Gomes December Update

When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: Then said they among the heathen, The Lord †hath done great things for them. The Lord hath done great things for us; Whereof we are glad. Turn again our captivity, O Lord, As the streams in the south. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126
 
So far the Lord has helped us!

The year 2016 was full of challenges, victories, and growth, both personally and as the body of Christ gathering in Obu.

We grew from 11 members to almost 50!

We started two Sunday Bible School classes (youth and children), besides the one we had for adults; We had our first youth camp; We held monthly meetings for the women of the church, where we studied the Bible and practiced mutual teaching; Eight children were baptized; The Sunday School children memorized 36 questions and answers from the Brief Westminster Catechism.

We had our Christmas fraternization, with 40 people gathered in the pastoral house.

Three Japanese nationals are regularly attending the service, with simultaneous translation, one of them is already reading his third book of the Bible and has been in constant counseling with the pastor and other members of the church.

In the midst of so many activities, God has sustained and guided our steps. We could do nothing apart of His immense goodness and willingness to use clay vessels, imperfect and unworthy as we are. God is good all the time!

Please pray that God give us the tools we need to support our job here, such as a new place for us to continue growing and having our project put in practice. 

 

Cummings Year End Letter

Dear Friends and family,
   God be gracious to us and bless us,
   And cause Your face to shine upon us.
   That Your ways may known on the earth,
   Your salvation among all nations.
   Let the peoples praise You, O God;
   Let all the peoples praise You
   Let the nations be glad and sing for joy;
   For you will judge the peoples with uprightness,
   And guide the nations on the earth.
   Let the peoples praise you, O God;
   Let all the peoples praise You.
   The earth has yielded its produce;
   God, our God, blesses us.
   God blesses us,
   That all the ends of the earth may fear Him.

The words of Psalm 67 speak for us. It is our prayer that God would be gracious and continue to bless us all.  Without His shining presence we fear living, but with His presence we have so much to rejoice, give thanks and hope for.

In May, Edie and I officially retired from our work in Japan to return to our house in Philadelphia.  It was difficult leaving what had been our home since 1970. Yet we knew it was time for us to come back to the help meet the needs of our family, and challenges in America.

Two days after arriving back in Philadelphia Cal had hip-replacement surgery. Three weeks later we began our summer in Wildwood, New Jersey as the house parents for 28 staff serving at the Boardwalk Chapel, a summer ministry of the New Jersey Presbytery of the OPC.

Wow, what a summer! Edie was challenged to prepare the evening meal for 28-32 people with 4 different dietary needs.  She cooked gluten free, dairy free, soy free, vegetarian, and normal as well as remembering special allergies some of them had.  

Interacting with the staff on a personal as well as a group was a blessing. God sent a wonderful group of young people from all over the USA, who loved the Lord and wanted to share the good news of the gospel with everyone they met on the boardwalk. It was a true blessing to see, hear, and enjoy young people talking with people of all ages about Jesus their Savior. 

We enjoyed a mini family reunion Labor Day weekend with three (Mari, Esther and Dan’s) families visiting us in Wildwood. Luke’s family made it here from Japan for several weeks in late September and early October before Dan and family returned to Angola. Our house was full. (Including Pri’s sister and her four kids there were 16 of us!! )

FAMILY

  • Matt, Annette and 5 children moved to Sendai, Japan still serving with World Evangelization for Christ.
  • Mari is a family counselor working at 3 churches in Pittsburgh.  Her husband, Jim, is taking online counseling courses at Liberti University.  They hope to start a joint Christian counseling center in the near future.
  • Daniel and wife Priscila are the only doctors at a 500 bed rural hospital in Angola, Africa serving with Christian Health Service Corps.
  • Esther and Rob have recently been accepted by SERGE (formerly known as World Harvest Mission) as medical missionaries to Guatemala.  They hope to raise enough support to leave early in 2018.  
  • Caleb is a paramedic with the Philadelphia fire department.  We are very thankful he and Lisa live only a few blocks from us giving us many opportunities to play with their 2 cute kids.
  • Luke, Chieko and their 2 girls live in Tokyo where Luke has a business as a Fuji mountain guide.  

Little by little Edie and I are settling into life in these United States. Taking care of 8 grandkids (those living in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, missing the 7 grandkids in Japan, and 3 in Angola) teaching ESL at a city church, getting involved in international student ministry, visiting family in VA, FL, NJ, catching up with friends everywhere, home repairs, learning how to use our first i-phone, has kept us busy these last few months.

We would love to hear from you all and would even enjoy your visiting us in the City of Brotherly Love. We are not far from the Italian Market, and Independence Hall and other historical sites. 

We miss Japan, and all our dear friends and 2 son’s families, but we are thankful for the opportunities God has/is affording us to serve him here.  We have aches and pains that tell us we are not as young as we used to be. Edie is going through some sciatic nerve pain in her left leg making it difficult for her to walk or stand.  I still have to go to the physical therapist weekly and keep up with the daily exercises for my hip.

It is our constant prayer that all the ends of the earth will praise Him. We so long to hear of the day when Japanese are turning to Christ daily in numbers too great to count!!  We continue to pray that many of those who have heard will believe.

We thank you for your faithful prayers over the years and ask that you not stop!  May our gracious Lord pour out His blessings on you in 2017 and may you always know His special love for each of you.

Thanking God for each of you,
Cal and Edie Cummings
1217 Wharton St.
Philadelphia, PA  19147
Email:  iesuoai17@gmail.com

Lauer Update - December 2016

Dear Friends,

Yamamoto Town has seen quite a bit of new growth over this past year.  Many new houses have been built to replace those washed away by the 2011 tsunami.   This fall, a public park, a new elementary school, a supermarket and a drugstore opened.  Five years and nine months later, the long anticipated commuter railway was re-opened December 10, connecting Sendai and parts south into Fukushima.  All these wonderful signs of “new life” are encouraging.  

As the people slowly moved back into their homes from temporary housing over these last few years, they began to come to grips with the deeper levels of loss.  Life will never be the same as it once was.  Their loved ones and friends are gone; their jobs and local businesses washed away.  The staff of Nozomi (Hope) Center has been here to listen and encourage, to work alongside the people, to offer the love of Christ and the hope of knowing the Living God both now and into eternity.  Living in the community as Yui Hamada did for 4 years serving at Nozomi Center earned her the trust and love of the people.  So we pray that it will be with us.

The Lord has provided us with a home just 2 doors from the Nozomi Center- a fixer-upper of sorts -, and a number of people have told us how glad they are we are moving in.  We have been sharing some of the same experiences our neighbors had when they began work to restore their homes.  For those who did the work themselves, they began by removing the remnants of belongings, tearing out the walls, floors and insulation, shoveling out the “muck,” and disinfecting the house.  In late April, a great bunch of OPC volunteers helped us with this for 5 days.  The tsunami reached about 4 feet up the walls of the first floor of this two-story home.  Here is what things looked like in the beginning.

The following have moved out and won’t be returning!  These provide insight into Japanese culture and the hearts of the people:

"… choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15)

Through the summer, we made very slow progress as we were busy with the work of Nozomi Center and preparing to open Nozomi Chapel in September.  With help from 2 young men, Josh Miller and Daniel Lauer, the clean-up was completed, several walls of sheet rock and some subflooring were installed.  James Benefiel returned twice to help in the fall, installing more walls and subflooring.  Finally, with the organizational help of the Rev. Jonathan Hutchison of the Ohio Presbytery FMC and support from the tsunami-related offerings given through the OPC Diaconal Committee, four additional OPC volunteers labored here in late November and December. Progress moved forward by leaps and bounds as these pictures show:

As our rental lease in the factory ends in January, we will move in “as is.”  We pray that by then, we will have hot running water, a few room heaters, and appliances installed. We covet your prayers that for these things:

  • That the Lord will pour out his Holy Spirit on the people of Yamamoto.
  • That we will be able to move in January and finish construction soon.
  • That the Lord will use this home to bring the gospel to many and to bless other missionaries and visitors.


Please give thanks with us:
1)    For these and other (local) hard-working volunteers
2)    For the tireless services of our general contractor, Arthur Newton, who is just finishing rebuilding his own home nearby which was completely swept away on March 11, 2011.
3)    For the opportunity to bring the gospel to Yamamoto
4)    For the sacrificial offerings poured out by many in the OPC to minister in the aftermath of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.  These offerings continue to bear fruit as the Word of God and the love of Christ are brought to those living in the spiritual darkness of the Town of Yamamoto. 

