2020: Year In Review

It is that time again to look back and reflect upon the previous year. What a year it was not only here in Japan but worldwide! This April 2021 will conclude our forth year here in Japan as a family. Our theme for this last year is as follows:

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” - Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV

Our original desire was to return to the United States on a furlough after the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, however that plan changed quickly as we decided to stay longer due to a few factors including Covid19, travel restrictions, visa issues, and the US Elections. A few missionaries have been on freeze away from their ministries due to these issues, which has led us to rethink our strategy. The year has been filled with new territory in many ways. Our missionary motto has been close to adopting the quote from Teddy Roosevelt, “Do what you can with what you have where you are at.” As is evident over the past year with the Covid19 outbreak, various supply shortages, lock-downs, and global riots we had to shift our preconceived plans. Things do not always work out the way that we would like, so we have to quickly adapt and use our time wisely. We have continued to do evangelism in the form of giving out gospel tracts around Tokyo, giving out masks with gospel tracts early on, doing Christmas evangelism with gospel tracts and cookies, teaching English using the Bible, and switching to a lot of online evangelism through Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, and AfterDeathTruth.net. The church we are working with here in Tokyo has seen 8 salvations in the past year with 2 that we have had a hand in as well as increased numbers of people watching services over the internet. This really demonstrates that many Japanese have been considering spiritual matters while they have had this unusual time to reflect on life more.

It is evident that the world is changing rapidly which could mean that the Age of Grace is coming to an end moving to the increased rise of globalism. For those who study Bible prophecy many indicators appear to be occurring that remind us to redeem our time, live for God, and not to trust in ourselves during these uncertain times. For those reading this blog it should be a time to reflect upon your life. What are you doing with your time? What are your priorities? Are you ready to face persecution? Are you ready to face God? If we have learned anything from this year it is that we are living in perilous times in which we make sure that we are in a right relationship with God.