Planting the Seed

Over the past two months, I have been privileged to help lay a foundation for something that I believe God is going to use to bring many precious souls to repentance and salvation. We have not done this by preaching fire and brimstone, but by showing people that there is LIFE in Christ; God offers us a joy and fulfillment in our walk with Him that is unattainable within the reaches of this world. It has been so amazing to see the power of this message begin to work in the lives of those we have been reaching out to. And it has been a wonderful reminder of the love of our God. He is amazing and worthy of all praise! We are not meant to walk in anguish and despair as the rest of the world does, but in the peace that comes from the faithfulness and mercy of the Lord Almighty. Not because we deserve it, but by the blood of Christ, and because He loves us! Too often we forget the promises that God has given us; we cheat ourselves out of the intimacy that He so desires to have with us, and the blessings that He would bestow upon us.

For myself, I have only become more desperate to see this love and power of God not only in my own life but in the lives of countless people who do not even know that it exists! There is so much pain and hurt in the world; so much depression, fear, doubt, shame, anger... I have understood more how the heart of God aches for these precious people. They are everywhere around us; how can we ignore them? We MUST faithfully show them the LIFE that is in Christ. There is nothing more important.

"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him..." Philippians 3:7-9

Over the past month since I last wrote to you, The Fuse team has been faithfully planting the seed. Every week we have seen new faces, met new people. We have seen the amazing providence of God at work. Several people are on the verge of making Jesus the Lord of their lives, and we are believing for this to happen and for many more to come. This is only the beginning! I am sad to have to leave all this, but I am so thankful that I was able to help lay the foundation. The Fuse is becoming more and more dynamic and powerful every week. Not to mention tons of fun! We have brought great music, games, dance, video, powerful messages, testimonies, prayer, joy, and Christ's love together to draw people to a redeeming relationship with God. Pray for continued development as Mark and Yuiko develop new strategies and follow God's leading for the outreach.

Outside of The Fuse event, we have been going all over the place to meet people, with a special emphasis recently on visiting universities and meeting students there. The Brazilian church has also given us opportunities to reach out to young people, and The Fuse will undoubtedly be working more with them in the future. There is a long list now of people that are being prayed for, people that need Jesus! We are beginning to have regulars who attend The Fuse every week and who hang out with us during the week as well. Pray that God would touch their hearts.

I have been able to see and do so much over the past two months, I truly feel that I have had the complete Japan experience! We have been sightseeing, hiking, learning Japanese and Japanese dances, relaxing at hot springs, shopping, and just having random adventures in general! I have become very attached to my host family, and I may have the opportunity to see them again before I return to school, since they will be visiting the states. They have blessed me so much with their hospitality and kindness, and they will forever be part of my family.







I want to thank everyone so much for your prayers and support, you cannot imagine how much your help has blessed my life and many others here in Japan! I was even able to give some extra money to help with expenses for The Fuse. We serve such an awesome God! As I prepare now to head towards home and a new school year, I cannot express my joy and anticipation to see what God will continue to do here. In faith and in spirit I will be with PAZ Japan and those who continue to faithfully plant the seed...

May the peace and grace of God Almighty be with each and every one of you!

Blessings,

Brad Z.

Romans 10:14-15