Today was Coming of Age Day here in Japan, the day when all people turning 20 years of age are recognized as entering adulthood. It was also the end of the New Year festivities in which the decorations that were on display are collected and burned ceremonially. But we rejoice in even greater news that a close friend of the mission community, Katsumi-san, is one step closer to becoming a Christian! After 60+ years of being apart from God's Word which she had been exposed to as a child at a local church, she decided today would be the day that she would burn all of the idols she had in her house. This comes after much prayer on behalf of Christian friends, missionaries, and pastors whom she's interacted with, in particular Jodi Davis at SYME who led an English Bible study with her as well as Keiko-san, our dear friend and language helper. What's most encouraging is that Katsumi's non-believing husband was a major proponent of her decision!
Please join us in covering this family in prayer that their decision for salvation would come soon. There was talk about baptism in her near future.
We invite you to watch this short video that documents this rare step of faith in burning of their idols:
5:41am this morning we experienced our first earthquake here in Japan. It was similar to the feeling of a large truck driving down the side of the mountain where we live except that the vibrations continued for half a minute. The closet doors in our bedroom were rattling quite a bit, but praises there was no damage to the house. Turns out it was a 5.3 magnitude quake in the next prefecture over some 60 miles away. Julina and Aaron slept right through it. Here's a link to the specifics about the rumble including maps.
We arrived safely in Hakone for the 15th semi annual Church Planting Conference. Weiling and I have already reconnected with many missionaries we met at our first conference and have made several new friends with future servants for Christ in Japan. Please join us in praying for those who will take what they learn from this event and use it to further glorify God in ministry and life. Please look forward to more updates including photos.
At long last our wait for reliable Internet service is over. We had been using a wireless signal that our neighbors graciously shared with us, but it kept dropping out all the time. It took nearly a month for the Hikari fiber installation crew to come out, but it was worth the wait. Though they claim rates up to 100Mbits/sec, I'm satisfied with the 50Mbit throughput - and that's upload and download speed. Unreal! We don't have cable or other means to get a tv signal in the mountains, so the Internet has become our media center. Ellissa looks forward to a new episode of Naruto Shippuden each Friday while I stagger at the amount of variety shows Japanese audiences watch. To get a feel for Japanese tv programs search for KeyholeTV on Google. After it's installed, scroll to the bottom of the channel list and double click the last network. The quality is poor, but like our teachers say, it will give us refined listening skills to understand Japanese speech. I find the commercials more entertaining than the actual shows. Maybe it's because I understand them better.
Aaron's regular teacher was replaced with Cookie Monster Sensei. Today's Skype lesson is greetings based on the time of day. Let's see how he does.Video playback link: http://vimeo.com/6515857
It is said that many foreigner lose stomach to natto (fermented soybeans). I decided to take the challenge at the local sushiya. The best way I can describe is like sticky cottage cheese. Maybe your experience is different? We went with our neighbors the Taylors who treated us to an all-you-can-eat sushi experience as well as Katie Folden who is manning the camera. Will I eat sushi again? Probably. Natto? Only if challenged. I'm praising God that I managed to swallow it all and keep it down. [link to video on Vimeo]
Saying goodbye is never easy, but the bon voyage dinner that First Christian Church in Kissimmee was first rate and very memorable to all of us. Pictures and videos are available here thanks to Garry's parents for putting their camera to work. Thanks to everyone who helped make this an awesome time of celebration to send us to Japan! We will miss you all, but look forward to staying in touch online from the field!
We had the honor of being a part of this year's VBS at First Christian Church in Margate, Florida featuring SonRock Camp. They had a great turnout of children and adults for this 6-night celebration of Jesus. The kids are raising money to help us afford a vehicle in Japan. Their goal is 125,000 Yen and we pray they have a fun time trying to set a new record. Shouts to the Kegg clan for hosting us as well as Ro, Phil, John and the rest of the dedicated workers who made this VBS a success.
This month's get together at our place was themed around summer memories. The Kornegay family were on hand for the festivities and Weiling's parents also paid a visit. We watched two movies (The Cats of Mirikitani and Ramen Girl), both of which explored culture shock in a unique way. Everyone brought something to share including sub sandwiches, ice cream sandwiches, and Kim's traditional Japanese slaw with goma dressing. And what Japanese summer event would be complete without watermelon and sparklers? Looking forward to next month - our final Japan Night here in the States.
We share in the joy of the birth of Suzanna Ikuyo Broaddus to her parents Brian and Yoko and sisters Naomi and Sara. They are back in the States from Japan on furlough. We're looking forward to meeting their newest addition when we all go back to Japan. Please join us in praying for their continued success on the mission field!
