Dear Friends,
Summer showers of blessing from our Heavenly Father
While the blazing days of summer seem a distant memory in the past, the blessings of seeds sown and the friendships made with neighbors are ever present in our thanksgiving. In July, Ethan Hunter led a team largely from Cedar OPC and Harvest OPC in Michigan to Nozomi. Fourteen volunteers had considered well how to use their talents and skills, investing their hearts and full energy into showing the love of Christ and supporting the proclamation of the gospel here in Yamamoto. Arriving late on Friday night, Saturday morning, they settled in, prepared food, music, and decorations for the afternoon English cafe (no small feat after traveling for more than 24 hours!). Of the 10 visitors, 2 new people have returned several times to other activities, and others are now coming more frequently: seemingly small, but significant steps in opportunities for evangelism. Team members were bold to welcome and seek out conversation with the visitors. Following AM worship, they got to know people at tea time. Mondays and Tuesdays, the team split helping out a church plant up in Sendai. Those who remained worked on much-needed repairs including rebuilding a wall in the main room damaged by 3 major earthquakes in 2021 and 2022 and numerous smaller repairs as well. They attached a railing for our wheelchair ramp so needful for our elderly. Some went to help neighbors with major cutting of overgrowth and trees on several area properties. They tackled removing and sorting many items in the damaged storage shed. All of it was such a blessing and much appreciated beyond words!
Team from Cedar and Harvest OPCs in Michigan
The new railing and helpers.
Water Games
Every day was packed. Wednesday, the team passed out invites at the elementary school for VBS. Thursday, they welcomed 20 visitors to Friends' Lunch. Here, the opportunity to pray for and see God's Word declared to unbelievers fills us with praise; the joy of singing hymns with them, engaging them in conversation, and playing games builds trust and community. Friday, they served at cafe and talked with people while preparing for the Saturday. At VBS, after the Bible story, singing, and Bible memory time, the team had prepared an amazing amount of varied activity stations. Multiple sports' stations, painting, water play, and even tie-dying towels: each kid and mom was important, encouraged, and loved. One of the new kids joined our English classes where he hears a Bible story every week. In the last few days, they helped us collate and pass out the monthly 1500 flyers. The team's kind and loving efforts brought glory to the Lord and the love of Christ to the people here. We thank God and each team member for their labors and encouragement. (See loads of photos on the Nozomi Center Facebook, 7/17-7/22 posts.)
Bible Message at VBS
Friends Lunch”
The Ongoing Spiritual Battle for Dear Souls
In the quiet weeks of November following the blessings of June to October, the Lord brought a new visitor several weeks in a row and, with him, a test of faith to many attending. In the tea time after worship, several discussions ensued. One voice became raised above the others; the man was talking about his faith in Christ, but also how natural it is to offer incense and prayers on behalf of his ancestors because all of his extended family pays honor to them. He stated that he goes to the Shinto shrine to offer prayers there, but prays to Jesus. He addressed the two women sitting across from him, and said, "You hang up the New Year's decoration, don't you? You offer incense on the Buddhist altar and say prayers for your ancestors, don't you?" The first woman was growing confused and asked the second woman, "Do you hang up that decoration (a symbolic welcome asking the spirits to visit their home to bless it)?" The second woman (yet unbaptized) said, "No, I don't offer incense or make prayers at either the ancestral altar or the Shinto god shelf though I have it in my home because of my husband's family. I don't participate in any of that. I don't hang the Shinto New Year's ornament." The man became increasingly emphatic that one could be both Christian in faith and share in Buddhist and pagan practices. Others in the room, sure of their faith, fell silent listening. Woody intervened bringing several Bible passages to the discussion, especially 1 Corinthians 10:20-21 and Luke 16:19-31. He said that, "if you could hear the voice of your ancestors, they would be saying, 'Don't come here [hell].'" They don't want offerings of tea and rice. Sadly, two men insisted that these practices are cultural and not religious. Conforming to societal norms around them is appropriate in their minds while God's Word teaches us otherwise. It was discouraging after all the years we have poured into teaching the women the truth to have these men contradicting it, but we know that all of them need the truth.
Satan has deceived this nation, and only God's Word applied by the Holy Spirit can change the hearts of these people. For this reason, with much prayer and with patient love under-girding firm teaching, these false claims must be addressed. Please pray with us that even this week at Bible study and the coming Lord's Day, progress towards a faithful understanding of God as the only true God and Jesus as the only Savior of the world would take root in the hearts of all who attend. Pray also for peaceful discussions.
Give Thanks for:
1) The Campbell family who served enthusiastically. After many months of prayer, they have decided the Lord will be best pleased to have Benjamin serve a congregation in the States. Benjamin is a dear servant of the Lord and His Word whose compassion for the lost and the saved is abundantly evident. We give thanks for Joelle, the children, and Benjamin and the many ways in which they helped us here. It was a privilege to serve together. Thank you to all who contributed to make their service here possible. Ben said they may be open to a call to Japan in the future.
2) The team members from Cedar and Harvest OPC churches. May the Lord bless their walk with Him in the years to come. Thanks for the generosity of these two churches in supporting their work at Nozomi Chapel.
3) For increasing attendance at cooking club with new and old members hearing the Word of God. After last week's meeting, one lady said she plans to come to Christmas worship. The message on Matt 1 and the name Jesus touched the hearts of several. Pray that God will draw these dear people to know and love the Savior Jesus.
4) Missionary Associate (MA) Sue Bickett's enthusiastic and tender labors here. She is an encouragement to many and a great strength to the staff. Pray for her continued Japanese studies and walk with the Lord.
5) Tomoko Sugawara, our Japanese staff worker, who labors tirelessly and whose desire is to see the church be established in Yamamoto.
6) That the Committee for the Support of the OPC Japan Mission received sufficient funds to cover its commitments not only to the Lauers and the Uomotos, but also to the Cummings and our two summer interns.
Pray for:
1. Mr. M. and Mr. I. that God will open their hearts to a full understanding of Jesus' lordship and help them to trust wholly in Him, not fearing men or fearing loss of family and friend relationships.
2. God's blessing on Paul Lauer's last year of seminary studies and for passing presbytery exams for licensure.
3. Woody's OT teaching at KTH this weekend.
4. The Lord to raise up four new missionary candidates for the OPC Japan Mission and new members (ministers, elders or deacons) for the Support Committee.
5. The Lord to humble us before Him, weeding out sin in our hearts, disciplining us for our good so that we may share His holiness and yield the fruit of righteousness (Heb.12:10-11). Pray also that the Lord would sustain our strength and health as we pursue His calling here.
Yours in Christ,
Woody and Laurie Lauer
OPC Japan Mission, Yamamoto, Japan For more information and pictures, please visit www.opcjapan.com and Facebook pages: OPC Japan and Nozomi Center.
Offerings can be given through the www.opcjapan.com website.