Yesterday was a big milestone in the life and ministry of Harvest. After a year of jumping through hoops the farmland next door was purchased. Once the snow melts we will be doing some landscaping making half of it into a parking lot with the rest being green space and garden plots.
We had been praying for enough cash in hand to purchase but God saw fit to provide most but not all thru donations. A small loan from a fund to help church planting in Japan was aquired. I think the challenge of seeing that (small) loan paid will do more to mature the congregation than having had all the cash in hand.
So we are rejoicing in Gods provision and wisdom. This frees the chapel to concentrate on fixing the building and welcoming people.
May Jesus build his church.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
England at Harvest (Saturday 7th Feb)
On the 7th of Ｆebruary arrived at 11.30am at Harvest, the Ghent’s most recent plant to prepare for our ‘English’ event. The purpose behind this event was to bring non-church goers, and people in the local area to Harvest so they can get to know the church and its members/leaders and hear the Gospel from a short talk slotted in after the meal. The event was also geared to providing a space that is family friendly (something that the area lacks) allowing the community to come together and enjoy each others company without worrying about what they will do with their children.
Jonathan and I began by tackling a large crate of potatoes (grown by the Ghents) to be peeled for our main ‘English’ dish, Shepherds Pie. Others grated carrots and cabbage for the accompanying coleslaw and Emma animated our England presentation on PowerPoint. Next I was put in charge of making a lemon drizzle cake which was one of the three desserts being prepared such as apple crumble and scones with cream and jam. After finishing one cake I was asked to make another because we were expecting lots of people, but ‘Oh No’ we had run out of butter (unlike at home there is no corner shop to run to) however true to form Ruth came up with a solution in seconds substituting oil for butter in the second cake. A student from a nearby university came to help me make the icing, and we worked together as team using mostly mime to show the cooking steps.
At around 3.40 we were suddenly alerted that the afternoon was now starting at 4pm instead of 4.30pm. The room had not been decorated so we all flew around the room, setting tables on the floor, tablecloths on the tables, writing a big colourful welcome sign and putting up red, white, and blue (the colours that make up the British Flag) ribbons across the window. We finished just in time.
As the children arrived we played a game of football with a giant inflatable ball in the play room followed by a game of stuck in the mud involving a chaser catching people who become still if tagged until someone else frees them by running underneath their arms.
Next was the English picture game. Half of a picture of typical English things such as fish and chips, David Beckham and strawberries were handed out to everyone (including adults) requiring everyone to walk around trying to find their matching half of their picture with someone else. We also played musical statues which is when I got extremely embarrassed as all us English people had to demonstrate the game by dancing on our own in front of the guests to music until it stopped where we had to freeze in our positions and not move. Once play commenced we walked around judging the frozen statues. I was impressed by their COMPLETE stillness even when funny faces were pulled at them. To round off the games we set up a PowerPoint presentation quiz about England, unfortunately technology failed us and the answers pictures to the questions did not show up on our screen so we had to improvise and take it in turns to present interesting facts about England to the guests.
Dinner was then dished out and seemed to be enjoyed as plenty went up for seconds. I found it a strange experience eating my Shepherds Pie with chopsticks but was chuffed when the lady opposite me complemented me on my chopstick eating ability! As I chatted with those around me they said they found it hard to visualize a typical English dish e.g. for America they can visualize a hamburger, for Italy they can visualize pasta. I explained that actually in England we tend to eat dishes borrowed from all over the world.
After dinner a talk was given by Jonathan which he began by going through the past Kings and Queens of England and the length of their reigns. He then spoke of the greatest King of the world that is God who has the longest reign of them all. As I looked around the packed room I wished that all these families were saved and actually part of the church. The turnout showed the potential of Harvest to receive a large church family.
Everyone seemed to have enjoyed the evening. I think having these party type ‘events’ is a great way to get those who may be unsure about coming to church on their own but more willing if there is a larger volume of people. Plus it demonstrated to outsiders that church can be a place to have fun and share pleasant company with other people. I was surprised that there were only two males who attended the evening and wondered if the mums and their children who came ever do pleasure activities together as a whole family?
I hope that those who came to the evening will think about the gospel delivered by Jonathan and want to come again to this loving church where they can learn more about God in a family friendly environment.
-Anna.
Jonathan and I began by tackling a large crate of potatoes (grown by the Ghents) to be peeled for our main ‘English’ dish, Shepherds Pie. Others grated carrots and cabbage for the accompanying coleslaw and Emma animated our England presentation on PowerPoint. Next I was put in charge of making a lemon drizzle cake which was one of the three desserts being prepared such as apple crumble and scones with cream and jam. After finishing one cake I was asked to make another because we were expecting lots of people, but ‘Oh No’ we had run out of butter (unlike at home there is no corner shop to run to) however true to form Ruth came up with a solution in seconds substituting oil for butter in the second cake. A student from a nearby university came to help me make the icing, and we worked together as team using mostly mime to show the cooking steps.
At around 3.40 we were suddenly alerted that the afternoon was now starting at 4pm instead of 4.30pm. The room had not been decorated so we all flew around the room, setting tables on the floor, tablecloths on the tables, writing a big colourful welcome sign and putting up red, white, and blue (the colours that make up the British Flag) ribbons across the window. We finished just in time.
As the children arrived we played a game of football with a giant inflatable ball in the play room followed by a game of stuck in the mud involving a chaser catching people who become still if tagged until someone else frees them by running underneath their arms.