We give thanks for the opportunity to serve the Lord with you in Yamamoto,
Woody and Laurie Lauer

 

Yaegashi Update - December 2016

In November, our church had its annual “One-Day Retreat” at a local Spa and Recreational facility in town. Yamagata is nation-wide famous for its hot springs, one of which is here. This place where we the retreat also has a natural hot spring bath.  Every year since 2010 we have had a church retreat and through it we have given ourselves an opportunity to get to know each other, who otherwise don’t have much time for fellowship with each other after church or even during the week due to their busy daily work schedules. At the retreat, we have taken up various digging into the Bible and examining our faith-life. We either have a speaker or a CD to listen to. The study session is held from 10:30 till 12:00, with discussion time followed by lunch. After the program is over, which is about 14:30, those who love hot springs have their time of the day, taking a hot bath!  Those of you who might not be familiar with an old Japanese custom, don’t have any mistaken notion - Men and Women take baths separately!

This year we invited an elder from Sendai Reformed Church to speak to us about the work of elders in the life of the local church. He worked at an office supply company for over 40 years, during which time he was transferred several times. He told us what he did when he was first employed by the company and did every time he had to move to another branch: First told his boss and co-workers that he is a Christian. He never hid his Christian identity nor behaved evasively about his own faith. Thus, he has had no trouble in securing his privilege to participate in Sunday worship, even when the company needed his service on the Lord’s day.  He says when he knew he was going to be busy, he worked harder during the week so that he could go to church. Appreciating his effort, his co-workers gave him kind approval for his absence on Sundays! This attitude is a rarity among the Japanese Christians. Without even having had to hear about his work as elder in the church, his testimony was a tremendous encouragement to all our members. Our small congregation has 13 adult members but the retreat counted twenty-three people including seekers.

To my right are Elder Sasaki & his wife

To my right are Elder Sasaki & his wife

From Katie:

Our Women's Christmas Luncheon this year on Dec. 7 was a great time of blessing.  Laurie Lauer from our mission brought a message of love that touched many hearts.  For all the impressive politeness and helpfulness foreigners receive from the Japanese people, home life in Japan is often troubled.  Without a Heavenly Father to turn to, a Shepherd to lean on, a Savior to cry with families flounder and fall apart.  Wives, mothers and single women often despair of finding an answer.  Laurie presented God's loving eagerness to embrace anyone who calls on Him.  Jesus even died for them!  Several women, some in tears, asked for help.  Please pray for them, thanking God for the opportunity He has given to us, to present the sweetest carol ever sung to a roomful of dear friends who need Him so much.

To Katie’s right is our speaker, Laurie Lauer (in red)

To Katie’s right is our speaker, Laurie Lauer (in red)

Uomoto Update - December 2016

Fri., Dec. 16, 2016

Hello, Mission and Friends,

Warm greetings from a crisp Sendai eve around 2 degrees C.  Thank you for your prayers and warm support this year and in the past.  Seeing others sending out reports reminded me of my lack of doing so in a formal fashion.  My sincere apologies.  I was hoping to update my Sept. report to the PoD.  But I must make do by simply sending it to you now as my belated 1st to 3rd quarter report.

We are so thankful for the new used facility the Lord has granted our tiny OPC outpost in Asia.  But that has meant tons of work that continues installing kerosene heaters and copper tubing and tank, illuminated signs, false floor over unused entrance way, rafter insulation, etc.  We are thankful for WEC missionary Matt Cummings' and family's help.  Please be praying as Matt will be leading at our chapel the first ever Evangelism Explosion training class in the Tohoku for 13 weeks straight, 1/7 to 4/1.  I am sure it is not perfect.  But if you know of anything better and in Japanese, please let us know as helping equip Japanese believers to be able to share their faith in a formal culture is a sine qua non in my view for establishing the church here.

We just had such a bang up and blessed evangelistic concert, 12/14, with 17 sent from Lee Univ. in Cleveland, TN who have been touring Japan now for about 6 years maybe, every two years.  We were blessed with a total audience of 38, 6 neighbors for whom it was the first time to our church and possibly to any church.  We pray for their salvation and thank God for the prayers and help of so many including the many churches that supported their youth to be able to help the churches in the land of the risen Son.

We are also thankful for 9 Trans World Radio volunteers from the US (Phila, AZ, KS, etc.), Japan, Singapore plus Matt who helped "donkey tracting" as it is called, post 1500 packets of tracts in mailboxes, 11/18.

Please be praying as we (the OPC, that is) look for a new marriage partner after our painful and prolonged but adult-like and cordial divorce proceedings with the RCJ.  After I addressed the PCJ GA as fraternal delegate, 2 ministers who knew Dad and OP missionaries from long ago joked to hurry up and propose.

Please be praying MAs Todd and Melissa have a blessed short time with family and saints in Raleigh, NC this year end.  

Finally, we thank God that, today, we were able to begin early the first repayment of of church building purchase loans to friends and family.  Please be praying for tons of donations before we all enter the nursing home. :)

The Lord be with you all.

His blessings and peace,

Murray

The Lee University concert at Megumi Chapel.

The Lee University concert at Megumi Chapel.

Lauer Prayer Update November 2016

Dear Friends,

Sing to the LORD, bless His name; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.  For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.  For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the LORD made the heavens.  (Psalm 96:2-6)

What do your neighbors and friends think about God who has revealed himself in the Bible and in his Son?  Are you praying for them and do you look for opportunities to talk about your great God?  Here are some quotes from conversations we’ve had just this week in Yamamoto:

Mr. H. (brought by a friend to worship several times) said, “How can you expect someone to believe in a god he can’t see? I did not grow up with this religion.  How can I understand all these things you are saying? Should one accept that simply by “believing the message” that he will truly go to heaven?  What about the murderer?  Why should he be forgiven?  Besides, I believe when we die, that is the end to our existence.”  After a lengthy discussion, we talked about the importance of knowing God and what he has revealed about himself.  Mr. H. said, “I would like to come to church every week, and someday before I die, I will probably want to believe.”

Mrs. I. told us how she survived in the months and years following the disaster after losing everything she owned but the clothes on her back.  She received much help from the people in another region in Japan for over a year; they are wonderful people she said.  When she was finally able to return to live in the community, she and her husband met Yui Hamada and Cal Cummings, staff at Nozomi Center.  They were so encouraging and a very precious support to them.  Although many in the community have been suspicious of this Christian place, she became certain that the people are trustworthy, and she is amazed by the love that has been shown, different from anything she has known.   As a result of the work of Nozomi Center volunteers, she has been coming to worship to learn about the God of the Bible.

Mrs. T. recently spent several hours talking about her family with us.  She comes regularly to the center to relax and talk.  She said, “If I were 20, I would probably become a believer. But, my husband is very against this.  All I have ever known is seeking blessing for the gods for help for a test or praying for my dead relatives. I don’t know what the Bible says; it is so big and thick and foreign to me.  My sons went to a Christian high school and received a Bible.  Maybe I can sneak into their room to read it if it wasn’t washed away in the tsunami, but I can’t bring one home.”

These candid remarks are refreshing to hear, men and women speaking honestly.  They reflect the thinking which is so common to people here.  The Lord has provided an open door to bring the very words of life to them.  Time, patience, and love are required to bring this message of God’s great power, righteousness, wisdom, holiness, justice, and his love.  We pray that the Lord will bring their hearts and those of many more in Yamamoto and throughout Japan to worship and adore him.

  1. We give thanks to the Lord for our largest total Lord’s Day attendance at Yamamoto Nozomi Church since beginning morning worship services in September.  A week ago, Eleven gathered for worship at the weekly morning service and 12 for our semi-monthly afternoon service. One young Christian lady, Arisa-san, attended for the first time.  A total of five non-Christians were among those joining us for worship.  Pray that the Lord will bring each of these five to faith and that the Christians among the worshippers will want to become members.
  2. One man among these five shared his continuing grief over his (then teenage) daughter who continues to be ‘missing’, now five and a half years after the tsunami.
  3. We give thanks to the Lord that recent powerful earthquake a little south of Yamamoto Town and off the coast did not spawn a large tsunami where we are, nor did it cause significant damage to homes and businesses in our community. Pray for the people of Yamamoto; many are reminded of the Tohoku Disaster every time the earth starts shaking or when a tsunami warning is announced.  Pray that the people of our town will turn for refuge to the only One who can truly protect them, both in this life and from the judgment which is to come.
  4. Please pray for Woody as he prepares lectures to begin teaching a course in Old Testament Introduction (OTI) and Survey (OTS) next month at the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Japan’s Kobe Theological Hall.  This will be Woody’s first time ever teaching OTI.  Please pray for his preparations. 
  5. Pray for the numerous special activities planned for Nozomi Center and Nozomi Church over the next month, including a community Thanksgiving meal this past week, Christmas cookie baking for women, a children’s Christmas party, an adult Christmas party, a junior-senior high party, and a special evangelistic service on Dec. 25 with Rev. Yasuo Tomii preaching. Pray that the gospel to be proclaimed at each meeting will result in bringing many to faith in Christ.
  6. Pray that the God of the harvest will raise up new missionaries for Japan and new missionary associates for the coming spring.  All interested parties should contact the mission secretary, the Rev. Murray Uomoto (uomoto.1@opc.org) or the Committee for the Support of the OPC Japan Mission through the website (www.opcjapan.com).
  7. Pray for the OPC Japan Mission as they seek God’s wisdom for affiliating with an existing Japanese church or starting a new one.

