Randy & Vicki's Sunday Letter

It’s Sunday night in Tokyo . Folks back home will probably awaken to news that a man went on a “rampage” in a popular Tokyo shopping district—killing two with his truck and then killing 5 more, while injuring 11, by randomly attacking people up and down the street with a knife. You will learn about it the same way we did…by watching the news on TV. Moments before we saw the newscast we walked the streets near our hotel and commented on how crime-free the area seems. Granted, the attack took place in a different neighborhood from ours, but the message remains the same: things are not perfect in this country where only 1 out of a 1,000 people are Christian.

You wouldn’t know that, however, from the day we just experienced with the folks at Kunatachi Nozomi Church . The church did everything they could to make us feel welcome and create a day that we would never forget. Following worship the men cleared the wooden pews from the sanctuary and set up tables that ran from the altar to the lobby. The women of the church then proceeded to fill the tables with every manner of delicious Japanese cuisine (including pastries and breads baked by the Mayor of the town). It was a banquet table that made me imagine the Heavenly Banquet that we will all someday share together.

During the meal, rather than sit with our fellow tourists, they asked us to spread out so that they could mingle with us and practice their English getting to know us. It was clear that the church was eager to get to know us and shower us with their love.

A program following the meal included learning a hymn in German together under the direction of one of their own musicians who hails now from Belgium while accompanied by another of their members who now claims Wisconsin as home. (It truly is a global church we belong to!).

After showering us with gifts—including lovely origami pieces created by a 96 year old member of the church—we all sang the Hallelujah Chorus together to conclude the day. It was a fitting end to a glorious day.

Wishing you all God's blessings,
Pastor Randy