In Community:

February 2020 Newsletter

Displaying God’s Glory

By Pastor Craig Swanson

In November of last year, shortly after returning from Japan, I wrote about the flooding that inundated the area surrounding the King’s Garden facility in Kawagoe.  I said that, even in the midst of tragedy and loss, God would display His glory through His people.  And no where was that more on display than right here at FBC.

After hearing of the flooding, I mentioned the situation to the elders.  I was secretly hoping that FBC might be able to offer at least a token amount demonstrating our partnership with the ministry in Japan.  When I heard what the church leadership was prepared to commit to the restoration efforts, I was greatly surprised.  Then someone suggested that we provide the congregation with the opportunity to participate in this collection as well.  When that offering was collected, my surprise changed to astonishment.

All totaled, nearly $17,000 was raised and sent to JKG.  The surprise and astonishment continued.  When the leadership in Japan received our gift, they offered praise to God.  Three separate high-ranking leaders have written to express their appreciation to us and their gratitude to God.  One of those letters has been translated and appears in this edition of the Grapevine. (Page 2)

I can’t help but think of how the Apostle Paul must have felt as he traveled through Macedonia and Achaia, collecting funds for the suffering Christians in Jerusalem.  His words to the Corinthians are especially appropriate.

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.  And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.  Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:12-15)

Thank you, FBC Ohana, for your expression of love and generosity.

Letter from Japan Kings Garden

By Mr. Yasuo Kojima

January 8, 2020

Dear Swanson-sensei and brothers and sisters at FBC,

Thank you so much for your prayers for Japan and Japan King’s Garden. It has been such a long time since I saw friends at FBC. I appreciate that you deeply care about us and prayed for us, especially since October 2019.  You generously donated and supported us. We humbly accepted your generous gift as a symbol of your love. Your warm caring hearts deeply touched the heart of each employee at Japan King’s Garden, who had been exhausted emotionally and physically due to our daily recovery efforts.  We were all encouraged because of your love.

Some parts of Kawagoe were terribly damaged because of the huge typhoon on October 13th last year, and the river bank was destroyed by flooding from the junction point of two rivers located near Kawagoe King’s Garden, causing the muddy water to rise up to 5 feet high above floor level. However, every elderly resident and employee was protected by God and successfully evacuated. Looking back at this critical situation, it was not easy for nearly 100 elderly people who need a high level of care at all times to be safely relocated from the isolated balcony of the second floor in the midst of rising muddy water. It was a miracle. Because of mass media including internet, newspaper and TV on-air all-over Japan, we were able to receive encouraging words and financial support from many people. Starting the very next day after the disaster, a number of volunteers gathered and worked on the recovery. We were blessed with warm onigiri and tonjiru (pork soup) every day for a month from a nearby church.

However, thinking about the frequent natural disasters occurring over recent years due to global weather changes, reoperation at the same location was questionable. I suggested to the board of directors committee of King’s Garden Saitama that we should move to a safer location outside of the colored areas on the hazard map so that our residents do not have to worry about a scary situation like this in the future. They approved the idea and so did the city, prefecture and government. But we were not sure what to do with our residents who were scattered to 20 different facilities as refugees until the new facility is completed. It takes time to build a brand-new facility and move there, so we all prayed.

Usually when an individual house gets damaged from disaster, the government prepares and provides  temporary housing or shelter through the law, but because there has never been a case as unprecedented for a nursing home, we requested special permission to the government and started negotiations for providing temporary housing for residents, which is a care facility of Kawagoe King’s Garden. Although it was time consuming, we finally received a phone call from them on Christmas Eve that construction for the temporary care housing would be started the beginning of 2020 at a wonderful location in the city of Kawagoe. The site was our preferred place where an elementary school used to be and was vacant. As they promised the construction began on January 6th. And also, our Care House, Shu-no-Sono, the assisted living facility right next to the damaged King’s Garden has been recovered smoothly and residents should be able to get back and reunite there from the other facilities.

In the of Spring 2020, construction of a new nursing home will be started at a new location where our residents can live safely in peace. The location has been tentatively decided and we will contract, design, and construction will be started soon. The new Kawagoe King’s Garden would be completed in two years.

The planning of recovery was not an easy process. We did feel like walking in the darkness, that we had no idea where we were going. The Lord however was with us, comforted us, pointed the best way and guided us. We experienced wonderous miracles. This whole grace will be told to glorify His name everywhere. Through this difficult time, we once again learned that we were gathered together in God’s work to care for the elderly for His glory and that we are given a mission to serve God and others. Now it all makes sense that everything happened in God’s deep grace and mercy.

God’s miraculous work is still going strong. Please continue to pray for this ministry.

We pray that God will bless our brothers and sisters at Faith Bible Church abundantly.

