🇯🇵 BACK TO NAGASAKI AND GOOD NEWS! 🙏 🔥

Hello, beautiful people of God!

We are back in Japan and back to “normal”, after a six-week trip to the States that was SO packed with good things. Unfortunately, we were not able to see everyone we wanted to this time…  As much as we would have liked to have stayed longer, our responsibilities and passion for what God is doing in Nagasaki called us back. How we often wish we could be “split in half” to be in both places at the same time! Thank you for your friendship and partnership in the Lord. We were so glad to see many of you well and strong in the Lord.

This newsletter could get very long! But we’ll try to keep it simple and to the point. If you have any questions, feel free to write back! Although the phone numbers we used to text while in the States don’t work anymore, we can exchange emails or even set up a Zoom call.

It was crazy! Good crazy.

God orchestrated so many “divine encounters” as we prayed for God to connect us with people who had a heart for missions and a heart for Japan.

If you are receiving our newsletter for the first time, THANK YOU for your interest in knowing about what is going on outside of your own world and church and look at the “bigger picture” of what He is doing, for your desire to pray for Japan, and also to partner with us so we may continue to focus on the establishment of the first Christian church in Nagayo, the 4th largest unchurched town in the whole country of Japan, a country of 126 million people and only 1% or fewer Christians!

We were soooo THANKFUL for the churches that we were able to visit, for the way they embraced us and encouraged us, not only on the stage but also outside of the church, on a personal level, inspiring and ministering to us, at a restaurant table, for example. If you are from one of the churches we visited, we’re talking about your pastor! We learned to appreciate each of them even more on this trip as we got to know their hearts and faith, and we know you do too. Pastoring a church is not an easy job and for some reason, some people think that whatever they do is never enough… so make sure to let God use you to encourage your pastor and put a smile on their faces!

We also mentioned to you the 26 Martyrs who were crucified in Nagasaki after walking about 600 miles from Kyoto in the winter. You can read more about that here: https://oratio.jp/p_column/26ningajunkyo?type=c_en or watch a short video from the link at the end of this email.

We often get asked about this little girl. She is a trooper! She is a miracle baby. She is a joy. When we talk about her surgery with people, she pulls her shirt up and proudly shows her “victory marks”. While in the States we met a couple that is currently dealing with a case of biliary atresia in their family – the same disease that Serenity had. We were glad to be of encouragement to them. Even if we have to go through the “dark valleys” of life, we know He is with us. Still, we know that we have to daily decide to pick up our shield of faith and not fear bad news, because our hearts will be steadfast trusting in the Lord!, even when things don’t go as we expect.  (See Psalm 23 and Psalm 112)

Yes, it’s true! Time flies and kids grow up. Since every one of our kids was little, we have prayed for their future spouses and their families. We prayed for Jesus to be the center of their lives and for each one of them to meet them at the right time. On this trip, we were able to finally meet Gabriel in person, spend a lot of time with him and get to know his heart and also his family. The rest is history – or rather, a new story that is just beginning. We are excited for what God has in store for them!

So we were so grateful for the many contributions that people gave toward the establishment of the Nagayo church. Of the $300,000 we have now about (between money in the account and pledges) $145,000! We know there are still people sending checks in while others are working on preparing the money to give. Hallelujah!!! We are moving forward by faith and trust the rest will come in. Is God speaking to your heart to join us? Do you know anyone that loves to invest in church plants, especially in unchurched areas?

“For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord; it shall cover them as water.”  Habakkuk 2:14