The very day after Dave went off for a week in Tokyo, Jayden Bray and Jonathan Tan arrived at Nagaoka Tenjin Station to stay with us for a week. They had spent a week in Osaka visiting a church there and also ministering to homeless people. While with us, they got see some of the things we do here including the church and some English classes. Although the kindergarten English classes had finished, we were all invited to take part in a regular class at Megumi Kindergarten for half a day. It was in that class that the words "Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."" (Matthew 19:14 NIV) rang so true as we experienced the love and hospitality from the children who welcomed us into their class group.
Another thing was the circumstances in how we got to meet Jonathan in the first place and why he came to stay with us bringing Jayden are nothing short of miraculous. The story of how I met Jonathan is recorded in this PBLOG entry.
Well, in July of 2009 Jonathan wrote to say he would be making a trip to Japan and possibly bringing a friend along. In the end the way it worked out is that they came here for the week that Dave went to Tokyo.
God has given Jonathan incredible talents for the Japanese Language, he has picked it up so quickly. He plans to come to live in Japan in the future, once he's graduated from university.
It was also great to get to know Jayden who has very different personality to Jonathan! It's is amazing to see how God works in all types of people.
The differences in personality meant all had our moments and misunderstandings, but in the end it was a growth experience!
We know Jonathan's heart is for Japan and reaching the Japanese people with the Gospel, so we are sure we'll work with him more in the future.
We're not sure if God is going to bring Jayden back to Japan or not, but if does come back Ritsuko and I'll welcome him with arms wide open.