Leilani Nakagawa, a married disciple of and a member of the Tokyo Church for almost ten years, had her conviction tested about helping out a "neighbor" in a rather unusual way last week. Hurrying on her way from a daytime devotional to avoid being late for work, she came to one of Tokyo's 30-foot-high pedestrian overpasses and started up the stairs to the other side. While coming down the stairs to exit, there was a very elderly lady with a giant suitcase, struggling to lift it up to start her journey up the towering stairs. Well, what would you do?

Two other people going down the stairs in front of Leilani passed the old woman by, just like in the parable of the good Samaritan -- which, amazingly enough, Leilani says she had just read that morning. But Leilani (who also happens to be a foreigner) did the right thing. She recalls, "I looked at her and said to myself, 'I just can't leave her to do that,' so I offered to carry it up and back over to the other side."

Noticing that the big piece of luggage was taking a toll on Leilani, the lady offered to carry Leilani's purse so she could lift the suitcase with both hands. Leilani was mystified: "It was definitely too heavy for an old woman to handle. I was wondering how this elderly lady had even gotten it that far. Even I was sweating so much carrying it down the other side of the stairs! I started thinking, 'Is this some kind of con?'"

Realizing that the woman had her purse, and seeing a man who had passed her on the overpass now loitering around suspiciously at the bottom of the stairs, Leilani was certain she'd fallen for some sort of rip off stunt. But when she put down the suitcase at the desired location, the elderly lady returned her purse and bowed very low several times, thanking her profusely, Japanese style. Leilani replied, "Please, don't mention it," and started back up the pedestrian overpass.

Still unnerved, however, Leilani recalls, "While going up the stairs to go back, I was checking my purse to make sure it hadn't been opened. I still had a strange feeling." But it turns out it was not quite the kind of con she had suspected. "Suddenly, a camera crew and a reporter appeared, waving a mike in my face, congratulating me on helping the old woman with her suitcase!"

Leilani's small good deed was suddenly destined for nationwide fame, thanks to Asahi TV, one of Japan's big five television networks. She was interviewed on the spot for a special program scheduled to air next month, dealing with whether or not people stop to help others in today's fast-paced society.

Leilani came home from the experience with more than just a brand new Asahi TV pen set. She made a spiritual application: "More than a TV crew watching me, which I was totally shocked about, this made me realize in a clearer way that God really is watching me!"

Sometimes, it's just good to be reminded that somebody IS watching, and that disciples are still getting caught in the act of everyday kindness.