Matthew 5:14-16 - 'You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.'
Hey everyone, its Holden. I thought these verses of Scripture were very fitting to help me tell about the trip to Japan. Luis and Nicola Ramirez-Thorne (see picture below) are the missionaries that we (HeartCry) serve with there in the Greater Tokyo, Humura area and they are definitely light in the midst of much darkness. Spiritually speaking, Japan is an extremely dark place. Depression is very prominent there and the suicide rate is unmistakable proof. Greater Tokyo averages 100 suicides per day! Though everything is nice and shiny and technologically advanced on the outside and the people are all very disciplined and hard working on the outside.... there is much hopelessness and turmoil that is hidden and suppressed. The good news? There is a young family that has committed their lives in service to the Lord and they are dedicated to labor there in bringing the truth and hope of Jesus Christ to that land! What's very neat about their work is that Luis is from Peru and Nicola (his wife) is originally from England. Right now, they primarily reach out to the ever growing Hispanic population there in Tokyo, but the longer they are there the more they feel burdened for the Japanese as well. They are both learning the language and the Lord is giving them many opportunities among both people groups.
So, on the trip we were able to get to know them and get better acquainted with their ministry in order to be able to help and serve them on a more long-term basis. It was so good and important for us to go and see first hand for ourselves if this was something that we could affirm and get behind to help more. Thank you for all your prayers and please continue to pray for Luis and Nicola in their work in Japan.
Hey everyone, its Holden. I thought these verses of Scripture were very fitting to help me tell about the trip to Japan. Luis and Nicola Ramirez-Thorne (see picture below) are the missionaries that we (HeartCry) serve with there in the Greater Tokyo, Humura area and they are definitely light in the midst of much darkness. Spiritually speaking, Japan is an extremely dark place. Depression is very prominent there and the suicide rate is unmistakable proof. Greater Tokyo averages 100 suicides per day! Though everything is nice and shiny and technologically advanced on the outside and the people are all very disciplined and hard working on the outside.... there is much hopelessness and turmoil that is hidden and suppressed. The good news? There is a young family that has committed their lives in service to the Lord and they are dedicated to labor there in bringing the truth and hope of Jesus Christ to that land! What's very neat about their work is that Luis is from Peru and Nicola (his wife) is originally from England. Right now, they primarily reach out to the ever growing Hispanic population there in Tokyo, but the longer they are there the more they feel burdened for the Japanese as well. They are both learning the language and the Lord is giving them many opportunities among both people groups.
So, on the trip we were able to get to know them and get better acquainted with their ministry in order to be able to help and serve them on a more long-term basis. It was so good and important for us to go and see first hand for ourselves if this was something that we could affirm and get behind to help more. Thank you for all your prayers and please continue to pray for Luis and Nicola in their work in Japan.
Here is Luis, Nicola (missionaries to Japan) and their baby boy, Rohan.
This is outside city limits where a little more space is given. In Japan, almost everyone has a garden.
Here is a typical Japanese house/apartment. As you can see... everything's a tight fit over there. They have mastered the art of utilizing the little space they own, and those plants are not just flowers or decoration, but a garden!
Here is a temple that was conveniently located by the river where devout Japanese can go to pay the 'gods' and ancestors money to help them have a better life. It was sad to think of the many mislead people who actually think their prayers are heard. May the Lord reveal to them the truth of His gospel.
One day, we traveled outside the city by train to this beautiful spot on the river. It was a good time to get to know Luis and his family better; as well as learn more about the specifics of their ministry.
