A training opportunity before I’ve learned one story!

When we had a missionary-friend guest from Taiwan, she wanted to see some ‘real’ Japan before she dived into teaching an evangelism and discipleship course here.

God gives an opportunity

On Sunday she attended church with us. Almost immediately the service ended the most extroverted Japanese person I think I’ve ever met, a long-term member of the church, came over and introduced our guest to a Taiwanese lady who’s been attending our church.

Our guest ended up talking with the Taiwanese lady and her Malaysian friend. She offered to tell these two ladies and me a story a Bible story. So standing in the entrance to the building she told the story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar (Genesis 16). The ladies were excited to hear the story, and were clearly not familiar with it.

Following up the opportunity

After returning home, we connected up via social media. I was going to have coffee with the Taiwanese lady anyway so I messaged her asking if she had time to meet, suggesting maybe her friend could join us as well.

After we’d organised a time, I suggested we could learn a Bible story together. This wasn’t something I’ve ever done before, so I was a little shocked but pleased when they both responded enthusiastically.

While washing up our lunch dishes, I asked our guest to train me how to train others. What particularly encouraged me was her exhortation that I didn’t need to do any preparation. She gave me six question cards to use to lead discussion after we’d learned the story.

The first training

I’m glad there was no preparation required, because as it turns out, it was a crazy weekend for me. We met, spent time getting to know one another, and learned Genesis 3:1-15 together in English (that is our best common language).

What blew me away was how enthusiastic both ladies were. They’ve done Bible studies before, but not one like this. They really liked this and are keen for much more!

The other thing that amazed me was their answer to the sixth question card: This week, who could you tell this story to? They both had people in mind, but neither encounter was going to be in English. These multilingual ladies had Japanese-speaking and Chinese-speaking people in mind.

So I was not only able to help them learn a story and improve their understanding of Scripture, but they were going to go out and do what I couldn’t do. Not only do they have language abilities that I don’t have, but they obviously have many friends and colleagues I don’t have.

If, in my little way, I can equip these ladies to tell people stories from the Bible, it doesn’t matter if my language and evangelistic skills aren’t great (the things I always beat myself up about).

Exciting and not at all in my usual scope of ministry! But something that’s landed in my lap that I intend to follow through with. We’re meeting next Wednesday to learn the next story in the series of nine to give a Bible overview.

The whole thing reinforces to me that what we’re doing in Japan is not of our own making. God has a plan for using our willingness to serve Him here and sometimes we get a glimpse of His plans.

Submitted by Wendy M.