Prayer Letter for May 2017

by | May 2, 2017 | Ministry News

Hi everyone,

I’ll keep it short this month since I just sent out a full newsletter a couple weeks ago. If you missed that, please follow the link below to check it out:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_HFtReSrjVRREZ0MExiZ2tNcjg

This is a holiday week in Japan, so things are pretty quiet, but for me it’s just the calm before the storm, as May is the beginning of my busy season. I always need people praying but I’d especially appreciate them during the spring and summer. Here are some specific May events to pray about:

  • 5/9 — Mission-related meetings in Tokyo
  • 5/10 — Worship leading at prayer meeting in Nagoya
  • 5/14 — Preaching and music ministry at Itabashi Immanuel Church in Tokyo
  • 5/21 — Preaching and music ministry at Nirayama Immuanuel Church
  • 5/28 — English Bible study in Nagoya

Thank you and God bless!

– Robin

Spring Has Sprung (April Prayer Letter)

by | Apr 2, 2017 | Ministry News

Hi everyone,

This month’s photo is of our Global Partners / World Gospel Mission team in Tokyo, at the Immanuel Church annual conference. It was great catching up with Japanese pastors from around Japan as well as these fellow missionaries.

Spring is transition time in Japan, and since there are several pastors retiring this year, there are a lot of churches going through pastoral transitions. Please pray for these pastors and churches as they adjust to these changes.

As I mentioned last month, I’m starting a hiking ministry with a friend (Kenji) from my church. We’ve been to the mountains twice since then for our first couple of adventures. Please continue to pray for our safety and for God’s guidance as this new ministry takes shape.

This month, I’d especially appreciate your prayers for our English ministry event on Easter Sunday (4/16). Pray that many of my English students will come out to celebrate with us, connect with the church and hear about the Good News about Easter.

Here are some other dates to pray for in April:

4/7 — English Cafe

4/12 — Leading worship at Prayer Meeting

4/13 — Easter Brunch for one of our English Bible study groups

4/23 — My monthly English Bible Study

Thank you for your partnership with our mission in Japan through your faithful prayers and giving! You are much appreciated! Happy Easter!

– Robin

Hello From Nagoya — March Prayer Letter

by | Mar 1, 2017 | Ministry News

Hi everyone,

In February we completed our second year with our current kids English class. As you can see from the above photo, they’re an energetic bunch, and it’s a lot of work keeping up with them; but we have a lot of fun together.

As I’ve mentioned before, most of my students in all 4 of my English classes (3 for adults, 1 for kids) are from non-Christian backgrounds. I’m thankful for the relationships being developed between our church and community through our English ministry here, and that little by little we’re getting to sow Kingdom seeds in their lives. During this month’s English Bible study, we had some really good conversation about Jesus, heaven and the Gospel, and I think I was able to help the two non-Christians present see some major differences between Christianity and other religions.

Please keep praying for the students, families and friends we’re connecting with through our English ministry at Immanuel Nagoya Church. Also, here are some upcoming dates to keep in prayer about:

3/3 — English Cafe

3/4 — Mountain climbing with friends that I’m starting a new climbing ministry with. This is kind of a “test run” for this ministry which we’ll be doing once a month starting this month. Meanwhile, a couple of American missionary friends will be covering my English class that day.

3/15-16 — The Immanuel Church Annual Conference in Tokyo. Pray for productive meetings, vision and direction for our partner denomination in Japan; and for the churches and pastors going through transitions this year.

3/22 — Leading worship at my church’s prayer meeting.

If you’re up for a little more reading, here’s a link to an infographic about the State of Missions in Japan to fuel your prayers some more: https://omf.org/blog/2017/01/17/japan-mission-church-infographic-team/

As always, thank you for your partnership!

– Robin

Winter Wanderings — February Prayer Letter

by | Feb 1, 2017 | Ministry News

Hi everyone,

Earlier this month, we got our annual allotment of snow. Since we get so little snow in this part of Japan, when we do get some, it always warms my Canadian heart. As you can see from the above photo, some of the locals enjoy it too. These are some of the young people from my church and the snow Snoopy they built together. Not bad, eh?

Two Sundays ago I visited Kyoto to do an English Bible study at Immanuel Kyoto Nishi Church. I was filling in for fellow GP missionary Andrea Swarthout, who had to be away that week. I really enjoyed connecting with the church and seeing so many non-Christians taking part in the Bible study.

The first part of the year is relatively quiet for me in terms of my work schedule. But looking ahead to spring, it seems like it’s going to be a busy year, with an increase in travel and preaching. It’s not too much, but it does mean I have to stay on top of things. Please pray that I can plan and prep well in advance, before another busy season arrives.

In addition, here are some specifics to pray for:

2/2 — English Cafe
2/8 — Worship Leading at Prayer Meeting
2/19 — English Bible Study

As always, your prayers and support are much appreciated! Thank you for your partnership in advancing the Kingdom and Church in Japan!

– Robin

PS — If you haven’t already, please check out my New Year’s newsletter HERE: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_HFtReSrjVRUE5xVFR1czdsR0U