As a representative of the board of directors for Japan Kings Garden,

Yasuo Kojima

WASABI Christmas Party

By Josh Takano

The last time I was a leader in WASABI was over 10 years ago, so I felt a little rusty trying to help make our Christmas Party memorable.  As I look back, what confirmed my rustiness was due to encouraging the kids to do things such as stealing and battling each other with scissors.  The kids had many questions about the suggestions, but they went along with it.  I’ll discuss more about this later in the article.

Our party started with food and fellowship.  I think one of my favorite parts about WASABI in general is watching the kids get to know each other and become more comfortable with each event.

After lunch, we did an old WASABI Christmas party tradition where we all took turns reading verses from Luke 2: 1-20.  I love hearing the group reading about the story of our Savior’s birth!

Following our reading is where the stealing and scissors came in with our gift exchange.  The kids drew numbers to set the order and then selected a present one by one. When it was someone’s turn, they could either select an unopened gift or try to steal a gift that was already opened.  If someone wanted to try to steal a gift, a rock/paper/scissors battle was done to determine who would get the present.  Unfortunately, the kids are a little too kind and felt bad about stealing gifts, so there was not too much action going on.  But for the few steal attempts that happened, it was entertaining.  One of the most entertaining parts came when I tried to steal my daughter, Jolie’s gift that she actually wanted to lose so that she could try to steal another gift that she wanted. Before our duel, Jolie told me to pick “Rock” so that she could win.  The battle then started and I selected “Rock” ready to claim victory, only to find that Jolie had accidentally chosen “Scissors” and her fail-proof plan was actually not fail-proof.  The next sounds heard were Jolie’s cry of defeat and laughter from everyone else.

As we start off 2020, please continue to pray for our group that WASABI would see relationships strengthened and that each individual would see our group as a place where they can be themselves, be encouraged and be supported as they go through an important time in their lives.

Josh for Aaron, Kathy and Linda

ROCK Christmas Party

By Amy Li

‘Twas the following day, on December 8th, the ROCKers held their annual Christmas Party at the beautiful Kumai residence, where we have spent many a fellowship event. We made our way over after Sunday service had ended and arrived at Uncle Kenji and Auntie Jeanne (and Rigby, their aussie-doodle) bustling around to prepare for lunch. We are so extremely thankful for the love and care that the Kumai’s continue to pour out to this ministry, year after year!

First, we feasted on snacks, as always, before the main course of Swedish meatballs, yum! While eating, we caught up with each other on the craziness of life that is the holiday season, recognizing that this event was our chance to slow down and remember what it’s all about in the first place. We did our best to sing some Christmas carols even though our guitarist was having some trouble and then read the Christmas story that I “borrowed” from CYC.

Next, we began the Secret Santa gift exchange. I always love seeing the creativity and thoughtfulness that everyone puts into picking out a gift for their person, and it shows how well they know each other and also us leaders:

1. El received the Old Maid card game, because he needs a lot of practice to get better at a game that really requires minimal skill
2. Chris Jo received a Funko Pop! figure of Batman vs. the Penguin because he is still a kid at heart (we all know this)
3. I received an Osprey* backpack because it seems like I will forever be a student, and I am never not without my backpack * yes, way beyond the price limit!

Lastly, this year, we decided to lower our price limit for Secret Santa so that we could each spend the extra money to pick out items for our ROCKers who are abroad – Hikari in Thailand and Stacie in Hawaii. We packed up the items, including snacks, movies, hot cocoa, and socks, and wrote a card to make sure the recipients would feel the love, see how they’ve impacted our group, and know how much we miss them.

I am blessed to be an honorary young(-er) person that walks through life with this awesome group of young men and women. If anything, to laugh with them (and at them…sometimes), to pray and believe with them, and hopefully, to guide and lead them with God at the center of it all.

CYC Christmas Party

By Amy Li

‘Twas the night of December 7th, the annual CYC Christmas Fellowship took place at the beautiful home of John and Lisa Tsuji. In no time at all, it was a packed house, as cars arrived from picking up students at college campuses and others driving from both near and far, to gather for an event that at this point is an institution of FBC. For nine years now, Uncle John and Auntie Lisa have faithfully opened up their home (and their hearts) to the CYC group as a space to celebrate the true reason for the season, our Savior’s birth, as one community.

It was great to see both new and familiar faces, but regardless of whether it was their first or fourth time there, it just felt like family. It is family. We played our version of Family Feud, where instead of the general population, survey answers come from the kids of FBC, so they include answers like “I don’t know” and “Jesus” (because Jesus is always the answer). We enjoyed a somewhat unconventional Christmas dinner of katsu curry and tons of other food generously prepared and provided by some amazing people. After we were all sufficiently stuffed, we transitioned into a time of worship and then read through the Christmas story, prepared by Brian. The reading beautifully weaves together different parts of Scripture – John, Luke, Micah, and Isaiah – to capture the sheer magnitude and wonder of the story of Jesus’ birth, placed in the history of time as part of God’s plan for the world.

