Two years ago, an event took place that changed our lives, the lives of our dear friends in Japan, and undoubtedly more lives to come. That event was a funeral that marked the end of the life of a new Christian.
Mrs. K came to know Christ ten months earlier, when a visiting missionary was able to share the Gospel Story Arc with a group of Japanese women. Not only did Mrs. K accept Jesus as her personal Savior, she also desired to be involved in the church. After a few months her cancer returned. When it became obvious that she would soon be with her Savior, she made a request to her husband, "I want a Christian funeral." Mr. K was baffled, but agreed to find out more about Christian funerals.
He came to her pastor, Pastor Mita, and expressed her desire for a Christian funeral and his desire to be buried with her. Pastor Mita encouraged him to study what Mrs. K believed, the Bible. Mr. K agreed, and soon began studying the Bible with Pastor Mita. Within a couple months, Mr. K sat beside his wife's hospital bed and shared with her that he, too, was a Christian, believing that Jesus was the Promised One sent to restore the relationship between God and man.
The next two months were bittersweet as they enjoyed time together as a Christian while watching Mrs. K's health slowly deteriorate. Mid-August we received a phone call saying that Mrs. K had passed away during the night.
The funeral itself was a simple testament to God's grace. Friends and family spoke of memories with Mrs. K and many family members heard about God for the first time. However, the funeral represented, the time, effort, and tears that brought everyone to this point.
Mrs. K's legacy does not end at her funeral, however. Mr. K is an active member of the church, serving wherever he is able. He had an instrumental part in aiding a friend of ours make a decision to accept Jesus as His Savior. Also, after Andrew taught lessons about studying the Bible, Mr. K realized the joy of trying to understand the Bible on a deeper level. Mr. K has recently decided to dedicate himself to attend Bible school.
One woman, who was given the courage to attend a church-hosted cooking event, has impacted the future of Japan in ways she never would have guessed. Now is the fun part of seeing how God will continue to use her story for his glory.
Mrs. K came to know Christ ten months earlier, when a visiting missionary was able to share the Gospel Story Arc with a group of Japanese women. Not only did Mrs. K accept Jesus as her personal Savior, she also desired to be involved in the church. After a few months her cancer returned. When it became obvious that she would soon be with her Savior, she made a request to her husband, "I want a Christian funeral." Mr. K was baffled, but agreed to find out more about Christian funerals.
He came to her pastor, Pastor Mita, and expressed her desire for a Christian funeral and his desire to be buried with her. Pastor Mita encouraged him to study what Mrs. K believed, the Bible. Mr. K agreed, and soon began studying the Bible with Pastor Mita. Within a couple months, Mr. K sat beside his wife's hospital bed and shared with her that he, too, was a Christian, believing that Jesus was the Promised One sent to restore the relationship between God and man.
The next two months were bittersweet as they enjoyed time together as a Christian while watching Mrs. K's health slowly deteriorate. Mid-August we received a phone call saying that Mrs. K had passed away during the night.
The funeral itself was a simple testament to God's grace. Friends and family spoke of memories with Mrs. K and many family members heard about God for the first time. However, the funeral represented, the time, effort, and tears that brought everyone to this point.
Mrs. K's legacy does not end at her funeral, however. Mr. K is an active member of the church, serving wherever he is able. He had an instrumental part in aiding a friend of ours make a decision to accept Jesus as His Savior. Also, after Andrew taught lessons about studying the Bible, Mr. K realized the joy of trying to understand the Bible on a deeper level. Mr. K has recently decided to dedicate himself to attend Bible school.
One woman, who was given the courage to attend a church-hosted cooking event, has impacted the future of Japan in ways she never would have guessed. Now is the fun part of seeing how God will continue to use her story for his glory.
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