by Whitey | Dec 1, 2012 | Ministry News
Hi everyone,
I hope you are all doing well as we enter the busy holiday season. This month there is lots to be thankful for:
1. I preached my first Japanese sermon in November, and it went well!
2. One of my non-Christian English students has joined a ladies’ Bible study group at my church.
3. Our English Club Thanksgiving event was well-attended — about 35 people came, including a good handful of guests.
With Christmas fast approaching, December is going to be a really busy month. A secular version Christmas is celebrated in Japan, and because of this interest, it’s is a great opportunity for the Church to share Jesus.
Please pray with me about the following:
1. I’m helping lead a Kids Christmas outreach at Immanuel Shizuoka Church on Dec. 9.
2. On Dec. 16, I’m preaching in Japanese at my own church in Nagoya.
3. On Dec. 23, the Nagoya Church is holding our Christmas celebration and outreach event.
4. On Christmas Day (not actually a holiday here) we’re having a Christmas party for my kids English class students.
I really appreciate your prayers and support! Thanks for joining with me and being a part of what God is doing in Japan! I hope you have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
– Robin
by Whitey | Nov 1, 2012 | Ministry News
Hi Everyone,
Thank you for your prayers during October! In between English classes and other ministries, I was able to get away for a few days to attend the Global Partners Asia Area Retreat. It was a great time of worship, prayer, fellowship and fun with fellow missionaries who work in various parts of Asia. I came back feeling refreshed and with a new perspective on my ministry here in Japan. I’m really thankful I had the opporunity to attend.
The end of the year is shaping up to be a busy time of ministry for me. Please pray with me for the following:
1. This coming Sunday (11/4) I’m preaching at a church in Yokohama. This will be my first time doing a Sunday morning sermon in Japanese! It’s an outreach service too, so please pray for any non-believers in attendance.
2. The following Sunday (11/11) I’m scheduled for my monthly ministry at Shizuoka Church, where I’ll be teaching English and the Bible to teens.
3. On November 17, we have a special outing for my English students. We’ll be visiting a big park for some hiking and to see the fall colours. Please pray that through this, deeper relationships will be built.
4. On November 24, I’ve got youth group at Nagoya-Higashi Church.
5. On November 25, we’re having an English Club “Thanksgiving Party” outreach event.
6. I’d also really appreciate your prayers as I plan for the new year. It looks like there will be some new challenges and opporunities to take on. Please pray for God’s direction and for clearer vision as my ministry in Japan continues to evolve.
Thank you for being a part of our ministry here in Japan! Your prayers and support mean more to me than you can imagine!
Blessings,
– Robin
by Whitey | Oct 3, 2012 | Ministry News
Hi everyone,
I hope you are doing well. This Canadian is certainly enjoying the cooler weather here in Nagoya as summer turns to fall. I don’t know about you, but for me September went by really quickly. Life is busy, but as always there is a lot to be thankful for. Please join me in praising God for His blessings and praying for our ministry in Japan.
Praise:
1. The end of August marked 10 years since my first time in Japan!
2. We had 3 new people come to English Cafe in early September.
3. On September 15, we had a party for my English students. 18 people took part, without about half being un-churched. Some good conversations took place, lots of great food was eaten, and everyone had a great time.
4. This Sunday we had a Music Festival at our church, and we had several visitors in spite of the fact that there was a typhoon on the way. I was really thankful, too, that one of my un-churched English students, an elderly jazz musician, took part.
5. I’ve gotten into the swing of things with the Christian manga assistant job. I’m thankful for this opportunity, and enjoying the experience.
Prayer Requests:
1. This month’s English Cafe is this Friday. Please pray for good attendance and conversations. Please also pray for my regular weekly English classes.
2. Next Wednesday (10/10) I lead worship at prayer meeting.
3. Oct. 13-14 I’m scheduled to do youth/English ministry at Shizuoka Church again.
4. On Oct. 15-21 I’ll be travelling to the GP Asia Area Retreat.
5. October 27 I’m scheduled to help lead youth group at Nagoya-Higashi Church. In recent months, lots of things have gotten in the way of this “monthly” ministry. Please pray that I can maintain a good connection there and have an impact on these teens.
Thank you for partnering with me in our ministry in Japan! I couldn’t do this without your support!
– Robin
by Whitey | Sep 4, 2012 | Ministry News
Here’s my latest newsletter, in PDF form. Click to view or download.
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by Whitey | Aug 6, 2012 | Ministry News
Hi everyone,
I hope you’re all having a great summer. I know I am! August started out with a week’s vacation, thus the lateness of this prayer letter. I had a great time in Aomori, and now am getting back into the swing of things in Nagoya.
A lot has been going on! Here are some highlights…
On July 15, I was at Immanuel Shizuoka Church, where we held a kids’ outreach event, and 16 kids showed up. We played games, sang songs, and ate ice cream, and I had the chance to share a short message about God’s love. These are all kids who don’t normally come to the church, so I’m thankful that so many showed up. Pray that we can continue to build good relationships with them in the months to come.
On July 22, we held a slightly late Canada Day party at my church in Nagoya, as our summer English Club event. We had a guest Canadian musician and lots of Canada-themed fun. There was great turn-out: about 40 people total, 14 of whom were from guests who don’t normally attend the church. This included a few of my English students. Praise God that spiritual bridges are being built in Nagoya!
On July 29 and 30, I ministered at Immanuel Toyota Church’s two-day VBS for kids. This event had a smaller attendance, only 5 kids. But I got to teach 3 messages them and really interact with them and share God’s love. It was a great two days.
Tomorrow I leave for youth camp in Nagano, where I’ll be playing on the worship team. Please pray for this week’s youth camp, as teens from all over Japan gather together; and for next week’s Youth Station — an event aimed at young adults taking place in Tokyo — which I’m also taking part in.
As always, thanks for your prayers and support! I really couldn’t do all this without all of you in my corner!
– Robin
by Whitey | Jul 3, 2012 | Ministry News, Uncategorized
Hi everyone,
I hope you are having a great summer! Here in Japan we’re coming to the end of the rainy season and entering the super hot and humid mid-summer. July and August are once again going to be my busiest time of year, so I’d really appreciate your prayers! Please pray for safe travels, good health and effective ministry!
Here are some praise and prayer notes…
Praise Notes:
• Four people were baptised at my church on Sunday!
• Our monthly English Cafe has grown to the point where I’ve had to ask for help. Fortunately I found a fellow-Canadian English teach willing to pitch in.
Prayer Requests:
• English Cafe this Friday night, July 6.
• Worship leading at prayer meeting, July 11.
• My ministry in Shizuoka, July 15.
• English Club “Canada Day” event on July 22.
• Youth group at Nagoya-Higashi Church, July 28.
• Kids’ Day Camp in Toyota July 29 & 30.
• July 31 – Aug. 6 — A much-needed vacation!
• Youth & young adult events in August.
Thank you so much for praying and giving, so that I can be in Japan to be a part of what God is doing here!
– Robin
