Archive for June, 2007

A Home Run

Saturday, June 23rd, 2007

Thank you for praying for fruit from the seed Mr. Miku is sowing in his neighborhood!! Yesterday he sent a message to say that he had met Mr. Higa in the park. This man is 60 years old. After talking Mr. Miku found that this man’s deceased parents were Christian. After hearing the gospel, Mr. Higa prayed to receive Christ. In the evening Mr. Miku took him a box lunch and three pairs of glasses he had bought at the 100 yen store so Mr. Higa can see to read the Bible. This morning Mr. Higa was going try them out. Pray he can see, that he will hunger for God and that he will realize all the wonders of God’s gift of salvation to him.

Mr. Miku had been praying that God would give him a home run. Well this week, he had two. He went back to the park on Thursday and Mr. Shiro was saved. He is the former president of an IT company that went under. Pray for him to grow in the Lord. Ask God to give these two men a hunger to know him and a passion to share Him with others.

Also, pray for God to supply Mr. Miku’s needs. Right now his income is low and he needs money himself, though he just took money to the homeless. Pray that God will honor his faith and his witness for the Lord, keep him healthy, both physically and spiritually, and meet all of his needs.

This past Sunday was a day for another miracle. Chris and Deb Winans and their friend, H.T. left to attend the services at a church only to find the road blocked by a wheelchair marathon. They returned home, and soon after they returned, Mr. and Mrs. Ito, new Christians, came to their house unannounced. They came in and called Mr. Atsu, who came bringing a cheesecake. They talked and shared the gospel with this young man who had many questions.

Pray that Atsu will trust Christ. He has been waiting for Chris to return, even going to the house each day, praying for his safe return. Pray he will know God and pray to Him through Jesus Christ. Pray that God will use Mr. Ito and Chris this week to lead Atsu to the Lord. Pray for Mr. Ito and Atsu to grow together in Christ and become vibrant joy filled Christians who will boldly share their faith.

Claiming His promises for His Glory,
Lana and Tak Oue

On the Move!

Monday, June 18th, 2007

The Christians are on the move!!! We see them growing in their relationship with Christ and boldly witnessing to the lost!!! They want to be used by the Lord to reach the Japanese with the truth. You are a BIG part of the work as you pray for them each day!!!! Thank you so much!!!!

Mr. Miku who lives in Okinawa had a vision to reach his family and friends. Then his vision expanded to include his neighborhood and city, and now he has a vision for reaching all of Okinawa!! Wow!! Tak disciples him via Skype him twice a week and we visited him in May. Mr. Miku has really opened up his heart to the Holy Spirit, obediently following him. He is a web designer and works in his home; but he said God told him to get out of the house!!! PTL!! And he is!!! He is going out in his neighborhood, walking around looking for whom God wants him to witness. This week he went out several hours to witness to people. He was able to talk to some children and their mothers as well as to a several men he met in the park in their neighborhood. Pray for God to give him wisdom and discernment as well as boldness. Also pray that his witness will bear fruit.

This week E was impressed at 8 a.m. to call her neighbor, Mrs., Maki, to whom she has been witnessing and ask her to come to worship that morning. Mrs. Maki came, listened intently, and was so moved by the Holy Spirit that she thought the Christians were trying to stimulate her emotions. She didn’t recognize God’s Spirit working in her. Please pray that she acknowledge her sin, give her life to Christ, experience his wonderful gift of salvation and become a bold witness of a life changing experience.

Mr. Yo has disappeared again. He seems to take flight when the stress level gets to high. Please pray that he can keep his heart and mind fixed on Jesus. The Christians are praying and sending emails to his cell phone to encourage him. He has responded and said the notes are encouraging him; he just needs a little more time. Pray he will come home soon.

Also, Pray for Sally, new lady we just met via the internet site Mr. Miku set up, and her family as they meet each week for worship. They want to be a New Testament church. Pray for God to give us wisdom in knowing when and how to follow up.

Pray for laborers for the harvest. The laborers are few but our God is big!!!

Claiming His promises for His Glory,
Lana and Tak

Not Good Enough

Tuesday, June 12th, 2007

On Monday we drove two hours north of Tokyo to Kamikawa and met Mr. Su who came to Kei’s house for worship. As we sang a song about God’s forgiveness through Christ’s blood that what shed on the cross, Mr. Su’s heart was touched. He wanted so much to do as the song said and trust himself to Christ, but he didn’t think he was good enough. He talked about how he always felt inadequate and had a heart full of sin.

Please pray for Mr. Su to give his heart to Christ. Pray for Kei to grow in the Lord so she will be able to lead him in his search for forgiveness and the truth.

Kei’s mother fixed dinner for us. We were served in front of a Buddhist altar where she was offering fruit to the spirit of her husband. Please pray for Mrs. Suzu to also have a open heart toward the gospel. Ask God to move across the village of Kamikawa and open hearts to the gospel.

Claiming His Promises for His glory.
Tak and Lana