Prayer Letter – June 2012

by | Jun 1, 2012 | Ministry News

Hi everyone,

Thank you for your prayers this past month!

Earlier in the month, I took my second monthly trip to Shizuoka to do kids’ ministry with the Immanuel Church there.  We had fewer kids over all this time, but we also had 5 new faces, so I was thankful for that.  Please pray that some of these kids will begin to come to the church more consistently (not just at our monthly special events) so that the pastors and church members can build good relationships with them and disciple them for Jesus.  

My next trip to Shizuoka is the weekend of June 9.  Please pray for my continuing ministry there.

Back in Nagoya, this past Sunday, we had another English Club event. To be honest, I was a little disappointed that there were so few of my regular students there, or other guests from outside the church.  But we did have some people show up who are new to the church and not-yet Christians.  

Pray that some of the seeds sown through the message, music and fellowship will take root.

Tonight I am hosting our monthly English Cafe, a casual time of conversation practice.  At May’s Cafe, we had a new couple show up, which I was glad to see.  They really seemed to connect well and be interested in coming back. Please pray for this monthly outreach — that good relationships will be built and that conversations will turn to Christ.

Thanks again for being a part of my ministry here in Japan!  I couldn’t do this without you all your prayers and financial support.

Hugs,

– Robin

April Prayer Letter

by | Apr 3, 2012 | Ministry News

Hi everyone,

March was a pretty busy month, including a trip to Tokyo for the Immanuel Church’s national annual conference. It was great to get to connect with pastors, fellow-missionaries and friends from around Japan.

Meanwhile, our new kids’ English class has gotten off to a good start, adding to a growing ministry here in Nagoya.  I now teach 3 adult classes and 2 kids classes per week, with a total of 43 students — most of whom are from outside the church. It’s been encouraging to see so many connect with a local church for the first time. Some of these non-Christian  students have also started attending other church events where the love of Jesus is shared more openly. Pray that God keeps making these connections stronger, and that He will be these seeds of His love to fruition in the form of changed lives.

Thank you for your prayers and support! I would not have the opportunity to build these spiritual bridges with you.

This Month’s Prayer Points:

• English Cafe — this Friday night.
• Cherry Blossom Picnic with English students — this Saturday.
• Worship leading at prayer meeting — Wed, Apr. 11.
• Kids/English ministry at Shizuoka Church — Sun, Apr. 22.
• Youth ministry at Nagoya-Higashi Church — Sat, Apr. 28.
• My regular English classes & Japanese studies. 

Blessings,

– Robin

March Prayer Letter

by | Mar 1, 2012 | Ministry News

Building Spiritual Bridges Teaching English!

Kids!

Hi everyone,

Greetings from Nagoya, Japan! I have lots to be thankful for and lots to pray about this month. Please join me!

The above picture is from my kids’ English class. We just completed our first year with this group, and it looks like most (if not all) of them will be continuing during year 2. Most of these kids come from non-Christian homes; in fact, only one is from our church.  In March we will be starting a second kids’ class, with 9 signed up so far, all of whom are from outside the church. I’m so thankful to see our church building relationships with families in our community through this ministry! Please pray for these kids, their families, and this important part of my ministry.

As you may remember, I also teach 3 adult English classes. Most of these students come from outside the church as well. There are a couple of students in one of these classes who seem to be becoming more open to the things of God. Please pray these students — and for me as I try to speak God’s truth and love into their lives.

Recently the Immanuel Church elected our new daihyo (president or superintendent) Rev. Fujimoto. Please pray for this time of transition, our leaders, and for our annual national conference being held March 19-21.

And last, but not least, I would ask you to pray for Japan. It has been almost one year since the March 11 Great Tohoku Earthquake.  As memorial events are held, especially some big outreach events in the Tohoku area itself, pray that God would turn people’s hearts to Jesus.  Many seeds have been planted over the past year as Christian organizations and churches have reached out in practical ways to those affected by the disaster. Pray that God will bring a harvest.

Thank you so much for your partnership, through prayers and giving, in building spiritual bridges in Japan!

– Robin

February Prayer Letter

by | Feb 1, 2012 | Ministry News

Hi everyone,

Thank you for your prayers over the past month! Unfortunately I’ve been sick with the flu this week.  But God has been at work in my ministry anyway.

I had to skip English Club this Sunday, but fortunately I have a good group of volunteers who proved their worth by taking over for me at the last minute. An American friend was helping out this time, too, and I had her on deck to do a testimony instead of my usual devotional. So that was well timed. I’d also sent not only a schedule for the event, but detailed instructions for the games, so they could lead those without me.  

It feels like God knew I was gonna get sick and led our plans accordingly.  And it turns out we had the biggest crowd yet, with 35 people, 17 of whom were guests. I’m so thankful for the ministry team I’ve got at my church, and that this ministry is bigger than me. And best of all, spiritual seeds were planted in the hearts of 17 guests!

I’d still have rather not gotten sick, but it’s been a good reminder that it’s not about me. God is at work in Japan, and sometimes He works through me… but sometimes in spite of me.  

Here are some things you can be praying for this month:

1. The Immanuel Church (the denomination GP partners with in Japan) is having their General Conference this month, where they’ll be choosing a new Superintendant and making other important descisions about the future of the denomination. Please pray that they’ll know and follow God’s heart in these meetings.

2. Please pray for this Friday’s English Cafe. Pray that I’ll be feeling better, for a good turn-out, and for good conversations that point to Jesus.

3. Pray for me as I lead worship on Feb. 8 during at my church’s prayer meeting.

4. Please pray for my ministry with Nagoya-Higashi Church youth group on Feb. 11.

5. We’re preparing to start a new kids’ English class in March, and will be doing a demo lesson / Q&A time for parents on Feb. 14. Please pray for new students.

Thank you for partnering with me in building spiritual bridges in Japan!

– Robin