I just wanted to post a quick update here for those of you who may not be following me on social media. As you may have guessed from the headline and photo, yes, I’m indeed back on Canadian soil. I’ve enjoyed a quiet week at Beulah Camp with my family, and today I’m off to Indiana for Partnership Development Training. Next week I start visiting churches. Prayers appreciated!
Hi everyone,
As most of you know, I’m soon heading back to Canada for several months. In fact, I’m now down to the last two weeks! I’ve been looking for new teachers to take over my English classes in my absence. Well, the good news is that it looks like we’ve got them all covered. Please pray for a smooth transition as we work out the details with our new teachers.
Please also be in prayer for the following:
1. My last two weeks of English classes and other ministry.
2. My application for a visa extension. I’m applying early because otherwise I’ll be away when it expires. If I can get it, it’ll mean I don’t have to get a new visa when I come back to Japan next year.
3. My flight back to Canada on June 16.
4. Partnership Development Training in Indiana, June 23-27.
5. My first church visit of Partnership Development: Corbette Avenue Wesleyan in Fredericton, NB, on June 29.
Phew! Lots going on and lots to get done. Thank you for your continuing prayers for me, our ministry and Japan! I’m looking forward to re-connecting with many of you in person over the next few months!
– Robin
Hi everyone,
I hope you all had a happy Easter! Here are a couple of highlights from Easter in Japan:
On Easter Sunday, we celebrated two baptisms at Nagoya Immanuel Church. One of these new Christians is a young lady who started coming to our church less than 2 years ago through the witness of a co-worker. The other is an older gentleman who has been coming for almost 20 years along with his wife, who is a member of our church! Everyone’s story is different, but thankfully God doesn’t give up on us! Praise God for these new additions to our Church family!
Last week we held an English Club event at our church. In addition to games, music and snacks, a taught a short Easter message, sharing about the hope we have as Christians because of Jesus’ resurrection. I’m thankful that among the 30-odd people who attended, there were at least 5 non-Christian guests who got to hear the Gospel!
Now it’s May and I’ve only got about six weeks left before the end of my term and my return to Canada. Thankfully, we have found someone to cover most of my English classes in my absence, but we are still looking for at least one more teacher to take the rest. Please keep praying for this need. Pray, too, for the rest of the preparations I have to make over the next month. And pray for my students and friends who don’t know Jesus.
Thank you as always for your prayers and support!
– Robin
Hi all,
I’ve just posted my latest ministry newsletter. Please follow the link to read or download:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/aqvvcrktpvs9gn7/1Gg5U0MyIF/023-spring2014.pdf
Thank you for your prayers and support
– Robin
Hi everyone!
The above picture is from my Thursday afternoon kids English class, who have just finished their third year together! It’s hard to believe it’s been that long, but I’m super thankful for the good relationships that have been built through this and my other English classes. In addition to finishing another year of kids classes, in February we also hosted an English Club event. These all-ages events are held from time-to-time as a “next step” in building spiritual bridges between our students and the church. February’s was an Olympic themed event, and we had about 30 people take part, including a good handful of non-Christians. Thank you for your continuing prayers for these ministries!
Please be praying for the following things in March:
1. English Cafe (a casual time of English conversation practice) is this Friday night (3/7).
2. The Immanuel Church’s annual national conference (3/11-13) with guest speaker Dr. Joanne Lyon. This is a time of worship and learning for the pastors of Immanuel churches, along with business meetings. It’s also when pastors receive their appointments and church transitions begin.
3. Leading worship at prayer meeting here in Nagoya (3/23).
4. Partnership Development. I’ve started planning my schedule for my time back in North America starting in late June. Please pray for this planning and prep time. Pray, too, that we can find someone to cover my English classes during my absence; there are some possibilities but nothing definite yet.
Thank you for being a part of our ministry here in Japan!
– Robin
Hi everyone!
I hope you all had a happy New Year! Here’s what’s happening with our ministry in Japan:
1. English Bible Study — After a short holiday break, we’re back to meeting every other week, with two new people joining us in January. Please pray that those taking part (mostly non-Christians) will understand and believe God’s Word.
2. Manga Ministry — The end of January was the deadline for Kelly Shinozawa’s Manga Genesis Book 2, so I was busy helping translate and correct the English version of the comic. Please pray that this series will connect with people who wouldn’t normally read the Bible or attend church.
3. February English Ministries — Please pray for this month’s English Cafe (2/7) and English Club event (2/23).
4. Transitions — As I mentioned last month, this term with GP is coming to an end this summer. Please pray with me for direction about the next steps for my ministry here. I need to start planning and preparing soon, so pray that I have a clear sense of God’s leading.
Thanks as always for your prayers and support! They are much-needed and appreciated!
– Robin