Magic Of Love, Tokyo

Hillsongs United Live in Tokyo

2006-10-23T16:01:00.000+08:00

(Click on image to see enlarged version)

This is an Australian band concert that youths all over the world are excited about! May you be touched by the magic of Love even through its music and action-packed atmosphere!

[For more details]

MOL Christmas in Singapore this Dec!

2006-10-23T01:06:00.000+08:00

Have friends in Singapore to invite to this spectacular treat? Drop an email here or anyone you know on the MOL Tokyo teams NOW! =)

Sharing Magic in Love Everywhere

2006-10-19T18:26:00.000+08:00

Do you know that our big magician Lawrence also spearheads his very own Lawrence School of Magic, which initiated “Project SMILE” (Sharing Magic in Love Everywhere)? This charity scheme is conducted in conjunction with welfare organisation Touch Community Services in Singapore.

Before the Magic of Lawrence and Priscilla performed their Magic of Love at the next stop Shenyang, they had already been there for three days last week to work with 53 students from the top universities in Shenyang on Project SMILE. The Magic team was given an official opening by the Chinese Communist Party’s Youth Wing to work with these college students! At the end of the three days of classes, Lawrence brought the entire team to serve in an elderly home in the city. Five major TV stations were there to cover the event. Lawrence has also been invited back to the universities next year to speak on leadership and other youth related issues. What an opportunity!

We believe that MOL Shenyang (2-6 November) is going to excite and touch many too!

The Story of how the (new) Tokyo Raiders got to Tokyo

2006-10-16T19:21:00.000+08:00

If you have been frequenting this blog, you would have heard of the (new) Tokyo Raiders' 'glitch'-erous journey to Japan on 3 October. Now watch them on the 'big' screen.

Straits Times News featuring Magic of Love!

2006-10-16T12:39:00.000+08:00

[Actual news report on the main English paper in Singapore]

Oct 9, 2006

SITNews
S'pore adds a little magic to Japan ties
by Kwan Weng Kin

TOKYO - FAMILY MAGIC: The father-and-daughter team of Lawrence and Priscilla Khong easily overcame the language barrier at their charity magic show.

MAGICIANS Lawrence and Priscilla Khong are in the business of putting some magic into the lives of people wherever they go.

The father-and-daughter team from Singapore mounted an hour-long magic show in Tokyo last week that enthralled a nearly 150-strong audience of mostly pre-schoolers and the mentally handicapped.

The charity performance, held in Tokyo's Minato ward, was part of events marking the 40th anniversary of Singapore's establishment of diplomatic ties with Japan.

The Singapore Embassy, which organised the performance, is located in Minato ward.
'The embassy's objective is to portray a softer and kinder side of Singapore in the ward. We are also promoting the show as a kind of Singapore culture,' said an embassy official.

An interpreter was on hand during the show to help with translation whenever the magicians spoke in English.

But the illusions on stage hardly needed explaining.

Mrs Maureen Tan, wife of the Singapore Ambassador to Japan, Mr Tan Chin Tiong, was in the audience.

She said after the show: 'The audience was really responsive. At first, I thought they would be a bit shy. But you can hear the children's spontaneous shrieks of joy especially. There was no language barrier.'

The Singaporean magicians were here for a three-day run of their 'Magic of Love' musical extravaganza, following a successful tour in the US. The Tokyo shows ended yesterday.

The embassy also plans to invite two well-known Singapore chefs, including celebrated French chef Justin Quek, to prepare a series of formal lunches and dinners for distinguished guests in the next two months.

In December, the embassy plans to stage an event showcasing Singapore culture, which will include an opening night performance by the T'ang Quartet, Singapore's highly acclaimed chamber music group.

In December, the embassy plans to stage an event showcasing Singapore culture, which will include an opening night performance by the T'ang Quartet, Singapore's highly acclaimed chamber music group.

* * *

Up next in Lawrence and Priscilla's travelling performances: Shenyang!

Tokyo Raiders : Day Six - MOL, truly a hit in Japan!

2006-10-09T11:05:00.000+08:00

For the only evangelistic MOL show which was yesterday's matinee, it was reported to us that there were 149 salvations! Wow, many in the audience were truly touched by the magic of Love.

* * *

Tokyo Raiders split into 3 groups this morning to visit three churches' Sunday services:
Yeang Cherng, Stella & Lirong - Shalom Shinjuku Church's Youth Service
Adele, Meiqi & Dan - Tokyo Sunshine Church
Mirabel, Clarence & Chee Aik - Shalom Saitama Church

Some of us shared our testimonies - of salvation, of being in the G12 vision, etc - with the churches. We believed that not only did the testimonies bless our brothers and sisters, they blessed our own hearts too when we heard of how Jesus has transformed our lives and caused us to grow.

* * *

Heading back to MielParque Hall, we were all excited about this last MOL show! Everyone's spirits seemed especially high today, no matter if we were in worship, praying and interceding, selling the merchandise and magic tricks, or simply welcoming the guests with smiles. We gave in our best and attained an incredible sales record. We believed that every small effort truly counts.

To all our Japanese friends who came for the shows with our MOL tickets, thank you for the support and wonderful comments you have given to us about MOL!

Watch this blog for "Funniest Videos of Singaporeans in Japan" soon!

Tokyo Raiders : Day Five - Supporting MOL at MielParque Hall

2006-10-08T01:18:00.000+08:00

Tokyo Raiders : Day Four - MOL first day, a success!

