The other day I received an emergency bulletin from the US embassy indicating that there were severe tsunami warnings along the coast.  They were expecting 30 waves to hit sometime in mid-afternoon on Sunday.  The tsunami – incidentally a Japanese word – would be a result of the huge 8.8 earthquake in Chile.

That afternoon I was rushing to the airport by train escorting visitors who were leaving that day.  I noticed several train lines along the coast were closed due to expected high waves.  Fortunately we had planned an inland route.  By the time I got home I had heard that there was no cause for alarm and the tsunami did not come.  We live far from the coast so normally do not pay as close attention.  Now scientists are debating what happened and why.  I guess with tsunami’s it is always good to err on the side of caution.

1. Three people shared stories at the JEMA meetings how Japanese who attended years ago are using our CPI training materials in their ministries.  One missionary between last November and last month has received from God a new vision for church planting and Japanese partners.  What a turn around.  CPI is playing a part in helping people on the frontlines of ministry.
2. We had a great but short visit with Dan and Sandi Peterson, district executive minister from Converge Midatlantic.  There were many highlights including meeting with key Japanese leaders and discussing partnering in ministry.  Pray that God would guide and bless Kingdom partnerships in the future.  Thanks for coming Dan and Sandi!
3. The Hamamatsu Megumi Church is extremely encouraged that after a wait of 5 years they will be getting a pastor beginning in April.  When John went to preach on Feb 21 they were all excited but also tired with the preparations.  The pastor arrives March 16^th.  John will be participating in the March 21^st service.  Now John can go on to other Sunday morning projects and churches.

We had four Japanese couples over to celebrate Saint Valentine’s Day last week.  Of the group only one is a Christian, though 3 are in our Bible studies.  These are the same couples we had over for a Christmas Dinner party last year.  God is really working in their hearts.  Yesterday at Bible study Mr. F. told me the entire gospel story which was extremely exciting seeing he is not yet a Christian.  Elaine said he has been talking to his wife, also a pre-Christian studying the Bible with Elaine.

So many cool things going on.  I was at a Cell Church Summit conference last week which was attended by over 200 people.  Over half were young people!  2/3rds of the group were lay people are excited about growing and multiplying churches.  One church shared their vision of starting 40 churches in 10 years.  Even they admit it is impossible without God’s help.  I think they will do it, of course, with his help.  At this conference I talked with some key Japanese church leaders about raising the vision for multiplying churches.  They share with my vision that this is now the opportunity to make a difference in Japan.  Thanks for praying for us and for Japan.

Coming up later this month.  1) JEMA and CPI Meetings 2/22-23.  Pray for wisdom and new visions!

2) Dan and Sandi Peterson, District Executive Minister from Converge MidAtlantic, will be staying with us, meeting some key people, and seeing what God is doing in Japan 2/25-28.  Pray for a good visit, warm and refreshing times.

WAYS YOU CAN PRAY FOR US AND OUR MINISTRY

1. Thanks for praying for us throughout all the activities and events of two busy schedules each month. Ask God to grant wisdom and focus as there are key mission and Rengo meetings this month.
2. CPI joins the cell church summit this year.  Pray for the growth of old and new relationships at this Feb 10-12 event.
3. Praise God that Hamamatsu Megumi Church will be getting a pastor beginning in April.  John preaches at the Hamamatsu church on 2/21.
4. Pray that John can be a big encouragement to many leaders at the JEMA meetings Feb. 22-23 as we discuss national strategy together.
5. Dan and Sandi Peterson, district executive minister from Converge Midatlantic, will be visiting us and Japan 2/25-28.  Ask God to grant them a clear vision for Japan.
6. In January, Elaine started an English Bible Study at the Crossroad church which is off to a great start.  Pray for the next meeting on 2/28.
7. Ask God to grant focus, energy, and time discipline for John to complete the next steps of his research project.

HOW ARE YOU CELEBRATING ST. VALENTINE’S DAY?

We have also been striving in local outreach and evangelism to the 99% of Japanese who do not know Christ.  At the end of last year, we had a Christmas Dinner Party for 14 people mostly pre-Christians.  Some short term workers from one of our partnering churches were able to join us.  We are planning a Saint Valentine’s Party with about 5 Japanese couples to celebrate St. Valentine’s day on 2/14. Please pray that God would use this outreach to move people closer to the savior.