Praising God for his mercies,
Woody and Laurie Lauer
Yamamoto, Japan

New Testament Introduction at Kobe Theological Hall

This past Thursday and Friday, Woody completed teaching New Testament Introduction to students at the Reformed Presbyterian Church’s seminary, Kobe Theological Hall.  Teaching 8 hours over the two evenings, he covered issues including the authorship, date and authenticity, along with selected exegetical issues, for the Letters of John, Jude and Revelation.  Good discussion developed in each class and the students showed excellent comprehension of the importance of the issues. In the last hour, Woody gave an overview of the implications of his dissertation's thesis for the development of the New Testament canon.

During the day, in addition to spending time with some of the Reformed Presbyterians, Laurie and Woody visited Japanese friends from our old neighborhood the Kozonos, fellow American missionaries the Wards, and a beloved retired Japanese pastor and his wife, the Suzukis.  We were so thankful to discuss an important, current theological issue with Rikuto (our son Paul's friend) Kozono who is considering the ministry in the future. We praise God for the Wards' perseverance in bringing the gospel to those around them. Likewise, we thank God for Pastor Suzuki, who has published twenty books, including many of his own works on topics such  as the Westminster Standards and including translations of authors such as Jay Adams and George Knight.  What a joy it was to encourage them and to be encouraged by them! 

Lauer Update - October 2016

Called to the Hills and the Plains of Miyagi

"Since you are precious in My sight, Since you are honored and I love you, I will give other men in your place and other peoples in exchange for your life. Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, And gather you from the west." (Isa 43:4-5 NAS)

May God be pleased to call his people from the east including Japan!

Dear Friends,

Several years ago, a woman told us her story of conversion to Christ and pleaded with us to go to the hills to bring the gospel.  An American missionary first came to her mountain village when she was a young girl.  With his wife and 4 kids, he would visit the homes to invite people for the Bible message, set up a tent, and then wait.  Only the children of the village would come, but he persevered week after week.  How many of these became disciples of Christ?  We don’t know, but this woman did, and she knew the cost both to Jesus and the missionary.  He lost his eldest son to a dreaded disease of that day, but he pressed on.  Likewise, she urged us: go to the hills and villages where they have not heard the Word of God; go where others do not want to go. That left a deep imprint on our hearts.  We pray that, in time, we will be able to visit all the homes in the area to invite them to worship.

Our temporary home lies 1 kilometer from the hills of southern Miyagi Prefecture and about the same distance from the mighty Pacific that wiped out nearly a thousand homes in 2011 in this town; 5 years hence, the population is decreased by 25%. Some still live in “temporary” housing, waiting for more housing and apartments to be built.   Here God has opened the door to bring the gospel to those who have never heard.  We praise him for his mercies in answering this woman’s prayer and ours. 

After 2 years of semi-monthly afternoon services at Nozomi (Hope) Center, the Yamamoto Nozomi Church, the only Christian church in the town, held its first (a.m.) worship service on September 4th in the morning.  We were thankful to celebrate with some guests from other churches as well.  Currently, we typically have 7 believers (mostly from nearby towns) and 1-3 interested visitors in the morning services.  In the afternoon services, we often have 4 believers and 6 visitors.  The attendees are largely different for the two services.  We give thanks for the freedom and opportunity for the Word of God to be preached.  We pray that the Lord will knit together the hearts of the believers and that they will form the core group of the church.  May God be pleased to add to our number day by day those who will love the Lord and praise his holy name.

Earthquakes continue here as a reminder of the destruction of the past.  People live cautiously with those painful memories.  Five minutes before the close of evening worship this past Sunday, an earthquake disrupted the sermon.  Initial warnings predicted a tsunami of 3.6 meters for our local area, and discussion ensued about whether to evacuate immediately.  These are powerful reminders that God is in charge always and that his ways are perfect.  May his power and perfection be evident to all, and may his Spirit be poured out upon this community to the praise of his glory.

Finally, we would ask your prayers for our future housing which is in the Lord’s good hands, as is all of our life.  Since our rental housing (in the former factory) is available until the end of December and no other option seemed feasible, we took a step of faith to buy a house damaged by the earthquake and tsunami right near Nozomi Center, close to those to whom we are ministering.  The first floor is as yet unlivable.  Supplies have just arrived to refurbish it.  We are praying that the Lord will provide laborers to help us finish this project in the next month.  The neighbors are very happy that we have made this commitment to live and work there.  Our prayer is that the Lord will use this home to help bring the truth of his Word and the love of Jesus Christ to the people here and to welcome future missionaries and missionary associates to the largely unreached field of Japan.

Please give thanks with us:

1)       For the sacrificial service of both the Nozomi Center staff and the several volunteers from Sendai area churches who help out at activities.  Please continue to pray for their health as most of the staff carry heavy family burdens while working steadily at the Center.

2)       For the various weekly Center activities; pray for many to believe the Bible messages they hear and begin to come to worship.

3)        On a personal note, we thank the Lord and all those who have been praying for our daughter.  She passed her licensing exam while continuing to suffer the after effects of a concussion.


Please pray with us:

4)       That the love of Christ would flow from our hearts to the people here, and God would provide many opportunities to share the Word of God.

5)       That God would draw his people in faith and repentance through the teaching of God’s Word at Friends’ Lunch, Cooking Club, and worship services.

6)       Pray for continued opportunities to meet people through community visitation and to invite them to the Nozomi Church and the Center activities.

7)       That the Lord would lead His people who want to study the Bible weekly.

8)       For new missionaries and Japanese coworkers in the churches.

9)       For volunteers to help rebuild the house.

Thank you for being a part of the Lord’s work in Japan,

Woody and Laurie Lauer

October Hiyoko Café.

October Hiyoko Café.

Worship service at Nozomi.

Worship service at Nozomi.

Worship service at Nozomi.

Worship service at Nozomi.

Friends Lunch bible message - God's Love Is True Love.

Friends Lunch bible message - God's Love Is True Love.

Friends Lunch - singing God's praises!

Friends Lunch - singing God's praises!

Yaegashi Update - September 2016

"Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called a house of prayer for all people."  Isaiah 56:7

The Lord's work here in Yamagata continues to encourage and challenge.  Surrounded as we are by mountains, we long for the Japanese to be included in this beautiful promise of God.  Please pray that those we come in contact with will see the Lord Jesus as God's perfect burnt offering, His beloved sacrifice on our and their behalf.

Since Japanese begin learning their identity as a Japanese in the home (with ancestor worship and doting parents), then in the neighborhood (with festivals and special days), then in school (with history lessons and club activities), it is amazing that hearing about the one true and living God Who loves them and gave Himself for them strikes a chord in their hearts and brings them to church or Bible study to hear more.  Most families realize that people's hearts differ from each other, and if someone thinks there is only one God, that's fine.  Just don't jeopardize your identity as a Japanese.

Mr. Tada and Mrs. Nakamura are struggling with this dilemma now.  They attend services on Sunday and during the week, and seem to understand the commitment required to forsake all other "gods".  But they haven't the courage to defy their families and reject their "identity" as Japanese.  For instance, they are struggling to find a solution to the problem “Who else will assume the responsibility of tending our family graves and house alters according to the Japanese, i.e., the Buddhist, tradition but we, the heads of the household?” Please ask God to shine the light of His love and identity into the darkness of their lives.  And pray that He will give us the wisdom and words to lead each of them to a confession of Christ.  

Two Christian young women, Shio Akiho, photographer and Nao Muto, a nursing student, both with Christian parents, have begun studying the Bible together regularly.  As our little congregation "gentrifies", we are excited to see young people take responsibility for their continued growth in Christ and look for ways to reach out to their peers.

Please pray for the three men being trained as elders and deacon: Dr. Hiroshi Yamamoto, Shinji Sasaki and Shinichi Inoue.  These are godly men, appreciated by the community as well as the chapel.  Pray especially that they would learn to prioritize their schedules, resting from their labors and trusting God to give them wisdom and strength to do what is necessary.