2006-10-07T08:23:00.000+08:00

[News Headlines]

MAGIC OF LOVE STOLE THE HEARTS OF INTERNATIONAL FRIENDS
Reported by Tokyo Raiders Correspondants

Tokyo, 06 October 2006, Friday - 170 dignitaries from the Singapore Embassy in Tokyo made way amidst their tight schedules to catch a magic musical, Magic of Love, at MielParque Hall, Tokyo this evening.

A source told us that when His Excellency, the Japanese Ambassador, bought and gave the tickets to their international diplomats (in conjunction with commemorating the 40th year of the partnership between Tokyo and Singapore), they all said 'Yes i will come'. And guess what ALL of them came.

During the intermission and after the show, Tokyo Raiders overheard uncountable accolades in amazement and delight about the Magic of Love from the diplomats, and also the rest of the enthusiastic crowd who swamped around the awesome magicians Lawrence and Priscilla to get their autographs and catch a shot.

Magic of Love definitely stole the limelight tonight in many international hearts.

* * *

Lawrence Khong - The Man

Look at how warmly he smiled to very person who came to him for an autograph or picture after the show.

He was extremely tired (after one whole day of rehearsal) but yet he even turned to me at the very end and said "Well done guys!"

* * *

We gave out all 49 MOL tickets on our hands by today!

Tokyo Raiders : Day Three

2006-10-06T00:26:00.000+08:00

Tokyo Raiders began Day Three with the usual worship and word, but we particularly asked God to grant us ALL to see miracles today in Tokyo. So carrying the theme of 'miracles', we set off once again to raid the streets with love and friendship! =)

.:Miracle:. at Takanawa Community Centre

The magic show by the Magic of Lawrence and Priscilla was a treat both for the Japanese friends who came, and also for us who went to support the community show. The whole team thought that it was a miracle when Lirong shared that he discovered today that doing Project Smile (a magic learning project) brings him so much joy exceedingly. It was something that he never expected or even asked for. What a wonderful heart to give which was thus blessed. =)

.:Miracle:. at Tokyo University of Science

When we were sharing about Magic of Love and giving out tickets at the university in the evening, we were slightly surprised that the students there were actually more friendly and open than we expected. =) An English teacher, Matt, even invited Yeang Cherng and Chee Aik into his English class and let them promote MOL with the entire class! They blessed Matt with two MOL tickets before they left the class. Such a scenerio was also beyond the plans of Yeang Cherng and Chee Aik; it was such an unexpected wonderful time of interacting with the Japanese students for them.

The adult team led by Ps Caleb, Ps Christina and Nira were at Yasukuni Shrine (near Tokyo University of Science), and they met a group of ten youths who said yes to the invitation to MOL shows right inside the shrine! A staff at this famous shrine (where the former Japan Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi made annual visits from 2001 to 2006) also accepted two MOL tickets there. =)

.:Miracle:. at Samurai Cafe

Just when the Tokyo Raiders decided to end the day with a debrief, we did not know that we were going to meet the managers of our hostel and its cafe who would be so enthusiastic to go for MOL Shows. Mr Kenta has been such a wonderful help to us in the accomodation booking; meeting him was such a delight, especially for Adele who corresponded with him. See you all at MOL! =)

Total numbers of tickets given out by Youthnet team so far = 39. We were so glad to bless the Japanese to watch Magic of Love! =)

Tokyo Raiders : Day Two

2006-10-05T02:12:00.000+08:00

Tokyo Raiders hit the Shibuya streets today with our magic tricks! Gosh, the wave of lunchtime-style rush even during non-lunch hours.

Learning points for today:
+ Abruptly stopping a Japanese lady in her path can scare the wits out of the lady and also ourselves. =p
Scenerio: "Hello!" (Jumps in front of lady), followed by this response "No. No. No!" (as the lady frantically waves her hands and tries to run away with a traumatised face)

+ The Japanese looks even more beautiful when they smile. =) Thanks for being so friendly when we approached you and 'wow'-ing at our little tricks! Sorry that we could not teach you the secrets of our tricks. =p

+ It is polite in Japan for a gift to be passed to the hosts before we even enter the house. (To Ps Matsumura, sorry that we took so long to remember to take out our gift. Hope you like it! =p And thanks for all your help for our Singapore Night. I am sure we all had a wonderful time)

Today we gave out 20 MOL tickets! Hooray! =)

Friends, see you at MielParque Hall very soon! =)

* * *

Miracle? Want to hear more? Stay tuned to this space! =p Meanwhile enjoy the picts.

Tokyo Raiders : Day One

2006-10-04T00:34:00.000+08:00

Tokyo Raiders just arrived at Oak Hotel (it's a hostel) an hour ago... it is past midnight here! We had planned to have dinner with our friends from Shinjuku Shalom Church at Harajuku and to have a corporate hair-cut session...

Well well, while we are still asking God why the plane's technical fault and flight delays, we gave thanks even in this circumstance, and had lotsa fun roaming around Hong Kong airport etc. Watch this space for hilarious videos and photos taken during our 'lost moments'!

