Dear Friends,
"Sing to the LORD, all the earth; 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 also is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the LORD made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before Him, Strength and joy are in His place." (1 Chronicles 16:23-27)
We thank God that he has charged His people to proclaim his glory to the nations, even Japan! Pray with us that God will bring abundant fruit from the labors of the team from Solomon's Porch Church in Singapore (Oct.24-28), and the labors of those who serve in Marumori.
1) Prayer, diligence, and love for the Lord and the people here under-girded the generous service of our brothers and sisters from Singapore. Throughout the weekend, they sought opportunities to connect with and encourage people. Exquisite piano music and a hearty Singapore soup along with a tasty pineapple pastry made for a very special Friday cafe. After playing with neighborhood children during our afternoon Kids' Time, we stood together Friday evening in the pouring rain to pass out invites for the next events. In addition to the generous barbecue on Saturday, they introduced crafts for the kids and the adults. Their great joy in the Lord touches the hearts of everyone they meet. Sunday, we gave thanks for the Pastor Sam Kim's sermon which enriched our hearts including those yet to profess Christ. In the afternoon, Greg Hager's Western Country concert drew many in the community, several for the first time. We praise God that throughout his music, this simple message rang clear: our need to know God and his forgiveness in Christ. The team came prepared to help neighbors in Yamamoto, but God had a different plan in mind. On Monday, eleven of us worked a full day shoveling mud in the neighboring, farming town of Marumori.
2) On Oct.12, Typhoon 19 brought record-setting damage to several prefectures across eastern Japan. Our work in Marumori began on Oct. 28 where 1,000 homes were affected by mudslides and flooding. The first day we met a woman who lost 4 of her neighbors because the flood waters came with no warning and no time to flee. We have been blessed to work with a Christian group based there. Working alongside town officials and volunteer groups, these men have the respect of the community to help plan the clean-up and rebuilding process. While maintaining the rigorous schedule of Nozomi Center and Church activities, we have worked 9 days in Marumori, digging out mud from sewers, yards, farm greenhouses and under floor boards as well as ripping up flooring and hauling debris. Volunteers have been bused south from Sendai, and the national news program ran a 30 minute special last week on the particular needs of Marumori, but the laborers are few and the clean-up is massive. Likening it to the devastation of the 2011 tsunami aftermath, they are in the preliminary stages of clean-up. Once the homes have been cleared of debris and mud and sanitized, then the rebuilding can begin. Many families remain housed at school gyms. Temporary housing is being prepared. WE ARE SEEKING VOLUNTEERS WITH CARPENTRY SKILLS TO COME FROM DEC. 1 TO DEC. 21 TO HELP WITH REBUILDING. IF INTERESTED, PLEASE CONTACT OPC DIACONAL ADMINISTRATOR, DAVID NAKHLA (david.nakhla@opc.org), OR RPC MISSIONS COORDINATOR, MATT FILBERT (proclaimchrist@rpmissions.org).
Our prayer is that God will use us along with volunteers to aid and to console these people and that he will open a door for the gospel, perhaps opening a preaching station as we did in Yamamoto following the 3/11 earthquake and tsunami.
Please pray for the continuing daily work in Yamamoto:
That God will plant His Word in those who hear it through Bible messages each week. Thank God for interest shown by many through the Cooking Club, the English classes, Friends' Lunch, and the weekly Bible study. Pray that we will have time each week to do important follow-up and visitation.
That we can develop more relationships with young people throughout Yamamoto. Praise God for new kids coming to the Kids' Playtime.
Pray for new missionaries and funding for their work.
Finally, pray for Woody's continuing teaching of two biblical studies classes at the RPC's seminary, Kobe Theological Hall.
Thankful to be serving Christ,
Laurie and Woody Lauer
