Author Archives: kistokazaki

About kistokazaki

I am missionary from the Reformed Church in America serving the United Church of Christ Japan.

Stormy Weather

Posted on October 5, 2012

This past Sunday Sayuri and I traveled to Shizuka prefecture to lead special evangelism worship services at two churches. As the weekend approached we kept a constant on watch on the weather reports as typhoon was headed in the direction … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Goatspeak

Posted on September 23, 2012

For the past fifteen years I have been teaching Japanese preschoolers who to sing “Old McDonald had a Farm.” What I never expected was that doing this would lead me to an insight about one of Jesus sayings. In teaching … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Reflections from the 11th Hour Laborer

Posted on February 1, 2012

In Jesus Parable of the workers in the vineyard found in Matthew 20, we get to hear the voices of those who complain that those who were hired at the 11th hour received the same wages as those who worked … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Dancing with Jesus

Posted on December 8, 2011

Today is my sister Susannah’s birthday. Two years ago she passed away just days before she would have turned 48 and this past September I passed that milestone. I must admit, she has been on my mind. Often when I … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections on mission | 1 Comment

Colors of change

Posted on October 27, 2011

It is nearly November and autumn finally seems to be making its way here in Tokyo. This past week Sayuri and I went up to Tohoku both to see the fall colors and to visit the quake/tsunami stricken region in … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, Reflections on mission | Leave a comment

A little bit of History

Posted on October 22, 2011

Can you name whose picture is attached to this blog? Here’s a hint – there is an article about him Wikipedia’s Japanese site but not in the English one. His name is James Hamilton Ballagh and he was one of … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections on mission, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Word of Life

Posted on August 6, 2011

This past week Sayuri and I have been leading the Bible Studies for the Yokohama Kyoritsu Girl School Choir camp. It was originally planned to be held in more wooded mountainous retreat center where the students could escape from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Singing a new Song

Posted on July 24, 2011

There are times when singing a new song involves singing an old song. One of the things I like to do with the music in worship is to re-arrange hymns. It helps that people already know the melodies. When confronted … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections on mission | Leave a comment

Thanks for the Prayers

Posted on July 18, 2011

A few weeks ago I asked for prayers about the earthquake damaged retaining wall behind our house which is being re-constructed. We have actually had several sizeable quakes since I made that request including two of the biggest shakes since … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, Reflections on mission | Leave a comment

Hitting the Wall

Posted on July 7, 2011

During the Earthquake our property actually had some pretty significant damage. There is a retaining wall behind our house which is keeping a Buddhist Temple from crashing in on us. Some large chunks of the wall fell down during the … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, Reflections on mission | Leave a comment