He taught us not to complain. Each day at the volunteer centre, we have to bid for a job that we are given brief information like how many volunteers needed, what kind of job eg cleaning house. Many groups will bid but only one or combined group will get the job. We learn to trust God for our provision. Saying the Lord prayer every day and praying for good jobs becomes very resounding to us. He opened our eyes to what He plans for us against what our short-sighted sees to experience His Prefect plan unfold. We thank the Lord for that.

He taught us to listen to Him and not ourselves in carrying out task. It is not completing the job that is important, it is how we do it with love that no matter how small or insignificant or seemingly a waste of time it can be, our action can be turned into great testimony for our Lord.

He taught us to be calm and patient despite seeing the jobs disappearing one by one. One team under Noriko San, our Japanese American co-worker ended up with a job cleaning porcelains and glasses in a shop, whose owner, Honda san turns out was a distant relative of hers and have studied in a catholic school and has a Christian relative. The connection has been made and he is touched for our help and his hospitality was overwhelming.

He taught us not to choose our job when He offers us and willingly do it out of love. What seems like old junk mementos, an etched horse picture was an important acknowledgement of what Saito San has accomplished during his official work appointment. He spent a good half hour explaining to Ernie, our co-worker its origin after soil and dirt has been removed and the frame cleaned. Ryoku San or Mrs Saito childhood artwork explaining each character of her name and in a poetic phrase brought joy and a hope that things are slowly been restored. With faith but without love, we are nothing 1Cor 13:2.

He taught us not to choose who we minister to. The strange carpenter in Saito San house was constantly mumbling that don’t make sense and can be quite irritating especially when we were quietly praying for Ryoku San without her husband knowledge. We felt guilty after our visit that maybe he was crying out for help. In our debrief, we prayed that others will minister to him.

He taught us not to judge people by appearance and be willing to hear their story. At this farm land, we met a 25 year old Yakuza looking man who actually quit his job to volunteer. Soon he will be a father and instead of worrying over his livelihood, work tirelessly with us. We are reminded of how Jesus sees potential in the tax collector and dying criminals.

He transformed members who are now able to pray from the heart from what they saw and experienced unlike in the past are reluctant to pray.

He transformed members who are quiet and timid but have now open up and willing to evangelize.

He transformed members who in the past would hesitate to lift a hand to help but now cannot stop giving a hand.

He raised spiritual level. One member said, before this mission it was a plateau, now there is renewed spirit and eagerness.