Meet Japan: The Filling Station FamilyKatie Cornick - 14 Mar 2012

Part 3 of the Meet Japan blog trilogy.

I was a bit confused when we pulled into the gas station. I looked at the gauge on the dashboard. We still had half a tank. It was freezing outside and I couldn’t think of any reason to stop and refuel unless we absolutely weren’t going to make it home. My surprise continued when we got out of the car to chat with the guy pumping gas and the local postman.

Two minutes went by.

Five minutes.

Eight minutes.

It was becoming apparent that we weren’t here for gas.

Two cups of coffee later, Wendy, Emiko and I sat with the owners of the station. A glass bowl filled with the remains of candy wrappers and chocolate crumbs sat next to our cute little 6oz “mugs”. We’d done out best to communicate to the shy auto repair man and his administrative father who sat at the computer punching numbers. Half way through out visit 2 children ran in from school, threw themselves on their father, took their boots off by the stove and ran to their rooms to change out of their school uniforms.  It was delightful. Although Wendy and I had only the slightest clue of what was going on, we knew that something was happening between our host and the postman who had also come by to “get gas” an hour and a half earlier, but was allowing himself a bit of in-between time before getting back to work. 

The Father on his technological toy, the mother in the back room cooking up a storm, the eldest son working the desk, the postman on an extended break. I was right. We were definitely here for something more than petrol. Chatting, laughing, making conversation and obviously enjoying friendship, this was our friend Emiko at her best.

After leaving the gas station Wendy and I found out that these are dear friends of Emiko’s. She’s stayed with them from time to time, had meals and regularly communication. They ask for her to stop by and visit whenever she can. As was the case with the auto repair man, Emiko was the first Believer that the filling station family ever met. To them, she represents Jesus. They don’t know this man she mentions, the stories she tells, or the book she talks about. They recognize her kindness, though. They’re familiar with her generous heart, her patience and joy. In this way they’re getting to know God as they get to know Emiko. It’s a beautiful, simple and profound way to expand the Father’s Kingdom and enlarge his family.