To Our Friends and Family,
As another month has quickly past, as it seems with much of our time in Japan, it is hard to believe that we have been here for over a year now! What an exciting and fast-paced year it has been! Within this year, the Lord has certainly stretched us and grown us in areas of ministry that we did not imagine we would be a part of so significantly. We have also experienced ways in which God has shaped our passions and talents for His glory, which has been both rewarding and challenging at the same time, such as with Jeremy’s video productions and Kathy’s worship leadership. And, as we continue our time here in Japan for the next several months, we continue to desire to deepen and blossom our relationships with the Japanese non-Christians we have met with the hopes of leaving the imprint of Jesus’ love on their hearts.
This past month we were a part of many conferences all around Japan from the Tokyo area to the southern most part of Japan in the islands of Okinawa. In the beginning of the month, we joined with a group of Dokkyo University students to visit a very active and blossoming church in Osaka, Japan, called J-House. This church is known for being able to bring many non-Christians to a saving knowledge of Christ through their dynamic outreach programs, such as their Friday night ministry called “Funky Party.” Here, many college students are invited to the church to experience fellowship, fun, food, and a “funky talk” (a message). Coming to this church, we were able to extract many ideas and ways in which we can be more creative and effective in our own “Youth Alive” young adult ministry as well as with Dokkyo Bible Study. It was a great learning experience that left the whole group eager and excited for the new college semester to begin in this month of April.
Further preparing for the university life to begin once again, we also were a part of the annual Chi Alpha Evangelism Training Seminar, which was held over a weekend in mid-March in Tokyo. About 50 students gathered, representing colleges all over the Tokyo area as well as some students from colleges in the Osaka area. At this conference, students were exposed as to how to start a Chi Alpha bible study on their individual campuses if there was not one already. And, students were also given new ideas of how to expand and flourish within their existing campus XA clubs. Focusing on evangelism, the main speaker ministered in a way that encouraged and energized the students for the coming semester. There was also a passionate time of prayer over each campus as well as prayer over rising freshman students. In the end, the conference achieved to prepare purposefully and equip effectively the many students who desire to see their campuses won for Christ.
Finally, in the last week of the month, we had the wonderful opportunity to go with the Bible school students of Riverside Chapel for a missions trip to Okinawa. Although this area is known for its tropical climate and hospitable people, it is also an area of Japan that thirsts for spiritual fulfillment. Since the migration of Chinese to these islands, the people of Okinawa have long since participated and incorporated ancient religious practice of Buddhism, Shinto and native traditions into their worship. Thus, during this time, we visited many historical sites, from castles to beaches to shrines, where ancestral worship and cultic strongholds still reside. Together, we prayed for God’s deliverance and victory. Moreover, we also ministered at various Okinawan churches. As a team, we offered special numbers, led worship, presented testimonies, as well as delivered the main messages. During the last several days of our trip, we were joined by Riverside’s head pastor, Pastor Amano, who was the main speaker at an annual youth revival seminar called Fire Typhoon International Conference. Over three days, we not only ministered to others through special songs, human videos, and skits, but we were blessed to see many young people pour their hearts out and cry to the Lord for their homeland. It was so encouraging to witness the overwhelming passion and ardent faith that these young people had as they prayed and worshipped God. By the end of our time in Okinawa, the experience was both sobering as well as inspiring as we first discovered the deep presence of pagan worship but also found a fervent fire for God’s power spreading among the youth of these islands.
As we reflect on this past year, we certainly see the way the Lord has guided our steps, used us in ways in which we did not even imagine as well as stretched us to trust in him faithfully. Although our commitment of one year in Japan has already come and gone, we humbly thank you for continuing to support us financially and spiritually as we believe it's the Lord’s will for us to stay for several more months. This mission in Japan has been a blessing to so many people, especially us, because of all the love, help, support, and prayers that have been selflessly and consistently given by all of you back home. There have certainly been moments of trial here in Japan, but more than that, this has been such a joyful and growing season in our lives in which you all have played a significant part. Thank you so much.
