Konnichiwa! Hi family, I miss you all and pray you are all staying healthy. Sadly, our time in Japan has come to an end but let me tell ya- Japan has my heart. From the people, to the culture, to the fashion, to even the yummy onigiri from the 7-Eleven’s. Truly, all of it. There is so much history here and many everlasting memories.

He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our own works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.

2 TIMOTHY 1:9

We had the honor of coming alongside two missionaries, Alishia + Jeff, who will be a part of the Calvary Chapel Abide Osaka team. Their love for Japan was sparked when they made a trip for their honeymoon eight years ago. The Lord touched their hearts for the Japanese- especially since it is part of the 10/40 window (high concentration of unreached people), with less than 1.3% of their population being Evangelical Christians. What a blessing it was to be with them, learn from them, and also experience this new move with them. I was encouraged by not only their lowliness, gentleness, and long-suffering for one another, but also how they endeavored to keep the unity within the team. Please keep them in your prayers!

Hands on the Plow

Along with this beautiful couple, we also had the blessing of meeting local pastors who have been plodding hard for more than twenty years. Twenty years!! That’s a long time- but in perspective, that’s how serious and hard the work is here in Japan (well, truly anywhere in the 10/40 window). Japan is totally open to the preaching and sharing of the gospel. However, it is still considered very unreached due to religious and cultural beliefs (Buddhism, mixed with Hinduism, mixed with atheism). This is hard ground. It is because of this that the pastors in Japan remain faithful to their calling, keep their hands on the plow, and continue to press on.

Last Sunday during service at Calvary Chapel Fuchu, Pastor Rich mentioned at the end of his message that there are no coincidences. He boldly preached the gospel and gave an altar call. With my eyes closed, I was praying for the hearts in the room to be softened and opened to the move of the Spirit of God. I wasn’t sure if anyone raised their hands, however, after service, we found out there was a couple who brought their Chinese parents to the church. Neither one of them had ever heard of the name of Jesus! This is still so mind-blowing to me (but a reality of being in the 10/40 window). However, my heart was comforted in knowing that they were able to experience the love of Christ within the church. They were greeted with smiles and hugs, which is something that most Asian countries are not used to. I pray that the parents come to a full knowledge and revelation of the truth!

The Only True God

And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

JOHN 17:3

There is a common Japanese proverb “the nail that sticks out gets hammered down.” Striving to fit the mold, to succeed, to conform, the concept of sin is vague and therefore suicide is seen as a way of taking responsibility. This became a heartbreaking reality during one of our train rides- there was an alert to someone jumping on the tracks. Seeing life underground was also a whole different experience- the hustle and bustle is real here! People are on a mission! After visiting multiple temples, shrines, and places of worship, our hearts continued to break for the people here. The reverence for man-made statues and images however, filled me with compassion in knowing that I was also there, once upon a time. Worshiping my own gods, completely blinded to the truth with a hardened heart, and unwilling to know the one true God. And I wept and wept for them.

I was immediately filled with joy and worship in knowing that salvation is a work of God, and God alone. It strengthened my faith in knowing that I believe in not only a BIG God, but also a God who is alive! Jesus Christ, being fully God came down to earth as a man, lived a sinless and blameless life, to suffer death on the cross and rose from the dead on the third day. It is then a grace-filled work by His Spirit that brings conviction to our hearts. The Spirit of God initiates the work of salvation, in order to draw us closer to Jesus Christ. My cry is for the Spirit of God to move radically in the hearts of the Japanese. May they seek and find the only true God!

What profit is the image, that its maker should carve it,
The molded image, a teacher of lies,
That the maker of its mold should trust in it,
To make mute idols?
Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’
To silent stone, ‘Arise! It shall teach!’
Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver,
Yet in it there is no breath at all.
But the Lord is in His holy temple.
Let all the earth keep silence before Him.”

HABAKKUK 2:18-20

Praise Report

• We made it safely to the Philippines, waiting to head out to Indonesia for one week!
• It has been a fulfilling past two weeks in Japan- the Lord has showed me so many things!
• The Spirit of God is moving here, many Japanese are coming to know Jesus!

Prayer Requests

• Please keep the team in your prayers- may the Lord speak clearly and may we seek His will for our next steps! Pray for our protection against spiritual warfare!
• Please pray for the Japanese- against the spirit of depression that is weighing heavy on all, especially the younger generations. May chains break and may the people of Japan experience the freedom found only in Jesus Christ!
• Please pray for our team as we continue on in Indonesia and the Philippines!
• Please pray for the missionaries in Japan- may they keep on plowing!!

Thank you all for taking the time to read what God is doing and for your continual partnership in the gospel- especially through prayer. Thank you also for your faithful investment in the Kingdom of God. Any amount you feel led to give, will help me in raising support to be sent out one day as a full-time cross-cultural missionary, Lord willingly. I’m eternally blessed- none of this would be possible without you. This mission trip was a huge step of faith and obedience to the Word of God and I’m holding tight to His promise- anything is possible with Him!

To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

– Mayra Alejandra