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