We started this journey in November of 2007 with just a small vision of how God might be calling us to serve in a missionary capacity in Japan. Now, just 20 months later, we've received the official "thumbs up" from our field coordinator David Atkin to make final preparations to move to Japan this August. We owe it all to God and the amazing faithfulness of our prayer warrior team who've supported us and gone beyond the call of duty to ensure we're fully equipped. Team Expansion requires a minimum of 100 prayer warriors, and given the economy, we felt better putting more emphasis on building a strong prayer support network than asking outright for money. It is so hard to ask people and churches that are cutting their missions support to partner with us, but it is easy to ask people to pray for us. To date, we have over 650 prayer partners and we know for a fact that we would not be where we are without each of them lifting us up on a regular basis. We've heard it said that, "money is important because it gets you to the field, but it is a strong prayer network that keeps you on the field." May we never take that fact for granted. It is a spiritual battle we all face. Temptation and disappointment abound where vision and a strong relationship with God are in question. Our prayer is that our relationship with God and the vision He's given us for Japan would increase, not decrease. Thank you for continuing to keep us in your thoughts, and particularly asking that the Holy Spirit would soften the hearts of the Japanese so that they might receive the Gospel with all readiness.
Team Expansion hosted a 4-day homecoming event for all of their missionaries who are in the US. We were treated to a great time of food and fellowship, including hanging out with our team leaders from Japan - the Kornegays. This slideshow shows only a snapshot of the fun.
Aaron turned 6 on this special day and he was serenaded by PRAISE Team of Christ's Church for Our Community, one of the special groups that will performing during this year's North American Christian Convention in Louisville. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YA, Aaron!
In a major answer to prayers, we're excited to report that we have a house waiting for us near the language center and where our children will be attending school in Japan. The house has three small bedrooms, enough to accommodate all of us, single bathroom, large kitchen area with full-size stove, and all for a reasonable price. The kids are particularly looking forward to living "upstairs". What's more is it has a dryer for laundry; something very few Japanese homes have believe it or not. Perhaps the best thing about this house is the fact that they don't require anything more than a one-month deposit. Most Japanese residence require front-money totaling several thousand non-refundable dollars. We'll post more photos in the June newsletter. Thanks to our team leaders Phil and Kim for doing the foot work to find it!
Shizo Kanakuri disappeared while running the marathon in the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm. He was listed as a missing person in Sweden for 50 years — until a journalist found him living placidly in southern Japan. Overcome with heat during the race, he had stopped at a garden party to drink orange juice, stayed for an hour, then took a train to a hotel and sailed home the next day, too ashamed to tell anyone he was leaving. There's a happy ending: In 1966 Kanakuri accepted an invitation to return to Stockholm and complete his run. His final time was 54 years, 8 months, 6 days, 8 hours, 32 minutes and 20.3 seconds — surely a record that will never be broken. [source:wikipedia] What does Scripture remind us about our race? Acts 20:24 - However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. Galatians 5:7 - You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? 2 Timothy 4:7 - I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
We are flat excited about the prospects of working closely with First Christian Church of Margate. Not only do they already have a diverse group of young and mature Christians with a passion for the things of God, but they have an amazingly talented church leader in Jesse Kegg who recently took the helm. We want to be a part of where they are heading for the Kingdom and were honored to have their leaders lay hands on us and pray for our ministry in Japan. And what could be better than following service with a pig roast? Shouts to Ro and Phil, Tess, David, John, all the folks we visited with during lunch and who enlisted as prayer warriors. Special thanks to Jesse and Hope who opened up their home to us Saturday night. The entire trip was truly a blessing.
Bart and Judy Johnson hosted a get together of folks who're connected to Japan for ministry. Most of us had attended at least one CPI (Church Planting Institute) event in the past, so it was great to reconnect. There were also a number of other missionaries there to share stories with. The guest speaker was Dan Iverson, 22-year veteran church planter serving in Chiba with MTW. He shared many stories of recent baptisms of folks who've been a part of their ministry for a long time and talked about the spiritual climate of Japan. Pictured here is Weiling and Garry with Goldie-sama (yes, that Goldie), Taylor and Sara Ward, Weiling with Meghan in the middle, Aaron sneaking more treats, Mike and Jen Costanzo, and Laura, Ellissa, and us with the honorable Dan Iverson.
