Missionary Letter

Two Houses                                                                                                    January – February 2010

Dear Pastors and Supporting Friends,

In Sunday School we sing about the house built upon the rock and the house built upon the sand. The house built upon the Rock of Jesus Christ will stand, for it has an unshakable foundation. The house built upon the sand of intellectualism, materialism, and humanism cannot withstand the storm. As missionaries, we would like to be to share only success stories—the stories of those who trust Jesus as their personal Savior and continue to grow spiritually. However, that would not be a realistic portrayal of ministry. There are some who receive the Word, and others who reject it, especially when it forces a decision about who we serve, "God or mammon (money)."

We have two stories to share this month. One of joy and one of sorrow. Two of our attendees began preparation for baptism as a public statement of their faith in Jesus Christ. One, Mrs. Kimiko Shamureffer (she is a Japanese married to the son of a U.S. soldier stationed in Japan) and the other, whom we have mentioned before, Mr. Furuya.

Before we came to Wakaba, Mrs. Shamureffer was saved and prepared for baptism under Wakaba's Pastor Yuu Tokoro. On February 21st, at Chofu Baptist Temple, I performed my first Japanese baptism on Kimiko. With her non-Christian family in attendance, Kimiko boldly gave testimony of how she came to know Christ as her personal Savior.

Yet, our hearts were heavy, when Mr. Furuya decided the week of his scheduled baptism, to stop following Christ. At the mention of giving financially to support the ministries of the church, Mr. Furuya began to consider the cost of following Christ. While his wife still attends the church, he has stopped coming since Christmas. We covet your prayers as we would love to see this couple and their sweet baby united as a Christian family.  In any developed nation, materialism is a huge barrier to the spreading of the Gospel, because people think "Why do I need God?" Thank you for helping us show others their need for a Savior.

Prayer Requests and News:

Jim—God is leading some big changes in 2010 including the graduation of our week­end resident Bible Col­lege student, Motoi Nakahata. He will graduate in May and we ask for prayer for deci­sions about his future work. Also, please pray for the Japan BBFI and some important deci­sions that they are mak­ing. Thank you for praying for my regular preaching and teaching schedule. In February, I began teaching an Eng­lish Bible Study and in our second monthly meeting, we had a non- church member visit. Please pray for Mrs. Ichimura to continue attending.

Amy—In January, we had a record attendance of 12 ladies for our monthly Women's Bi­ble Study. In April, we are planning our first outreach Women's Bible and Craft meet­ing. Please pray for healthy attendance!

Philip and Emily are nearing the end of their home school curricu­lum year.

Philip has joined the local karate club and Emily is now becoming interested as well. They are starting to make more friends, yet without being in Japanese school, it is a constant challenge to make special times to meet with their friends.

Daniel’s preschool will hold their end-of-the year ceremony on March 23rd. His 5-6 yr. old preschool class will begin in April.  It's hard to believe that Daniel will have been in Japa­nese school for 3 years by next March!