Amidst all the additional glitches, such as two of our members 'losing' their luggages at Narita Airport (their luggages ended up still being in Singapore!), quite a few of us falling sick (including their team blogger, which explains why she is here blogging and not having supper with the rest out there =p) etc., we want to give thanks that we connected with a Japanese couple on the late night's train to our hostel. You should have seen how Adele and Stella exhilaratedly performed their tricks! Adele took the chance to invite them for MOL with the poster. Though they could not come for any shows, they were keen enough to ask "Will MOL be coming again next year?"

Thank God for divine opportunities! More to come!

New Whereabouts of the (new) Tokyo Raiders

2006-10-02T15:34:00.000+08:00

MOL Publicity on the Internet

2006-09-29T10:56:00.000+08:00

Updates on MOL Trade Show at Tokyo Big Sight

2006-09-28T01:38:00.000+08:00

"The team led by Pastor Caleb consists of members from the adult net. They were here to promote MOL under the Singapore Tourism Board booth at the JATA World Tourism Congress & Travel Fair 2006, held at Tokyo Big Sight at Odaiba. Check out our booth!
The fair was pretty crowded and we performed tricks we learnt from Project Smile and handed out MOL flyers. I went down after school and on Sunday to help out. We have lovely volunteers from Shinjuku Shalom Church such as Travis, Takako and Kumi to help out as well.
Looking forward to the next team (last team to do promotion) led by Nira and then it will be the actual team that will be at the MOL performance! I am going to see familiar faces like Clara, Cheryl, Gwen, Joy and Carol! Can`t wait to see Pastor Khong in action!"

-edited from Chloe's blog: http://prancinpony.blogspot.com/

シンガポールって、どんな国！？

2006-09-26T16:11:00.000+08:00

シンガポールって、どんな国！？

彼らがシンガポールのフードや服、ダンスなどを分かち合ってくれます♪

楽しい時間を
一緒に過ごしましょう！！
そして、シンガポールのユースたちと友達になろう！！

* * *

Singapore Night in Japan??

Watch this space for this upcoming friendship and cultural exchange event in Saitama, Japan!

If you are a Japanese and want to find out more about Singapore Night, please drop us an email.

Arigato, our friends from Shalom Saitama Church, for doing this beautiful invitation card! =)

Tokyo Raiders & Adult Teams : Teambuilding

2006-09-25T15:00:00.000+08:00

Quote of the Day:
"What is your favourite Japanese thing?"
Amidst answers such as sushi, ramen, sake, little twin stars, Japanese fashion etc. was......

"Japanese yen".

(Just for laughs)

Our MOL Tokyo Blog readers, what is your favourite Japanese thing? =)

Team B: Gospel Story by Ms Hayakawa

2006-09-25T10:14:00.000+08:00

Any Japanese friend out there who can help us translate the story? (Just tag at the tagboard or reply in the comments below) Ms Hayakawa tells gospel stories over radio in Osaka, so blessed by her sharing. :)

Team B teaching "I love you Jesus" at Saitama Shalom Church BBQ

2006-09-24T00:20:00.000+08:00

Team B: Things We Learnt From Japan Trip

2006-09-22T00:22:00.000+08:00

Team B: Day 6 - VIP Club Prayer Meeting

2006-09-21T02:26:00.000+08:00

Team B: Day 5 - Street Magic @ Shibuya!

2006-09-20T00:49:00.000+08:00

Team B went to Shibuya to do Starbucks ministry... we went to the starbucks next to the famous shibuya crossing. each of us bought a cup of coffee and settled down at 2 tables. apparently... we experienced some cultural shock. starbucks in tokyo are so different with starbucks in singapore. the max no. of people gathered around a coffee table is 3 persons. starbucks are soOooooooo quiet! people hardly talk. and i suppose we are the loudest group there, trying to do some magic tricks to attract attention. hahaha... but we failed, everyone is doing their own thing. no one looks at us! except the starbucks staff that told us we cant take photo in starbucks (so people, if u go starbucks in tokyo.. do not take photos there.. err.. but we did!).

Of course! God has already planned greater things for us. Far more then we can imagine or asked for. After 30mins in starbucks. Ps Jimmy was challenged by God to go to the streets to share MOL.

"WHAT??!! go to the streets?? perform magic that we only learnt yesterday to stranger?? We cant speak japanese!"

Well... many of us had to step out of our own comfort zone to promote MOL. We prayed in the middle of Shibuya for boldness and courage.. and we went!
We moved out in team of 2s and 3...
- Aunna & Chia HUi
- Chee Chiong, Kian Boon & Kaiyun
- Nirelle & Jerome

Starting the conversation was the hardest as we do not know their language and were uncomfortable talking to strangers. But we did it anyway. before long, the one-day old magicians show-case their tricks and the youths there were so facinated. then we tell them more about MOL... good way of creating awareness.

We just had our debrief and all of us are so glad we did it anyway, despite all the barriers. Its a good learning experience for all of us, walk out of our comfort zone to serve this nation.

Headed to Shinjuku Shalom Church, at Shinjuku of coz. Duh!

Ps Shingo is our latest magician! he is a super fast learner, showed him the trick once, n he can do it already. *clap clap* Thanks for bringing us to yummy ramen lunch and the christian bookshop. we really appreciate it. arigato!

MOL rocks!!!

Zzzzzzzzzzz... -kaiyun-

Team B: Day 4 - Saitama Shalom Church BBQ

2006-09-18T23:27:00.000+08:00

When we woke up in the morning, it was raining heavily so we stayed in the guesthouse for a while to learn the magic tricks. Actually, I have not practised since last year MOL and it was really God's grace that I can remember and teach the rest at the last minute (we were busy with other things). Thank God as we began our way to Seitama Shalom Church, the downpour became a light drizzle. We practised the tricks on the train and had a lot of fun!

