As usual, we hacked our program together, putting in the elements that we thought were important. When all of it came together at church, it was an awesome event that moved the hearts of all who came today.
We had our closing program for VBS during service. Two VBS families who do not normally come to NBF came, which was wonderful. We watched the terrific slide show Amy and others put together, and the kids did their song "Choose Jesus" for us. Janis gave a powerful testimony that was the perfect prelude to the message. We dismissed the kids to Sunday School which Amy and Susan taught again this week. Then Tom Sloan gave us a message on 1 Corinthians 15 about the singular importance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. All of Christianity hinges on this single event. No resurrection, no salvation. The way Janis' testimony was a perfect introduction to Tom's message was something God arranged, pure and simple. Tom was supposed to visit NBF last week but had to cancel last minute. He asked if he could visit us today, August 10, and we asked if he would share a message with us. We had asked Janis after Bob's testimony last week to share not knowing what Tom was going to preach. This was a God sighting for sure.
Tom and Ginna Sloan were TEAM missionaries in Japan for many, many years. They are still with TEAM on home assignment in the States. They left the mission field in 2004? to be with their son who died of brain cancer 2 months ago. He was in his 30's, and leaves behind a wife and 2 young daughters. We all had been praying faithfully for the Sloan's and Joshua for healing. In his message, Tom asked what victory in Christ means even though Joshua, his son and a strong believer, died. Tom and Ginna said Joshua told them that the brain cancer was the most important thing God had entrusted him with and that he was going to live each day he had left as a witness to God's goodness, mercy and grace. Tom did share that watching his son die was one of the hardest things he has had to do, but it was not "bad" in any way. Something good can come from suffering, even death IF we have Jesus. Christ's resurrection power gives us that victory. Tom told us that none of our work in Christ or prayers were in vain. Through trials and pain, God's incredible love, mercy and grace are evident to all. You just cannot miss it. At the end of service, one lady shared with Tom that she expected her father to die of stomach cancer this very week. She said his message was so timely and so very relevant for her right now. We gave her a bible from the church and Tom encouraged her to read chapter 15 in 1 Corinthians and that he and Ginna would be praying for her and her father. How is that for direct and immediate application?!
We had a light dinner afterwards that Mr. and Mrs. Onizuka graciously picked up at Costco for us. It was such a lovely time. The TMK team arrived just in time for dinner, so that made our time even more blessed. Matt played the piano for us at Mr. Onoe's request and lead us in Amazing Grace after one of the VBS mother's sang it for us in Japanese; she is a classically trained mezzo-soprano. Kohichi then had all of us sing Amazing Grace together. Hearing everyone sing this timeless song of love and grace brought tears to the eyes of all who were there. What a way to end a terrific VBS program. What an amazing God we have. It is always humbling to be reminded of God's love for us and how far He went to redeem us through His one and only beloved Son.
We are so sad to say good-bye, but we know that we are part of the same family in Christ so we will definitely meet again. Thank you so much for sending the VBS teams to NBF again this year. Thank you so much for partnering with us in your prayers. Please continue to pray that we may reap an abundant harvest with what was planted in the hearts of the children and their families this past week. Please pray that workers would continually to be sent into the fields for the harvest, so that not one soul whom God loves so dearly would be missed.
God bless you all.
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