Sunday Service #2

After our first church service we visited another church for their afternoon english service.  We've now been to 4 different churches while visiting Takamatsu and they are all great.  Each church has a great pastor, loving church members, and a desire to win people to Christ.  This church Hallelujah Church & Cafe was unlike anything we've experienced so far in Japan.The pastor and his wife were very young and exciting and that's the kind of church they're building in the countryside of Japan. We had an exciting worship experience and then our neighbor preached at the service.  Our neighbor, Ito, and his family are from Takamatsu Japan but they are serving as missionaries in Myanmar (Burma).  They've returned home to Takamatsu for 3 months so his wife can give birth to their fourth child.

Ito talked about how sharing God's love is what the true heart of missions is.  He talked about how important it is we follow God's voice in life.  Ito felt God calling him to Myanmar 8 years ago and he took his wife and young family immediately.  Myanmar is bordered by China, Laos, India, Thailand and Bangladesh so it can be a difficult place to share the gospel.  He could only say the word hello in Burmsese but that hasn't stopped him from planting churches, serving the community, and reaching people for Christ.  Ito is on fire for God and fired up the church with a passionate plea for missionaries throughout the world.

Here are some pics from our second service last Sunday:



The worship reminded us of our YWAM Kona worship times.



Children's church

Every worship song included a dance by the kids.  It was awesome to see the kids so involved in the "adult worship  time."  It's great to involve the kids because it brings enthusiasm  and a child like faith to the worship service.



This is the pastor @ Hallelujah church



 

This is the missionary Ito and his family.  Very inspiring to see the whole family sold out for Christ.

Darian playing with some of the kids from the church.  When they saw Americans they immediately started giving us the peace sign and didn't stop the whole time.  I'm sure they've seen it in an American movie.

More peace signs!

Darian and Jaidan playing with their friends.

The church had an a cool cafe that was really chill.  The people enjoy hanging out and fellowshiping with each other after church.  They also have an English school at church taught by the white guy (Dan) in the background.  He's from Seattle and he's serving in Japan as a missionary with his wife and kids.  Lots of great people!