Seitama Shalom Church meets in the house of Pastor Matsumura (Nozomi's dad). There is a big horse-racing stadium behind the church. It is not popular and hardly used, so it is like a public park for the residents there. I hope the church will grow to a point where it takes over the place!

The BBQ was a new experience for us since in Singapore we usually have BBQ at night. The food was FANTASTIC! The pastor barbequed mushrooms, scallops, squids, prawns and many other food. We played games and taught the guests some action songs. One of the guests, Fukui was a calligraphy teacher so we got him, Ayumi and Eri to write our names. To return the favour, we performed magic tricks for them and Ps Jimmy shared about MOL. To end the event, we presented the MOL tickets to the guest, Fukui, Ayumi, Yukino, Yumiko and daughter, Yuko.

We then went to Harajuku to meet up with Rena from Shinjuku Shalom Church. :)
-- Chee Chiong

more more about Saitama bbq! it was a great time at bbq at Pastor Matsumura's home. Pastor Matusumura was so welcoming to bbq for us. Thanks pastor!

Our team wanted to make this bbq an open cell event and praise God it was lovely time with the church and their new frens. we had finger games, 'action' praise songs...guess wat, the lovely granny was happily clapping along with us! =D
we had our new fren Fukui to write caligraphy for us, initially he was quiet and shy...but but Team B kept asking him to write our names! He impression of us: warm-hearted and vibrant...waaahhaaaa TeamB wink wink! CC was our master magician followed by many newbie magicians(we just learn for few hrs only haha!!!). Never missing the chance, Ps Jimmy talked about MOL and gave out tix to 5 pre-believer frens. the bbq ended off with Singapore Mooncake...you shld see their cute expressions when they ate the durian 'ping pi'...wow, they love the mooncakes!

during the bbq i share with a lady my testimony and she opened up more about herself and her daughter....after hearing me, she shared that her daughter needs to receive Jesus! yesh! she's going to MOL to hear about God's love!!!

Well done TeamB!!!
-- Aunna

Team B: Day 3 - Tokyo Ekuleshia Church

2006-09-18T22:37:00.000+08:00

Last stop for our "church-hopping" day: we braved the rain to visit Tokyo Ekuleshia Church. The church have members from different countries and they were very friendly. Ps Jimmy shared about MOL and we were encouraged by their response. After the service, we stayed to mingle with the members and some of us even performed magic to entertain them. We had lots of fun and made many friends.

Then, we met up with Chloe, a FCBC member from adult net. She was in my team when we went to support MOL last year. Now, she is studying Japanese in Tokyo. We went to eat at this place which served BLACK curry rice! :P

Team B: Day 3 - Tokyo Sunshine Church

2006-09-18T21:17:00.000+08:00

Team B: Day 3 - Tokyo Sunshine Church

2006-09-18T21:00:00.000+08:00

Today team B set out separately to visit three churches in the morning. Ps Jimmy, Kianboon and I went to Tokyo Sunshine Church, attended mostly by chinese PRCs residing in Tokyo.

Upon entering the auditorium, warm smiles greeted us from many friends that we befriended when we were here earlier in May. We came to share and encourage them about the G12 vision and were truly privileged to witness the forming of their first G12 group then.

Today, Ps Abraham shared their struggles about how they had been trying to raise up the 2nd level of leaders and spurred the church to persevere in the G12 vision no matter what. His wife, Sarah, shared the testimony of how they persisted in prayer for a brother that was stricken with leukemia. She truly demonstrated for us what it means to never give up!

After service, we were invited to join them for lunch, kindly prepared by their church members. It was there that we met with some influential Chinese researchers that were posted to Japan. According to Kianboon, one of them was a top researcher in Beijing, China. They had many questions for Ps Abraham, but we were appalled by how he answered each with the wisdom of God.

We joined in their Power station, basically a time for prayer and praise that takes place every Sunday. We were very touched as Sarah led the congregation to pray for Pastor Khong and the Magic of Love. It was truly an encouragement to witness a local church acknowledge and advocate what God is working through Pastor and MOL. She also challenged the church to rise up to pray and reach out to the Japanese.

Ps Jimmy shared with the church on how to seek God in prayer. I also had the opportunity to share my testimony on how God blessed me with favor when I exercised faith to pray for my new job.

I give thanks for the good relationship that we've established with Tokyo Sunshine Church. So as Ps Jimmy have shared, let's continue to P.U.S.H. together, PRAY UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS!

Team B: Day 3 - Tokyo Baptist Church

2006-09-18T20:31:00.000+08:00

We started the day with worship and prayer along the Sumida River. We prayed for the vagabonds and that our hearts be open to hear what God wants to say to us as we go forth to the churches.

