Friday, January 13, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Jan. 2012 Update
Here is the PDF of my Jan. Update
Happy New Year
I hope that you had a really great Christmas with your family and friends, that you were able celebrate Jesus’ birth with your church and have created wonderful memories with your family. I trust this coming year will be one that opens new doors, doors beyond your wildest dreams; I certainly am praying that 2012 will be just this for me!
Happy New Year
I hope that you had a really great Christmas with your family and friends, that you were able celebrate Jesus’ birth with your church and have created wonderful memories with your family. I trust this coming year will be one that opens new doors, doors beyond your wildest dreams; I certainly am praying that 2012 will be just this for me!
Bringing in the New Year in Japan is a time when families gather to practice Shinto rites worshiping their ancestors. In Buddhist temples all over Japan when the clock strikes midnight, the priests ring their bell 108 times believing this is the way to be forgiven for the sins of the previous year. New Years is the time that most Japanese visit both the Shinto shrine and the Buddhist temple in anticipation of the New Year to obtain good luck for the coming year.
With New Years being a family event, there can be pressure to participate in Shinto rites. Many Christians meet in their churches on December 31st and January 1st to give Christians a reason not to be home and participate in the Shinto worship.
As Christians we know that it’s only through the shed blood of Jesus on the cross at Calvary that there is forgiveness for our sins. The prayer of my heart is that the Japanese people will look to Christ for forgiveness of their sin rather than the Shinto and Buddhist cultural traditions.
I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane
My next step is going to Member Orientation Program (MOP) which I’ll be attending this month. It feels like I’ve been talking about MOP forever. It is the cross-cultural/ministry training aspect of my preparation for serving in Japan. It will also give me a better understanding of how SEND functions as an organization. It’s exciting to finally be able to attend and get one more step closer to serving in Japan.
My monthly support is about 46%; the standard policy for SEND is to be at 50% before allowing its members to attend MOP. SEND believes that I should be serving in Japan so they are sending me to MOP this January.
1 to 69
I have created a visual, by adding the numbers from 1 to 94, each square represents potential partnerships. The sum equals my total monthly support. Since $2051 is promised, the red squares represent my present partners.
The sum of the black squares 1 to 69 is $2413, the remaining amount of my monthly support needed. A financial partnership with me could be a combination of more than one square. Once I have 100% of my support I will have completed the partnership development phase of my ministry and will be able to go to Japan!
Please pray...
- How God would want you to partner with me as I serve in Japan.
- That my support base will reach 100% by June 2012 so that I can serve in Japan soon thereafter.
- For me as I travel to and from MOP.
Feel free to contact me if I can pray for you.
Your Brother in Christ,
Monday, December 5, 2011
Friday, December 2, 2011
Dec 2011 Update
Merry Christmas,
It’s been an interesting two years since I started this journey with Christ to serve long-term in Japan with SEND. Looking back over this past year I see the evidence of how God has provided for my needs... While I was in Japan for 3 months this past summer God provided for my stay through the help of great friends which lowered the cost of extending my stay from 10 days to 3 months. I had decided to save extra money while I was working last year which was more than enough to pay for changing my flight home and other extra expenses. I have amazing parents who provide a place for me to live while I am in the partnership development phase of my ministry. And, my home church and many individuals are now partnering with me in prayer and with their financial support.
My passion for Japan continues to grow; people are praying for the salvation of the Japanese people. As I read my Bible, it gives me a longing for everyone to understand the heart of God and that He loves us.
I am very appreciative for the many doors that have opened and the opportunities I have had to share one-on-one with individuals, small groups and large congregations.
A Year in Review
The tragedy of the tsunami in March of this year was overwhelming for anyone who has a connection to Japan. For me, being stuck in Canada at the time and not being in the country to be a witness, knowing that many, many people were lost for all eternity, was heart wrenching. After watching the news reports the first day, I had to stay off the internet and didn’t watch TV for the first week so that I didn’t have to hear stories repeated over and over of the tragedy. Knowing that God loves all of the people that died and that most, if not all of them, didn’t know God personally was too difficult to watch and hear the reports again and again. I felt so helpless knowing there was so much work to be done; not having the means to be able to help still irks me today. Seeing the loss of life as a result of this disaster sometimes makes it difficult to see any good in it and question “was God in control?”