We appreciate very much your interest in and concern for us and the Lord's work in Yamagata.  We had a wonderful summer with all our children and grandchildren.  We spent weeks and months pleading with God to protect and encourage and then rejoicing to see His hand at work!  We serve a Risen Savior!

Lovingly,

Kaz and Katie Yaegashi

From left: Shinichi Inoue (Deacon Elect), Myself, Shinji Sasaki (Elder Elect), Shio Akiho (serving in diaconal work), Tomoko Ota (serving in diaconal work), and Hiroshi Yamamoto (Elder Elect)

From left: Shinichi Inoue (Deacon Elect), Myself, Shinji Sasaki (Elder Elect), Shio Akiho (serving in diaconal work), Tomoko Ota (serving in diaconal work), and Hiroshi Yamamoto (Elder Elect)

Lauer Update - August 2016

Dear Friends,

We are thankful that Isaiah’s prophecy is true here in Japan!

 “Listen to Me, O islands, and pay attention, you peoples from afar. The LORD called Me from the womb; From the body of My mother He named Me…

5 And now says the LORD, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, To bring Jacob back to Him, in order that Israel might be gathered to Him (For I am honored in the sight of the LORD, And My God is My strength),

 6 He says, "It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nations so that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth." (Isa 49:5-6) 

 A kind, soft-spoken Japanese woman whom Laurie recently met remarked, “We are not a religious people.  True, when we need help, we might go to the shrine or temple to ask a god for blessing but…”.  About the same age as Laurie, Miss Murayama has devoted her years to teaching.  While standing long hours on a plane, she was curious as to why we spoke Japanese, where we had lived and what we do in Japan.  After briefly reminiscing about our 31 years here, Laurie thanked her for her important labors and expressed our esteem for the dedication of Japanese teachers.  They talked about unsettling changes in both U.S. and Japanese culture.   Then Laurie spoke of the new opportunity to begin a Christian church at the Nozomi (Hope) Center following the 4 years of dedicated community service by Christian volunteers for the rebuilding Yamamoto after the 2011 disaster.  Miss Murayama opined, “We Japanese are not religious, but you have given your life to serve the Japanese people. Why?”  Without hesitation, the words tumbled out, “Because the God of the Bible, the one who made the universe and all things, created us to know him and to live daily with him into eternity.  As men, we have turned away from him, not knowing him and following the good laws he has for us; we have sinned against him.  I owe a debt to him I cannot repay.  He sent his only Son, the Lord Jesus, to die for my sins that I might be restored to know him.  We want the Japanese people to know God and to live daily with him.”  She listened in wonder.  She gave Laurie her address and wants to correspond. We pray that God will bless her with true salvation and the knowledge of the eternal God.

Friends, growing up in a pagan society is unlike anything you have experienced.  Not only are statues of false gods everywhere you turn even in the “modern” cities, but it is the part of the essence of the culture.  Why?  Though modern Western cultures would deny and forsake the living and true God, pagan cultures throughout the world seek to know a god, not because of superstition, but because God made us to know him and to live in communion with him! At birth, most Japanese babies are registered with Buddhist temples.  The blessings of Shinto priests are sought for infants as well as 3, 5, and 7 year olds.  Every public school child visits a Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple at least once a year as part of a field trip and is taught to make a prayer for blessing.  In July, the students are told to write their prayer requests in class for the festival of Tanabata and in January, they do the same for the New Year’s festival.  At many schools, the ritual burning of the written prayers on tree branches is celebrated for both these festivals. In February, young students are taught to throw dried beans at the evil spirits around them outside.  Ninth grade students are taken to Shinto shrines to pray especially for their entrance exams to enter high school.  Most Japanese homes have god shelves for Shinto gods or for the Buddhist worship of deceased relatives.  Offerings to the relatives are to be given daily; an obligation passed from one generation to the next.  No, do not make the mistake of thinking that the Japanese are not religious as they do. There is no knowledge of a righteous, holy God and Judge of all men.   When they learn about the true God, they see in Christians a daily devotion to serving and worshiping Him.  They understand they don’t serve God, but they don’t realize that they are, in fact, slaves to sin and serving unrighteousness (Rom.6).

 We, the OPC Japan Mission, are called to proclaim the truth of God’s Word, the blessing of being alive to God in Christ Jesus now and into eternity.  We implore you to join us in prayer regularly for the repentance of the Japanese people and for us as the Lord’s servants.  “Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you.” (II Thess. 3:1)

Give thanks for the following:

  1. Mrs. U, an inquirer who comes to worship services and has begun an introductory Bible study with Woody.
  2. Camp – for the ten kids who attended our sports day, and the 12 from our area that attended the Sakura House 3 day camp.
  3. Mrs. Onizawa, a staff member at Nozomi Center. She recently moved from Tokyo to Yamamoto to live and shift from a regular volunteer to a staff member, and to be a part of the new church.

Please pray for these requests:

  1. As the first morning worship opens this Sunday at Yamamoto Nozomi (Hope) Chapel, many from the community will come.  Pray that the light of Christ will shatter the darkness here.
  2. That God would gather the children of the community to come for weekly activities, and we be able to start a Sunday school.
  3. That God call his people to faith through the Bible messages at the Saturday English classes for all ages and the monthly cooking class.
  4. That God would give understanding and faith to those in the beginners’ Bible study and add to their number!
  5. For opportunities to spread the gospel at weekly cafés and during home visitations in the community.
  6. For God’s abundant blessing on the hard-working staff and volunteers at Nozomi Center.  Especially pray for Mr. and Mrs. Ono who have served here for several years; he has a weak heart.
  7. Please pray for our 4 youngest adult children: for Paul as he begins college, for Daniel as he enters his 3rd year of college and seeks wisdom for his future, for the graduates, Jon as he begins his new job, and Sara as she studies for her state board exams.  Thanks!
  8. Lastly, that the Lord would cause us to grow daily in faith and grace, and that we would be able to work tirelessly for the spread of the gospel with boldness and joy in Jesus.

Thankful to be laboring with you,
Woody and Laurie Lauer

Yaegashi Update - August 2016

“For the Lord so has commanded us saying, ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.”  Acts 13:47

Therefore, we continue to witness for Christ among the Japanese people who do not know Him yet. And our work must be grounded firmly on the Word of God as to how we should live in this world and teach what the Lord has commanded us in His Word. Thus in April our Yamagata Reformed Church stood bravely and decided to walk a separate way from our long-associated brethren of the RCJ. The issue was how the household of God is to be carried out, i.e., how God’s Church is to be ruled when it comes to the matter of leadership by two separate genders. Does the Lord command us to choose elders from among men or equally among men and women as the world wants to be fair toward both genders? 

On Sunday afternoon on April 24, I was installed “anew” as pastor of the Yamagata Reformed Church. The installation service was carried out by the OPC Japan Mission based upon the cooperative relationship our church entered with the Mission. The Mission decided to appoint the Rev. Uomoto to be the second elder of our church to form a provisional session.

Several men came from the RCJ Tohoku Presbytery to congratulate the church’s new start, with whom our church and the OPC Mission had cooperated for the last several decades. Dr. Lauer, Chairman of the OPC Japan Mission, officiated in the installation service, with Rev. Cummings giving the charge both to me and to the Yamagata Church members, followed by a prayer for installation by Rev. Uomoto, all three men being ordained members of the Mission. It was truly a joyful occasion for Yamagata Church as the Lord poured upon us His abundant grace that we may begin another chapter for His kingdom in this city. 

Dr. Lauer asking Pastor Kaz Installation vows

Dr. Lauer asking Pastor Kaz Installation vows

These people in Chrst gathered for the installation service

These people in Chrst gathered for the installation service

Just before my installation service in April we had a called congregational meeting, in which we needed to iron out the co-operative agreement for evangelism with the OPC Japan Mission. Our request with the co-operative agreement was graciously accepted by the Mission (waiting, however, for a blessing from the OPC Ohio Presbytery’s FMC). In that congregational meeting we chose two men for elder-candidates and one man for deacon-candidate, for all of whom we are praying that they be trained and prepared for installation in a year or two. Please remember Dr. Hiroshi Yamamoto and Mr. Shinji Sasaki as future elders, and Mr. Shinichi Inoue as a deacon in your prayers. Both Dr. Yamamoto and Mr. Sasaki have been faithfully studying Reformed doctrines with me preparing themselves in the firm knowledge of biblical teaching.