Tokyo Sunshine Church - Ps Jimmy, Nirelle & Kian Boon
Saitama Shalom Church - Chee Chiong & Jiahui
Tokyo Baptist Church - Aunna, Kaiyun & Jerome
Tokyo Ekuleshia Church - All of Team B

Updates from Tokyo Baptist Church
This is international church with people from many nationalities. All services are in English and the service worship is vibrant with a big choir team. Afer the service, we mingled among the church members to promote MOL. Thank God for His favour, we had a few friends who received us with gladness. We had the priviledge to explain to some that magic is actually an illusion, the real magic is God's love for us. I got to know the friendly Yoyo who is keen invite her friend to MOL and she'll cover MOL team in prayer. - Aunna

The church choir is awesome. We shared Magic Of Love with them and we met a few friends from Singapore as well! I saw a lady holding a board that says "Prayer Request" I went up to her and talked to her. She is very friendly and she's a Taiwanese. She shared about the lukewarmness of christians in Japan and felt very helpless about it. She was very touched when I shared with her the purpose of the Singapore team. She hope to see more christians rising up to serve n youths knowing their purpose. I prayed for her and her church and was very blessed when she prayed for me and the MOL. It was fruitful trip! - Kaiyun

Team B: DAY 3-We visited 4 churches today-Seitama Shalom Church

2006-09-18T13:09:00.000+08:00

We visited 4 churches today, Tokyo Baptist Church, Tokyo Sunshine Church, Saitama Shalom Church and Tokyo Ekuleshia Church. 3 of them have services at the same time so the team was split up into 3. Chia Hui and I went to Nozomi's church, Saitama Shalom Church. Pastor Matsumura asked me to share my testimony, about G12 and Magic of Love. As I shared, I can tell that he was very excited about G12. The youths there will be having a BBQ for their friends tomorrow morning. They invited us to perform magic and share with their friends. Hope it will not rain tomorrow. :)

To be continued....

Tokyo Raiders : Updates from 17 Sept, Sunday

2006-09-18T12:56:00.000+08:00

Sponsored MOL tickets
Our first attempt to get friends and family to sponsor MOL Tokyo tickets was a bang! We managed to get 17 sponsored tickets yesterday morning within half an hour, and we would be continuing our efforts next Sunday too.

Adult and Youthnet teams come together!
The actual MOL trip in October is an interesting mix of people from the Adult network and Youthnet. For the first time both teams met yesterday morning. We enjoyed getting to know one another, and also sharing about our excitement in going Tokyo! Stay tuned to catch the new faces and voices on this blog!

Team B Update: Day 2 => Promoting MOL!

2006-09-17T00:24:00.000+08:00

This morning, I had the priviledge to go with Ps Jimmy to this VIP club lunch at Yokohama. We had hard time meeting Ms Kaji who is supposed to bring us there. The train stations are confusing... Thank God the lady waited patiently for us...about 50 minutes late! Thank God we reach Yokohama Sky on time for lunch.

VIP lunch is for a group of christian businessmen to meet, pray and share about each other's upcoming christian activities. Ps Jimmy had a few minutes to promote MOL. Quite a few have not heard about MOL before but thank God we had a chance to join them and explain that it is about the magical love of God.

The key lady of the meeting-Ms Hayakawa (boss of JR line in Japan!) shared with us. She testified about how she came know God when her dad passed away and she was down and out. She wanted to commit suicide but someone came along and gave her a big sum of money. She asked Jesus how to use the money and she started JR line which means Jesus' Road for her. Every month, she will speak over Osaka radio station and share gospel stories. We will show you all the video of her gospel story when we get back, she is such a talented lady!

I am particularly impressed by her because she is a lady! She was poor at first but God said that He wwill make her influential one day and now she is well known all over Japan, especially in Osaka.

We went to Ueno tonight aand saw many KTV lounge and arcades. The one that surprised me most wwas the digital horse-racing course inside the arcade! Many people just sat there and kept inserting tokens, hoping to get back more. I wish these people are in church instead.

Tomorrow morning our team will be going to 3 different churches to publicise MOL. Pray for us to find favour and most importantly, to build deeper relationships with the churches there. I see our presence as part of the building of Jesus' Road in Japan.

Monday, we will be having BBQ with Saitama Shalom Church at 1030am. We will be leading some songs and sharing with the friends of the youths there.

Aunna

Team B Update: Day 2 => VIP meeting

2006-09-16T21:24:00.000+08:00

Wow! getting the chance to attend a meeting with the business bigwigs in Yokohama. To see these big shot business people coming together in one faith was a great encouragement to me.

I was given an opportunity to promote MOL and clear some of their doubts about magic; some indicated that they will watch the show. Many more exciting journey ahead for the team...hmmhmmm

The speaker for the meeting was Miss Hayagawa. She owns the famous JR line in Japan.
So for those that had been to Japan do you know what does JR stands for..."Japan Railway"?....NO!!! is actually JESUS ROAD!!!..powerful sharing by her.

I was really encouraged by her.

Aunna and me also met up with the executive committee of the VIP club and we engage a little...haha...what a small world...the rep for VIP club in Singapore are actually Eric & Yumiko...people that we know. PTL!!!

Looking forward to tomorrow!!!

Pastor Jimmy

Team B Update: Day 1 => Asakusa

2006-09-16T00:04:00.000+08:00

Team B Update: DAY 0 => Recce Time!

2006-09-15T23:19:00.000+08:00

Team B Update: DAY -1 => Squeezy, Squeeze, Squeeze!

2006-09-15T21:11:00.000+08:00

Team B Update: Day -2 => Chee Chiong the Frontliner!

2006-09-15T21:03:00.000+08:00

Just For Laughs - Team A Tokyo Trip Bloopers!

2006-09-13T17:01:00.000+08:00

Alright... through our trip we have been posting many updates and sharing. And now that we are back, before we present to you our formal reports, let's check out some light hearted and silly moments we had through the trip! Enjoy...