I just found out I was on Christian Television here in Japan.  I was working with one of their staff on getting a list of names of church planters that they could interview for a weekly show on church planting.  They sent me a web link to see about the program.  When I was at the home page I noticed something about the Rengo.  It was about the Coming of Age celebration on 1/12 where I gave a short greeting to the young people who had just become adults.  I would boast more about it but the video was all in Japanese and I was only in a few shots.  Though I was glad Elaine picked out my tie that day.  If you are interested this is the clip.  http://japan.cgntv.net/_inc/player.asp?pid=2304&type=vod&player=8&bit=high&vid=45898&dreamon=Y;%20text/html;%20charset=UTF-8

There are a lot of Japanese loan words in the English language such as Typhoon, Kimono, Sushi, and more lately I have heard Sukoshi (a little) even on TV shows.  The loan word Tycoon really threw me.  I am from Illinois and value Abraham Lincoln highly for many reasons.  I had never heard him referred to as a Tycoon before. This is the “rest of the story.”

The word tycoon is derived from the Japanese word taikun which means “great lord,” and it was used as a title for the shogun. The word entered the English language in the nineteenth century with the return of Commodore Perry to the United States. U.S. President Abraham Lincoln was humorously referred to as the Tycoon by several aides. The term spread to the business community, where it has been used ever since (From wikipedia).

As you read this we are winding up our short working vacation back in Illinois.  We return to Japan on 1/5.  It has been frenzied being back but extremely good family times.  Also on the work side have been possibilities for CPI in another Asian country, recruiting career workers, and recruiting ministry teams from a partnering church.  We both hit the ground running when we return to Japan and there are various things in the works for the Rengo, the mission, CPI, and Elaine’s various classes.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of a baby but not just any baby. This was the Son of God being born in a lowly stable. Because He was willing to humble Himself, He lived a perfect life and became the perfect sacrifice for our sins.
Christmas in Japan is a mixture of attention given to the surface and ignoring the truth of the depth beneath. The stores are filled with decorations and Christmas songs which include hymns such as Silent Night and What Child is This. Shopping areas are decorated with Christmas lights and draw hundreds if not thousands to see the “illumination”. In the midst of all this “Christmas” the real reason for celebration is completely missed. The fact that December 25 is a work day as any other is a perfect reflection of what Christmas means to our neighbors and friends.
When Japanese were asked what Christmas meant, the answers ranged from Santa’s birthday to a time for partying with friends. Although few Japanese know the true meaning of Christmas, at this time of year they are very interested in listening or taking tracts or CD’s. It will take a work of God to touch the hearts of the Japanese but God is a miracle worker so we can be encouraged.
Please join us in praying that God’s Kingdom will come for many Japanese this Christmas season. Pray not only for those in Japan but for Japanese living around the world. This is the best time to witness for Christ so please pray for boldness shared in love for each of us and receptive hearts for those with whom we are sharing.

Thank you so much for praying for last month’s CPI National Conference.  A participant said, “The CPI National Conference at Fuji Hakone last week was truly a big blessing. It brought spiritual renewal, vision, fellowship, ministry training, among other things, to the participants” In spite of the economy and other factors about 300 adults and 85 children gathered this year to enlarge their Kingdom Vision for church multiplication and experience Gospel Renewal.  Read the rest of this entry »

Work with us …

Develop direct partnerships with Japanese churches to help expand God’s Kingdom in Japan and beyond.

EXAMPLE: Just a few months ago a church sent a team from Kent, WA to cooperate in helping one of our Japanese church plants with outreach.  There are talks of them returning.  Maybe your church can partner with a Japanese church.

Come with a team or by yourself to carry on short-term ministry among Japanese.

EXAMPLE: In a few weeks, a team from one of our partnering churches in Saint Louis will be sending a team of 4 to help us put on the CPI Conference.  We could not put on the conference without them and we need this kind of help on a regular basis.

EXAMPLE: In December a team from northern Chicago will be coming for just a few days but we are having a Christmas Dinner Party outreach to our contacts in Bible studies and their spouses.