JEMS Creative Arts Missions Team

Tokyo.

This is one of my favorite pictures that I took in Japan - a panorama of three different pictures from the 45th floor of the Tokyo Tower.  When I look at this picture, I don’t think of the spectacular view, but I think of the millions of unsaved people represented in this picture.

There is a real Jesus awakening in much of Asia.  China, Korea, Indonesia, and many other asian countries are experiencing thousands come to know Christ every single day.  Just in half a century, Korea went from just a handful of believers to being over 50% Christian today.  However, Japan has been resisting the Gospel, and only have less than 1% of the population as professing Christians.  

My mission trip may be over, but I printed this picture and placed it on my wall so that I will remember those in Japan who do not yet know Jesus.  Even though the nation may be unbelieving now, there will come a day when God will reign over that island!

-Jesse

This past Saturday we had our first Dress Rehearsal down in San Diego. It was the first time we put together all of our talents and gifts (Worship songs, Hula Dance, etc). We went through the whole performance as if we were in Japan. We actually practiced the performance twice. We are still get things together and making sure we’ll be a blessing to the people in Japan. Keep us in your prayers. Peace & Love.

-Andrew

Aloha!  Burton here… Been working on a t-shirt design specially made for this trip to Japan.  Here is one of my concepts.  Feedback to make this more fun and cool for kids of all ages is always greatly appreciated. 

Hello everyone!!!!!!!!! It’s Mercedes writing to tell you about our wind blowing team building day that happened yesterday. We were @ De Anza Cove in the cold. We all had a very great time even though the wind was driving all of us crazy with our hair blowing into our faces!! Hahaha!!!! We had an alone time to focus on ourselves and GOD. Then we had an awesome worship time (thank you Jesse) and a great devotion too. Then we had team building activities. We had to make a poster with all of the things that inspired us about Japan and give to each person the things that inspired EACH of us. Then we had yummy hamburgers (Thanks Lowell) and then had some free time playing volleyball and football hahaha me falling on top of that. I also had Lowell’s baby daughter scold me for not having shoes on.  During that time we had a man come to us that was selling cookies for the event that was beside ours. Diane asked him questions about his faith and where he was at with his walk with the LORD. After that she asked him if she could pray for him. Thank YOU JESUS, he said yes!!!!! Good job Diane for sharing and praying.

Then we had discussions about fundraising and doing alot of things to raise money. Then the Fura Furenzu (Hula Friends) team performed a couple of the songs that we’re going to do in Japan and then we had Andrew perform one of his songs for us (WHOO-HOO, Go Andrew!!!!!). Then we had Jesse perform his song that he wrote himself that was kind of catchy (Good job Jesse… Go “Du” it). Then we had to talk more and do one more team building activity. We had to do a little portrait of ourselves concerning about the past, present, future, and what was really weird that happened to us during our lives. All of our posters had different hopes, dreams, and weird things that happened to them. Then we had more discussion about fundraising and the next time we meet again. Can’t wait to see you guys NEXT time we meet. After that we had more hamburgers onaka ga ipai ( My stomach is so full). Then we cleaned up and helped Lowell with his things. To end this now….. It was a FUN day especially for me

About Three Weeks ago the Worship Team had our first practice. I arrived at the JEMS office to find Lowell setting up equipment. Jesse soon arrived after me. We all quickly caught up with each other and talked about some personal things in our lives. After the catching up we prayed and started to work on the music. Lowell was set to play keyboard, Jesse was set to play Guitar, and me…Drums. I used to play drums, unfortunately I had stopped years ago. Lowell and Jesse sounded good on their instruments. It was kind of weird because my skills were rusty. I found it a little hard as we practiced different songs trying to come up with the right drum tempos. We went over several songs to figure out which songs would fit. We also decided that I would contribute some rapping into one of the worship songs. When we took a little break I talked to Jesse about collaborating on an original song. He agreed that we should do something. He instantly started playing something on his Guitar that he had been working on. I asked if there were any lyrics to the music, he said no. I recorded a little of the music to my phone to reference so that I could write to it. When we continued with practice Jesse performed one of his original songs. I then played an original song of mine from my phone. The song I played, I wasn’t even sure if i wanted to use that song. But what I can say now is I have a new song that I’ve written since the practice that I want to use. We got the exact set list together of what we we’re going to use as worship music in Japan. Soon after practice came to an end. It was a nice fun time with a little work to be honest. I’m not worried. I’m sure with practice and prayer we’ll be a great blessing to the Japanese community. 

-Andrew

“Each of us should please our neighbor for his good, to build him up.” -Romans 15: 2 

I hope and pray that you were just as blessed as I was to spend time together during our most recent training.  In the time since, the Lord has been growing me in the area of fostering selflessness in order to care for the needs of others.  My prayer is that, with this in mind, the lines of communication will remain open in Team CAM!

