Dear Friends,
The history of God’s relationship to man is a pattern of man’s unfaithfulness and rebellion in the face of God’s steadfast love and holy laws forbidding their sin. God was with the Israelites in the wilderness day and night, and he was with them in the temple; yet despite his vast mercies poured out upon them, they forsook him again and again. Like many in America today, much of Israel embraced human wisdom (what was “right” in their own eyes) and man-made gods. What a wonder then that the Creator God should come to dwell among men to call them yet again to faith and repentance. John testified of Him, “All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being,” and further, ” the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:4, 14). What a wonder indeed. This same God of glory yet seeks for men to worship him: “But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers” (John 4:23). This is the message we bring to the people of Japan and Yamamoto who do not know or worship him. The Lord grants opportunities almost daily to speak of his glory. Pray with us that the Lord would pour out His Holy Spirit upon the people of Yamamoto whose hearts will be changed one at a time.
We are thankful for all who heard the promise of God’s salvation through Christ last month. Beginning with the Thanksgiving Luncheon continuing through Christmas Day, neighbors and friends of Nozomi Center and Nozomi Chapel heard messages weekly proclaiming the good news. We were happy to welcome them to the cooking club, the Friday cafés, the Hiyoko cafés (for moms and tots), the Lee University Ensemble Christmas Concert, Friends’ Lunch, the Christmas party for kids, and the Christmas singing party for adults in addition to Sunday worship services. We were especially thankful to answer probing questions and have discussion about the Lord as a result of these and for the further building of relationships in the community. Pray, pray, pray for the Lord to plant his Word and bless many with a desire to become disciples of Christ.
Amidst the busy December schedule, a few special things occurred. Mrs. U. who had studied the Bible for a few months with Woody had stopped coming for a time for personal reasons. She returned in December to tell us that she had finished reading the Old Testament and all but the last part of the New Testament in just a few months. She is very interested in it, but said there is much she doesn’t understand and she really enjoys learning about it. When Woody read John 1:1-14 with her, she immediately recognized John’s parallel wording with Genesis 1 and seemed able to understand the message of God incarnate. Wow, that was amazing.
We give thanks each time a Bible message is brought to the people. We thank God that Mr. Takeda came every month to Friends’ Lunch (with consistent gospel preaching) and every week to café. In December, at the age of 94, he succumbed to pneumonia and breathed his last. We miss him sorely; he kept all the men entertained playing Japanese chess. His destiny is in the Lord’s hands. We are concerned for another neighbor who is now hospitalized in serious condition. Laurie prayed with her and her husband briefly. We pray that the Lord will give Mrs. H. opportunity to hear and believe the gospel. We are ever aware of the brevity of our lives and the hardness of man’s heart.
Rev. Yasuo Tomii and his wife Misako joined us for 3 days. Reverend Tomii brought the message at the Nozomi Center adult Christmas party after which Misako led the people in singing both traditional Japanese songs and hymns. Together with the Nozomi staff, the Tomiis helped pass out Christmas gifts to the children at a nearby temporary housing facility. On Sunday, we rejoiced together when nine women from the community came to worship on Christmas Day to hear Rev. Tomii preach, recounting the story of the coming of God into the world for our salvation. We give thanks for the wonderful example of Christian faith and life the people saw in the Tomiis.
Please pray:
- For fruit from neighborhood visitation.
- For swift completion of the post-tsunami renovation of the 1st floor of our future home. We give thanks for the team of volunteers that accomplished much last month.
- That the Lord will prepare Mr. and Mrs H. and Mrs. U. to hear the gospel and believe. Pray also for all for fruit from the various activities.
- For the opportunity to begin a Bible study for unbelievers as well as one for believers.
- For new missionaries, new associate missionaries and for the financial support necessary for all. The mission has been off denominational support for a year. (The [Ad Hoc] Committee for the Support of the OPC Japan Mission has been fundraising. See donation page.)
May the Lord bless you and your congregation in this new year.
In Christ,
Woody and Laurie
