Yesterday I had the oppertunity to share with not only my life group but also with the life group that meets at the same time as mine. So I made some gyoza and brought some mochi with anko in it. It was a good time of sharing and they had some really good questions for me to help explain what my ministry will be like in Japan. And them afterwards weed played for avery short moment some band hero.

My Prayer Card

Jan. 2010

Happy New Year,

With the new year come new goals and tasks that need to be accomplished. My main task for the year is developing a support team while preparing to serve in Japan.

In my last letter I shared my desire to serve at Okutama Bible Chalet(OBC). Since sharing that news I’ve been able to connect with other missionaries that have served there. They told me about Mrs. Koga. Last summer she sent her twin daughters to OBC where they made decisions to follow Christ and now she has recently taken an interest in studying the word. Please pray for this family as the Lord draws them to himself.

OBC is having its 50th anniversary in October. I would like to be in Japan for the celebration so that I could get to know the history of the camp first hand and to know the people that have been involved in its growth and development.

During the weekend of January 8-10th it was Missions Fest Vancouver where I was serving at the SEND booth. While at the booth I got to know other SEND missionaries better and share with those attending how God is using SEND around the world. I also was able to catch up with friends from other ministries that I have been in contact with over the years. Missions Fest is always a highlight for me because I’m able to meet people serving God and being used by him all over the world in many different ways. I also attended a helpful seminar on raising personal support. One of the more exciting events coming up is the Reaching Japanese for Christ(www.rjcnetwork.org) conference in mid-February. I was able to attend this conference before my last time in Japan. It’ll be a good time of connecting with people that are in ministry with the Japanese. Please pray for my time that through this conference I’ll learn to be more effective in my future ministry.

As I continue the task of working towards Japan, would you consider how the Lord wants you to be involved with me in this ministry. First, I need 30 people to partner with me in prayer as I prepare and while in ministry and second, is financial support. Please prayerfully consider how you can partner with me as I move forward in this journey.

I would love to catch up with you either by phone or for coffee if you have questions or just wanting to talk and share life with me.

Prayer Requests

-Mrs. Kago and her family as God calls them to himself that they will respond.

-That the Reaching Japanese for Christ conference will be an effective time of learning for me and growth in my understanding my future ministry.

-That people will respond to the Lord’s will in their lives to be partner in my ministry in Japan

-That the prayer and financial support will come in so that I’ll be able to be in Japan for OBC’s 50th anniversary in October.

Praise Items

-For Missions Fest and the time of fellowship and encouragement it is to so many people.

-Thanks to God for the people that have already stepped up to partner with me through prayer and finances.

Dec. 2009

Merry Christmas!

I have received an early Christmas present this year - I have been accepted to serve in Japan with SEND International!!

I first served in Japan from Sept. ’06 to Dec. ’07 as an English teacher and helper for long-term missionaries in northern Japan. The reason I wanted to serve was I had a fascination with the Japanese and liked the idea of serving in Japan since I was a child. Now after returning from that experience and being in Canada for two years my heart and desire to reach the lost of Japan has grown. I really wanted to find a mission in which I could use the gifts God has given me to reach the Japanese. I started to get to know SEND International last spring and in November I candidated with them for the purpose of reaching the Japanese and supporting the church in holding onto its young people so they don’t get lost in the culture and then for eternity.

When I return to Japan I will be in language study for two years before working at Okutama Bible Chalet in the mountains west of Tokyo, assisting in various aspects of camp ministry. I will be working with the young people of Japan, raising up the next generation for Christ by using my previous ministry experience from both Japan and Canada.

In Japan there is a greater sense of pressure to conform and be a part of the group. Camp is a great way to get a person outside of their everyday life and free them from the pressures that come from it and therefore have time and fewer distractions to get to know Christ better.

I’m in the process of beginning my partnership development by raising prayer and financial support. The task of entering long-term ministry has both the initial outgoing costs as well as long-term support for my daily living expenses. First and foremost however, I am asking that you partner with me in prayer.

Please pray that God will continue to prepare me for His service and for the patience and endurance that is needed to continue strong through this process.

I would love to do coffee with you. If you have any questions or want to learn more about my opportunity to serve in Japan I’d love to chat.