When some men from our supporting churches were visiting the mission not too long ago, one of them asked if Kaz ever got feedback from his sermons. He mentioned that in the offertory prayer which the members take turns giving, it is common for that person to thank God for "the pastor's message", perhaps mentioning a particular point. The American men were impressed by that.
Last Sunday during our prayer time after worship, Mrs. Y began telling Jesus how difficult her job as a teacher's assistant had become. Another teacher had questioned her coming to school too early. Mrs. Y had thought she could help the homeroom teacher prepare for the day or do some other helpful thing. She was made to feel mocked and ashamed. But she said the pastor's sermon on Jonah, made her realize God's goodness in the midst of trouble. God has His eyes on His children and when it seems trials come one after another, we can trust Him to understand our pain and support us, working all of it out for His own glory and our good. She was thankful for His promises and would go to school the next day with a smiling face and cheerful heart. Amen!
We also want you to know that our foster son, Hirotaka, now 27 and a working man, came by several days ago. We haven't seen him since last spring. We had had some heavy snow, and he thought he might be able to help us shovel it away! We were delighted to see him, of course! He stayed and had supper with us, and then sat in on Katie's English class.
Then just yesterday a boy who used to come to the children's English class came by as Katie was clearing up some leftover snow, and we had a lovely chat. He will begin college in April.
Please pray that these two boys will turn to Christ for guidance toward their future, especially their eternal life.
Pray for Mrs. Y that her understanding more of God's love will draw her closer to Him and be the means of her friends' and family' learning to love Him, too.
Kaz & Katie Yaegashi
OPC Japan Mission Associate Missionaries
Sent by the Presbytery of Mississippi Valley of the PCA
Yamagata, Japan
Mrs. Y in her baptismal service in 2015