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| Mt. Tateyama |
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| Devotion |
Last time I mentioned about my mission going to Japan and below how this trip went on.
Truly
this trip last May 15-27 was all God’s since day one. From the denial of my
scholarship to International AIDS Conference in Australia, to receiving this
email invitation from a friend who extended his work at the ship, to the
processing of VISA and getting it surprisingly in three days, to the smooth and
safe travel, the whole workshop, the nerve-wracking devotion, down to the
feedback and heart-warming responses of the people up to the last minute were
simply awesome that I have felt God’s hands in each and every step of the way
in accomplishing this project.
When
I arrived at the ship and met the whole team, they have told me that they were
all praying for the VISA and for my safe travel. Obviously it worked! As for
the project, which is called S-Project where S stands for Sex or Sexuality, it
was a combination of morning devotions and workshop on issues around S such as
gender, marriage, purity, lust and other stuff with more focus on
homosexuality. We did an approximately twelve one-hour workshop on SSA or
same-sex attraction where I have to share my journey and personal struggles with
the goal of helping them to understand how a person with SSA struggles from the
beginning up to the present. Also we have discussed the practical ways of
dealing with people who has SSA as Christians or God’s people. I did the
biblical perspectives on homosexuality in my morning devotion where, again, I got
wonderful positive responses. Literally, I felt like speaking before nations
for my audience were missionaries from different parts of the world. Although,
there was a point towards the last few days where I felt the stress of giving
out myself through being honest and open with my life journey for more than 200
people that I want to cry. Yes I was getting great feedback and encouraging
responses but I realized the this form of “self-emptying”, if done several
times in a day or two, can be really stressful! But then again, I felt the Lord
was just there to help me go through with all these by sending people just to
talk with and pray for me and most of them were couples or families! There was a
certain group of participants, the engine men of the ship whom I see as the
tough strong men as a man with SSA get usually intimated with, where I got more
like of an affirmation from the Lord. One tough guy said, “you are the real man
of God” for my openness, honesty and courage to be real to them. I heard exactly
the same feedback from another engine guy later on. What an affirmation from
God! Young and old, single and married, struggling with SSA or not, came to me
just to say how blessed they were, ask questions, seek little counseling, or
even just having a mere conversation. There were people who wish to see all, including
leaders, to walk without our masks on and it was a blessing for them to see
someone as truthful and vulnerable as I am. I have visited and stayed in the
ship a couple of times already but it was the longest time I have stayed in the
ship and this one has given me a bit heavy heart when I left. God has greatly
done an amazing job through us.
According
to some of the leaders and few people, my visit was very timely that it was
about time to talk about these issues that still apparently affect our life as
God’s servants. Understanding the struggle of each persons, creating a safe
environment for people to be honest and open, and bearing or struggling with
one another were the key messages left in the hearts of people, which will all
help to have a victorious walk with Jesus as we serve His kingdom. Truly, God
uses our weaknesses and struggles for His glory that is why He is not taking
some of them away.
On a
lighter side of this trip, one Filipina missionary brought us to this world
cultural heritage called Hida Shirakawago, a very nice and peaceful village
where a 400-year-old Kanda House can be found. Unexpectedly, she also took us
to Mt. Tateyama through Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route where I got to see
snow-ice formation up to the top of this mountain very close. Although I was
not able to touch it for it was raining when we went there but at least I got
to see for the first time snow ice! This was a beautiful surprise indeed so
thank you Lord!
Before
I left, they told me that they want me back next year to do it again. I guess
we all have to wait for God’s signal on that. I surmise, like my friend said
few days before I depart for Japan, with this unique calling God will surely carry
me through. And like him, they have seen God in my eyes. Thank you to all who
prayed for this trip and Lord this was all for your honor and glory. Praise
God! Shalom!
P.S.
This
coming Saturday, I will be doing the same workshop to this church in Manila for
a group of young people. Please kindly pray for me. Thanks.
