Archive for April, 2004

Learning to Trust

Saturday, April 17th, 2004

Dear Praying Friends:

God is teaching us, the leaders, and the new Christians to trust that the Holy Spirit will lead and that God will provide all of their needs and ours. He has led us to our knees in prayer telling us to trust Him to care for them. He has led them to minister to one another in times of crisis this week. Three of our families faced major crisis. In the midst of this time of crisis, one lady who had stumbled and had not been coming to worship, opened her home and had 8 ladies over for fellowship, a time of reconciliation and sharing of God’s blessings. These ladies are truly “being the church” to one another as we see it in Acts 2. Pray that they will daily put into practice Christ’s command in John 13 to love one another so that all will know that they are His disciples.

The Christians continue witnessing and discipling. On Tuesday, Mrs. “Ike” trusted Christ as her Savior after several ladies of the church had visited her. She is facing a crisis situation in her family so please pray that her new faith will grow and she will seek the Lord’s leading in each decision she needs to make. Ask God to give her the peace and hope that only He can give and that she will experience the joy of her salvation. Pray that all of the babes in Christ will mature into reproducing disciples. There are about 30 of them.

Pray for Mrs. M and her son, Yu, to grow. Mrs. M has been meeting for discipleship but Yu keeps making excuses not to meet. Ask God to give Yu a heart for God.

For those of you who have not visited our website this week, please take a look. You will see pictures in the photo journal that will cause your heart to rejoice and increase your burden to pray for the Japanese. Take the virtual prayer walk. Tell us about your experience. Some have written already. What a blessing to us to hear that God used the site to bless you.

Perhaps God wants you to come on a mission trip, to pray, to distribute literature, to share your testimony, or serve in some other way? Pray about it.

God blesses us and the Japanese through your prayers. Keep on praying!!!!!!!!

Because He Lives,
Tak and Lana

Perfect Timing

Saturday, April 10th, 2004

Dear Praying Friends:

We celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord!!! What a privilege we have to freely worship and praise the Living God!!!

During these last two weeks we have seen lives changed by the Risen Savior. March 29, about 8:30 a.m. our phone rang. Mrs. Ima asked when we were coming to Togane. I responded that we were coming that very day. ! She had called because Mrs. Fuku who is 87 years old had decided to quit the religion that she had been following for 60 years, had returned all their materials, and wanted to accept Christ. Monday afternoon, Mrs. Fuku prayed to receive Christ. Her mind is very sharp even though she has some trouble hearing. Since that time we have talked with her three time about her decision. She is eager to learn and is praying every day.As we talked about prayer, her eyes lit up as she thought about praying to a God who is alive and will answer her prayers. Also, John 14:1-3 about God preparing a place for us in heaven gave her hope and peace. Pray for her mind to be cleared of all the false teaching from the past 60 years and her heart and mind to be a sponge to soak in God’s word.

041004-1.jpg
Team from Tabiji

Many of the Christians in Togane, both at Hiyoshidai and at Tabjiji, will be celebrating Christ’s resurrection for the first time. Mrs. Se reads the story of the crucifixion with tears in her eyes. Her eyes sparkle and her voices rings with laughter and joy as she talks about her Savior. The Holy Spirit is so close and precious to her. Pray that joy and peace will fill their hearts and that they will experience his presence and power daily.

Thank you for praying for the trip to Okinawa. God blessed in a marvelous way!! Fifteen of us gathered together at the Shin’s house. After a short time of fellowship over tea, we had worship where Tak spoke of God’s love and ultimate sacrifice for us and how He gives grace in our time of need. Since several were lost, he gave an invitation to accept Christ. Each of those present have had serious crisis in their lives. They have been ministered to by Mrs. Ima and she has pointed them to God’s word for answers to their needs. As they meet again to study God’s word and encourage one another, pray for the Christians to grow and the lost to be saved.

041004-2.jpg
Worship together at Shin’s house

We met for almost six hours, sitting on the wooden floor. After a lunch of special Okinawan dishes, which included soup with pigs intestines, we talked about how to have a house church. The group has decided to meet again. Praise the Lord!! Pray for this commitment to remain strong. Mrs. Fu from Tabiji has followed up with a phone call and is encouraged that Mr. and Mrs. Shin will soon trust Christ. Let’s claim this couple and their two young adult children for Christ!!!

Pray for the Christians to be victorious in their walk with the Lord, to grow and be faithful witnesses for Christ.

Because of Calvary,
Tak and Lana