japan III

Being 92 at the age of the grandmother’s death, it will also mean that her family members are also of certain age as Japan is also heading into what we call the “aging population” in which by 2015, it is projected that there will be 1 in every 4 Japanese citizens being 65 years or older. Thus, about one third of the people at the funeral were perhaps in their late 50’s to the 70’s. The unease in the body language portrayed and lack of peace on the face can be clearly seen in the faces of many as they too have to face the eminent of the future which awaits them – Death.

It is always when the death of someone close occurs that we too are reminded of the final appointment – Death, which all of us will inevitably attend to. Looking at those elderly folks during the funeral, my heart goes out to them as death seems even more real for them. However, the truth is death can knocks on our door and visit us anytime of life. Age is not a guarantee of the length of our life which we will live but just a mark of how long we have travelled through this temporal world.

“Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapour that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” James 4:14

Since young, I questioned about life after death as I ventured into the possibilities of what might happen after we die: Will we just vanished and disappeared into non-existence? If so, why did man have the concept of spirit then? How did man also have the concept of heaven and hell then?

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men.” Ecclesiastes 3:11a

In and out of ourselves, we know that life doesn’t end at the very last breath of our life. I am clear of my eternal destination and thus, have found peace in the face of death through Jesus. How about you?
http://y-jesus.com/index.php

The Formality of Funeral – Japan II

Japan perhaps has got the most formal funeral ever in the world besides the States. The moment I touched down from Japan and reached my host family home, I had to wash up and get changed in the black suit which I brought along. Not long after, the “Okuribito” undertaker came and the grandmother was send to the funeral parlor. The parlor was nicely decorated and all who attended had to be in formal attire. The usual routine will then be performed and at the end of it, the MC recited a brief story with a background instrumental music of the Carpenter’s song – “We only just begun” started playing. The visiting guests are also handed a gift bag for the 1st night which is the wake. After the wake, the guest then proceeded to the 2nd floor in which a dinner reception is served.

The next morning we had the funeral which the final routine is performed and flowers and gifts were placed into the coffin as people said our final “Goodbye” in which the body is then sent for cremation.

“For dust we are and to dust we will return.” Gen 3:19

Ever wonder why when the body is cremated it will be become ashes? Simply because we are made of dust.

I often questioned why so much effort has to be labored in the departure of a person be it in our cultural in Singapore or in any other countries alike? Why do we not put in more effort to show our concern in the life of others while they are still alive then?

Is there something you have not tell your love ones today?
This is my most important message to you today:
http://www.harvest.org/knowgod/

Jesus Loves Me! - Japan I

3 weeks has passed since I am back from Japan. I am finally able to take a breather from the busy schedule since I am back in Singapore. I am still busy but not as tight as I was the last few weeks. It’s been a long time since I had come in direct contact with death and I must say I have my regrets for not going to Japan earlier. The truth is I was prompted to go to Japan in June but I just brushed it aside as I wasn’t sure if I can take it physically knowing then I will be soon be flying off for the Evangelistic Campaign in Philippine. I have learned though that if a thought does come to mind, commit it to God in prayer and don’t just brush it aside!

Frankly, I am uncertain if I will ever get to see the Grandmother again. The only hope that I bear from the trip was that the Grandmother’s favorite song was “Jesus loves me” and she lived in the World War II era. I have learned in this trip that after the war, 5,000 missionaries did enter into the country to share the Good News except that they did not do the necessary follow up. And this is the lyrics to the song:

Jesus loves me!

Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong,
They are weak but He is strong.

Chorus:
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.

Jesus loves me! He who died,
Heaven's gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.

Jesus loves me! He will stay,
Close beside me all the way;
He's prepared a home for me,
And some day His face I'll see.

This song is dedicated to all who is reading this post, hope you like it! May this song be so real to you as it is to me!

Jesus really loves you!