While the gentiles in the city of Antioch in Pisidia were glad to hear the gospel preached by Paul and Barnabas and “believed” (Acts 13:48), our “gentile” Japanese friends are still slow, having been indecisive coming to rely on Jesus, the one and only Savior. Mr. Tada, Mrs. Nakamura and Mr. Yarimizu, all our major seekers are faithful in coming to hear the gospel every week at Sunday worship, but they haven’t come forward yet in profession of faith. In a situation like this we are comforted with such significant words as Paul added to the description of those gentiles, for he says “as many as were appointed to eternal life believed! Yes, it is we who must preach the full gospel and it is the Lord Who gives us the harvest from among “His appointed (chosen) ones!”  So will you continue praying with us for their salvation?

We have a young lady, a student at Yamagata Nursing College, Nao Muto, coming to our fellowship since April. Her mother is a former member of our church. Nao is studying to be a mid-wife like her mother, wishing to work someday at her mother’s clinic. Shio, our youngest adult member, has just begun a youth meeting with Nao.

BTW, Shio Akiho is engaged to a Christian man from Yamagata and is scheduled to be married in September. Shio and her fiancé, Masato Yashima, have been taking pre-marital counseling from me. Masato is a member of an evangelical church called “The Church of Christ’s Brethren.” His church comes from a Holiness line of tradition. Right now Shio really wants him to come to our church and become a Reformed Christian. Please pray about this household situation!

We have not given up, of course, witnessing Christ to little ones!  We held a three-day VBS on July 28~30. Our theme this year is “Joshua, a Courageous Leader for God’s People.” Since we covered the life of Moses last year, it seemed quite appropriate to take up the life of Joshua, the next leader for God’s people after Moses. 

It is getting harder in this country to reach children because their time is taken not only by school activities but also by other community & private club activities which often fall on Sundays. Even for covenant children, when they go to Junior High School, life is basically “invaded” by school events, against which the Christian parents usually do not fight but rather give in thinking that school life is more important than their children’s coming to church. Along with this cultural battle, there is that particular problem of rebellion every youth faces, i.e., he wants to go his own way!

Three children attending Day 1 of our VBS (The bog yellow characters say "Joshua" in Japanese)

Three children attending Day 1 of our VBS (The bog yellow characters say "Joshua" in Japanese)

In April Megumi (our oldest daughter) and Jason had their second baby. The Lord blessed them with another child of the covenant, Milan Zoe, after several years of patient waiting. Milan in Japanese characters mean “beautiful orchid.” Kaila, now a big sister (8) just can’t take her eyes off her new little sister. Due to a change of the owner of the apartment, they were given an eviction notice to leave the place as of August 1. They have a temporary place to live for a month, but are in desperate need of finding a new place to move into. Because of Jason’s work and Kaila’ s schooling, we would appreciate it if you might remember this aspect of our family in your prayers. They live in Brooklyn, NY. Katie went to NY to help Megumi with the new baby for a month from the middle of May to the middle of June.  

PRAYER REQUESTS:

  • Pray for the two elder candidates, Dr. Yamamoto & Mr. Sasaki in their growth both in biblical knowledge and in practice of faith.
  • Pray that the Holy Spirit might bring Mr. Tada, Mrs. Nakamura and Mr. Yarimizu to deciding for Christ.
  • Pray that the Lord might give wisdom and direction to Yamagata Reformed Church as we look for a partner national church, with which in the future (hopefully before too long) we might join together.
  • Pray that the Lord will send our way young people that we may hand over the torch of faith to a new generation.
  • Pray that the Lord will give us vision and resource to have a new building suitable for the place of worship for more people to gather. 
  • Pray that the Lord will provide my successor, a new Japanese pastor, as Yamagata Church will face the reality of my retirement in next few years.

Your servant for Christ’s sake in Yamagata Japan,
Kazuhiko (Kaz) Yaegashi
OPC Missionary & Ministerial Member of the PCA

 

 

 

Lauer Update - July 2016

Dear Friends,

Paul wrote in II Thessalonians 2-3, 

13 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.
14 And it was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.
16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace,
17 comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.
1 Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you;
2 and that we may be delivered from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith.
3 But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
(2 Thess. 2:13-3:3)

In our study of this passage, we were cheered by the integral role that the Thessalonians and Paul fulfilled for one another in prayer. When we entered the OPC nearly 40 years ago, we were taught this same fundamental principle which we have gladly followed. We pray daily for OPC churches both at home and (missionaries) abroad, thanking God for your faith and asking for his protection over you. And, with Paul, we request- yes, we implore you- “Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you; and that we may be delivered from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith.”

Here in Yamamoto, Japan, the Lord has been pleased to bless the ministry of the Christ in Word and deed these past 4 years through the work of Nozomi Center staff and volunteers.  Nevertheless, remember that the spiritual battle continues. Nearly everyone born in Japan is registered with the local Buddhist temple at birth (thus becoming a member) and blessed by the local Shinto shrine as an infant. Does anyone wonder why Christianity is thought of as a foreign religion? Yamamoto, which has been in bondage to idolatry and Satan, will not be given up without a fight. We have learned that, just prior to the 2011 disaster, a “Christian” cult swept through this community selling literature to elderly people, who later felt deceived and defrauded. When Nozomi Center opened in the name of Christ, the staff was met with suspicion from the community at large and accusations from the Buddhist priest. By God’s grace, the center has won the trust of many through the prayers and service of the staff, volunteers, and many churches worldwide. Praise God for overruling and pray for his continued protection as the Nozomi Chapel officially opens weekly morning worship in September.

We thank God that Nozomi Center staff will continue with many of the same services to the community as the Yamamoto Nozomi Chapel opens. We pray that the community will continue to have the same trust with the chapel that it has with the relief center. Now brethren, pray with us that the glory of the Lord will particularly be shown through the clear preaching and teaching of the Word. May the praises of God and victory won by the only Messiah, Christ our Lord, become the hope of this community. May the King of Kings free them from slavery to idolatry and cause them to rejoice in the only true God. 

 Please pray with us:

  1. That the Lord would open the hearts of all in the community to attend worship and the beginner’s Bible study.
  2. For the Bible study for beginners: for understanding, faith, and repentance, and for more to join!
  3. That, as we prepare to begin weekly morning worship services in addition to the afternoon services,  the Lord will continue to uphold the good name and reputation of Nozomi Center and Church.
  4. For faith for those who attend the Saturday English classes (ages pre-school to adult) taught by Akiko, Melissa, and Todd. Thank God for our teachers and for several interested in the gospel!
  5. That the Lord would bless our outreach to youth at the weekly playtime and English classes.
  6. Pray for the Sports Day (for elementary students and a few mothers ) on July 27. May God’s Word take root in the hearts of the hearers and may God bless the relationships of staff and all who attend.
  7. Give thanks for several events planned in August with a team from Singapore and one from Korea. May God use these for his glory!
  8. For fruit from the Bible messages at the monthly Friends’ Lunch and from good conversations at the weekly cafés.
  9. That God would protect the people from pressure to contribute to rebuilding the local Shinto shrine.
  10. Give thanks for the opportunity to present a Bible message to 16 ladies who attended the opening of the ladies’ cooking club this month.

Photos from Sports Day:

Privileged to serve the Lord with you in Yamamoto, 
Woody and Laurie Lauer

Woody and Laurie Lauer with sons, Paul and Daniel

Woody and Laurie Lauer with sons, Paul and Daniel

Uomoto Update - June 2016

Ephesians 6: 18-19  The Uomoto and Sendai Megumi (Grace) Chapel -- Praise God for new beginnings!

1. We thank God for the long time faithful in worship like Mrs. Takahashi, her daughter and her brother Mr. Washimi, a navigator on ocean vessels, and for the Reformed Baptist-like Hayakawas with 2 young children.  Recently the Lord has been adding several family units like the Izumikawas, an older couple who are enquirers seeking comfort for their daughter in pain from fibromyalgia, and an enthusiastic Christian couple, the Izumis, with a daughter married to an American in Indiana.  In addition, 3-4 college or just graduated students come regularly, and a neighborhood woman, Mrs. Higuchi, whom we have known for years has begun attending also.  Her son suffering from rheumatism from childhood who has attended Evangelical churches in the past is reading the Bible again and is seeking comfort through telephone and E-mailing.  We are thankful for other visitors and pray the Lord would bring all to faith and repentance in Christ.

2. We thank God for the reception, June 5, of our newest member, Paul Lauer, 18, transferring from Kita Numazu Chapel.  But we are sad we will be losing Paul in August when he goes off to Grove City College in Pennsylvania.

Reception of Paul Lauer.

Reception of Paul Lauer.

3. Thankful for Bible studies Murray leads and for the women’s studies Tsuruko leads.  We pray that the Lord would continue to root people in God’s Word and deepen their love for him.

