Rev. Walter Weston memorial plaque at Kamikochi in the Japanese Alps, June 2017
It’s interesting what some missionaries are remembered for.
Walter Weston was an Anglican missionary from England who helped popularize mountain climbing in Japan during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His legacy is so strong in Kamikochi that there are memorials to him, like the one pictured here, and there is even a festival in his name as well. You can read up on him HERE and HERE, or even read/download his book (Mountaineering and the Japanese Alps) for free HERE.
I find it interesting and inspiring to see missionaries throughout history not only sharing the Gospel but also having a positive influence in other areas of society as a whole. I wonder if some in Weston’s time might have seen his mountaineering and “secular” writing as a distraction from his mission. But I think it’s good for missionaries to engage with the culture of the places they are called to, and that it ultimately opens up more doors to share Jesus with people.
I don’t know what my legacy will be, or if I’ll be remembered in Japan at all. But I pray I’ll be faithful in all areas of life and ministry, and that what I leave behind be positive and lasting.
Yoko sharing her testimony at the Missionary Alumni Fellowship during Beulah Camp
This month Yoko has written our prayer letter, so without much ado, I’ll hand things over to her. But first, in case you missed it, here’s our latest quarterly newsletter, featuring an important update on our financial partnership needs:
In the latter half of July, Robin and I could settle our summer base at Beulah Camp in New Brunswick. This is my first time in Canada. So Canadian foods, the cool summer, meeting with a lot of people etc., everything is new for me. Though I’m still trying to adjust to these things, I’m also enjoying new these experiences. Anyway, we could begin Partnership Development in Canada. Thank you so much for your continuing prayer.
In July we had some chances to share our testimony and vision at the annual Beulah Camp meeting of the Atlantic District of the Wesleyan Church, and also at some churches. Mainly Robin spoke, but I also greeted and shared my story. I appreciate that many people accepted me warmly and listened to my strong accent English! Through these opportunities, we started to re-connect with partners and meet new people. Thankfully, a number of people showed their interest in our new ministry and shared with us about their receiving challenge based on our story. Praise the Lord!
I would like to mention about my precious experience of joining to the traditional ordination service during the Camp meeting. Seven new pastors were ordinated and three pastors received honour because of their long faithfulness. Each of them were blessed with personal prayers and congratulatory greetings. So I felt that t2his service was not only a ritual but also very warm and celebratory. Also, I was privileged to line up and enter as part of the ministers’ spouses party. It was a really beautiful time!!!
Here’s our schedule for the rest of August. Please pray for us to make new connections, especially at the National Conference.
8/11 – Westchester Wesleyan (Westchester NS)
8/14-15 – National Conference of the Wesleyan Church (near Montreal QC)
Gifu Castle, shot with a Holga camera, February 2016. I’m trying to get back into the habit of actually posting Photos of the Week weekly. So here’s a fresh start. If you want to see more, check out my photo blog, where I recently uploaded a bunch of backlogged photos, including a series of Gifu Castle shots like this one.
As we’re starting Partnership Development, this newsletter contains some important information about our support needs and how you can help. So we’d really appreciate it if you’d read, pray and consider giving!
Thank you for your prayers during this busy season of transition! After a week of meetings in Indiana, Yoko and I have safely arrived at Beulah Camp in New Brunswick, