Current Plans

by | Mar 13, 2011 | Ministry News

Thanks again, everyone, for all your prayers, notes of encouragement and thoughts during this time. I thought I should post another update, though I don’t feel there’s much new to say at the moment. Here’s a numbered list of what’s going on:

1. It was really good to be with my church family today. We are physically unaffected here in Nagoya but our hearts are heavy and many of us are wondering how we can help. A good time of intercessory prayer this afternoon.

2. The IGM annual conference is going ahead as planned Tuesday-Thursday. Dr. Joanne Lyon, GS of the Wesleyan Church was scheduled to be the speaker, but had to cancel because her flight was canceled.

3. I’m planning to go to the conference, and stopping in Tokyo on the way back to help with the relief effort there. Not sure how long I can get away from my normal responsibilities, but even if I can just stay a day or two I can least help them get things rolling or give one of the full-timers a break. There is also the possibility of helping the  communications team from here in Nagoya.

I’ll try to send out another update when my plans are more concrete. Thanks again. Keep praying.

(Sun. Mar. 13 2011)

Update

by | Mar 12, 2011 | Ministry News

Thanks, everyone, for all the prayers and well-wishes.  Though physically far from the affected area, this disaster has certainly had an emotional impact, as I’m sure it has on many of you. I’ve been glued to the TV and web for updates, praying for those who are suffering and wishing that I could do something to help. There is a disaster relief group in Japan called CRASH who have been working pretty much around the clock to mobilize their relief efforts. I’m thinking of joining them for at least a few days in Tokyo to lend whatever help I can. For those of you wishing to help out, here is some more information, copied from their Facebook group. If you can’t give, please pray.

DONATIONS FOR JAPAN

Many of us are wondering how we can best respond to the devastating news of the earthquakes and tsunami that have hurt especially Fukushima, Miyagi, and Iwate ken. As the computer and television screens pour out images, we can pour out our hearts to the Creator of the Universe to take care of the great nation of Japan.

CRASH Japan, a non-profit established for just a time as this, exists to help victims of disasters. We have experienced people who know the culture and language on the ground ready to assess the situation and then take appropriate action. Please consider how YOU might be able to help right now by giving a donation that will “kick start” our Tokyo based disaster relief initiative.

CRASH Japan is strongly endorsed by JEMA (Japan Evangelical Missionary Association) and comes highly recommended by Dale Little, JEMA President. http://crashjapan.com/

24 HOUR FUNDING GOAL: $100,000 (send a donation using one of the following options)

Donate via Horizon Christian Fellowship web site (tax deductible receipt provided):

https://www.horizonsd.org/donate/index.asp?purpose=japan_earthquake_relief

Donate via PayPal (no tax deductible receipt): http://www.jema.org/joomla15/index.php/component/content/article/57-feature-article/500-japan-tohoku-quake-relief-donations

Donate in Japan via the JEMA postal furikae account:

Account#00130-4-180466 (Please specify “earthquake relief” in the message box.)

(posted Sat. Mar. 12)

Untitled

by | Mar 11, 2011 | Ministry News

Hi everyone,

By now most of you have probably heard about the 8.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Japan today. I just wanted to write you a quick note to let you know that I’m OK. We felt the quake here in Nagoya, but it was not strong enough here to cause any damage or injury. In fact, though the building shook for a couple minutes and it was pretty scary, I was able on with my day like nothing happened. I didn’t realize how large of an earthquake it really was until I got online a little later and read what other people were saying about it.

Please pray for those up north. At least 32 have been killed. Not sure of the extent of the injuries or damages, but this was a big one.

Blessings,

robin

February Prayer Letter

by | Feb 1, 2011 | Ministry News

Hi everyone,

Thank you for your continuing prayers and support this past month. I hope you’ve all been doing well and staying warm. I’ve had a good month getting back into the swing of things after the holidays. Here’s what’s been going on…

My weekly English classes are continuing to go well. We now have 10 students in the Wednesday class and 8 in the Saturday one, and over half are people from outside the church. Our monthly English Club had a smaller crowd this month, partly due to the unusually snowy weather that day, but it was a diverse and fun crowd, a couple of whom were visitors. I also had the opportunity to lead worship at our church. I’ve been asked to do this once a month from now on, which will be good challenge, and help me stretch my ability to do ministry in Japanese.

Meanwhile, I’ve been working on some planning and preparing for the year to come, including a new kids’ English class. Things also continue to move forward in the manga ministry project I am a part of. I hope to have some exciting things to announce about this in the next month or two.

Please pray with me this month for the following things:

1. Please pray that these English ministries will continue to help the Nagoya Church connect with unchurched people in our community.
2. Please pray particularly that we can find ways to promote and make the English Club grow, as it is at this event that many may hear the Gospel for the first time.
3. Also, as I mentioned, we are starting a class for kids in March, so pray that preparations and prmotions throughout February go well.
4. Please pray for me as I prepare this week and lead worship next Wednesday.
5. The manga project: please pray for that and the many details we’re working out.
6. Finally, pray that God will help me meet new Christian friends outside of church events and activities.

Thank you!

– Robin

(posted Feb. 1, 2011)

January Prayer Letter

by | Jan 4, 2011 | Ministry News

Hi everyone,

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a great holiday season, and thank you for your prayers and support this past month… and year!

In December, I started taking private lessons at a new language school, which is going well so far. In addition to my usual English classes, on the 23rd I did some music and testimony at a Christmas event at Immanuel Numazu Church. It is a small church, but that day is was a full house (25+) including some visitors. On the 19th, I took part in the Nagoya Church’s Christmas event as one of the MCs. On that day there were about 141 people, 56 of whom were visitors, many of them non-Christians! Praise God that so many people got to hear about the true meaning of Christmas!

I’d appreciate your continuing prayers this month as I get back into the routine of a new year, setting new goals and taking on new challenges. Please pray specifically for me as I lead worship at our prayer meeting on January 19th. Also pray for this month’s English Club, being held on the 16th. Pray that God will lead me and use me.  Also, please keep praying for my Japanese studies, and that I can balance my studies, ministries, and personal life effectively.

Again, thanks for being on my team through your prayers and giving! I wish you all the best in 2011.

– Robin

Robin White
Global Partners, Japan
January 4, 2011