Next was the English picture game. Half of a picture of typical English things such as fish and chips, David Beckham and strawberries were handed out to everyone (including adults) requiring everyone to walk around trying to find their matching half of their picture with someone else. We also played musical statues which is when I got extremely embarrassed as all us English people had to demonstrate the game by dancing on our own in front of the guests to music until it stopped where we had to freeze in our positions and not move. Once play commenced we walked around judging the frozen statues. I was impressed by their COMPLETE stillness even when funny faces were pulled at them. To round off the games we set up a PowerPoint presentation quiz about England, unfortunately technology failed us and the answers pictures to the questions did not show up on our screen so we had to improvise and take it in turns to present interesting facts about England to the guests.
Dinner was then dished out and seemed to be enjoyed as plenty went up for seconds. I found it a strange experience eating my Shepherds Pie with chopsticks but was chuffed when the lady opposite me complemented me on my chopstick eating ability! As I chatted with those around me they said they found it hard to visualize a typical English dish e.g. for America they can visualize a hamburger, for Italy they can visualize pasta. I explained that actually in England we tend to eat dishes borrowed from all over the world.
After dinner a talk was given by Jonathan which he began by going through the past Kings and Queens of England and the length of their reigns. He then spoke of the greatest King of the world that is God who has the longest reign of them all. As I looked around the packed room I wished that all these families were saved and actually part of the church. The turnout showed the potential of Harvest to receive a large church family.
Everyone seemed to have enjoyed the evening. I think having these party type ‘events’ is a great way to get those who may be unsure about coming to church on their own but more willing if there is a larger volume of people. Plus it demonstrated to outsiders that church can be a place to have fun and share pleasant company with other people. I was surprised that there were only two males who attended the evening and wondered if the mums and their children who came ever do pleasure activities together as a whole family?
I hope that those who came to the evening will think about the gospel delivered by Jonathan and want to come again to this loving church where they can learn more about God in a family friendly environment.
-Anna.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
English Night at Harvest
On February 7th we had another installment of God's grace. Since there were 4 short term assistants from England we held an English Night. Cooking, slides, and a Bible talk all centred on England- well actually centred on Jesus, with England as the excuse to get people together. 60 people attended- 30 of whom were under 15.
In order to get the impact- there is no sign or other evidence that this a church yet, only just a few people were told about the event and this is what God did. The attendees, many of whom were young, all were very attentive to the Bible talk and quiet during prayer. Many good table conversations were had.
I wonder what will happen when we actually do put up a sign, advertise, and actually put effort into compelling people. Seems like we are seeing evidences of God's grace yet again.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Praying for another Miracle
We are extremely grateful to have seen God's provision so far. The summer team to help with the garden, money to purchase the first 2 pieces of land, and a building up and running.
We are now looking for yet another miracle. In 29 days we need to have the money in hand to pay for the last section of land. It will provide enough parking for 80 cars and a place for children to play. (not to mention space to dump snow) The church is able to borrow but would like to have some indication of how that will be repaid. Pray for the church as we face this challenge with prayer and fasting.
For pics scroll down to the summer blog posts.
We are now looking for yet another miracle. In 29 days we need to have the money in hand to pay for the last section of land. It will provide enough parking for 80 cars and a place for children to play. (not to mention space to dump snow) The church is able to borrow but would like to have some indication of how that will be repaid. Pray for the church as we face this challenge with prayer and fasting.
For pics scroll down to the summer blog posts.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Evidence of Grace
Lately I have been challenging people to see evidences of the grace of Jesus in their lives.
Yesterday was one of those days I got to see Jesus grace first hand.
When Harvest was purchased there was an old house also purchased next door and the water main is used for Harvest's new pipes. All the water turn-offs were closed properly, or at least so it was thought. One wasn't and so with the fluctuating tempratures one pipe in the house kitchen broke. For 10 days the water ran unabated. Aparently 750 cubic metres of water can run in that amount of time. The bill was 358,000 yen which s about 4000 USD. That would be about 8 years of water bills in one month!! I went on hands and knees to the city water department. They graciously reduced the bill to 9000 yen which is about 80 USD. That was 3 times the usual monthly charge-- but gratefully agreed to.
So where have you seen evidence of God's grace lately.
Yesterday was one of those days I got to see Jesus grace first hand.
When Harvest was purchased there was an old house also purchased next door and the water main is used for Harvest's new pipes. All the water turn-offs were closed properly, or at least so it was thought. One wasn't and so with the fluctuating tempratures one pipe in the house kitchen broke. For 10 days the water ran unabated. Aparently 750 cubic metres of water can run in that amount of time. The bill was 358,000 yen which s about 4000 USD. That would be about 8 years of water bills in one month!! I went on hands and knees to the city water department. They graciously reduced the bill to 9000 yen which is about 80 USD. That was 3 times the usual monthly charge-- but gratefully agreed to.
So where have you seen evidence of God's grace lately.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
PIZZA at harvest Chapel Hirosaki
The Aussie short term team and newly made Uni friends got together in December for a pizza party. Now you have to know that pizza has always been one of Ruth Mae's specialties; however she was busy with a class. So intructions were given and a trial run in Itayanagi led up to the evening. Altogther about 30 people had lots of fun making the pizza and hanging out.
Christmas cooking at Harvest Chapel
It remains a great way to meet new people. The advertising was mostly word of mouth. However ads were handed out in the direct neighborhood of 200 houses. The ladies enjoyed trying new things and Ruth had a good time talking about Jesus love.
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