4. Thankful for opportunities Murray has to share the gospel at the local mission school university chapels and on the radio.  Pray that God would bring in a great harvest of believers for the Kingdom of Christ.

Murray speaking at Monday evening men's dorm chapel at the local mission school college campus.

Murray speaking at Monday evening men's dorm chapel at the local mission school college campus.

Murray on the radio!

Murray on the radio!

5. Thankful for all who have contributed their time and donated goods to help prepare our new building for worship.  Please pray the Lord will provide volunteers and the finances to repay loans and provide other needed items.

6. May God be pleased to make this congregation a beacon of His Word, a source of his love, and a body of Christ gladly living out their obedience to God’s glory in this new location 2 minutes up the street by car from our home where we met for 19 years.

The Uomotos, Lauers, and Whitfords with some of the saints and seekers from Sendai Megumi Chapel.

The Uomotos, Lauers, and Whitfords with some of the saints and seekers from Sendai Megumi Chapel.

His Peace,
Murray

Gomes Update - June 2016

We were in Brazil from December/2015 to April/2016, there, concluding some of our mission´s requirements, visiting partner churches and networking for new partners of Christ is Life Presbyterian Church in Japan. We also had time for relaxation, seeing our relatives and traveling to meet some appointments and preaching engagements. 

With family in Brazil.

With family in Brazil.

We returned to Japan on April 11th. In addition, were pleased to see our brethren at our mission church, which stood firm and strengthened under the shepherding of the Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ.  

In May, during the golden week (japanese holiday), the church gathered for a brazilian barbecue. Over forty people showed up. Many visitors joined us.

Ruth, our 12 years old daughter, started Japanese public school and she is very excited about it. She is learning the language much faster now. We believe that this will be a good bridge for the work here.

Ruth, our 12 year old daughter.

Ruth, our 12 year old daughter.

We started a meeting with the ladies at our church. Marcia met with them on May 14th. There were eight women and four children in attendance. We studied the Bible and had lunch together. We will hold this meetings every third Sunday of the month.  

Womens Group

Womens Group

On May 22nd, we resumed our Sunday School classes. This semesters topic holds Francis Schaeffer´s, 25 Basic Bible Studies About Salvation. Over 20 people have attended the studies. We also started a Catecumens Class for our (jr – high) youth group, which will study material prepared for the profession of faith and baptism for those who were not baptized as infants. 

We continue our meetings on Fridays for Bible study (This trimester – Proverbs) and I´ve just preached an expository series on the Gospel of John, and started three weeks ago the new series on Luke.

On Sundays, our attendance is fluctuating from 35 to 40 people. God has blessed our work, giving us numerical growth while we work diligently studying and teaching of the Bible. Seven of our men began an online study with one of our partner churches in Brazil, which started a Laymen´s Institute for Reformed Studies (Dr. Leandro Lima – Santo Amaro Presbyterian Church).

Over the last trimester, I've held seventeen counseling sessions, including a vocational study with a young promising couple, the husband wishes to seek holy ministry.

Lately, we hold our meetings in our home, which has become too small to accommodate so many people. We are in dire need of a bigger place. We need a place big enough to hold over a hundred people. Also, since we have fellowship lunch on Sundays, we need a church with a large worship room and a large kitchen. 

Please join us in prayer that God may open doors for us to expand our ministry: we need a suitable location for our church. We are by faith, searching for real estate, and we have found good places, but the rent is much higher than we could ever think of paying for on our own efforts (about 200,000 yen – our collection is only 80,000 yen). In this regard we believe that God will provide! 

Thanksgiving and prayer:

We need to complete our budget here. The cost of living in Japan is quite high. Our missionary support still lacks 45% of what we need to cover our expenses. We have private school tuition for our older son, Davi. Next year he finishes high school. He will probably go to Brazil for college. We are hoping he will attend Mackenzie University, though, he has not decided what majors he will pursue. 

Please join us in prayer and in efforts as we carry on with our mission, fulfilling each and every aspect (Lord willing) of our case project.

Rev. Daniel Charles Gomes and family

Lauer Update - June 2016

Dear Friends,

In late April, we Lauers – Paul (18), Laurie and Woody – completed our work at Kita Numazu RCJ chapel and tearfully said good-bye to the congregation which we have loved and served for over 8 years, during which time Woody also taught New and Old Testament part-time in seminaries in Kobe and Nagoya. Despite voices from within the RCJ encouraging us to continue on at Numazu, the RCJ’s amendment to its church order opening the offices of minister and ruling elder to women (October 2015) had created a bleak long term outlook for the health of the RCJ, especially given the relativistic logic used by that church to explain its decision to the OPC (see the RCJ committee chairman’s reply to the OPC, http://rcjwomeninoffice.com/announcement/english-translation-rcj-letter-to-opc-bible-interpretation-supporting-female- / and Dr. Weeks’ critique,  http://rcjwomeninoffice.com/announcement/dr-noel-weeks-comments-on-the-rcj-letter-to-the-opc-english/). The OPC General Assembly and OPC Japan Mission’s decisions to suspend our fraternal relationship and 60 year old missions’ cooperation agreement with the Reformed Church in Japan (RCJ), respectively, made it impossible to renew the mission’s contract with the RCJ’s Eastern Presbytery to extend Woody’s call (beyond March 2016). Thus, we moved to a new place God has prepared for us to serve.  

Since the massive 2011 earthquake (4th strongest in world-wide history) and resulting tsunami off Sendai’s coast, the OPC Japan Mission, along with the CRC Japan Mission and the (Korean) Kosin Mission, with much cooperation and help from the RCJ, jointly bought, renovated and have operated as a relief center a facility that had been, prior to inundation, a dental office located very near the Pacific ocean, about 20 miles south of Sendai. For over four years, the Nozomi (‘hope’ in Japanese) Relief Center has, in the name of Christ, provided aid, encouragement and comfort to a community where many of the survivors lost family, friends, and love ones, as well as homes and businesses, and, above all, hope. This major effort, funded by diaconal offerings from around the world, has demonstrated the love of the Lord Jesus in word and deed to hundreds of those living in the affected area, some of whom still remain in prefabricated temporary houses even now, five years later.  Pursuant to the cooperative agreement, the center’s board and those missions requested that the OPC Japan mission take over the work in July, in order to begin planting a church in the town of Yamamoto.  The OPC mission has assigned Woody to be the pioneer evangelist for what, by the grace of God, will be the very first Christian church in Yamamoto.

Nozomi Center after the devastating Tsunami in 2011.

Nozomi Center after the devastating Tsunami in 2011.

Though we have recently said goodbye to OP missionaries, Cal and Edie Cummings, and to Yui and James Benefiel, the rest of the center staff is continuing on to work with the mission for a transition period so we may maintain the many warm relationships Nozomi has developed with the people of Yamamoto.  The regular activities include a coffee time (through the lunch hour) on Fridays for adults, one semi-monthly café on Thursdays for mothers and children, kids’ after-school play time, and English classes for all ages on Saturdays, each followed by evangelistic Bible messages. Volunteers from churches in Sendai and elsewhere help by serving and providing snacks for the cafés. Once a month on Thursdays, we hold “Friends’ Lunch,” a very well-attended luncheon that includes the preaching of the gospel by the Rev. Rod Thomas, a missionary from South Africa. Beyond the scheduled activities, neighbors drop in to say hi and talk when they see staff there. The Lord has made this a place they feel welcome.

Nozomi Center youth group meeting with the Cummings. 

Nozomi Center youth group meeting with the Cummings. 

English Class discussing the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

English Class discussing the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

The mission has determined to continue afternoon Lord’s Day services twice monthly and to begin weekly morning services in September. The 4 pm services have included 3-7 people from the community, along with support from members of churches in Sendai. Mrs. Suzuki, a friend and student of Edie Cummings, is a regular attendee. We give thanks with the Cummings that she was recently baptized at Sendai’s Canaan Church and continues to study the Bible with missionary associate Todd Whitford. Please pray for the dozens of people who attend these activities, along with the hundreds who have been blessed by the work of Nozomi’s staff and volunteers over the past four years. Pray for the preaching of the Word and its success in the hearts of the people of Yamamoto Town. May they have true hope in Christ, the only hope that will never disappoint us.

Please also pray:

  1. That God would mercifully protect and lead his sheep in the RCJ to faithful churches. That RCJ elders and pastors would stand without compromise on the Word of God for the faith and life of the church.
  2. For a smooth transition from relief center (where many feel free to come) to chapel; that the Lord would enable us to maintain and deepen the ties with the community as we begin full-time evangelistic work.
  3. That God would shape us into the servants needed for this task!