PS: This is just for laughs.. Just to let everyone know that we had loads of fun through the trip too! It wasn't just all works only. Hehe....

Introducing... The (new) Tokyo Raiders!

2006-09-11T14:09:00.000+08:00

Team C has got a name - Tokyo Raiders!

Just in case you are thinking we are some bad guys who will create terror in the streets of Tokyo in 3 weeks' time, fear not. We may be bold and full of drive, but that is only because we seek to intrude your lives with just these - love and friendship. =)

Watch out for us on the streets of Tokyo from 3rd October!

MOL Blog reaching the nations!

2006-09-10T20:57:00.000+08:00

Having just started the counter for MOL blog just last week, we have already clocked in 300 visitors till date, averaging 45 hits per day! This is encouraging statistics considering publicity of this blog has been done primarily through word of mouth.

Another amazing statistic is that our blog has reached the nations, even as far wide as Bulgaria! Especially encouraging are the numbers from Japan, estimating in at 10% of total visits! Other than just a blog used for updating each of the three teams progress, another of our aims was also to spread the word of what we have done and publicize MOL to our Japanese friends through this channel! We are on the right track! =)

Let's keep it going! Go.. Go... Go!!! Dreamers, Movers, Shakers for JAPAN!

Team A Update: MOL Sponsorship Tickets

2006-09-10T04:45:00.000+08:00

| View | Add Favorite

A final headcount of 12 MOL sponsored tickets were given through our trip to bless the youths we met to watch this magical show! We have also gotten their emails to keep in touch and have linked them up with some of our Japanese friends so as to bring them for the Magic of Love show in October!

Team B: Accomodation

2006-09-09T00:25:00.000+08:00

Team B will be staying at KHAOSAN TOKYO ANNEX. It is just across the river from KHAOSAN TOKYO GUESTHOUSE, where Team A was staying. Actually, KHAOSAN TOKYO GUESTHOUSE is our 1st choice, but we want to explore other options for comparison.

Since I will be going 2 days earlier, I will also be exploring other options; 1st night in a Capsule Hotel and the 2nd night in Hotel New Koyo (japanese room). Looking forward to the experience! :)

Team B: Teambuilding at Changi Swensons

2006-09-08T15:34:00.000+08:00

Thanksgiving by Japanese Friends

2006-09-05T16:03:00.000+08:00

A special thanksgiving by our dear Japanese family in Tokyo!

More thanksgiving videos coming soon...

PS: Do pardon the quality of the video. We are working on it, but thought give everyone a sneak peek at this special thanksgiving. And we are still working on some language translation..=P

Team A update: Day 5 - We tried to visit the emperor!

2006-09-05T10:04:00.000+08:00

Team A updates: Day 4 - Wasabe?? Waseda?? Wasade??

2006-09-04T21:49:00.000+08:00

As we journey to the university to connect with the campus people and publicise MOL, many of us had a hard time pronouncing the name of this university(actually it was just me..haha)…. Is it pronounced as Wasabe? Waseda Wasade?

We reach Waseda University in the late morning after going to the central Business district of Otenbachi to deliever MOL tickets to Mr Arai San. He seemed quite a big shot..and even gave us a short overview of the biggest securities firm in Tokyo. Handing him the ticket was like a major business transaction….HAHA.

I was amazed at the size of this university when we reached. And furthermore its one of the best universities in Tokyo with 125 years of history!!! We only just managed to cover one third of the whole university from the late morning to afternoon.

It was a fruitful time as we managed to interview and talk to some of the university students. (THANKS to RENA!) We are compiling a report on the place as well as understanding how Japanese university student think with respect to life. In this process, we even managed to also invite one person to come for the evangelistic MOL and link him up with Rena to go together.

Love,
Ps Adrian

Team C : 1st Teambuilding Session!

2006-09-04T00:36:00.000+08:00

Team A Update: Day 3 - See it and Believe it!

2006-09-03T21:28:00.000+08:00

It is Sunday!!!!! Time to minister to Shinjuku Shalom, sell tickets and link up with people that we want to bless MOL tickets with. The pictures speak for itself so i will go straight to what we did!

Our testimony in Shinjuku (and my preaching on faith) touched many people and we publicised and sold MOL tickets in the church. We sold over 36 MOL tickets today and gave 3 sponsored tickets to prebeliever friends of Shinjuku Shalom. The pictures below are people that have recieved this special blessing from our sponsors in Singapore.

Guess what! We also met a fellow sister under Ps Beow CHin net that happened to be in Shinjuku and stopping by Shinjuku Shalom for the 1st time! We were her answered prayer to meet people from Singapore today!

This is followed by a visit to Harajuku. We interviewd the people in cos-play and got to know them as well as reasons for doing all this. Here, you can see some of their pictures. We also felt led to bless 2 ladies here with 2 sponsored magic of love tickets!! So sponsors of these MOL tickets, i am sure it will be a blessing to them! These people couldnt afford the tickets and when we told them we will bless them with it, their faces lighten up with joy!!! Thank you sponsors!We got their contacts so that our Japanese friends could bring them to watch this show.

HAPPY WATCHING THE MAGIC OF LOVE!!!!!

It was indeed a blessed day and a day supernaturally led by the Lord. There are many things i have no time to write....but i hope the pictures will speak a thousand words.

