Sometimes it’s very difficult to put into words exactly what the Lord is doing in our lives here in Japan. For me this is one of those times. We’ve seen amazing highs and humbling lows over the last couple of months. So instead of the usual written update, we decide to share some recent photos to show you what been happening.
I want to start by sharing about H. She is a girl in one of the church’s English classes. Her family isn’t Christian but as long as we’ve known her she’s been very interested in the Bible stories that we would share and the church would often give her some bible manga that are released monthly. This Easter the church bought her a Bible. It was amazing to see the joy on her face as she received it and we can’t wait to update you as she reads it and asks questions.
We continue to host a monthly young adults Bible study and dinner at our apartment. Here are a few photos from a recent one. The group has steadily grown to where Alishia regularly feeds twenty or more each time.
Each spring the cherry blossom trees bloom and the Japanese people flock outside to sit beneath them. They even go at night. It’s a nice excuse to get together and fellowship.
About once a month I fill in and teach the midweek Bible study. Right now I’m teaching through Daniel when those opportunities arise.
Women’s ministry is a big part of Abide. The church is made up of more women than men, which seems to be a common occurrence around the world. Alishia is often found praying with other women during the week, whether on Tuesday when the women’s prayer group meets, on Wednesdays like in the first picture praying for Lydia as she was returning stateside, Fridays like the third photo or Sundays like the middle photo. She is always looking for someone to connect with and labor in prayer with.
We’ve been blessed to have new and perspective missionaries visit for the last several months. We are very excited to work alongside them, and hope those that haven’t moved full time yet will be sent soon.
Japanese language classes take up a large part of our week. The connections we’ve been able to make with our teachers and classmates has been very valuable.
We were able to be a part of a friend’s wedding. We got invited to visit our friends Lance and Kazumi in a neighboring city. And we get to be a part of an amazing church family each and every week.
I hope that these pictures bless you and encourage you. Please continue to pray for the people in these photos and we will keep you updated on how they’re doing.
We love you and are so thankful for your prayers and support.