Yuko Obuchi, minister in charge of tackling declining childbirths, said Sunday she is pregnant with her second child. According to the Cabinet Office, it is the first time an incumbent Japanese Cabinet member has become pregnant. "My son will have a younger brother or sister," the 35-year-old minister, the second daughter of the late former Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, said in a gathering of her supporters in Tomioka, Gunma Prefecture, who clapped at the announcement. She also said the baby is due at the end of September. "Irrespective of myself being a minister or prospects of an election, I'd like to give birth to a healthy child," Obuchi said. [source:breitbart.com]
Feb 4th marked First Christian's mission emphasis kickoff. Weiling and Garry Kline were ordained as church-planting missionaries. Their family will be moving to Tokyo, Japan later this year to join two other Team Expansion mission families sharing life and faith. Their philosophy of church planting models the Book of Acts and their goal is to share their relationship with Jesus Christ with all who are seeking greater purpose. Thanks to everyone who came on our behalf, including the good folks from Brooksville Christian Church and The Bridge, both of whom received the national flag of Japan to display. Extra special thanks to Kathy Roberts for coordinating the desserts, Samuel Hellegers for coordinating the videos and photos, Norm Darling and the church elders for coordinating the event, and Gary Bordelon for coordinating us!
One of the perks to working in Japan during a recession is the pro-creative ways companies are dealing with it. Take Canon for example. To combat the growing trend of a dwindling population, twice a week they are setting aside a 12-hour work day and encouraging staff to go home early and make babies. I have to give the Japanese credit for being aware of the situation and selling the solution in an unorthodox way. CNN has the bedtime story.
We had the privilege of being invited by President Armstrong to share our mission calling with the students and faculty of Florida Christian College. This is a God honoring institution that is near and dear to my heart. I'm thankful that we had an infantry of 300+ prayer warriors who supported us in such an uplifting way. We could not have done it without their support because I know these students represent the future church. We are happy to report that we have 7 new recruits who are interested in being a part of this mission operation to ensure that the Gospel reaches the lost in Japan. We constantly remind ourselves that we want to be the church of Acts in Japan, and you're helping make that a reality! The college also asked me to shoot another panoramic photo during chapel. Click and drag around in this picture.
In spite of having a missions budget that is maxed out, Richard Geringswald and the missions committee at Legacy Christian Church in Lakeland, FL welcomed us to share our calling and passion for Japan. Their congregation is unique in that it went through a church split some 40 years ago, but recently came back together and are stronger than ever in their faith and walk with Christ. 22 prayer warriors have enlisted with us to pray for Japan! Shouts to Cassandra and the ladies who put together an awesome lunch, Marvin and Faye pictured above (who know Bob Higgins at First Christian Kissimmee), 95 year old Gussie who is likely the most active woman I've met, Morty who knows the Turners in Japan, and everyone who visited with us Sunday afternoon. Thanks for your generosity in helping us purchase airfare to get to the field! Legacy also donated 30 Japanese flags to our ministry to share with our supporting churches which will be given out at our ordination Feb 4th in Kissimmee.
Our family was invited to help kick off Lake Eustis Christian's faith promise event. This church is special in that it was the home church for Harold Simms, missionary extraordinaire to Japan for over 50 years! He has since retired to Ohio, but the legacy continues and we were blessed to have heard several stories about their ministry. It was an honor to speak to this faithful congregation and walk in the footsteps of intrepid followers of Christ who've shared the Gospel around the world. Shouts to Luanne, Don and Jo, Bob and Jane, Jim, Doc, and everyone who visited with us and the delicious lunch. 25 people became a part of our prayer warrior team. Praise God!
This week and next Garry is in Corona, California for an intensive residency for his masters degree in missionology (intercultural studies). There is tons of great things relevant to our mission and the future church being learned. Praise God.
Getting to visit the faithful folks at Oak Road Christian Church in Silver Springs was a real treat. Not only did they present us with a wonderful faith promise offering, but we were also blessed to see two people immersed into Christ, one of which was Pastor Jesse's son. Shouts go out to Celesta (daughter of a longtime missionary to Japan), Jesse and Bobbi, Helen, Andrea, Eric and Carrie, Teri, and especially Pat and Jim for inviting us. Thank you for helping us get one step closer to reaching Japan!
Pastor Bob Miller invited us to speak during evening worship at First Christian Church of Homosassa. Following a medley of Christmas carols, we talked about bringing salvation to the land of the rising sun. Thirteen families will be remembering our mission in prayer. We're so thankful for the love offering they took up on our behalf and we look forward to sharing the blessings of this ministry with them long into the future. Praises to Bob and Lynn, Carol, Elvin, Levi and Mary, and the Church family for their strong faith in our LORD!
We shared our call to serve overseas with the good people of Brooksville Christian Church. Not only did they welcome us with warm embraces, but they've committed to supporting God's work in Japan financially and prayerfully. Because of their faithfulness in sharing Christ around the globe, we're 1% closer to departure! Shouts go out to Ray, Corine, Pastor Mike, Earl, Marcie, Gary, and Justin and many others who visited with us after service. Over 24 families have enlisted as prayer warriors on our behalf. Praise the LORD!
