Sometimes we just need to take some time to acknowledge the ways God has answered prayers, and to praise and thank Him for the things He’s done. Now is a great time to do that.
First of all, we’re so thankful for all of you whom He has drawn into this ministry, particularly to partner with us in prayer, and also for the many of you who also are sending us on through your financial support. Your words of encouragement, and emails, have been a tremendous blessing, that God has often used to sustain us through the difficult task of support raising. Your prayers have often been felt, and God continues to remind us that He hears and answers your prayers on our behalf. We’re grateful that God continues to bless us with more prayer partners, 25 new people have comitted to praying for us this year, bringing the total up to 110 people! We are truly humbled to have so many of you lifting us up before our Father, and asking for His provision.
The past two weeks have been amazing to see God provide. We’ve had 6 new people sign up to support us financially, 2 of our current supporters increased their support, and one new church has commited to supporting. New partnership has been it’s own little miracle, and we’re still just shaking our heads and praising God constantly; in two weeks our monthly support has increased by 6.5%, up to 35%. This is by far the highest increase in that amount of time that we’ve ever had. We’re praying, and hoping that God will provide another 15% over the next two and a half months, and after seing what He has just done, we know it is certainly possible!
Starting tomorrow I’ll begin taking time off of work for three weeks, during which I’m hoping to dedicate 40 hours a week to support raising. Please pray that God will work mightily during these three weeks, and that He will arrange for us to share with many people, and that He will move people’s hearts to join us, all of us, in this ministry to bring His gospel to the people of Japan, and through us, all of us, He will plant new, vibrant, reproducing churches in that country which has rejected Him for so long. Also toward the end of April we’ll be going on a one week trip to Texas to meet with churches and individuals to share about this ministry. Please be praying that we can get all our appointments confirmed, and travel arrangements made.