Thank you all for your faithfulness in praying for us, supporting us and helping us in so many other little and big ways throughout 2014! You are all such a blessing to us as we continue to adjust our new lives as missionaries in Japan and prepare for the work God is setting before us to do. It’s hard to believe that it has been nearly two years since we’ve first arrived, and yet so much has happened in that time. We became members of our receiving church here in Morioka. God blessed us with a beautiful baby girl. And in almost exactly 2 months I’ll be graduating from language school and starting out into full time church ministry here in Japan.
When I first arrived I knew just a few helpful phrases in Japanese, and now by God’s grace I’m able to carry on basic conversations, give announcements at church, share at prayer meetings, and with enough preparation time, even give short messages. I still have a difficult time communicating, and will continue to study Japanese long after I’m done with language school, yet the difference between where I was two years ago and now is pretty huge. Please pray that I continue to grow in my ability to communicate in Japanese, and that God uses me to speak for Him in this place.
After language school is finished in March we will begin getting more involved in our home church here in Morioka, while at the same time preparing for our first home service in the US from June to September (If any of you know of a place in South Orange County we can stay for a week to a few months during that time please let us know!). We’re looking forward to seeing my family, especially as there are two weddings and one new baby expected during our time there (not us having a new baby, my brother and his wife)! After returning to Japan in September I’ll begin serving as a missionary at our receiving church, helping with the ministry there as well as working with the 3/11 Network to participate in various ministries among the coastal towns. During this time I’ll be putting into practice and improving the Japanese I’ve learned, as well as gaining invaluable experience doing ministry in a Japanese context while serving under Pastor Kondo.
This past December we had to go to Tokyo to take Felicity to the US Embassy and get her US citizenship and passport taken care of. We also were blessed to be able to see all four of Tomo’s grandparents, and introduce them to their new great-granddaughter. We really enjoyed the “warm” weather, which rarely dropped below 40F and only snowed briefly. We had a wonderful time, but have now returned to our currently snow buried home town which despite being entirely different from California is somehow beginning to feel like home.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support, we hope you all had a Merry Christmas, and pray God’s Blessings upon you during this new year!