And then, to end the night, our White Elephant gift exchange commenced. When it comes to this game, it can be quite surprising how ruthless it can get as people drop the niceties and attempt to steal gifts (by playing rock-paper-scissors), but in their defense, there were some really great gifts this year:

Fuzzy blankets galore: $10
Shell gasoline gift card: $25
Two tickets to Enchant Light Show: $60
Apple-cup winning football gloves, unwashed: $$$
Sharing a meal, laughing with one another, and celebrating the birth of our Savior together: priceless

JLM Christmas Fellowship

By Mina Chen

Japanese Language Ministries had our Christmas potluck fellowship on December 14th. We usually have JLM Fellowship two or three times a year at a JLM member’s house.  Since it was the first JLM Fellowship after Pastor Kohei Takeda and his family arrived in the States, we had it as a welcome party for them.  We are thankful to the Otsus for generously opening their house to host this gathering.  We enjoyed our conversations over wonderful food that each person brought to the fellowship.  After a good time of food and fellowship, Hiroo shared a devotional, we sang Christmas hymns, and celebrated the birth of Jesus together.  After that, we had Pastor Kohei and Akiko briefly share their testimony and about how God brought them to FBC.  We also had a time of Q&A and got to know them better.  We haven’t spent much time together with the Takedas but it already feels like we are close family.  As believers, we are God’s family. We thank God for the connection we can have because of our faith in Christ.  At this fellowship, about 45 people gathered. It was a great time to catch up with people we haven’t had enough time to talk with on Sundays.  JLM fellowship is not exclusive to those who attend 9:30 services. Everyone is welcome!  We hope to have you at our next fellowship and get to know you better.

Shinnenkai (New Year’s Party)

By Pastor Kohei Takeda

How can a church actively share their love with those who have never come to a church? Inviting them to their regular Sunday service or Bible studies? Of course, these are great ways to bring them to church and share the love of Jesus. On top of that, at the beginning of each year Faith Bible Church shares the love of Jesus by inviting their Japanese neighbors to the “Shinnenkai,” namely, the new year’s party, where they can feel safe, loved, and cared for, through building relationships.

The purpose of the “Shinnenkai” goes beyond having a fun time with one another, with which nothing is wrong. It is a PARTY and we want to have fun and celebrate together! But, our true purpose is not only to entertain the guests with Japanese traditional food and culture, but to help unbelievers start building a relationship with Jesus and the church, namely with us, by showing hospitality and sharing stories. Our desire is to intentionally create a safe space for the guests to build trust and friendship in the love of Jesus. Starting with this event, we eagerly hope to keep cultivating our relationship with them even after the event.

With such shared heart and goal, Faith Bible Church held the Shinnenkai 2020 on January 4th. With altogether 80 people, over 30 guests were those who had never stepped into a church. They joined us and enjoyed conversations and traditional Japanese food. According to the survey we took at the end of the party, literally all of them gave us feedback saying that they spent quality time and appreciated our hospitality. Some responded that they are interested in further connecting with some of the activities at FBC, such as our small groups, Bible studies, JxJ Ministry, and the Christian Sports League. Furthermore, others even commented that they are interested in Christianity and the Bible. It was a moment we experienced the work of the Holy Spirit.

The blessing of God was not only the people who came to the party, but also the people who prepared the party. We witnessed that with the same heart, they served the guests by using their unique gifts to love and show hospitality in their best ways. Some served as table hosts to welcome the guests and facilitate conversations. Others worked hard and prepared amazing Japanese food. Others helped with childcare so that the parents could enjoy the conversation. Others decorated, set up, and cleaned up the room. And, as a whole church, we ALL prayed.

Another blessing was to witness those who served the Japanese guests even though their native language is not Japanese. With the Kingdom mindset, they served the Japanese nonbelievers, with other Japanese speaking believers, whose language and culture are different from them, all because of their love of Christ! The unity in diversity is only accomplished by sharing the same Christ-like heart to seek others’ benefits beyond out own. (Phil. 2:1-11).

The Holy Spirit was at work, and the love of Christ was just VISIBLE. It was such a beautiful moment. Our beloved neighbors were not entertained, but BLESSED, filled with joy and love overflowing from Jesus through each one of us. And, of course, I am also tremendously blessed. I give thanks to every guest, and every volunteer and prayer from the bottom of my heart. And, most of all, I give thanks to the Lord and praise His name, who first loved and blessed us so that we can love and bless others.

