Sep 29, 2008

Dedication Service for the Chi Alpha Student Center


In June I reported that a missions team from Carbondale, Illinois saw 4 people received salvation. I found out later that it was 7. That’s miraculous for Japan and demonstrates spiritual hunger in people’s hearts. As I ride the train and pass thousands of people in the stations, I’m always praying and asking God, “How do we introduce 126 million unreached people to Jesus Christ?”

God has provided a tool to help us reach young people. Remodeling of the Chi Alpha Student Center was finished at the end of May. Since then we cleaned, shopped for chairs, tables, sound equipment, musical instruments; and planned. On September 20 we held the dedication service.

We had a wonderful time and over 70 pastors, students, and friends came to help celebrate and dedicate the building to God! The Japan A/G General Superintendent, Samuel Uchimura Sensei, did the dedication ceremony and Makoto Hosoi Sensei, the guarantor for the building, was the emcee. Even though a typhoon was headed for Tokyo and heavy rain was predicted, God sent it out into the ocean and instead we had the bluest skies! Photos have been uploaded to the English website under Photo Gallery.

Our ministry team is so appreciative of all those who volunteered their time, talents, and help to make the student center a reality.

Sep 19, 2008

FINAL WEEK BEFORE THE STUDENT CENTER DEDICATION SERVICE

This past week was really busy with getting the Chi Alpha Student Center in Tokyo ready for our grand opening this coming Saturday, September 20. See the following website for pictures of volunteers working hard. Be sure to scroll down.

http://www.chialphajapan.net/modules/news/article.php?storyid=35

This next week will be even busier.

Monday
- The fusuma (Japanese wall paper for for sliding doors) upstairs will be completed. Direction signs will be made so that we can direct people from the train station to the center. We'll finalize last minute renovation details with our contractor.
Also, everything in the kitchen will be organized.


Tuesday - The electrician will install more lights and wiring for the projector in the ceiling.

Wednesday - The sign man will add the letters for "Chi Alpha Student Center" to the outside and to our outdoor sign. (The letters will be English, not Japanese, because Japanese think English is stylish.)

Thursday - The new chairs that we ordered last Friday will arrive. Also, that evening we'll have a staff meeting to go over details for Saturday. I will finish fitting the upstairs curtains.

Friday - I will wait for the frozen custom made cakes (made by Costco' s bakery) to arrive that evening.

Saturday -
The worship team will practice from 10 AM. The student choir rehearsal will be at 10:45 AM. The dedication service will start at 1 PM and the reception will immediately follow at 2 PM.