-Lauren

A sea of green fabric was piled up in my arms. I walked out the door carrying 6 sets of pau skirts, blouses, and furry/eyelash leis. The wise thing would’ve been to make a couple trips down the stairs, but I was in a rush trying to get to practice on time. I misstepped and went tumbling down the stairs.  I sat there in shock as tears started streaming down my face from pain but also anxiety. “Dear God, I am a hula dancer. Please don’t take this away from me. I need to dance. I want to do your work. I’m going to praise practice. Dear God, please don’t tell me its broken.”  I sat there and tried to collect myself.  As I sat there, I felt God speak to me and calm me. “Stop trying to do it all. You can’t do this by yourself. You are part of a team.”

How humbling.

This week I’ve been consumed with worry. Worried that all the funds won’t be raised in time. Worried that people won’t make it to practice. Worried that I’m a bad leader. Worried about references, testimonies, etc. won’t be turned in on time. Worried.

Spraining my ankle made me stop and rest. Made me focus on my arm movements, my facial expressions, and my heart when dancing (seated).  Made me rely on others and not myself. Reminded me that I am part of a team. Forced me to put my full TRUST in Him.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”  ~Proverbs 3:5-6 

Thank you Lord for giving me a team to lean on.

-Kat

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God. -Hebrews 12:2

Yes, we will face trials, tribulations, and encounter many unforeseen obstacles as we prepare to leave for Japan.  But if we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who endured far more than ANYTHING we could possibly imagine, it places our thoughts, attitudes, and hearts on Him and Him alone.  Let that be what drives us to do what we do; for if Christ is for us, who can be against us?

Once a week Kat and I go to Mitsuwa Marketplace to enjoy a bento lunch.  We love Japanese cuisine.  Recently, I have been reading a lot about the perception of “Western Christianity” going into Japan and trying to “convert” the Japanese people into their way of thinking.  Personally, I would never imagine wanting to do this.  I love the Japanese culture!  From their tea ceremonies (See video of a ceremony) to their entertaining game shows (See Matrix Ping Pong). In fact, I try to incorporate many aspects of the Japanese culture in to my life.

What I believe we are attempting to do is quite simple - share how Jesus has made a difference in our life with the Japanese people.  It is through this introduction, we hope they will build a relationship with Jesus.  I found this article that tries to explain this thought process more.  A small insert from this article is below.

“Japanese cultural ideals are full of Godly principles: honor, humility, service, self sacrifice, respect for elders and leaders, loyalty, unity, etc. We should honor these Biblical truths within Japanese culture because they show that God was already working within the hearts of the Japanese people. (Romans 2:14-15).
 
In Japanese culture, as in all cultures, there are many things that may not be of God and there are many things that could be of God. The things that are from God should be treasured. They are a legacy of God’s love for the Japanese people, tokens of his affection for them. It is not a cultural issue, it is a love issue! The culture is just an outward expression of the beautiful and unique way God created the Japanese people….”  (Read the whole article)

Burton

Greetings all God-lovers and CAMT supporters!

My name is Jesse Du and I’m serving on the worship team within the CAMT going to Japan.  We hope that this Tumblr not only to gives insight on the reality and struggles of doing missionary work for Christ, but also to give you context of where God has brought us from so that you may know better how to pray for us.

JARS OF CLAY

God is a powerful God.  In fact, He is so powerful that He, a spiritual force, can use the physical body to accomplish what He wills in the physical world, regardless of the nature of the body. 

If you wanted to know a bit about me, it’d probably be things like how I am Korean, grew up in a Korean church, played music since I was 5, graduated from the University of Southern California, have been teaching music for 3 years and have been leading worship for 6.  All of these things and the people that I met along the way have led me to meeting Lowell and the rest of the team and being brought on to the team headed for Japan.

Sure, I can say that God has built in me these spiritual gifts so that I can serve on this Japan trip, but there are two things that don’t settle right with me in saying that. 

     1) God is best displayed through our weaknesses, not our strengths.

It may be my spiritual gifts of worship that have gotten me on the team, but to accurately portray the power of Christ to the unbelievers, I must always rely on the truth that I am absolutely nothing without the Lord who saved me.  They might enjoy whatever musical talent I have, but more than that, I pray that through my testimony they might be able to marvel at my weaknesses and how God’s power is shown through them.  Some of my weaknesses include: Being selfish, not seeking out and loving people, and staying in my comfort zone. Please pray that God would transform these weaknesses into His powerful strengths for His glory.

      2) God’s promises last far beyond the trip. 

Saying that God built up my musical skills and hooked me up with certain people just so that I can go to Japan for 10 days is limiting the power and promises of God.  I need to believe that every day is a day where God uses me for His glory.  I need to believe that my life won’t reach completion until the day that God comes again. 

With that being said, I’m actually super excited to be going to Japan with such an awesome team.  This is the next step in faith that I’m taking in my life, and I’m so grateful that it’s with a bunch of people who walk by faith and love God. 

2 Corinthians 4:7 claims that we are but jars of clay.  This means that the CAMT team is just a giant tupperware container in the shape of Hula and Music.  What is truly valuable is what’s inside of us - Jesus Christ and His promise.  Please pray that the Japanese would be able to see through us and into the precious, precious jewel that is Jesus Christ: our hope and our salvation. 

For His Glory,

Jesse