Keep us in prayer as we go Waseda University tommorrow and link up with an online friend.

Love Ps Adrian

Team A: Day 2 - Close Encounters in Tokyo!

2006-09-02T21:52:00.000+08:00

Yes!! Its our second day in Tokyo!!

We began our day with breakfast followed by a journey to Mielparque Hall where Magic of love will be performing. On our way there, we got to know a chinese lady working in Lawson (a japanese 7-11). She was helpful in helping us find out if Lawson was indeed publicizing MOL. However,to our disappointment, none of the posters displayed was MOL advertisement and Lawson only publized it in the website. She couldnt help us further but we talked to her about Magic of Love and she agreed to go!!! So we blessed her with a ticket and will connect her with Shinjuku Shalom. Isnt God good? He led us to the right people!

We prayer walk Mielparque Hall and God spoke to us in many ways. After prayer walk and worship, i personally felt a new freedom released in this place. Will personally document this in the blog in days to come.

In the afternoon, we visited Ginza and had a few encounters. We went to interview and speak to a few people and got to understand first hand more about the Japanese culture. We also did some personally invitation to people to MOL.However, due to the time now (because internet access will cut at 12am), we will also blog more of these tomorrow!

In the late afternoon, we visited Shinjuku Shalom church and had a personal time together with Ps Elmer. It was a good time of sharing and edification on what God is doing through G12 as well as in the youths of FCBC. i gave insights on how the tribe is run as well as how we conduct open cells etc. I was also blessed at how God has been working in the lives of people in Shinjuku Shalom.

Thank you for praying. Please keep the team in prayer tomorrow as i will be preaching in the youth service and the entire team will be taking turns to share our G12 testimonies in both the adults services as well. We will also be selling and publizing MOL in the services.

Arigato gozaimaz

Love
Ps Adrian

Team A updates: Touchdown in Tokyo!!!

2006-09-01T19:10:00.000+08:00

Finally we have arrived in Tokyo!! After a relatively long flight and 1hr plus of immigration clearance we made it. Be prepared also for body searches and questioning by airport staff. Haha...

On touch down we met up with Ps Shingo,Travis, Rika and Hiromitchi at the airport. Fortunately we have them to show us and lead us around in the complex train/subway system. Really thank God for them. Whats more they treated us in an all you can eat Sushi meal at only Singapore 14 dollars. Wow! Who says Japanese Food is expensive??!! Its even cheaper than our Sakae Sushii!

All of us are tired out with the travelling around and the long train ride. In the next few days our schedules are packed and we are preparing to do the following:

a. Publicity of MOL at adhoc shops that are willing to put up our posters.
b. Delievery of MOL tickets to our various clients
c. Publicity of MOL thru the church
d. Prayerwalk MOL location and parts of city
e. Spiritual mapping of Waseda University
f. Spiritual mapping/Research on Japanese Youths(Harajuku, Imperial Palace, Ginza)
g. Connecting with online friends and connect them to Shinjuku(so far only one person)
h. Connecting sponsored tickets with "needy" people
i. Ministering at Youth Service at Shinjuku shalom and G12 sharing.

Looking forward to a meaningful time in Japan! Do keep us in prayer.

Love
Ps Adrian

"It was a great privilege to be hosted by our Japanese friends. I do hope to not only share more about G12 to the church people, but also to learn from the Japanese more of their style of leading a churchas well as its their culture." - Julee

"Thank God for His protection and guidance as I make my way alone from Narita Airport to our hostel. It was pouring and pouring here is Tokyo and I kept praying that the rain will cease but it didn't for the most part of the day. Then God brought me back to Psalm 135 that why am I questioning His way. The respond I should have is to praise the Lord and trust in the Father's care. 'Your name O Lord, endures forever!'" - Joy

"Other than feeling tired out, upon reflection.. I sense a stronger conviction of God's heart for His people in Japan. About the lost who can only choose to hide and unable to express themselves freely because of the society's expectations and pressure." - Chris

"To me, this was a mad rush. From visa application to back to S'pore and to Japan. Besides all those, I know that God is going to do something special for the churches here and I am thrilled to see what is going to happen!" - Dy

"After a long tiring journey on the plane, it was really heartwarming to see our Japanese family awaiting us upon arrival. Their hospitality has been amazing and I totally feel at home with them! Am looking forward to catch up with them, and to share on what God is doing in each of our lives! As much as we come to bless the people here... I know I will learn something special from this Japanese family about a dynamic youth ministry." - Ee Jay

Team A - Ready, Steady... GO!!!!

2006-08-31T23:58:00.000+08:00

Been spending the past two hours packing my bag for the trip, so decide to give everyone a sneak peek into what I brought along!

Finally.. After a few weeks of planning and preparation.. Our very first Singapore team is ready to go over to Tokyo! In fact as I am sitting down blogging this, one of our team member (Joy) is already on the Singapore Airlines flight, one-third of her journey towards the land of the rising sun! We will link up with her at our accomodation place once we reach in another 14 hours time.

Woohoo!!! Will make effort to blog once every two days when we are in Tokyo, so as to keep everyone updated on how we are and how things are moving there!

Japan Youth Culture - Harajuku

2006-08-30T22:11:00.000+08:00

Part of our teams' objective in this MOL Tokyo trip is also to understand the youth culture in Japan. And what better place to kick start than the well-known Harajuku... The place glittered with the most extreme youth culture and fashion styles. In order to experience the teenage culture at its most extreme, visit Harajuku on a Sunday, when many young people gather around Harajuku Station and engage in cosplay ("costume play"), dressed up in crazy costumes to resemble anime characters, punk musicians, etc.