Japan is a nation where less than one percent of the population has a relationship with Christ. Since March 2011, God has been opening up areas in Japan that haven’t had any witnesses for Him; many communities have had their needs met by allowing Christian relief organizations to come into their communities to help with the effort. It is encouraging to hear that today, because of this tragedy, churches are growing and slowly, people are seeking for God as they try to understand who they are and what it means to be in relationship with God.
In November SEND missionaries followed up with the campers from the disaster area that came on scholarship to Okutama Bible Chalet (OBC) this summer. These campers are now being connected to churches in their area. God is working in the hearts of the people through SEND International’s ministries. Please continue to pray that as the Japanese heal and life once again returns to normal, they will continue to seek after Christ and not choose the status-quo.
My summer in Japan was absolutely amazing. I was able to see my friends in northern Japan, see how their ministries have progressed since I was there and hear how God is working in their communities. I enjoyed visiting different SEND missionaries’ churches, serving alongside them in the disaster area and working at Okutama Bible Chalet with them. It was exciting to hear cabin leaders at OBC share stories of Christ working in the lives of their camper’s, some of whom have never heard the Gospel message before. I have always enjoyed working at camp; it was encouraging for me to hear that the staff of OBC want me to return to serve alongside them; it was very exciting to work with them and experience how God might use me as staff at OBC in the future. One of the camp highlights for me was participating in the father/son camp out where we hung out for three days together, enjoying the fellowship of others as we shared during the Bible studies, went river rafting, fishing and hiked together. It was great to see the dads investing time into their sons’ lives. Being back in Japan felt like being home once again, just as it was when I was living there in 2006-2007.
Looking to the Year Ahead
As the New Year approaches, there are still several requirements I need to fulfill with SEND prior to serving in Japan. First and foremost right now, I am required to attend Member Orientation Program (MOP) which is held in January or July. It really is my heart’s desire to reach the 50% mark of my monthly financial support by the beginning of December so that I can attend MOP in January. Currently my support is short $275/month. Later in 2012 I will be attending a language acquisition program to improve my understanding of my personal language learning needs and how I can most effectively learn the Japanese language.
Prayer Requests
Pray that I’ll continue to have a learning attitude as I travel on this journey to fulltime ministry.
Pray that I will continue to trust in God’s perfect timing, that He will open doors of opportunity for me to share with the right people and then that people would partner with me so that I can attend MOP training in January, 2012.
Pray for those who are hearing the gospel during this Christmas Season in churches, at Christmas events and celebrations and for the many people that will be sharing the real Reason for Christmas. Pray for attentive ears and soft hearts towards the message that will be shared.
Your brother in Christ,
Karl
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Oct Karl in Japan
A Note From Friends
“Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” Matthew 9:38
The summer of 2011 was an amazing period of ministry for Okutama Bible Chalet (OBC), which is the camp and retreat ministry of SEND International in Japan. Over 420 children and young people attended our sponsored camps during that time. Many came from Japanese churches which relate to camp, but others came who had no background in the Bible or Christianity. These kids live in a highly sophisticated yet idolatrous culture which does not recognize God as God. A few have not even heard the name, Jesus. The need of these young ones is great.
After the summer I have given thought to the needs of our ministry in the years ahead. I believe God is stirring the nation of Japan through the earthquake and tsunami that took place on March 11th this year and that the impact of that event will continue to be felt in this society for years to come. I believe some Japanese hearts are being opened to consider God, the Creator, and His Word.
