Lighting up Japan

Thirty five participants from 13 nations signed up to be lights of witness at OM's third Christmas Illumination Outreach 5-15 December in Karuizawa, Japan-a country less than 1 percent Christian. An astonishing 17,000 visitors were attracted to the Megumi Chalet mountain resort for the special light display. Campaigners distributed over 12,000 candy canes, 25,300 tracts and 1,300 copies of the "Manga Messiah," a popular Japanese-style comic that details the life of Jesus. Fifteen Singaporean participants had raised approximately 3,800 Euros (5,000 USD) to help fund the purchase of the illustrated books. Dozens of Japanese expressed genuine interest in Jesus, asking to be prayed for and connected to a good church. Best of all, eight people prayed to accept Christ as their Saviour.

Enthused Singaporean Foo Hui Xian, "Every teen out there should try going on a short-term mission alone! It's a totally different experience, and I learned so much. Missions aren't just about the person who is talking. It's also about the people who are in the background praying and helping. I learned to surrender everything to God, and to really help out however I could. I hope I can go back again!"

Pray that everyone involved will keep Jesus' light shining in their lives, and that more evangelistic and mission efforts will take place in Japan.