Always,
Jeremy and Kathy
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
February Newsletter
To Our Family and Friends,
Greetings from a blustery Japan! This past month we were surprised to encounter unusually strong and, at times, severe winds making traveling by train as well as bicycle quite the challenge. Yet, many Japanese have likened the recent weather to the moving of the Holy Spirit across this nation. So, we continue to pray that the environmental condition of this nation will reflect the spiritual condition that hungers for revival to burst forth. And, we also pray, as we have been ministering in this country for almost a year now, that the Lord will continue to renew our vision and our strength as well as give us creative and fresh ideas to reach out to the Japanese people.
However, not everything is gusting in Japan, as the universities across the nation remain quiet due to spring recess, which began mid-February until beginning of April. Tokyo University is the only campus that continues its Bible studies, while Waseda and Dokkyo have both been on break. As Jeremy carries on his weekly involvement at this campus, he has been able to witness God’s hand bless this group as there have been a few newcomers who have attended and expressed interest in further Bible learning. Furthermore, although colleges are on holiday, the next two months of March and April will prove to be crucial to the campus ministries as we prepare for the arrival of many new students. With April being the start of a new school year in Japan, we will once again face the flood of first years, who will be making their first official appearance on the college campus. As we saw last year during this time, these students are bombarded by dozens upon dozens of clubs and activities to become involved in. Thus, advertising effectively and convincingly is of the utmost importance for the Bible clubs during this time. As a result, we seek favor from the Lord as well as pray for divine appointments as we anticipate and get ready for a new school year to begin.
While work has not been as heavy with Chi Alpha, we remained busy with RIS due to the semester coming to a close during the last several weeks of February. Making and grading tests, along with tallying semester grades has consumed much of our time during the past two weeks. As a testament to the influence and stature that Riverside Chapel is gaining, the upcoming semester that starts beginning of April will see at least two new students entering the International Church School! Moreover, in addition to the growth of Riverside International School, Riverside Chapel has also expanded as it was recently able to secure an adjacent building to the main sanctuary, which will allow for more classrooms for its church school as well as overall ministry meeting space. This has truly proven to be a blessing to the church body as it is one of the few churches in the Tokyo area that actually sees a growing congregation.
Finally, we want to take this time to extend our many many thanks to all of you for the money that you gave to the Japan Chi Alpha Student Center. For our supporters who were not aware, back in December when we traveled back home briefly, as part of our testimony of the work God is doing here in this nation, we promised to give our ministry support for the months of January and February to the Japan Chi Alpha Student Center. Through your generosity, we were able to give XA, 300,000 Yen! (This roughly translates to nearly $3,000.) While this is a wonderful contribution that was greatly appreciated, there is still over $50,000 to be raised in order to make this building fully operational. We still have faith that this building will open its doors within the next year as we hold on to the grand vision that it will be a mighty catalyst in bringing the youth of Japan to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. And, your giving has certainly furthered this vision into becoming a reality. Thank you so much for taking part and supporting Japan Chi Alpha in this immense undertaking! As there is still much to be done to this project, we continue to welcome any love offerings towards the student center. If you feel led by the Lord to do so, please just “Japan XA Student Center” in the memo of your monthly support to us, and we will pass it along accordingly. Again, thank you so much for your generous hearts through money and prayer in this endeavor.
As the short month of February comes to a close, we continue to seek your partnership in prayer for:
➢ Japan Chi Alpha: that we, along with XA staff, will use this next month to prepare efficiently and innovatively for the new school year. And, that the Lord will ready and soften the hearts of all the new students that we may interact with.
➢ Renewed Strength and Vision: that the Lord will continue to give us purposeful and refreshed minds and hearts as we have been in Japan for almost a year and continue with our routine ministerial duties with Riverside Chapel, Riverside International School, Riverside English School, Chi Alpha, as well as our coffee nights.
