Month: March 2015

A lot has been happening since our last update and with the sudden transition from language school to ministry it feels a little like jumping right into the deep end. Even as we struggle a little to adapt to new schedules and responsibilities, it’s also a huge blessing to be able take this next step in serving God here in Japan.

Since our last update we’ve had two meetings with church leadership to clarify what my role will be at the church over the next two years. I’ve been able to go down to the coast twice to participate in a variety of events and outreaches. I’ve also begun attending weekly meetings with the 3.11 Network staff involved in coastal outreach. We’re praising God that my teacher from my language school who goes to our church is able to tutor me so that I can continue to improve in Japanese, and that I was able to find and meet with a young man who is very excited to be a conversation partner.

• During our meeting with Pastor Kondo we set the following goals for my internship at Morioka Bible Baptist Church.
  Gain ministry experience which can be applied to building up and or starting churches on the coast by serving in an established church.
  Improve in Japanese ability by using it in practical everyday situations and speaking opportunities.
  Discover God’s direction for where to serve after internship by participating in various coastal ministries.
• Initially I’ll be simply participating in many different ministries, including Bible studies, prayer meetings and events at the church, and as my language ability improves start to move into more active roles such as giving short messages and leading Bible studies. Additionally I’ll be going to the coast frequently to help with events as needed (and there are always many needs). Also once a month I’ll be attending a prayer meeting with our sister church in the coastal town of Ofunato, where they have just three members and no Pastor of their own. Please bray for God to rebuild His church in Ofunato.

We were overjoyed to witness the start of Sanriku Hope Christ Church which will be holding services in Kamaishi and Yamada. Tomo’s father has been working in partnership with missionaries and Japanese Christians in this area since the Tusnami hit, and this church is the fruit of that ministry. Please be praying for the church to grow and for Tomo’s father who was already pretty busy managing the relief ministry and now is going back into full time pastoring as well. I believe this is the third church to be plant in Iwate to be started since our arrival here in Japan!

Additionally this past week we also welcomed a new church planter who has moved to Morioka with the hope of planting another church somewhere on the coast. He is working in partnership with South Morioka Church, where my brother and his family are serving. It’s really exciting to see God working to start churches in Iwate. Before the tsunami there was a long period where there were no new churches being planted, and even some attempted church plants being forced to be abandoned due to the difficulty of reaching people. Yet in God’s faithfulness and perfect timing it appears that a new season of church planting is beginning in this prefecture. We trust that it is for such a time as this that God has brought us here.

Last week, by God’s grace I completed my course of full time language study, graduating from Morioka Business Information School’s Japanese language program. It’s hard to believe that this period of full time Japanese study is over, but I’m very excited to begin to get more opportunities to put what I’ve learned into practice and begin serving the church here in Morioka as well as having more time to be able to participate in the coastal ministries that continue to bless the survivors of the earthquake and Tsunami that happened four years ago.

Thursday will mark the fourth anniversary of the Tsunami and despite the passage of so much time, thousands throughout the prefecture have yet to be moved into permanent homes. However it seems that this is perhaps finally the year when the majority of those who lost homes in the disaster will be moved into permanent housing. This is a both a source of joy and anxiety for those in transition. Joy in opportunity to move on, and anxiety in leaving the new communities and friendships that were established among the survivors who lived and struggled together in temporary housing parks over the last four years.

Yesterday we attended a gathering of the 3/11 Network staff and churches to learn about the current state of ministry and continue to commit ourselves to serving these communities in the hopes of reaching them with the Gospel of Salvation through Christ, through continued expressions of His love for them both in words and deeds. It was amazing to see the little church we met in nearly bursting at the seams with international missionaries, Japanese relief staff, pastors, and volunteer church members, all with a heart to reach out to those who have been affected by the disaster.

In little ways here and there we are beginning to see the fruit of that labor. Tomo’s father is planting a church which will be meeting in one of the coastal cities that previously did not have any Christian churches in it’s borders. Opportunities to share the gospel are increasing, and we’ve heard testimonies of new believers coming to faith. It is into this environment that we find ourselves preparing to serve, in God’s perfect timing. Pray for wisdom, for boldness and that we will be used by God to build up His church in Iwate, and to preach the gospel to those who are in such great need of God’s mercy.