Ninja Mom

So the other day, I met a lady on the train.  She came up and introduced herself to us… which is very uncommon for Japanese.  I thought it was pretty cool though and we arranged to meet, which she later rescheduled for today.

I showed up prepared today to share the message of Christ, and when I arrived, she was with another older lady friend.  That was when I knew something was a bit strange.  That and the fact that they already knew what restaurant we were going to– my opinion (though I would have deferred) wasn’t asked.

It was a planned attack, haha!

Anyway, an hour and a half later, I interrupted as kindly as I could from a monologue that was getting longer and louder and more aggressive.  I excused myself, paid their bill without their knowing, and left.

It was super weird. Some sect? of Buddhism that I really have to find out more about– but they were very aggressive and though I shared my testimony and the power of God in my life and my family’s life, they repeatedly told me that it was not Jesus who did such things.  Oh it was this or that, but they insisted that Jesus and God (or my God) did not exist and did not do the things that happened in my life.

I listened patiently to most things they said, but every time they denied Jesus, I emphatically said, “that is not the truth”. I came very close to saying, “That’s a lie,” but I wasn’t sure how offended they’d get (though to be fair, their approach was very rude, as they told me the Bible’s story I mentioned was weird).

There were points where the Holy Spirit would speak and say, “they’re using this tactic” and I’d label it and counter and they’d be dumbstruck, but quickly move on to another approach.

After I’d shared the Gospel and my testimony, and they seemed to get angrier and use woebegone-s on me, I gave them a tract (which one tried to give back to me) and left, rebuking anything they might have said over me that I didn’t understand.

It was a big challenge for me in Japanese, and honestly, a side of religion here I’ve not encountered before. Most people are rather apathetic toward Buddhism or Shintoism.  As I looked into their eyes and saw their delusion, I realize that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against very real rulers and authorities and powers of evil in this place.

Jude 20- But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit…

“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers… Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of Glory may come in.  Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty.” Psalm 24:1-2,7-8

Praying the ancient doors of Japan be opened!