Four years ago God gave OBC a ministry vision called “Next Generation for Christ.” And, He has allowed our ministry to expand our capacity with a new three story facility to be completed by the summer of 2012. “Next Generation for Christ” is not about buildings, but it seems that God is preparing our ministry for greater harvest than we have seen in the past. We have been asking God to send us the spiritual workers that we need to bring in that harvest and to establish the next generation of His church in Japan.
God sent Karl to us this past summer and made him a significant part of reaching children and youth for Christ. Karl is a biblical “John Mark” for whom Paul made special request (II Tim. 4:11) that he be sent to him for the ministry that he was doing. Karl is a knowledgeable and gifted camp worker. He shows faithfulness in the tasks he is given. I ask that you pray for Karl and consider being a partner with Karl in His harvest in Japan through Okutama Bible Chalet’s ministry.
Bruce and Laura Harris
Director of Okutama Bible Chalet
Missionaries with SEND International Japan
OBC Grounds Grew
Working at Okutama Bible Chalet for 3 months this summer was a really great opportunity for me, however when I first heard that OBC was on less than one acre of land I couldn’t imagine how they would do “camp” on such a small piece of property. Being from North America, I’ve seen camp in action mostly on large acreage, however now that I’ve seen the OBC site in use and even seen groups of over one hundred using the facility at any given time, a whole lot of camp can run on even the “small” acreage that OBC has.
Wide games use the entire property, you don’t have to worry about kids going out of bounds because the boundaries are the property lines that are quite defined; the property is bordered by a forest on three sides and the bank down to the road on the fourth side. Bob McKemey, one of the previous directors, not only designed games that use the property to its fullest potential but also gave the games a narrative which is very useful for motivating Japanese children to participate in the games.
When I served at OBC, I was on the grounds crew; this included cleaning a lot of bathrooms, multi-purpose rooms and the dorms, doing the dishes and being available to complete the tasks around the property. One of the responsibilities of the grounds crew was leading the river rafting activity; I really enjoyed this a lot. By the end of the summer I went down the river with campers almost 20 times and jumped off the cliff along the river over 60 times which was a ton of fun.
I am really looking forward to the time when I’ll be in Japan long term, when I am able to be involved at OBC through all four seasons, see the year round ministry of OBC and perhaps other opportunities that God may have for me.
Sharing at TLC
On Oct. 23rd I had an opportunity to share my passion and God’s calling on my life to fulltime ministry in Japan during the morning service with my home church, The Life Centre. Following the service I served a Japanese meal I had prepared in advance of currey rice, mabo dofu and yaki soba as a fundraiser by donation to around 60 people. It was a very encouraging opportunity for me to share with “my church”. I had a lot of people help serve; it was so encouraging to see that many people wanted to see the lunch be a success.
Even though on paper I was a missionary being sent by The Life Centre, it now “feels” official knowing that the Life Centre congregation has heard me share of my passion for Japan and my ministry opportunity at Okutama Bible Chalet.
Your Brother in Christ,
Karl Friesen
Lord, Send Us Laborers for Your Harvest
The summer of 2011 was an amazing period of ministry for Okutama Bible Chalet (OBC), which is the camp and retreat ministry of SEND International in Japan. Over 420 children and young people attended our sponsored camps during that time. Many came from Japanese churches which relate to camp, but others came who had no background in the Bible or Christianity. These kids live in a highly sophisticated yet idolatrous culture which does not recognize God as God. A few have not even heard the name, Jesus. The need of these young ones is great.
After the summer I have given thought to the needs of our ministry in the years ahead. I believe God is stirring the nation of Japan through the earthquake and tsunami that took place on March 11th this year and that the impact of that event will continue to be felt in this society for years to come. I believe some Japanese hearts are being opened to consider God, the Creator, and His Word.
Four years ago God gave OBC a ministry vision called “Next Generation for Christ.” And, He has allowed our ministry to expand our capacity with a new three story facility to be completed by the summer of 2012. “Next Generation for Christ” is not about buildings, but it seems that God is preparing our ministry for greater harvest than we have seen in the past. We have been asking God to send us the spiritual workers that we need to bring in that harvest and to establish the next generation of His church in Japan.