But, I believe it is just the beginning. Their relationship with Christ and the church has just begun. I was so blessed to hear that many of us have been already cultivating a relationship with them even after the party, by going out for coffee, inviting over for dinner or Bible study. We hope and pray that they will keep building a relationship with Christ through us. As we love and follow Jesus, please pray and serve with us to help our neighbors love and follow Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. Glory be to God!

equipper conference testimonies

By Ayako Kasai & Yui Mizuno

Ayako Kasai

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share God’s grace with our FBC Ohana! I attended the Equippers Conference (EC19) from December 26th to January 1st. God has been speaking to me before, during, and after EC. I would like to share two things out of many things that God has shown me.

For EC19, I was given the opportunity to serve as an assistant director of a small group program. As one of the committee members, I took part in conference call meetings, prepared for the small group programs, and interacted with many people, not only committee members but also people who were at the conference. Throughout this time, there were many people involved from the beginning of preparations, and God used their talents (prayers, biblical knowledge, logistics, hospitality, communication, worship, etc.…) and people used the given talents for His glory. It was my privilege to witness and experience the beauty of the body of Christ. EC19 was my third time to join EC. God let me see not only the things directly related to me but also EC19 as a whole. Seeing the beauty of the body of Christ made me realize some of the reasons God brought me to Seattle and what I can do for Him and for people He places around me.

Another thing that God reminded me of was that God is certain in my uncertainty. This reminder gives me peace, especially when I think about my post-graduate plans. I will graduate from university in May 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. As an international student, I am permitted to work for one year in the United States. To work for longer than one year, I would need to get a working visa. Before going to EC19, I focused on thinking about where I will go and got worried about the uncertainty of my future. However, through the messages from speakers, fellowship, and conversations with people, I was reminded that Who I go with matters more than where I will go. Yes, my future is uncertain, and I don’t think I can be certain about any circumstance. But God is the one who can be certain to me in the midst of uncertainty (Hebrews 13:8). I place my trust in God and I will follow Him through every uncertainty of my life.

Lastly, thank you so much for your prayers, support, and encouragement. It was a blessing for me that 16 attendees joined EC19 from the Seattle area and each of has been spoken to, touched, and challenged by God’s love and truth. Without you and your support, it wouldn’t have been the same experience. God bless you richly.

Yui Mizuno

First of all, I would like to say thank you so much for supporting me through prayers and a scholarship to attend EC19. When I went to EC in 2017, I had just become a Christian, so I was overwhelmed by the number of Christians and the intense schedule. God, however, taught me how great He is to me, and I should be excited about my path with Christ. It’s going to be three years since I accepted Christ as my Savior, and I have experienced many seasons with God these past years. There was a time I felt He was very close to me, and also a time I felt He wasn’t. When I looked back, though, God always gave me some hardships to strengthen and grow my faith and healed me by His unconditional love after that. He also showed me His faithfulness and greatness at EC19.

I was able to serve as a Small Group Coordinator and one of the committee members for the women’s session. I received blessings through both ministries, but I would like to highlight serving at the women’s session.

On the third night at EC, we were divided into two groups, men and women, to have various sessions based on different themes. There was a total of six of us to prepare the women’s session to decide the theme, and programs. When I received an invitation by mail, I had no idea why I was chosen, but I accepted the offer.

The meeting for the session started two months before, but I was still wondering why God chose me to be one of the committee members. One day, while I was praying, God told me that He chose me because He would use my testimony to speak to women at the session. I, however, told God that I was not brave enough to share my testimony in front of two hundred women, and there should be someone better. One day during the meeting, we decided our theme as “EC Beauty Clinic ~the path to being filled to the brim with love~” from Ephesians 3:16-21. We hoped that all women at the session would realize how much God loves each one just as we are, and that true beauty comes from God. “Surrender” was also another keyword for the message behind the theme. As we talked about the vision for the session and looked for two people to share testimonies, I told them that, “I really don’t want to, but I feel like God really is telling me to share my testimony.”

The process of writing my testimony was not easy because I needed to look back at how my life was broken and far from God back then. I was also afraid of how people would react after hearing my testimony. That’s why I was very nervous the entire time until I shared my testimony at the session on the third day. I thought I didn’t do well sharing my testimony and was afraid of how they felt about it. However, His promise and plan never fail, and He did exactly what He wanted to for the session. He gave me an opportunity to realize He had completely healed me from my past, and not only me but He also healed many people at the session. After giving my testimony, a lot of young women came to me and said “I also had a similar past like you and had a difficult time surrendering to God. But I was able to process it tonight—so thank you.” Some older women came to me and told me that their hearts for helping young women got stronger by hearing my testimony. It was completely not my plan but was definitely His plan. I know I am pretty weak, but He showed His brightness and hope though my weakness.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 says: “But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” It was such a privilege to be part of His great plan and being able to be at EC19. I truly appreciate all of your support and prayers for attending the conference.