Not only is Harajuku the center of Japan's most extreme teenage cultures and fashion styles, but it also offers shopping for grown-ups and some historic sights.

Daiso Harajuku - 100 Yen Shop
This is one of the largest 100 Yen Shops in central Tokyo, offering a wide array of goods, including clothing, kitchenware, food and stationary on multiple floors at 105 Yen per item. It is located only a few steps from Harajuku Station along Takeshita Dori.

Snoopy Town
A wide array of Snoopy goods is sold in this store, located directly across Harajuku Station.

Watch out for our next featured youth culture epicenter.... GINZA!!!

MOL Location - Mielparque Hall

2006-08-28T00:47:00.000+08:00

Location of Mielparque Hall - 1/8000 Magnification

Location of Mielparque Hall - 1/3000 Magnification

Access to Mielparque Hall:

Mielparque Hall is an 8 minute walk from Hamamatsucho Station (JR/Monorail); a 2 minute walk from Shiba-Koen Station (Toei Subway Mita Line); or a 4 minute walk from Daimon Station (Toei Subway Asakusa Line or Toei Subway Oedo Line).

Team A update: Our accomodation

2006-08-24T01:12:00.000+08:00

Presenting to everyone our accomodation in Tokyo..... KHAOSAN TOKYO GUESTHOUSE!

Gosh! We really went through alot to get the room books done! Relatively cheap pricing at an average of S$35.00 per person per night. And it is located just next to a subway station (Asakusa Subway Station), which makes travelling about an ease.

Take a look at the guesthouse's website and you will see many more photos, detailed map and interesting people whom have been bunking by in this place!

Khaosan Tokyo Guesthouse website

Tokyo subway system map

2006-08-22T14:21:00.000+08:00

(Click on the image to get a clearer and larger image)

Check out the Tokyo subway system map! Millions of colored lines (rail & subway lines) crossing around! Just when you think that the SMRT system is complicated with the MRT and LRT lines.. complex that another 20 times! Oh and not forgetting the zillion rush of people in the Tokyo subway system!

Am really excited about this whole new experience! Heard so much about it.. now I am going to witness and experience it for myself! Woohoo... Tokyo here we come!!!

Note: For rest of Team Singapore, if you are keen to know more about how to travel around Tokyo via the subway system, you can check out some of the links below. I have also listed them in the sidebar.

Tokyo Metro Subway Guide

Check out the really good and colorful maps here of the subway system!

Tokyo Subway Transfer Guide

This one is the best! Just log in your boarding and alighting stations, and you will know the travelling time, train transfer and fare prices!

Team A update: Magic of Love sponsorship tickets

2006-08-20T21:58:00.000+08:00

As part of each team's objective in this Tokyo trip, we are aiming to acheive sponsorship of at least 20 MOL tickets so as to bless the youths and underprivileged in Tokyo.

As we gathered for meeting this morning to plan for the trip, we decided to take action on the spot, giving it a try by seeking sponsorship from some of our friends and family in church. The response was amazing! In a short span of 20 minutes, we managed to get sponsorship for 9 MOL tickets! Everyone was eager and excited to help out in getting the tickets to bless our friends in Tokyo!

Now what we need to do is to get to know more Japanese youths through online channels i.e. Friendster, MSN, Blogs...etc so as to bless them with these tickets. Currently we have only managed to have one contact through Friendster.. but we will keep trying and sourcing new channels... =)

Singapore is coming to Japan!!!

2006-08-19T17:59:00.000+08:00

Team Singapore A will be flying into Tokyo on 1st September!!! Look at what some of the team members have to say.....

"I am excited and full of anticipation because of the challenges of visiting a new land and new language! Being a leader to the team, I want to have a heart for Japan!!" - Adrian

"I am eager and excited to see the city and meet the youths in Tokyo! Am also looking forward to experience and understand the culture more. Felt so blessed to have the privilege to go on this trip.." - Julee

"My very first trip to Japan! Have heard and seen so much about Japan on Discovery Channel.. now is the time to experience the people, culture, traditions myself! Japan here I come!!!!" - Ee Jay

"In the midst of my busy schedule, I'm excited, but also unsure of what is in stored for us as we go ahead. But I just sense this excitement in our hearts as we go into Japan!!" - Dy

"I am excited on goin for this trip, especially after overcoming all the obstacles faced. I believe we are going to have wonderful time in Japan!!" - Joy

2006-08-16T23:16:00.000+08:00

Get Discounted Magic Of Love Japan Tickets! Magic of Love is performing in Tokyo from 6 – 8 October. Invite your Japanese friends and business associates to MOL with specially discounted MOL Tokyo tickets. Or purchase them as a blessing to the Japanese students and the underprivileged. Available now at the Service Counter in Singapore EXPO Hall 9.
Visit http://www.magicoflawrence.comfor more info. Send Ecard!

Dates: 6 Oct(Fri)-7:00PM ; 7 Oct(Sat)-2:00PM & 7:00PM ; 8 Oct(Sun)-3:30PM

MelParque Hall, Tokyo (near Daimon Station and Shiba Koen subway stations)
Tickets available now at S$45 (usual price S$90)