God sent Karl to us this past summer and made him a significant part of reaching children and youth for Christ. Karl is a biblical “John Mark” for whom Paul made special request (II Tim. 4:11) that he be sent to him for the ministry that he was doing. Karl is a knowledgeable and gifted camp worker. He shows faithfulness in the tasks he is given. I ask that you pray for Karl and consider being a partner with Karl in His harvest in Japan through Okutama Bible Chalet’s ministry.
Director of Okutama Bible Chalet
Missionaries with SEND International Japan
OBC Grounds Grew
Working at Okutama Bible Chalet for 3 months this summer was a really great opportunity for me, however when I first heard that OBC was on less than one acre of land I couldn’t imagine how they would do “camp” on such a small piece of property. Being from North America, I’ve seen camp in action mostly on large acreage, however now that I’ve seen the OBC site in use and even seen groups of over one hundred using the facility at any given time, a whole lot of camp can run on even the “small” acreage that OBC has.
Wide games use the entire property, you don’t have to worry about kids going out of bounds because the boundaries are the property lines that are quite defined; the property is bordered by a forest on three sides and the bank down to the road on the fourth side. Bob McKemey, one of the previous directors, not only designed games that use the property to its fullest potential but also gave the games a narrative which is very useful for motivating Japanese children to participate in the games.
When I served at OBC, I was on the grounds crew; this included cleaning a lot of bathrooms, multi-purpose rooms and the dorms, doing the dishes and being available to complete the tasks around the property. One of the responsibilities of the grounds crew was leading the river rafting activity; I really enjoyed this a lot. By the end of the summer I went down the river with campers almost 20 times and jumped off the cliff along the river over 60 times which was a ton of fun.
I am really looking forward to the time when I’ll be in Japan long term, when I am able to be involved at OBC through all four seasons, see the year round ministry of OBC and perhaps other opportunities that God may have for me.
Sharing at TLC
On Oct. 23rd I had an opportunity to share my passion and God’s calling on my life to fulltime ministry in Japan during the morning service with my home church, The Life Centre. Following the service I served a Japanese meal I had prepared in advance of currey rice, mabo dofu and yaki soba as a fundraiser by donation to around 60 people. It was a very encouraging opportunity for me to share with “my church”. I had a lot of people help serve; it was so encouraging to see that many people wanted to see the lunch be a success.
Even though on paper I was a missionary being sent by The Life Centre, it now “feels” official knowing that the Life Centre congregation has heard me share of my passion for Japan and my ministry opportunity at Okutama Bible Chalet.
Your Brother in Christ,
Karl Friesen
Monday, October 17, 2011
A Note Sent to My Church
Hello Life Centre Family,
I wanted to send a note to let my church family know that I’ve been given the opportunity to share during the Sunday morning worship service at The Life Centre on Oct 23rd about my ministry opportunity.
I haven’t been able to personally connect with everyone in the church but I would like to give all of you an opportunity to hear what my future ministry will be. I’ll be serving in Japan with SEND International, a nondenominational Evangelical mission organization. Once I have completed my language studies, I hope to be assigned to serve the Japanese church through camp ministry at Okutama Bible Chalet, thus giving the Japanese people an opportunity to know Christ outside of their everyday lives.
If you would like to know more about my future ministry with SEND, please go to http://karl-in-japan.blogspot.com/ where I post my updates and partner development information.
After the service on Oct 23rd, I plan to serve lunch as a fundraiser which will go towards my outgoing costs. Please come even if you aren’t able to leave a donation and enjoy some of my favorite Japanese flavors. There will be no seaweed or raw fish since these are not my favorites. For dessert I’ll be serving pumpkin pie which I learned to make in Japan and some of my favorite Japanese flavored homemade ice cream.
Thank you. I look forward to sharing with you,
Karl Friesen
All are welcome to come church starts at 10:30 and lunch will start at about 12:00
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