On Sunday, the 3 New Hope Hawaii pastors (Elwin, Aaron & Guy) we're sent to speak to the different New Hope Japan churches. Guy & I was blessed to be with New Hope Chiba. It took about an hour and a half to get there by car. We were picked up at 8:15am. One of the young leaders on staff asked his parents to pick us up if not we'd have to take the train which would take us 2 hours and many transfers.
The church is about a 100 people in the city of Chiba. Sumiya sensei considers Chiba to be the entry way into Japan since it's the first city from the Narita airport. We arrived a little early than expected so Pastor Sumiya spent some time with us at the coffee shop. There we were able to hear his heart and his testimony. Sumiya sensei was studying to be a lawyer when he was invited to Dr. Younggi Cho revival crusade. There he got saved then had to tell his parents of his decision to change career. His parents, more his mother, was so disappointed that she told him, she wants to kill him for this decision and that he is not her son anymore. So he got kicked out of his home. One of the Japan pastors took him in and allow him to sleep at the church. There he learned under Inafuku sensei (also a New Hope Japan pastor) about ministry. It was a very touching time of sharing. As Guy was able to share who his was and his ancestral history being from Japan Sumiya sensei encouraged Guy to share that with the people.
Guy began his message by saying "domo arigato" (thank you very much) for welcoming us. We we arrived at the airport and I was so impressed that everywhere the Japanese people put signs up to welcome me... "Higashi", "Higashi", "Higashi" was all over on the highway and on the roadside. Everyone laughed since "higashi" means "east" that is why our last name is everywhere. Through the grace of God .... everyone was touched by the message. Even the translator Yuya had to stop because he began sobbing. Everyone had tears ... the pastor and leaders too.
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