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.

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.

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.

The pastor along with Church ministry has an NGO (Non-government Organization [Charity organization] which works to help prevent people from suicide.  Japan is a world leader with over 30,000 suicides annually.  There are possible connections there in terms of connecting with people in a mercy and compassion ministry.

The pastor would look forward to having someone come as part of his staff and there is another local missionary that he works a lot with.  His wife is a certified Japanese teacher so if there is interest a short-termer could have regular weekly Japanese classes.

The church will provide a place to live and they think that opening English classes will probably help with living expenses.  The pastor will take either a man or woman worker.  If a woman came the pastor would like them to work with young women, especially those with young children.

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).