Tiger Athletic Missions Experience Blog

Day 5 Blog
Jacqueline Comparin - Junior  
Emily Buffington - Junior

Monday, August 5, 2019
"Our morning started early at 6:45 AM with breakfast and then getting ready to head to Tokyo for the day. We left the church at 7:45 to head to the train station, but the station was a bit more full than it normal because it was a Monday morning.  While on the train, we saw lots of business people, but also little kids by themselves going to school. The truly amazing thing about the Japanese people is that everyone here is so trusting and friendly that they have no worries about sending their second grader off on a train alone.  They told us before the trip that the people here will go out of their way for you and we have truly experienced that!

When we arrived in Tokyo, we went to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, where we got to see the whole city from a birds eye view, but also we were lucky enough to get to hold the official Olympic torch, which was a highlight of the day. Later on in the day we also got to see Olympic Stadium, where the 2020 Summer Olympics will be held. The most amazing part of the experience was that after we got to take a few pictures, we all prayed solo or in groups of two for specifically these things related to the Olympics next summer:
• Japanese church pastors & leaders...for vision, discernment, details in outreach opportunities
• mission teams from other countries...to know how to share the Gospel and invite people to Japanese churches
• for athletes and fans to experience Christ
• for 100,000 people to hear the Gospel while here and for revival in Japan to follow the Olympics

These are the prayer requests that our leaders here and churches across Japan are continuing to pray for everyday.  One of the main things we have been talking about while in Japan is how can we incorporate sports into the word of God andwhy do millions of people show up to support an event where they have no personal relationship with the athletes?  The answer is 'community.'  Our mission here has been to spread the word of God by doing what we love. Whether that be dancing, cheering, or tumbling, we are all doing it for the Lord.  When people come and ask us "what we are here for,' and 'how can we be apart of it,' we can tell them how like in athletics and sporting events there is community in Jesus Christ," Junior Jacqueline Comparin stated.  

"Today we were able to visit Tokyo, which was about an hour train ride from the Church.  First off, we were able to view the city from the 45th floor and I was just in awe of the beauty of this country and how God created it all.  After that, we took a long walk to the see a shrine, which is the largest and one of the most popular ones in Toyko.  As I observed quietly, I could not help but be intrigued in the rituals that the Japanese do at the shrine because I have never anything like it before.  Next we had an amazing lunch and we went to the most popular intersection in the world called 'The Shibuya Crossing.'  After a little time to check out some shops around downtown, we had the opportunity to go visit the stadium where the Olympic Games are going to be held next year. We walked around, enjoyed the views, and were able to sit and pray for the upcoming events and that the Gospel will be shared to the many visitors.

During my time of prayer, I could just feel a sense of peace and calmness throughout talking to the Lord. What was so cool, is how an event can be planned and can bring so many new people from around the world together to see something incredible.  Heaven is going to be just like that.  Everyone will come from different places and backgrounds and all come to together to praise and worship our Lord. After dinner in town, we were able to reflect on our day and I will say that Tokyo at night is magical. As we are heading back to the church, one of our leaders had asked 'What did you enjoy the most about today?'
 
The amazement of what our God has created puts a smile on my face and makes me really think wow, he really did create all of this and His creation is truly amazing.  I have enjoyed every bit of this trip and Japan is such a beautiful country and I hope to visit again. This country needs to be touched by more Christians, as it is the second most untouched country in the world. Our goal as Christians should be to share the Gospel to everyone we encounter, as we strive to grow the Kingdom.  Thank you all so much for the constant thoughts and prayers for our team and please continue to pray for us as we head to a children's church camp for the next couple of days.  Pray that we will all have a servant heart and for the lives of the children to be changed by the Lord this week," Junior Emily Buffington said.