Praise God:

  1. For the fine work of two teams sent by the OPC Committee on Diaconal Ministries who recently completed renovation of the outside of the building, finishing what others did on the inside about four years ago.
  2. For temporary housing for our family in the office space of a factory.  After a few months of searching and with little time left before our move, only 2 options were available in the area. Housing is very limited!! This facility enables us to make new contacts in the southern portion of Yamamoto where there have been few opportunities until now.  

Giving thanks for the mercy of God to his people,
Woody and Laurie Lauer

Uomoto Update - June 2016

uomoto_update.jpg

New facility for Sendai Megumi Chapel after 19 years of meeting in our home!

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We cannot thank the Lord enough for his mercies to this only lonely OPC outpost in all Asia. He has granted our tiny chapel its very own building, 2 minutes up the street, after meeting in our cramped one story since 1997. It even has sidewalks, a rarity in Japan where 127 million people live in an area the size of the state of California, and it is right around the corner from a bank, post office, and supermarket which makes for much better exposure. 

How It All Started

  • Dec. 8, after praying the umpteenth time for a building for our chapel, Tsuruko’s eyes lit on the property on her screen. She said excitedly, “We need to purchase it.” Incredulous, I retorted, “How are we going to do it?” She replied, “We’ll borrow.”
  • Dec. 10, we entered the building with our realtor.
  • Dec. 14, with chapel and mission personnel.
  • Dec. 18, we signed a letter of intent, but not the contract until April 27.

The dental clinic that leased the building for six months last year finally removed the x-ray room, etc. but, providentially the clinic had installed a second toilet. 

A local used office furniture shop had vocational school chairs with doodling that we were able to obtain at a quarter the cost. Childhood buddy Hisao, associate member Mr. Izumi, and WEC missionary Matt Cummings helped sledge and jack hammer concrete walls for easy access to parking, while Matt's wife, Annette Cummings, 5 kids, and a curious neighbor girl picked up the fragments. Inquirers, mission staff, and friends from other churches pulled weeds, fixed screens, assembled bookcases, cleaned chairs, painted signs, and arranged bouquets and we hauled over our podium originally made for my dad at East Sendai Church sixty years ago.

We had 19 for the first service, May 22, and 44 on the rolls for the dedication service, May 29, including 4 Lauers and 7 Cummings, as well as MA's, Todd and Melissa. Missionary Woody Lauer spoke for the Mission and retired RCJ pastor Shoji Sudo reminisced about how his wife Taeko assisted my dad at East Sendai Church when I was five.  

Attendees of the Sendai Megumi Chapel Dedication Service on May 29.

Attendees of the Sendai Megumi Chapel Dedication Service on May 29.

Folks donated tables, chinaware, trays, chairs, kitchen and office goods, elbow grease, and just the right-sized professional organ with pedal set, as well as offerings. Pray for well-designed lighted signs and tax exemption as a religious facility. Upstairs projects include installing rooms, unit bath/toilets, removing stairs to warehouse side, and passageway between office/warehouse sides of former boiler firm. We look forward to an RPCNA carpentry team in August and covet prayers to repay loans.  

What a joy to have a facility that neighbors want to peer into—after 19 years no less! This has been an incredible six months. As Dad would say, “Soli Deo Gloria!”

His peace,
Murray

Whitford Update - May 2016

It is beautiful in Sendai right now. The cherry blossoms have mostly bloomed and fallen, but the azaleas, dogwoods and wisteria are now in bloom. The cherry blossom petals that remain are falling like snow.

Our English classes are going well. Altogether, we have 11 classes, some taught together and some separate. Please pray for stamina and good ideas to flow as we plan for and teach these classes. Also pray that we would have good opportunities for sharing the gospel in our classes. The kids classes that we teach at the churches have a 5-10 minute chapel time with the pastor either at the beginning or end of the English class, but it is on us to evangelize to the adults that we teach and any private lessons that we have. Please pray for our continued language study so that language at least would not be a hindrance for communication. Pray also for boldness to take opportunities that the Lord presents. 

We don’t have any new classes this year, but our classes have been getting fuller with new students. Melissa also started teaching the adult English class at Nozomi Center on Saturdays; she was an assistant in that class up until about a month ago. There have been many good conversations with the adults there about the gospel. Also, the adult class at Eiko church has four new students attending. Up until a month ago, there was only one; she is happy to have other people there to take the pressure off of her to speak so much in English! Again, please pray for wisdom to know how best to introduce these women to biblical truth.

Megumi Chapel is gearing up to move into a new building after meeting at the Uomotos’ house for many years. We hope the move can happen soon, so we can start evangelistic outreach there, too.

Todd is taking his 3rd Greek class (Greek Exegesis) through RTS Global. It is a demanding class, so please pray that he would balance his time well as he continues teaching English classes and helping at Megumi Chapel. Although he feels stretched to the limit by this class, he is thankful for the practical things he is learning, especially in constructing teaching outlines for passages of scripture that can be used for a Bible study or, in the future, Lord willing, for sermons. Please also pray for his health, as he has been getting frequent headaches. It’s nothing new, unfortunately, but he does get increased headaches when he has more to do. His hope is to continue taking seminary classes one by one (roughly 3 months for each) for the remainder of our time here as MA’s with the mission. Your prayers for his endurance are greatly appreciated! Our hope is that Todd will be able to get through as many seminary courses as possible, so that once we return to the States, he will not have so many courses to finish before looking into returning to Japan as missionaries. Pray for wisdom as we continue to consider plans for future service.

Please also pray for...
-Proficiency in Japanese: speaking, reading, and writing (in that order).
-Understanding Japanese culture better, so we can, as Paul did with the Greeks in the Aeropagus (Acts 17), better connect with people here.
-Be comfortable living so close to neighbors who are a little wary of us. One or two of our near neighbors have been friendly, but most look at us haltingly before maybe saying hello (or konnichwa) back when we try to greet them. It’s also hard, especially for Melissa, to not let it get to her when she hears people outside gossiping about the foreigners (one downside of understanding more Japanese). Pray that we would forgive others in our hearts and spread the love of Jesus to everyone.
-Good cooperation within the mission. It is encouraging to see how the mission members work with each other to solve problems and plan for the future. It is so easy to each want to do things our own way, however, so do please pray for us to work well with the missionaries and with the others who are involved in the English classes we teach.

Todd and Melissa at the Christian grave where the RCJ churches met on Easter this year (March 27th).

Todd and Melissa at the Christian grave where the RCJ churches met on Easter this year (March 27th).

Uomoto Update - April 2016

Greetings from Sendai.  

1.  Much is happening including fixing up the hoped to be staff and volunteer house next door with God-sent help like Peter Pindic one of the Romanian Baptist volunteer carpenters serving at Nozomi Center on OPC team 1 in April.  Peter had a free day after personal travel in Japan and with Elder Kazuo and Jinko Sasaki of Sendai Church helped clean and put in a vanity with overhead cupboard on Thursday just when Tsuruko and I needed help most.

2.  In a land where Christian youth are few, we are thankful for fellowship with the Miyazaki siblings from a Christian family in Sapporo Tsuruko has known from before she became a Christian in the 1970's.  Yuya, a mission school college junior, and his younger sister Shion (Zion), have helped Tsuruko and me with plumbing and insulation and cleaning of the staff house in exchange for honoraria.  

3.  We thank God for the 2 OPC Committee on Diaconal Ministries teams of carpenters painting the roof and repairing siding at Nozomi Center this April.  Some of the men were able to fly to southern Japan to help with repairs of Kumamoto Chapel rocked by sizable tremor after tremor for a week.

4.  We just returned from the installation service of fellow OPC missionary Kaz Yaegashi as pastor of Yamagata Reformed Church which voted to leave the RCJ last November over the issue of women elders and ministers.  About 50 were present including reps from the RCJ evidencing the fruit of 60 plus years of fellowship between the OPC and RCJ.  We pray for our beloved RCJ brethren as they celebrate their 70th anniversary in Sendai on May 3 with a thousand attending from nationwide.  We pray the Lord grant a return to a love of scripture no matter if it may seem out of fashion. 

5.  We thank the Lord for leading our tiny Sendai Megumi (Grace) Chapel to a new facility 2 minutes up the street by car after meeting in our home for 19 years.  We make the final inspection tomorrow and sign the contract on Wednesday.  We plan to hold the first service, May 22, the dedication, May 29.  We pray for volunteers, funds to repay loans, tables, chairs, heaters, a unit bath, help with projects, and a good relationship with neighbors.  

Exterior of the new Megumi Chapel building in Sendai.

