Today’s key city had very humble beginnings. Shimada was originally a tiny fort on the Oi River protecting the approach to Kakegawa Castle in the late 15th century. Travelers to the castle would have to wait for up to a month before the water levels would be calm and low enough to cross on rafts or even be carried on the back of a coolie (we’d think of that as a common laborer.)

By the end of the following century, Shimada became much more important as a post stop on the famous Tokaido Road, but it wasn’t until the late 1800’s that crossing the Oi River became safe. A popular folk song from that era says:

Even horses can cross eight ri of Hakone, but the Ōi River is hard to get over in any way.

One of the first acts of the new Emperor after the Meiji Revolution was to build what would become the world’s longest (over half a mile!) wooden footbridge across the dangerous landscape. It was called Horai Bridge, and in 1997 it was registered in The Guinness Book of World Records.

Today, the city is much different. Known for its textile manufacturing and green tea production, it’s a prosperous, safe place to live and work. But these 100,276 people don’t realize the danger they are in spiritually. They need someone to go to them and build a bridge unlike any they’ve ever seen before. Shimada needs the Gospel now. Not tomorrow, not next week, not a year from now, they need Christ now! People die everyday, and they spend an eternity in one of two places. Would you pray and ask God if He wants you to be a missionary to this city?

Chikushino is a rapidly growing city not far from Fukuoka, Japan, which is the largest city on Kyushu Island. Over the past decade, its continual development has caused the population to soar to 101,621 with a density of about 3,000 people per a square mile!

Futsukaichi Onsen is a popular hot spring on the outskirts of Chikushino City. This Onsen (hot spring) is believed to heal the diseases of all those that enter. Its original name Yakushi-no-Yu (meaning hot water able to cure all ill) Came from a legend about a Buddhist monk who built Buzo-ji Temple in the middle of the nearby mountain (Mt. Tenpai). His daughter suffered from a terrible skin disease and offered prayers for her healing. One night he had a dream in which a Buddha told him to dig for a hot spring in the nearby field, and to have her bathe in it.  He followed the advice and she recovered completely, according to the legend.

There are many other legends about the origins of hot springs that involves advice by Buddha, and that they would heal diseases. All this Reminded me of John 5 “Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.” At the same pool lay a diseased man that had been waiting to be healed for 38 years. I’d imagine he had searched many places for a cure to his disease. Its hard to think of the despair he must have faced, never finding that which would make him whole, always struggling and never arriving at the pool in time. That is, until Jesus came! Jesus cured the man, making him whole!

Can you see it? Can you see the great multitude of impotent folk? The Blind? The Halt and Withered?

Those that are doomed in their sins, never finding the cure, always struggling and never arriving? How large a multitude! They fill the world! They turn to Buddha, Shinto, or nature for relief from their disease, yet neverfinding lasting satisfaction! There is one hope for them! Only one! Jesus!  When is the last time you told someone about Him?

Saku City and Funa Tsunagi Ishi

Why is there a picture of a rock on my post? I’m glad you asked! Saku City is famous for many things and one of them is this rock. What makes it significant? Well, for one it is called Funa Tsunagi Ishi, which is just fun to say! Though its english translation of “Boat Connect Stone” is not nearly as thrilling. The city is divided by the Chikuma River and is prone to flooding. It’s inconvenient now, but was often devastating in centuries past. Bridges were constructed to connect the two halves of the city, but would soon crumble because of flooding. The continual rebuilding of bridges was becoming a finical burden. Therefore in 1873, it was decided to put 9 boats side by side across the width of the river and a plank reaching from boat to boat. This made a bridge that would raise and lower as the water levels changed. Funa Tsunagi Ishi was the key element. The hole on top of the rock was used to connect each boat using rope. Thus the name, “Boat Connect Stone.” So, once again what does this have to do with praying for this city? It was the rock that held the bridge together. In spite of the floods, it was the foundation of connecting two groups. Sound familiar?

Eph. 2:14-20 For he (Christ) is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Our firm foundation is Jesus Christ! He is the bridge that brought man and God back together in sweet fellowship. Christ, He is foundation that holds when the floods come! The relationship between God and us is pivotal on the Rock of Ages! It is not on the works of Buddhism or the prayers at Shinto Shrines. There is only one way to the Father, and that is in the Son! In Japan, Funa Tsunagi Ishi is no longer used, but is a reminder of what once brought the city together. Let it serve as a reminder to us that God desires that these people be brought to himself!

PRAYER POINTS

• 101,279 Population – That God would soften the hearts of the people and turn to Him
• Shinto Shrines – That they would leave their Gods of stone and wood
• Buddhist Temples – That they would turn from their gods that cannot save
• Faith Baptist Church – That God would bless as more are saved
• Nozawa Gospel Church – That the Gospel would be preached
• One hour from Tokyo – That this Key city would be used to reach all of Japan
• The Rising Son Mission – THAT THE NAME OF CHRIST MIGHT RISE IN THIS CITY!