Fukuoka-Kitakyushu
Fukuoka is the capital city of Fukuoka Prefecture and is situated on the northern shore of the island of Kyushu, the southern most of the four main islands of Japan. It lies across the Tsushima Strain from South Korea, a short ferry ride from the city of Pusan, Korea. Fukuoka is the largest city in Kyushu, followed in size by Kitakyushu. These two cities form a metro-plex and are the largest metropolitan area west of Osaka City in Central Japan. Greater Fukuoka area, including Kitakyushu City has 2.5 million people according to the 2005 census. The two cities are part of what is known as the North Kyushu industrial zone. In addition to the industry, this area is home to many well known medical facilities including modern cancer centers.
The city can be reached by bullet train in about 6 hours from Tokyo and the island of Kyushu can now be accessed by car via tunnel or bridge. It is colder than one would imagine because it is exposed to the China Sea and winds from the China/Siberia bring cold air during the winter.
Festivals such as the Dontaku Festivel, begin with a pre-festival party on the night on May 2 with about 400 groups totaling some 28,000 people who participate in the parades held on the third and forth. Citizens and groups from festivals all over Kyushu take part in the parade. The entire city turns out for this festival, Dontaku, which comes from the Dutch word Zondag, which means holiday. Temples and shrines abound.
Fukuoka/Kitakyushu is the home of many universities, both private and public. Seinan University school system which includes jr. high, high school and university and Seinan Jo (girl’s school for jr. senior high and university) University were started by Southern Baptists and have a great witness across this area.
Let’s Memorize It!!
Recently B and P (ISC workers) decided to add to their strategy for helping Miss M go deeper with scripture. They were studying the story of Jesus being tempted in the desert. There are three clear statements... [more]
Learning about God’s Covenant
As English Bible study time with FA (young mother) has continued, she has begun to see how the stories are all related. She sees the progression of how God keeps being willing to offer a “way out”... [more]
Praying for Healing of the Heart and Body
Mrs. Iwa is a new believer who was baptized in April. She lives two hours away, so we meet early on Saturday mornings at a place half way in between our two cities. A couple of weeks ago, when we talked... [more]
Power in His Word
In June we met a young mother (FA) while at a park. She spoke English very well, so Nancy offered to spend time with her practicing English. She has come three times, and has already begun reading the... [more]
New Friends
Last week Danny went back to campus to spend time with two college guys Y and H. They met when a volunteer team was here, and were glad to see him. They introduced him to more of their friends who also... [more]
Pray for Fukuoka
Check out the video prepared by a volunteer and pray for the city of Fukuoka and the many who are blinded and caught up in this annual ritual. Ask God to help them see that he is the creator God and that... [more]
Fukuoka Hakata Dontaku Festival
The Hakata Dontaku festival happens every May 3rd and 4th. On the first day our team stood on a sidewalk offering free Bibles to people as they walked by. In a period of 2 hours, at least 1000 people... [more]
Precious to God
Our new ISC couple is doing their part to make new connections and share the gospel with new friends. The Sengmanys have actively contacted several whose names were on an international exchange bulletin... [more]
December, 2008 to January, 2009 for KFC
Christmas, 2008, seems like a long time ago now. But we did have opportunities for outreach. A-san, our house church member, introduced us to several of her friends. We all gathered together for Christmas... [more]
Sharing the gospel in Fukuoka
Fall has brought with it new opportunities for sharing the gospel. We want to invite you to join us in prayer for these, so as you read of the individuals below, please pray that God will work in their... [more]
