Yoko and I are happy to announce that on April 30, we became husband and wife. We are so thankful for those who were able to celebrate with us; for our friends’ and families’ encouragement and prayers; and for God’s blessing on our wedding day. Despite the rain, it was a beautiful day.
Looking ahead, Yoko and I would appreciate your prayers for us as we go through this period of transition, especially for our preparations to return to Canada this summer, when Yoko will be joining me for Partnership Development, a time of re-connecting with ministry supporters in North America. Specifically, please pray for Yoko’s visa situation. As a Japanese citizen she is eligible to visit Canada for up to six months without a visa, but it is very likely we will need to stay longer this time. There are options, but we are still figuring out what’s best and how to proceed.
Thank you as always for your prayers and support! Yoko and I are looking forward to connecting with many of you in person this summer and fall.
Meanwhile, in case you missed it, here’s a link to the Spring newsletter I sent out last month:
I hope you’re doing well. This month’s update is in the form of a PDF newsletter, and includes some big updates on my schedule in the coming months, as well as the official introduction of our manga ministry, Drawbridge Creations.
I hope you’re surviving (even enjoying!) the winter wherever you are. In this part of Japan we’re already starting to see signs of Spring. It won’t be long!
In February we had a couple of significant events in our English ministry at my church in Nagoya:
On the 16th, we held a reunion for the former students of my adult English classes. We had a good turnout (as you can see from the photo), and lots of good conversation. The purpose of this event was not just for the students to catch up with each other, but to keep them connected to our church even though they’re not currently coming here for English classes. Please keep praying for our former students, that our church can effectively share God’s love with them in the months and years to come, and that God would draw them to Himself.
The other big event of the past month was just yesterday — my final kids English lesson. I’m thankful for four years with this particular class and eight years total with this ministry (this being our third four-year kids class). Please pray that these kids and their families will continue to connect with our church through our outreach events and summer camp, and that they will come to know Jesus personally.
Next week, I’m scheduled to travel to Tokyo, Saitama and Yokohama for meetings and mission-related business. Please pray for a safe and productive trip. Pray, too, for the Immanuel churches, leaders, pastors and families that will be going through transitions, which will begin after next week’s annual conference.
As always, thank you for partnering with me through your prayers and giving!
I hope your new year is off to a great start. Things are certainly “looking up” here…
The picture above is some concept art I’ve been working on for the Manga Project. Pieces are starting to fall into place for this project, and I hope to have some more detailed information for you next month, along with sample art from other potential contributors.
Meanwhile, our church had a groundbreaking ceremony on January 21, and the construction phase of our rebuilding project is under way, with the new building scheduled to be finished in August.
And on a personal note, Yoko and I have set our wedding date for April 30 in Nagoya!
Your ongoing prayers for all of the above would certainly be appreciated! Also, please pray for these upcoming dates:
2/13 — Leading worship at the Nagoya Church prayer meeting.
2/16 — Class reunion and coffee time with former English students.
2/28 — My final kids English class.
3/5-7 — The Immanuel Church national conference.
By the way, I’ve been doing some extra blogging lately: New posts include some manga ministry related writing that might help you understand the why behind this new project. There’s also a short video update you can use in your church if you’d like to remind your congregation who they’re supporting. And I’ve been getting back into the habit of posting a Photo of the Week actually weekly.
The big news this month, as you may have guessed from the photo above, is that I’m getting married!
Yoko has been attending my church in Nagoya for about a year and a half, and we became more than friends last summer. We ended 2018 on a high note by getting engaged on Christmas Eve, and hope to get married in the spring. In addition to all her other great qualities, Yoko loves Jesus, has a heart for missions and will be a great partner in ministry. We’d certainly appreciate your prayers as we plan and prepare for our wedding… and everything that comes after that.
In terms of ministry-related stuff, the first half of 2019 will be spent focusing on continuing to lay the foundation for our manga ministryand preparing to return to Canada this summer for Partnership Development(re-connecting with supporters back home). Please pray for God to lead, provide and open doors!
Thank you for your continuing prayers for me, the mission, and Japan!
The first photo features myself, fellow GP missionary Andrea Swarthout, and our our regional director Tim Gallant and his family. The Gallants visited Japan in November to meet with us and our Japanese partners as we work through the necessary changes that need to be made to move forward with some new ministries. I’m thankful for Tim’s leadership in our region and the progress we are making here in Japan.
The second picture is what’s left of the Immanuel Nagoya Church building… which is to say, nothing. But that’s a sign of progress, as the demolition of our old building has come to an end and construction of our new church home can begin in the new year.
Progress is also being made on my manga ministry project. I’ll have more to say in the new year, but for now, allow me to point you to our official project page on the GP website:
Please pray and consider giving to this new outreach!
Meanwhile, Advent is upon us and Christmas is almost here! Please pray for the Japanese Church to be effective in using the opportunity this season gives us to share the love of Jesus with our communities.
Specifically, here’s what I’ll be involved in this month:
12/12 — Worship leading at prayer meeting
12/16 — Our church’s Christmas Worship event
12/20 — Celebrating Christmas and sharing Jesus with our kids English class
As always, thank you for your continuing prayers for our mission in Japan!
