Dear Friends,
Silence, do you hear the silence of these last few months? In Yamamoto, lockdown has been the order of the day since early March. Schools close, public meetings and events are canceled, fear of the invisible virus becomes consuming. Streets are largely empty. Those suffering with physical, emotional, or mental struggles find no solace. Those who mourn must do so alone. Pain of every kind is magnified without hope. Visiting a neighbor may bring further anxiety, though the joy of human contact is real. During these months, our longing has been to bring the unmatchable, glorious news of the only living, merciful Savior who reigns supreme over these events in history. Psalm 91 assures us that God is our fortress. Verses 3-4,”For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper and from the deadly pestilence…And under his wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.” Nothing can separate us from the love of God.
Lots of news follows these prayer requests, but we ask that you join in praise for these items:
1) For opening activities again. Pray God will bring fruit through the preaching and teaching of his Word at worship, Bible study, English classes, Cooking Club, and Friends' Lunch.
2) For visitors at worship, Mr. Aita and Miss Yuuka Sakurai. Pray they will come to know Christ.
3) For good relationships at Kids' Time. Pray God will give the kids a desire to know Him.
Pray for these requests:
1) That God will be pleased to break through the spiritual darkness in Yamamoto. May he pour our His Spirit, bringing the truth of his infinite, eternal and unchangeable nature in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth AND the knowledge of the Savior to every family.
2) That God will raise up faithful Japanese men, young and old to preach the gospel alongside our missionaries as well as bring new missionaries. The fields of those who have not heard are vast in number here.
3) For Mr. A (atheist) to come to seek the Lord. See story below.
4) Open the door for the return of missionaries Rod and Glenda Thomas from South Africa. Their scheduled return has been postponed since March. His church in Sendai misses him. We also miss his preaching at Friends' Lunch!
5) That daily God will conform us to the image of Christ, that we might say with Paul, "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me (Gal 2:20)
On to the news! These several months, we have visited people throughout Yamamoto, often bringing masks, cakes, and most importantly, a warm heart of concern along with a daily devotional to those interested. Though the emergency restrictions were lifted by mid-May, warnings to slowly return to normal life have been heeded and a delicate balance of respect has been maintained. While Nozomi Center activities have been canceled we have been thankful for those who drop by to talk. This past Friday, we officially re-opened café. The seven people who came were relieved to be together! Others have visited since to find out when they can come. We look forward to Thursday’s Cooking Club; several have been disappointed that we weren’t able to meet, but Mrs. Kusano was overjoyed to hear today that we start back on June 4th.
The kids’ time is a unique story. Though Tuesdays and Fridays are the scheduled days, with school out, the kids have been coming every day to play, often coming into our house to call us. Nozomi is becoming their place to meet. SaraJean has been an unspeakable catalyst in bonding with the kids and teaching them to be kind to one another. The kids love playing with Woody and Tomoko. We thank God for this crucial time to build friendships and trust. We pray that God will give these kids a hunger to know Him and His Word.
We are thankful that, though our numbers are small, Nozomi Chapel has continued to meet for worship every Lord's Day. In addition to the four Christians, one man, Mr. Aita, having attended various activities, has now attended worship several times. He has borrowed and read a number of Christian books and a good bit of the Bible as well. Miss Yuuka Sakurai, a college student, has come recently several times as well. She lost her grandfather last month and has had a lot of good questions about the Bible and being a Christian. Weekly Bible study has continued with 2 faithful attendees.
Despite the fact that many domestic flights have been canceled, including the ones Woody regularly uses to get to Kobe Theological Hall six times per year, he was able to travel to for two days of intensive NT Introduction classes in May (14-16), though the classes wound up being streamed for most of those 'attending'. He has flights booked for June 11-13, when KTH plans to return to regular classroom instruction; pray for his OT Survey lectures.
SaraJean has continued English classes for the younger kids and the teens via through the internet, and Woody has also continued the Bible messages. One girl this week exclaimed, “I can read!” Simple words, though they be, are a landmark. Last week, some kids were talking about Jesus and Easter- thinking he was dead; the Bible message that followed proclaimed that Jesus is alive! May God plant that seed in their hearts. The teens have also had some very good questions about the Bible. The adult classes have met for most weeks. One lady, Mrs. Oizumi has begun regularly borrowing 2-3 novels by the Christian author, Ayako Miura. We pray for the Lord to use all the Bible messages and discussion times to bring these dear people to Christ.
Friday was a busy day of encouragement. In addition to cafe and kids' time, several people visited. Mrs. Kikuchi dropped by to inquire about activities, and remarked that many of her neighbors don't come to Nozomi because we are Christians. She, however, was communicating that she is comfortable with us as Christians. Her friend, Mrs. Iga, who invited her, has often asked good questions about the Bible. Yuuka S. came for the whole afternoon and helped out. Mr. Saitoh from Marumori (whose first floor was renovated by carpenters Bill Looft and Mark Palmer) stopped by to talk and ask about worship. Seeing the kids, he left and brought back generous snacks for them. Mr. Takahashi, an old cafe friend, came back to Nozomi for the first time in nearly a year, having been recently rehired by the town and was excited to reestablish ties with us. We thank God for the happiness of the people we met that day!
Ever mindful of the very real spiritual battle in which we are engaged, we are always in prayer as we pass out our monthly Nozomi calendars. Laurie was greatly saddened Friday by an unusual encounter with a man who asked what Nozomi Center does and why. That is always a joy to answer. However, this elderly man explained that he is an atheist and proceeded to lecture her for 30 minutes on why we should not be seeking to bring Christianity (or any religion) to anyone. He mocked and ridiculed the idea of Jesus as God, proclaiming that there was no truth in any religion and there is no God. He was agitated and rejected the very idea of Christian volunteers in the community. He accused us of seeking to make money as the Jehovah Witnesses do.Though he asked questions, he didn't give opportunity for answers. Responding calmly and only respectfully disagreeing when he made false accusations about the God of the Bible, she was truly grieved that this poor soul is one described in Psalm 10:4, "The wicked, in the haughtiness of his countenance, does not seek Him. All his thoughts are, "There is no God." This darkness which has a hold on his heart is the same as the deception of idolatry which grips most of this town. May God mercifully be pleased bring him to faith and repentance.
Praying for you and glad that you join in prayer for the people of Japan,
Woody and Laurie Lauer