Exterior of the new Megumi Chapel building in Sendai.

OPC Japan missionaries checking out the new facility.

OPC Japan missionaries checking out the new facility.

His peace,
Murray

Yaegashi Quarterly Update - April 2016

First Quarter Report

   “…for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught a great number of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.” 

                                                       Acts 11:26 

The Great Commission to the world outside the Jewish circle came to its first fruition at Antioch. The disciples were called “Christians” for the first time by the people in that city who saw what kind of people those disciples of Jesus were. People realized the disciples were truly serious about following Him. How did they know the disciples really followed Christ? Two reasons seem to be apparent from this section in chapter 11. First, the church kept on witnessing Christ. Secondly, “the Christians” demonstrated the love of Christ in their diaconal activities offering help to those suffering the famine in Judea. Proclaiming Christ both in word and deed is certainly what I would dearly desire for a little, but His own, Yamagata Reformed Church.

Yamagata Reformed Church has been in a difficult, yet challenging and blessed process of transition in its ecclesiastical status. In the congregational meeting held in January, the church set up a pulpit committee to seek for “a new pastor” after April 12, 2016, when my cooperative status with the RCJ (Reformed Church in Japan) expires as its chapel’s resident pastor. This happened, partly because our congregation decided in November last year to leave the denomination, and partly because the OPC also decided to terminate its working relationship with the RCJ due to the RCJ’s acceptance of women in the office. To make a long story short, Yamagata Reformed Church decided to extend a call to me to continue to be their pastor. Accordingly, the OPC Japan Mission has approved the call given to its missionary as mission work. An installation service is scheduled to be held on April 24th, which I shall touch on in my next quarterly report.

    Mr. Tada, our record-holder seeker (some 30 years with us) has been very faithful since January of 2015. He comes not only for Sunday worship almost every week, but also to Katie’s Wednesday English Bible Class. He was moved by the simple remark I made during the service that our church is the only one in town that offers an English Bible class. Last week I overheard him saying in the class that Japan has a very long and deep history of its own and the Japanese carry that heritage making it difficult for people to break away from it. It sounded as if his Japanese heritage is something that still makes it hard for him to decide for Christ.

What is important, however, is that he has not quit coming to worship. Pray that the Lord will break through his misunderstanding and that he will know his country’s history is in no way an obstacle for his faith, for God is sovereign over all histories of mankind.  BTW, he is an excellent calligrapher and has written Yamagata Church’s slogan of the year. Here is the picture of his beautiful calligraphy which says “The Church Natured by the Word of Christ.” 

Another noticeable figure in the first few months of this year is the presence of Mr. Yarimizu, Miki Yarimizu’s husband. He often comes to attend Sunday worship, sometimes together with his wife, and other times, to Mrs. Yarimizu’s surprise, without telling her that he would be coming to church. He comes to hear the Word of God much more often than one member of the church who comes only once a month due to her shift at an old-folk’s health care service center. The whole church is praying for Mr. Yarimizu with acute interest in finding how the Lord is going to open his heart to Christ. They are a couple in their middle forties. Their becoming a Christian couple will strengthen our small flock. They have a son and a daughter in their early twenties.  Please remember this family.　

We had a greatly blessed Easter both at our annual children’s Easter Party held March 26 and at the Easter worship the next day. There were more adults than children; yet having been able to invite 7 children is a fairly successful outreach knowing that in many churches it has been harder to have children come. Below is a picture of the Children’s Easter Party. Four non-Christian mothers were also reached by this program and we are very thankful that they were able to hear the story of Christ’s resurrection!

Far left is Shie Sasaki, our member, and the next four ladies in the back row are the non-Christian ladies.

Far left is Shie Sasaki, our member, and the next four ladies in the back row are the non-Christian ladies.

At the Easter worship there was much joy in the church as we gathered to rejoice in the resurrection of Christ, a true assurance of both forgiveness of our sins and reality of physical eternal life. The blessing in the Easter worship was doubled by the baptism of a covenant child, James Yoshihiko, our son Morris and his wife Yuki’s first baby.

From left in the front: Dr. Yamamoto (Elder Candidate), Yuki, Morris & baby James. Furthest to the right is Mr. Tada, Calligrapher

From left in the front: Dr. Yamamoto (Elder Candidate), Yuki, Morris & baby James. Furthest to the right is Mr. Tada, Calligrapher

In a pre-marital counseling session, I met a couple in March. The man sounded very interested in some sayings of the Bible. He quoted “the Golden Rule,” “Love your enemy,” and “Knock and it shall be opened,” and a few more passages from the Scriptures. I don’t meet many people talking to me willingly and expectantly about the Bible. He and his fiancé told me that they are like best friends. Then he asked me if there is anything in the Bible about “a friend.” So I gave him Jesus teaching about the greatest love which is to give one’s life for the friend. They were so amazed and moved as they heard such love being possible. I told them I will use that passage for their wedding ceremony! We will wait and see how it will come out for them.

Lastly I would like to share with you the Guidelines expressed by the new-born Yamagata Reformed Church as she has just begun her new life in the Lord:

Guidelines for Church Formation and Administration

April 3, 2016

Preparatory Remarks 

Our Reformed Church in Japan Yamagata Chapel, in a called meeting of the congregation held on November 15, 2015, determined to leave the Reformed Church in Japan denomination. The reason for our leaving is the fact that the Reformed Church performed a change in interpretation of Scripture which forbids the ordination of women pastors and ruling elders, revising the Book of Church Order and recognizing women officers. 

In our Biblical understanding here at Yamagata Chapel, the Scriptural doctrine which prohibits women officers is a fundamental matter which is connected with the relationship of men and women in church and home, and we have come to the conclusion that it is of the true nature of the church to duly maintain the sexual distinction of functions between male and female which God has established. And that has brought us to the place of withdrawing from the Reformed Church in Japan (hereinafter RCJ).

Our whole congregation at Yamagata Chapel, following our official withdrawal from the RCJ on April 12, 2016, has decided to set out anew on the path of a self-supporting church, standing on the Reformed Faith and Presbyterianism based on Scripture. Placing our whole reliance on the Word of God and on the gracious guidance of the Holy Spirit, here we set forth our direction connected with church formation and church administration.

We pray that in everything God's glory may be revealed and the name of the Lord Jesus Christ be praised. 

If anyone is interested in reading the whole document of the Guidelines by the Yamagata Reformed Church, please contact me. 

Your servant for Christ’s sake in Yamagata Japan,
Kazuhiko (Kaz) Yaegashi

OPC Missionary & Ministerial Member of the PCA
Presenting this report to:
The Presbytery of MS Valley of PCA
The Committee on Foreign Missions of the Ohio Presbytery of the OPC
The Ad-Hock Committee for the Support of Japan Mission
The Committee on Foreign Missions of the OPC General Assembly

Yaegashi Update - Spring in Yamagata

Sakura Cherry Blossoms in Yamagata 2016

Sakura Cherry Blossoms in Yamagata 2016

It has been hard to tell here when Winter ended and Spring began.  However, new growth within the chapel has been obvious.  "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."  (3 John 4)

At the last members' meeting, two elder candidates and one deacon candidate were elected along with two women to assist in diaconal ministry.  This for the first time in forty years! Membership has hovered around 20 almost as long as we have been here (39 years), with conversions and baptisms, then transfers and withdrawals. For about 10 years men who seemed worthy of office, family men who are devoted to Christ, have been hesitant about taking on more responsibilities. But the Holy Spirit of God has shown them the necessity of stepping up and leading the Church of Jesus Christ.

Please be in prayer for Messrs. H.Y., S.S., and S.I.

Several months ago it was suggested that each of the church women who attend the cooking class learn how to express her faith by taking turns bringing the devotional, especially by sharing a verse or passage from the Bible that has touched her life. Up until then one mature Christian sister, who was brought up in a Christian home, was always depended upon to be the teacher for Circle, for Sunday School, and for whatever other activities the women had. At the class in March, Mrs. A.A. told the group, 3/4 of whom were non-Christians, about her sad visit to a friend whose daughter had committed suicide. Walking home from her friend's house, Mrs. A.A. felt depressed and helpless. But, she said, God had prepared a lovely way to comfort her.  She noticed a man in a wheelchair who was trying to get a drink of water. She was able to help him and realized anew that her life is in God's hands. She remembered Isaiah 41:10. He alone knows our heartache, leads us by His hand, and heals us with His touch.

Second from the left is Mrs. Aiko Akiho 

Second from the left is Mrs. Aiko Akiho 

We are grateful to witness to His work in Yamagata.  And we thank you for your prayers.

Lovingly,
Kaz and Katie