A Newsletter From Hokkaido 1

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A Newsletter From Hokkaido ? by Joshua Ong
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Hokkaido is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the
Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk. The island
is 83,000 square kilometres, nearly 120 times the
area of Singapore. Its population is just over
5.7 million. The beautiful land is full of of
breathtaking mountains, extensive wetlands,
natural lakes and marshes with heavenly
landscapes. Its air is fresh and clean. Its water
is pure and uncontaminated.
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Over a period of 140 years, this island was
developed with an unprecedented speed as a result
of an enthusiastic frontier spirit, which was
passed down by the pioneers who braved the cold
temperatures and the lofty mountains! The
pioneering spirit of God is stronger than ever!
This uttermost part of Japan will break out a
revival very soon! Japan will be known as the
Land of the Risen Son as her people arise and
shine for Jesus! 
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This trip is one of the most amazing trips I have
taken. I know that the LORD has prepared this
journey for me as He opens this door of ministry
to serve Him in praising and worshipping Him with
His people in Japan. It all started with a phone
call from a friend in Singapore. That Saturday,
as I was preparing for the PFI (Prayer For
Israel) meeting, I was given the pleasant
surprise that a Japanese pastor was in Singapore
staying in his house, and was interested in
getting a worship leader for his church in
Hokkaido. I was being recommended. I told him
that I would call him later in the evening. But
on second thoughts, I asked him to check with the
pastor whether he was interested in hearing me
out as I was leading worship at PFI that
afternoon.
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The Japanese pastor came to the PFI meeting. But
he had to leave earlier as he had another
appointment. So we met in my friends house the
next day. There was a same kindred spirit in both
of us. I knew it was time for me to go! But I
needed a confirmation from the LORD. While
travelling in the MRT, I saw a man standing in
front of me wearing a T-shirt with these Japanese
words Itsumademo Tomotachi which meant Forever
Friends. I knew that His hand was leading me
on! Everything was prepared for me, including the
air tickets. One of my friends gave me 20,000
miles from his Northwest mileage to get a free
return international ticket to Tokyo. My domestic
tickets were also obtained through United
Airlines mileage points from the Japanese pastor.
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The journey was almost 17 hours from Singapore to
Memanbetsu including 3 transits at KL, Narita and
Sapporo, and a limousine ride from Narita to
Haneda.  At Sapporo, the plane arrival was late
by 15 minutes, and we nearly missed the
connecting flight. But the ANA plane to
Memanbetsu waited for all the passengers in
transit. All of us made it including all our
luggages. Not one missing! I was greeted
by Pastor Kazuo and two Bible School students,
Miho and Naomi, at the domestic airport.
The temperature was 7 degrees Celsius at 3 pm.
The snow in the hills was melting away, and
traces of earthly colors could be seen.
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On the way home, we visited and prayed for a
church member, Koichi, before having a great
sushi feast at a nearby restaurant. I am staying
in Kitami City, on the 4th floor of a building
which houses a restaurant, an English school and
a church. There are also a few Bible School
students staying there. I have a big apartment to
myself. It is well equipped with heating and
other necessities. Nearby amenities include
department stores, 7 Eleven, KFC, supermarts and
restaurants.  On the same night upon arrival, we
had a Bible study. After that, they gave me a
warm welcome party serving traditional Japanese
fried noodles. We also celebrated the 21st
birthday of a church member. We had a great time
sharing the love of Christ, and worshipping the
LORD in Nihongo! 
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The next evening, I taught a cute little seven
year old Japanese boy some English for over 30
minutes. It was an international exchange of the
two cultures and languages. We sang our ABCs.
Love is the language we share, coming straight
from the heart, and transcending racial and
cultural differences. Every morning, we have a
morning devotion, praising and worshipping the
LORD, and reading a chapter of the Bible. We are
doing the Book of Galatians now. The sticky
issues about the Jews and the Gentiles. This very
difficult subject is being discussed
interestingly as we try to use the simplest words
in order to speak to and understand each other. A
Chinese with some Japanese. What a wonder Jesus
is! We understand each other, and have a very
fruitful time of sharing and receiving.
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The church also has an international school that
accepts some high school dropouts! These young
men in their late teens are not sumo wrestlers
and samurais. Neither do they fit the stereotypes
of white and blue collars. They will be
mountaineers and pioneers doing things Gods way
and not the standard traditional way. They will
be missionaries in the future reaching the
nations in Jesus name. I will be teaching them
some cross-cultural worldviews and also
conversational English. As I am teaching my
English, I am also learning their Japanese. The
worship in this church is great. The people sing
with beautiful harmony. The tenors, basses, altos
and sopranos! I love to worship with them as much
as they enjoy my Chinese style!
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The Sunday church services are at 10 am and 5.30
pm. There are Bible Studies on Wednesdays and
Thursdays. I will be teaching some students music
on how to play the keyboard and the guitar, and
also how to sing. We have a restaurant named
Shalom where we have most of our meals, Bible
studies, church services and activities. This is
an awesome assignment. So far, I have been able
to communicate in simple Japanese. But to go
further, I need more breakthroughs. I am now
reading the Bible in Japanese very softly.
Hopefully, my speed will increase. Till then,
please pray that I will be a blessing to these
precious people in Kitami City, and that I will
be a fruitful tree bearing fruits that will
remain. Hallelujah! Thanks
Regards, Joshua Ong