My Last Christmas Party in Tokyo!

On Saturday, my roommate and I hosted a Christmas party at our apartment for our friends! It was a lot of work (and my roommate did so much of it!) but it was a lot of fun. My sister was also able to be a part of the celebration so that made it extra special for me :). I think about 40 people were there in all, and we had expected about 20! Good times!

We had many desserts and snacks that our friends contributed to, lots of meeting and greeting going around (I didn't know several people there! haha), cookie decorating (boys joined in as well!), Christmas singing time with Mark leading and playing the guitar (he was so good!), and we read the Christmas story from the children's bible that we have in both Japanese and English (our friend Mi-Ri-san helped out by reading the Japanese part!). We were able to share American Christmas traditions and everyone walked out of there having heard about the birth of Jesus Christ. It was a wonderful time.

Some of our friends wanted to know more about Jesus' birth and Christmas time. This led to many good conversations where we were able to share more of the Good News (that's what Christmas is all about!) and future meetings where we will study the Christmas story in depth from the Bible (the regular version, not the children's version)! I am so excited for what God is doing!

Enjoy the pictures:

The first group getting ready to decorate cookies!

Mark leading Christmas songs!

Mi-Ri-san, her sister, D-san, roommate, and I

my sister and her new friend!

Look at all the shoes! There were more outside of the door!

The goodies area :)

Some decorated cookies!

Reading the Christmas story. That's me doing the English part, and Mi-Ri-san doing the Japanese part.

A group picture after half the people left. I hate forgetting to take group pictures when the whole group is there! We had so many attempts, this is the best one out of all that I can get my hands on.

Passion Tokyoooo!

So Passion happened here in Tokyo last night!!!!!!!!!!! Ahhhhh it was aweeeeesomeeeee!! It was one of the best times I have ever experienced here in Japan. Seriously. My heart overflows with awe and worship for my God and I am so thankful for His blessings.

So many wonderful blessings came packaged in this one event...

1. I had the best worship time in all my time here in Japan, maybe even in my whole life up to this point.

2. I was able to meet, fellowship, start friendships, and serve alongside with Christians - Japanese Christians. Oh yes.

3. It felt like I was in America sometimes hehe :P

4. Chris Tomlin sang in Japanese. Not even my heart language I know, but it hit me in a special way. Now I can't get enough of his amazing God-inspired music. You should listen to his song, "Awakening" (<-- click to go to a youtube link for the song). He is no longer my favorite, he is now my favorite favorite musician hehe.

5. Christian friends came from different parts of Japan and I was able to see their beautiful faces again and be excited for what God is doing here.

6. And so many more, which I'm too delirious with joy to remember and type out right now...

Mr. Louis Giglio made his sermon evangelistic, which I'm so grateful for. The Japanese pastor who translated, worked so hard and did an incredible job. Chris Tomlin and his band did an amazing job leading worship - words cannot express how my heart bubbled over with the deep joy of being able to listen to them in person praising God and being able to join right in with them. Can you tell that listening to Chris Tomlin and the band was my favorite part (if I could actually choose among my favorite moments during the event hehe)? Many non-believers were able to hear the gospel - who knows how many of them have their names written in the book of life, or whose lives will be changed as a result? Our good friends D-san and N-san brought their good friend M-san who is not a believer. Please pray for M-san, she is such a sweet sweet girl and God is working in her heart. Let's pray for her awakening to God's love!

Thank you Passion for coming to Tokyo!!!! Let's pray that this was not a one night event, but a catalyst for amazing life changes that God will bring about in the hearts of the people here!!!!!

Now if only Passion would go to Cali when I'm back...

PK if you read this before it happens, you have to go to Passion in HK!!! There will be a mighty gust and it will carry you to the finish!