Team FMZero!!!!

Wow can't believe there's only about.... a week or so to go!!! I'm leaving on Monday so it seems even closer. To be honest, the closer to mission it is, the less excited I feel and instead, I feel more afraid >.< But today, I've been reminded by a friend that God is in control, He will give us strength and will be there with us every step of the way! For it is His works that we're doing!

So that really pushed me to write an email to all my friends asking for prayers! Also, I am so convicted that this is not just our work but it is a partnership with other brothers and sisters in Christ in the body!!! ^^

Anyway, I thought I'd post some of the content of my email here, because we haven't really talked about what the FMZero team is going to be doing and the prayers needed:

I’ll be going with Sam Chui (WSCCC) and Ada Ng (NSCCCS) through an organization called OMF to support two missionaries, Sarah Piper and Karin Storzinger, in their ministry called FMZero.

What is FMZero?
It is a university ministry aimed at evangelizing to students mainly from, but not limited to, Hokkaido University through building relationships with them. Sarah, Karin and others do this by holding English classes for Japanese students who might be interested in learning English. They also attend some of the club activities that the university has in order to get to know students better.

Why are we going?
Statistically speaking, only 1% of the population is Christians. Many of them follow Buddhism and Shintoism, as these have been the influential religions in Japanese histories. A common saying in Japan is, ‘We live as Shintoists, but die as Buddhists.’ Culturally speaking, Japanese people are heavily influenced and pressured by society’s expectations of them, so they work very hard to get into famous educational institutions for a secure career path. Status being one of the most important things in their culture, some people who might not reach the expectations of others might feel like failures and shut themselves off from the world (hikikomori). As you can see, there is a great need for them to hear the gospel, know Jesus’ love and know that there is so much more to life.

What will we be doing?
We will be helping Sarah and Karin with some of the English classes, as well as holding an Australian themed Evangelistic event and Christmas event. Our main aim is to befriend the students that we’ll meet, invite them to the events and show them Jesus’ love through our relationships with them.

Why am I letting you know about all these?
We don’t want to go on mission without doing it with other brothers and sisters in Christ, as this is not an individual effort, but a team-effort by the body of Christ! We ourselves are just weak beings and would really appreciate and need your thoughts and prayers while we’re on this trip. Also, in the end, it is God’s power, might and strength that will work in people’s hearts, so it would be awesome if many, many, many prayers could be lifted up to Him!

So it would be awesome if you could please pray that:
God will give us opportunities to connect with the students on a personal level and that He will work in their hearts to receive Jesus
Many students will come to the events and God will use it to draw people to Him
Give Sarah and Karin strength as they continue with this ministry – they are very busy people!
Sam, Ada and I will work well together as a team, that we will be able to keep showing each other love and grace throughout the trip
At all times, we will continually look to God for strength and rely on Him, remembering that it is His works that we are doing
Safety and health – it is going to be VERY cold there!

That is all from me for now!

Clare