Dear Friends,
Today marks the ninth anniversary of the massive earthquake and tsunami that struck the Pacific coast of the NE part of Japan's main island (Honshu), killing nearly 20,000 total. Almost 700 in our small town died and the resulting devastation caused a 25% decrease in the population down to nearly 12,000. Most town residents lost at least one family member, relative, or close friend. For example, our next door neighbor, Miss Takayama, is the only surviving member out of her family of four. Though Yamamoto Town has canceled all public gatherings for March due to the Corona virus, including today's town memorial ceremony, many came to pray for the dead at the memorial wall and many candles were lit for the spirits of deceased loved ones.
The Apostle Paul urges us who are in Christ to "comfort one another with these words" (1Thessalonians 4:18) when we have lost loved ones in Christ: "We do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus." (1Thes 4:13-15).
Please pray for these items:
Sadly, in Yamamoto (which prior to 2016 had not a single Christian church) few have ever heard the gospel of Jesus, much less been baptized into Him. On the contrary, the town memorial wall, located two hundred yards from Nozomi, known as the "Memorial to Comfort the Spirits" was again the site of Buddhist prayers for the dead today. The Nozomi (relief) Center and Church facility continues to be the venue for dozens of people to hear the gospel every month. Pray for conversions: that many would come to have true comfort in Christ, both now and after their death.
Today, we had planned to host a memorial concert by Mr. and Mrs. Makoto Iwabuchi, well-known Japanese gospel singers at 3 pm, just after the Yamamoto town ceremonies ended, but alas, the fears of spreading the Corona virus led us to cancel the event. Please pray that we can reschedule the concert, and that, at Friday cafe, we will have opportunities to share Christ with many guests.
God's blessing on the (Japanese) Bible messages in the hearts of those who attend our four Saturday English classes which are resuming this week after canceling last week.
Mr. S, a college age neighbor who has begun studying the English Bible with Woody.
Recently widowed Mrs. Satoh, though a baptized Christian, has expressed her desire to learn more about faith in Christ.
That the Lord will raise up a new generation of Orthodox Presbyterian missionaries for our aging mission and young Japanese pastors. Please contact us if you know anyone who is interested.
That the Lord will raise up a summer team through the efforts by Dave Nakhla, OPC short term missions coordinator, and Matt Filbert, Reformed Presbyterian short term missions coordinator.
Good health and safe travel for Rev. and Mrs. Calvin K. Cummings, who plan to return to Japan next month to (a) allow the Uomotos to have home service this spring, (b) help us with team(s) over the summer, and (c) work in our place while we do home service in the fall.
Praying that every household in Yamamoto will come to know the good news of Jesus Christ,
Laurie and Woody