WHO IS GOD?

About October 20th I had completed an important mail-out in downtown Portland. As I was walking back to my car my eye caught the slight figure of what looked like a Japanese women looking at a map. The Lord impressed me to approach this person even though I wanted to get back to Newberg as soon as possible. The first thing I noticed was this large backpack. The second thing I noticed was the map in her hand she was studying so intensely she didn't even realize I was standing next to her. "Could I help you," I asked. She looked up quickly and then pointed to the street she was trying to find. She apologized for her English which although limited, hesitant and broken I understood perfectly. I told her that I could take her to this street and the hotel where she planned to stay for the night. She seemed nervous at my suggestion and told me that she could find it on her own. My thought at this point was to just leave her alone and go on my way. But something urged me to not give up. I explained to her that it was getting late and was dangerous to be out on the streets after dark. I also told her that I was a pastor/minister and married. The spirit that was leading me seemed to touch her heart and she decided to let me help her. I opened the back door of my stationwagon and she took the back pack off and put it in the back seat. Then I opened the passenger door and she got in and sat down. Before I started the car the Lord impressed me to say a prayer with this young girl who said she was 32. She was not happy with her life in Japan and felt there was no future their so decided to come to the USA. She wanted to travel around the country and see the sights. She had just come down from Seattle where she had been visiting a friend. She was ashamed of her English but I assured her that she was doing quite well for the short time she had been here.

Then I explained that I wanted to say a prayer to God for her protection. I was not prepared for what happened next. She asked me who God was. Incredulous I asked her, You have never heard of God? Then I realized that there was a distinct possibility that the missionaries in Japan had somehow missed her street. So, I explained that God is the English word we use to describe the Creator, the One who made the world and everyone and everything in it. She said no one had ever explained this to her before. I asked her about the religions in Japan but she didn't seem to know much about them either.

At this point the Lord impressed me to lead her to accept Jesus as her Saviour. So, I told her that I was going to say a prayer of introduction and acceptance to God who we also called Jesus and that she could repeat the words after me. She agreed to this idea and so I began. Dear Father God in heaven. Although I have never prayed to you before I want to ask you to come into my heart and be with me always. Please be with me and protect me from harm and danger. I accept you as my Lord, my God and Saviour. Please forgive me of all my sins and save me at last in your kingdom. In Jesus Holy Name, Amen. Those may not be the exact words but pretty close as I have done this many times in the past over the phone and in person when they first accept Jesus as their Saviour.

When we finished the prayer I opened my eyes and noticed she was trying to hold back some tears. Japanese people, as I understand it, are taught in their culture to not show emotions or cry. When I told her it was ok if she wanted to cry she began to let it out a little and then a lot. Finally, she said, I have never felt like this before in my life. I am so happy. This is just the most incredible experience of my life. I just feel so happy. Next I told her she needed a bible. Of course, she wanted to know what a bible was. She didn't have a clue. As it turned out the only book I had in the car to give her was a copy of "Your Bible and You," which she most gratefully accepted. She had also said she was running short of money so I gave her $5.00 which she reluctantly accepted. Tears of joy rolled down again as she said that she couldn't believe this had happened to her. As we parted I gave her one of my newsletters so she could write me if she wanted to. Although I don't even remember her first name which was hard to pronounce I will never forget this incredible experience of sharing Jesus with a 32 year old who had never even heard of God before in her entire life. mfc.