Always,
Jeremy and Kathy
Greetings from a blustery Japan! This past month we were surprised to encounter unusually strong and, at times, severe winds making traveling by train as well as bicycle quite the challenge. Yet, many Japanese have likened the recent weather to the moving of the Holy Spirit across this nation. So, we continue to pray that the environmental condition of this nation will reflect the spiritual condition that hungers for revival to burst forth. And, we also pray, as we have been ministering in this country for almost a year now, that the Lord will continue to renew our vision and our strength as well as give us creative and fresh ideas to reach out to the Japanese people.
However, not everything is gusting in Japan, as the universities across the nation remain quiet due to spring recess, which began mid-February until beginning of April. Tokyo University is the only campus that continues its Bible studies, while Waseda and Dokkyo have both been on break. As Jeremy carries on his weekly involvement at this campus, he has been able to witness God’s hand bless this group as there have been a few newcomers who have attended and expressed interest in further Bible learning. Furthermore, although colleges are on holiday, the next two months of March and April will prove to be crucial to the campus ministries as we prepare for the arrival of many new students. With April being the start of a new school year in Japan, we will once again face the flood of first years, who will be making their first official appearance on the college campus. As we saw last year during this time, these students are bombarded by dozens upon dozens of clubs and activities to become involved in. Thus, advertising effectively and convincingly is of the utmost importance for the Bible clubs during this time. As a result, we seek favor from the Lord as well as pray for divine appointments as we anticipate and get ready for a new school year to begin.
While work has not been as heavy with Chi Alpha, we remained busy with RIS due to the semester coming to a close during the last several weeks of February. Making and grading tests, along with tallying semester grades has consumed much of our time during the past two weeks. As a testament to the influence and stature that Riverside Chapel is gaining, the upcoming semester that starts beginning of April will see at least two new students entering the International Church School! Moreover, in addition to the growth of Riverside International School, Riverside Chapel has also expanded as it was recently able to secure an adjacent building to the main sanctuary, which will allow for more classrooms for its church school as well as overall ministry meeting space. This has truly proven to be a blessing to the church body as it is one of the few churches in the Tokyo area that actually sees a growing congregation.
Finally, we want to take this time to extend our many many thanks to all of you for the money that you gave to the Japan Chi Alpha Student Center. For our supporters who were not aware, back in December when we traveled back home briefly, as part of our testimony of the work God is doing here in this nation, we promised to give our ministry support for the months of January and February to the Japan Chi Alpha Student Center. Through your generosity, we were able to give XA, 300,000 Yen! (This roughly translates to nearly $3,000.) While this is a wonderful contribution that was greatly appreciated, there is still over $50,000 to be raised in order to make this building fully operational. We still have faith that this building will open its doors within the next year as we hold on to the grand vision that it will be a mighty catalyst in bringing the youth of Japan to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. And, your giving has certainly furthered this vision into becoming a reality. Thank you so much for taking part and supporting Japan Chi Alpha in this immense undertaking! As there is still much to be done to this project, we continue to welcome any love offerings towards the student center. If you feel led by the Lord to do so, please just “Japan XA Student Center” in the memo of your monthly support to us, and we will pass it along accordingly. Again, thank you so much for your generous hearts through money and prayer in this endeavor.
As the short month of February comes to a close, we continue to seek your partnership in prayer for:
➢ Japan Chi Alpha: that we, along with XA staff, will use this next month to prepare efficiently and innovatively for the new school year. And, that the Lord will ready and soften the hearts of all the new students that we may interact with.
➢ Renewed Strength and Vision: that the Lord will continue to give us purposeful and refreshed minds and hearts as we have been in Japan for almost a year and continue with our routine ministerial duties with Riverside Chapel, Riverside International School, Riverside English School, Chi Alpha, as well as our coffee nights.
Always,
Jeremy and Kathy
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