Updates from Rowena Cabrizos (Agape House Ministries)
by Rowena Cabrizos
Benefits of Recycling (2/5/2024)
Yesterday, Rackie [Rowena’s daughter] and I went to Kitakyushu to hold our face-to-face worship service, as well as our online service for the rest of our brethren outside of Japan and those who could not attend in person. The first hour was spent on Bible Study and then the second hour was the worship service. It’s been practice for me for many years to give a new devotional guide each year to our brethren there in Kitakyushu. During our sharing time, I asked them how they were doing with their daily quiet time, and if the devotional book was helpful to them so far this year. One of them shared that he usually passed his old devotional from the previous year to his mom, and recently he received news that his mom passed the devotional to his brother. His brother does not often have a personal devotion time, and his personal relationship with God is uncertain. However, the devotional book became an instrument this year, and his brother began to spend time with God through reading it. Even used devotional books that are passed on can be an instrument to minister to people. Glory to God for the things he has done!
Valuing Coffee Time (1/31/2024)
The month of January was an opportunity for me to plant spiritual seeds to our Japanese friends. I thank the Lord for the opportunity of spending coffee time with them! I had three meet ups where I was able to plant spiritual seeds. One was with a Buddhist leader friend where we ate lunch and had coffee time together. The second meet up was a Jehovah’s Witness friend and we spent coffee time together as well. Finally, I had the chance to take over the English conversation class (with our Japanese students) of my brother for two Saturdays. In all these meet ups, the common thing I noticed was that instead of them sharing their faith or beliefs with me, or discussing English lessons from the textbook, they asked me about my faith. They asked me about my work and my personal walk with God. It was such a great privilege to be able to have attentive and listening ears. It was a very rare opportunity to have them listen to me discussing my faith. In my experiences I’ve had with other Japanese friends and acquaintances, some say “let us be friends but please do not talk to me about your faith or religion.” Others would simply reject your friendship or close their doors to you. Acts of kindness and genuine friendship can truly touch people. I thank the Lord for this. Please continue to pray with me for their salvation, and for another meet up opportunity with the same friends until they come into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.