The Latest from Robin & Yoko (July2020 Prayer Letter)

by | Jul 3, 2020 | Ministry News

Hi everyone,

Here in Atlantic Canada, COVID-19 related restrictions are being reduced, many churches are starting to meet in person again, and the Maritime provinces are opening their borders to each other. For us, this means the opportunity to visit and minister at churches in the area for the first time since March, which we’re grateful for.

Please pray with us about the following…

1. Partnership Development — Please pray for wisdom, protection and provision as we start scheduling, planning and travelling again over the summer.

2. Financial Partnerships — Please pray for the summer to bring some much-needed new connections and financial partners. Things are in flux, but by my calculations we are currently at about 74% of our Faith Promise goal.

3. Yoko’s Status — Yoko is currently in Canada as a visitor, and her current permission runs out at the end of August. Since we may not be finished PD by then, we have applied to extend her stay. Please pray for God to give us favour with Immigration so that she will get approval.

4. Future — As we look ahead to the Fall, we are thinking about our next steps in Japan. Please pray for us and our team in Japan as we discuss our partnerships, roles and goals there.

Thank you so much for your partnership in the mission through your prayers and giving! Please let us know how we can pray for you!

– Robin (&Yoko)

Thoughts from Yoko (June 2020 Prayer Letter)

by | Jun 4, 2020 | Ministry News

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” ( Is. 43:19)

Just after starting our new “stay home“ life, God encouraged me with this scripture. I started to expect like others that we would return to normal life around Easter Sunday. But actually in the middle of April, not only in Canada but also all over the world, this pandemic had not reached its peak yet.

In Japan, many plants start to spring up and show colourful scenes in March, so I can feel “spring has come” through the spring colour. But here, even around Easter, the scenery had not changed yet and it was 0 degrees celsius in the morning. So sometimes I couldn’t imagine that we would see beautiful green and flowers.  But Isaiah 35 reminded me of God’s promise about the recovery and colourful view again. One verse especially stayed in my heart:

“The ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” (Is. 35:10)

Around the middle of May, finally many kinds of plants sprouted and our landscape totally changed to a real spring at once. Now we are surrounded by really a colourful and beautiful spring! I’ve never seen these quick changes before. I’m amazed that God’s work is really dynamic and powerful! Nature itself seems to be praising God, like this:

“The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God.“ (Is. 35:1-2)

Now many of us are walking in each recovery step. It might be a long way but the spring life tells us the power of God and God’s good plan!

Prayer Points:

1. Financial update — We appreciate your prayer and financial partnership! Our faith promise total is now at 68%.  Thankfully we have some new partnerships every week! God willing, we are praying that we can go back to Japan late this summer, but before that we need 100%.

Please pray for God to provide the rest of the partners we need, and let us know if you’d like to become one yourself.

2. Partnership Development —  In May, we worked at home and had various chances to do Partnership Development — making videos, doing interviews and taking part in online meetings with GP, etc. Some churches will start gathering again soon, but we will need to continue partnership development mainly online.

Please pray for God to give us abundant wisdom and chances for building better partnerships.

3. Japan — The number of patients was going down, but for the past week, some areas are having a second wave.  From March till the end of May, many churches stopped gathering and now many of them have restarted. Most of them have small rooms for Sunday worship, so a lot of challenges continue.

Please pray for God to encourage church leaders.

Thank you so much for your continuous and faithful prayer!!! Please let us know how we can pray for you!

God Bless,

– Yoko (& Robin) White

March Missions Movements (Prayer Letter)

by | Mar 5, 2020 | Ministry News

Hi everyone,

Thank you for your prayers over the past month! Yoko is safely back in Canada after her brief visit to Japan, and Partnership Development is progressing. Here are some updates and prayer points for this month:

1. Financial Partnerships: We had a goal of reaching 60% of our total Faith Promise need in February. According to our official info from Global Partners, we are currently sitting at 58%. However, I know of a few commitments that are still being processed, so I think we might actually be at 60% once they’re on record with GP. Please pray with us that we will continue to gain momentum, and that we can reach at least 70% in March.

2. Upcoming Travels and Ministries: March and early April are going to be super busy, with several days at Kingswood University, followed by 2+ weeks travelling in Ontario. Please pray for protection, fruitful ministry, good connections and new partnerships. For more details on when we’ll be where, check out our calendar HERE.

3. Survey: Thanks again to those who filled out our survey. If you still haven’t filled it out, please do so soon (click HERE) as we’ll be closing it down next week.

4. Meanwhile, in Japan: As you’ve no doubt seen, Japan is in the news due to the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. While not in a state of emergency, the government has closed schools for the next few weeks and is urging people to take precautions. This is affecting the church world, too, and events are being cancelled or postponed. Our partner denomination, the Immanuel Church, has postponed this month’s Annual Conference until June. Please pray for the Japanese Church during these uncertain times.

Thanks again for your prayers! We’re glad to have you on our team!

– Robin (& Yoko)

Is it February Already? (Prayer Letter)

by | Feb 4, 2020 | Ministry News

Hi everyone,

I hope you had a great January! Here are some updates and prayer points:

1. Survey — Thank you to all of you who have already filled this out. If you haven’t yet, we’d appreciate it if you would; just click HERE. Yoko is following up on these, so you should hear from her soon. If you don’t hear from her in the next week or so, please check your junk mail folder.

2. Partnership Development —  We’re thankful for safe travel, even through winter weather, and for the good conversations, hospitality and generosity we’ve encountered along the way. Please pray for our continuing travels and ministry, and for God to provide the new financial partnerships we need.

3. Financial Update — Thank you to those who have expressed concern about our financial situation after our unexpected trip to Japan in the Fall. We are doing fine, personally, but are behind on building our missionary support team. We’re still at around 53-54% of our Faith Promise goal. While we appreciate every gift, our current need is this ongoing support. If you’re planning to give, please let us know how much and how often you intend to give. Knowing your intentions ahead of time helps GP know we’ll be covered, and we need 100% committed before we can return to the mission field.

4. Yoko’s Travels — As most of you know, Yoko’s father passed away back in November. She will be taking another short trip to Japan this month to take care of some family business. Please pray for her health and safety, and for her time with her family.

As always, thank you for your prayer and financial support! Yoko and I appreciate your partnership with us and our mission to Japan!

– Robin (& Yoko)