A new marketing strategy in Japan launched boutique-style eateries and a super-streamlined menu that includes Quarter Pounders, Fries, and Coke. What's unique is that they purposely left off the McDonald's branding as part of the ploy to relaunch the Quarter Pounder after a 10 year hiatus. In case I haven't mentioned it already - McDonald's in Japan are the best in the world. File this one under praises.
Richard Geringswald heads up the mission efforts at Legacy Christian in Lakeland, FL in addition to the Jamaica Bible Seminary. He believes, as do we, that God made water come out of a rock at Moses command, and as such was able to procure for our mission 30 Japan flags when his mission budget read EMPTY. Yet another testament to creative support efforts we've been blessed to be recipients of. We're elated that each of our partner churches who've pledged monthly support will receive one of these fine gifts as a token of our appreciation to remind them that God's love is as far reaching as the East is from the West. See if you can spot Aaron in that photo.
After amassing a rather sizable collection of stuff for the past 12 years, this was our first garage sale to try to reduce the clutter. Thankfully we sold more than half of it and netted a modest return. The goal is to consolidate our lives into 5 manageable boxes which we will bring with us to Japan. Unfortunately, neither the crib nor the queen size bed sold, so we'll have to wait until the Spring for our next sale.
Ellissa was part of the 7th grade open house performance. She's in the front row far left. She also has a role in the upcoming performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream this November.
We were invited to share our mission plans with the congregation of First Christian Church of Newton, NC by Pastor Gary Patterson. Our family visited Sunday School and worship and enjoyed meeting everyone and telling our desire to share the GOOD NEWS of Jesus with the people of Japan. I talked about Ephesians and putting on the armor of God and how we should sharpen our sword skills regularly so we can all be ready in our own mission fields. They treated us to lunch at a fine Italian restaurant where we got to talk more with their mission's committee. Eddie, missions chairman, knows several people from our home church including Gary Bordelon and Rick Philips, and is involved in the Polish Christian Ministries which our Sunday School class is actively supporting. We are blessed to have met them, enlisted several prayer warriors, and garnered another important partner to make this mission to Japan a reality. Please pray that First Christian Church of Newton would be blessed for their faithfulness, that the Holy Spirit would add new believers to their growing numbers, and keep them mission-minded (especially in their local community).
We want to say an extra special THANKS to all the kids and workers at the Cosmic City vacation Bible school that took place at First Christian Church recently. Over the course of 5 short days, they managed to raise $1,101.32 to help get us through training and to Japan. SUGOI! Amazing! God never ceases to amaze us with His provisions and we feel very blessed having such a great support team in Kissimmee. Also thanks for letting us share a bit about our mission training efforts at CIT in the daily video update.
Having spent this past semester working with the elementary kids of First Christian during Wednesday night Bible study, I enjoyed the chance to tell them a bit more about our mission to Japan. I shared the experience I had during CPI to tell missionary kids in Japan about putting on the Full Armor of God and I got to show them the special samurai training swords given to me by Shimanuke sensei. I also taught them the most important word in Japanese - the name for Jesus. Can you guess what it is? The children enjoyed getting to taste authentic Japanese candies - including strawberry Pocky. Yatta!
Today was our 12th wedding anniversary, and what better thing to do than share our mission presentation with the Open Door class at First Christian Church. This is really where it all started for me, as far as studying the Word of God and having the opportunity to lead a class ac couple years back. All things considered ( our lack of practice, not enough copies of the newsletter, no Powerpoint ), it went pretty well. Sometimes I think the Powerpoint and the photos can detract from the true message of the mission. So we spoke with words and our hearts and let them create the pictures. We also had a special guest in class, Yuko - a Japanese college student staying with Josh and Glinda Cameron for 2 weeks to help at Give Kids the World. She made sure what we were saying about Japan was true! Domo Yuko-san. As a result of today's presentation, we now have over 85 prayer warriors! PTL.
Additionally, the folks of First Christian Church have bolstered our fund raising efforts for training camp by another $850! For that we are grateful. Hontouni ureshii (really happy)!
Having spent this past semester working with the elementary kids of First Christian during Wednesday night Bible study, I enjoyed the chance to tell them a bit more about our mission to Japan. I shared the experience I had during CPI to tell missionary kids in Japan about putting on the Full Armor of God and I got to show them the special samurai training swords given to me by Shimanuke sensei. I also taught them the most important word in Japanese - the name for Jesus. Can you guess what it is?
