April is the beginning of the school year in Japan. All students of all ages, from children to university students, begin the school year with entrance ceremonies. At the same time, ornamental cherry trees, called "sakura" in Japanese, begin to bud and produce blooms, during which time people actually slow down and go to view the fleeting beauty of the fragile flowers. Sakura has come to represent the opening of the school year. 

 

This year I have been amazed once again by sakura's beauty. And, once again, I am amazed as I witness youth whom I have watched grow up over the years now enter their university years. This month we began meeting new students at various universities in Tokyo in order to start Chi Alpha campus groups. At the Central Bible College entrance ceremony, we connected with a father whose daughter just became a freshman at Sophia University. We already knew that the Bible college president's son was accepted there, and then we met another student who is from the Bible college dean's church. For the first time ever, we have a group of freshmen who come from the Japan Assemblies of God church all at the same university. We also have an American studying abroad at the same university! I look forward to seeing these students grow and mature in their faith.

 

I am also amazed as I see recently graduated students enter into their new jobs. One PhD student became a professor in her department. A CBC graduate, who was also a Chi Alpha student, finished her M.Div. and is now pastoring at Tokyo International Christian Assembly and working at the Japan A/G. About 9 years ago, we first met Yukino, who also studied at Sophia University. She became a believer over time, and now she is a minister!