Day 5 - Gospel Team Gathering At Shibuya

Today is a welcome change. The morning was still as early as ever leaving by 5:45AM we would not be alone today like we ever are in Tokyo we would be meeting Team C at the Hi-BA center in Shibuya. We got there and collapsed, we had been up for 2 hours already. Some of them had just woken up though, tracting was as usual. I personally did not have great success the center was locked when we got back we got in pretty soon though after waiting some more we were sent out with other team members to pick out breakfast from local places convenient stores of McDonalds or such shops.

At about 10:00 we started a worship session. The beginning was a "get to know" the Japanese Hi-BA staff. They sung songs like they would like us to sing them. We could then ask them questions, such as "what is the one message Japanese youth need to hear?" Dave McDaniel the YWAM DTS leader. led us in a worship time. This allowed us to slow down and refocus on Christ and not the busyness that is GT. For some this was an eye opening experience. For me it was a reminder that even though Christ is the LORD and king of all he wants to by my best friend.

Next was free time which I proceeded to use as a time to SLEEP. I also listened to Steven play the guitar and sing. Dave came by and asked us about how we were doing. We went down to another great lunch made by Mrs. Suzuki. Lunch was over and we started rehearsal for future rallies. This included giving over 4 of the songs and we started planning for a second skit.

After several hours of work at least a half hour break and many distractions we just had the bare outlines of a skit and several bored people (including me). We were told to stop and rest for the last hour before dinner. Yet again graciously proceeded by Mrs. Suzuki. Once the food had settled a little and everyone was done eating we left to go home (CAJ Hostel). This was the earliest we had ever gotten home and most took advantage of that to get more sleep. Some however stayed up for several more hours anyway before going to bed.

-PETER

Day 5 - Tamatsukuri Rally - Team A

Both A and D Teams were at the Tamatsukuri Rally. Tracting went really well that day, and we were able to hand out roughly 1000 tracts. Yet this is the x-factor about GT: no one came from the tracting. The one new student that came was invited by a regular Hi-BA attender. Praise God! Miki-san gave the message, Hikari was the MC, Jacob gave his testimony, and Daniel interpreted. A Team presented their skit. Lots of one-on-one interaction with sharing and praying for each other.

-HYUK

Day 4 - Umeda Rally - Team D

Here is info on our rally.
3 people came. 1 new 1 regular 2 OB.

The rally went well. The one new person said they were interested in knowing more.

-MARIKO

editor's note: wait, how many people came? I heard that Erika gave her testimony, Mariko did an excellent job being the MC, and I'm guessing DP was on guitar?

Day 4 - Funabashi Rally - Team C

We woke up at the church at Nishi-Funabashi at around 6ish, and separated in groups of two or three to hand out tracts. After we were done with tracts we went back to the church, ate breakfast that Tim and Ryan had provided so that was very nice of them. :) We took a nap for probably an hour and 15 min..had devotions and sharing time. After we ate lunch we started to get ready for the Rally, which went pretty smoothly...:)

We had two new girls and probably 7 regulars including the OBs. Olivier and I were the MCs, Mia-chan from regular Hi-BA and Jonathan had shared their testimonies. Katsuya-san gave a message about loving yourself. During the time of prayer, Katsuya-san had asked a question if there is anyone who is interested in believing in God and wanting to know more about Him. And the two new girls had put their hands up! Praise the Lord. After the message, Hanna, Seiko and I were able to talk to one of the new girl, which was really encouraging for all of us. And both of the girls are wanting to come again to the rally and possibly go to the finals.. and maybe camps! Saiko!

It was such a good day for all of us. We did amazing in the rally and the boys had done an amazing job with cleaning! Mou kamisama Saiko!!

-LANA

Day 4 - Kichijoji Rally - Team B

Early mornings abound. Got up at 5AM and left before 6AM. We all stumbled onto the train for Hoya then onto the bus to Kichijoji, collapsed into the seats and slept.

Arriving at Kichijoji we looked for the Japanese Staff member to tell us where to go. All of a sudden there was this big "Hello" from behind us. Our staff member had arrived, we again split into groups and headed out to tract by various schools.

This time "OB's" or Japanese HiBA alumni joined and led each group to their schools. We had to wait for one group because the leader was talking to a high-school student.

Breakfast was really late, about 10:00 to 10:30AM we rested at the HiBA center in Shibuya. Everyone hit the hay as soon as possible. Upon arriving we had devotions and then sharing. Lunch was provided by Carol Suzuki.

Before we returned to Kichijoji for the rally, we had some time to practice songs and the skit. At Kichijoji most of the team went out for final tracting. The others went to the church to prepare. The rally started and people just continued to pour in with over 30 people including OB 's. The rally was a blast!

Most of the people were regulars and so they knew how to interact and they knew the songs. This made it easier for us GT members. The message centered around God being the person who fulfills all of our needs. That God understands us and wants to be in our hearts. After the rally was over we had some good conversation with people.

Clean-up went smoothly and we went out to supper at Saizeria. But it was closed. We found another place called Locus. We ate there and started to head "home" when two "Gaijin" started talking to some of us. After a brief conversation we headed home arriving around 11:30PM...we headed to bed.

-PETER

Day 4 - Sannomiya - Team A

Only 400 tracts were distributed, but around 8 new people came! Lillian was the MC, Christian gave his testimony, and Justin led the songs. Shinkawa-san gave the message.

-HYUK

Day 3 - Chiba Rally

Our first of many early mornings. Breaking our fast with cereal, pastries, and some fruit. Our vans left the campground at 5:45am in order to make our train. Once on board people dropped like lies into sleep. Close to an hour later 20 groggy people stopped off the train. Tracting was next though and we had to be as chipper as possible. We broke into groups and headed to different stations to cover the most ground. When we came back after at around 8:30AM and all had stories to tell, some good, some not.

The teams split to go for a second breakfast, this time on donuts, for today the rally location and resting location were the same so that is where we went next. Once there everyone collapsed for an hour. The next hour was broken into halves for personal devotions and sharing. Lunch was at the Mio food court in Chiba. Everyone was able to get whatever they wanted for under Yen 600. The next hours were hectic, planning and running around for the rally at 4:30PM. Planning and rehearsing the skit, practicing the songs, and final testimony editing.

30 minutes of prayer then back out for some last minute tracting. Then back in to greet the crowd that is 3 people. A couple people just started talking to them through, getting to know them and making them comfortable. The rally starts with the 3 people but as it continues 2 more than another 2 finally up to 10. With Lindsey as the MC the whole GT time was lively with new "Super hero" names for everyone. Steven and Brandon lead our worship into Steven's testimony. One of the Japanese regulars shared her story and lastly Nakamura-san gave a message on having faith like Noah. After there was more time to talk with people and relax. It was a good time all around.

Clean up, then off to dinner at a Japanese restaurant. We were happy with 10 people coming, 2 showing interest and 1 committing or recommitting himself to God. This got us in a good mood to arrive at the CAJ hostel past 11:30PM and into bed past midnight for some.

-PETER