Several month ago a very bright 11 year-old wrote us some interesting questions about missionaries. Here are our answers. 1. Overall- What do you do? What is your typical day to day routine or schedule? Does it vary or are you doing one or many specific tasks right now? Our overall thrust and vision is: Advancing church planting and gospel renewal movements. We are working to help Japanese start, develop, and multiply churches which are…
Just returned from Tohoku yesterday. Several memorable items stand out Telling two homeowners that we have some funds for materials to rebuild their homes. Reviewing 2 years of God’s faithfulness to my ministry partners Dean and Mr. Abe. Meeting a man who described how he saw his mother die right in front of him. Praying for peace and blessing with so many disaster victims. Tomorrow we are participating in a 24-hour prayer day for the…
PARTNERSHIP March 2013 – Ministry Updates and Prayer JOHN John departs for Tohoku tomorrow. The Church Planting Institute (CPI) is endorsing a seminar March 4-5 in Sendai. This could be the largest seminar on Rural Church Planting with 24 workers gathering! There are still 1,500 towns and villages and 36 cities in Japan still without churches. Please pray that more churches will be started in these towns and villages! At the seminar, John will be…
People of Hope February 2013 – Updates for Prayer At the Ishinomaki church one woman came up me after the sermon and said, “Sensei, I suffer from depression.” I was a bit shocked by her directness but said in at least six unique ways that “Jesus loves you.” She began to smile and tears ran down her cheek. There is much power in the Name of Jesus and in His Gospel! DISASTER AREA IN JANUARY…
1. Ask God for good weather and good opportunities as John takes a trip to Ishinomaki from January 4-13 with a member of Bethel Moline IL. We hope to begin introducing Bible studies to our many contacts. 2. Ask God for wisdom at key CPI meetings in January as we set the pace for the year, prepare for the national conference in November, and beyond. 3. Continue to pray for effectiveness as Elaine expands here…
John and Elaine had a wonderful Christ-filled Christmas. There were several key events to end the year. CHRISTMAS TEA – For Elaine’s Christmas tea 20 women came to celebrate Christmas together. John shared about one disaster victim’s family that was helped and ended up having a Christmas music concert in their home. God is able to change disaster to celebration. Many women commented on the story and how it parallels the first Christmas story. CHRISTMAS…