You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but ontablets ofhuman hearts.
— 2 Corinthians 2:2-3
Being with Kent and Yuko Muhling last week in Sendai inspired me. They are trying so many different ways to reach out to their neighbors, I was deeply impressed. You would be proud of them!
One story in particular captured my imagination. They shared about a man who has been watching the Christian relief teams not far from Sendai City. He lived through the disaster and has seen the relief teams come and go. But, he was particularly inspired by the ongoing efforts of the local churches, missionaries, and believers from all over the world who keep coming and serving.
As he thought about these people and what they were doing, he watched them very closely. He noticed that despite all the trials they suffered in serving, all the challenges they face on a daily basis and even the difficult circumstances through which they live, they always had joy in their heart and a smile on their face.
He said, “I want a face like that!”
So, this gentleman is very close to, if not already by now, has come to Christ. It is so true what Paul said to the Corinthian Church: our lives are a letter being known by those around us. As we walk in the Spirit, the living letter that we are shares the aroma of Christ.
I was inspired once again… Our lives, lived in front of others, being filled with the Spirit are a living testimony to those around us. I wondered that day, “What does my face reveal?"
How about you? Do you have a face like these pastors, Japanese believers and missionaries serving near Sendai?
Pray for the churches of Japan and missionaries like Kent and Yuko and their children as they all live out the hope of Christ in the midst of all that has happened in the country. We need your prayers!
In Christ,
Joe Handley
President, A3
@jwhandley
More Information
- See Kent & Yuko Muhling's staff profile...
- Related stories and video clips
- Five Years After the Triple Disaster: Journeying with the Japanese [with video clip]
- The Value of Partnership [with video clip]
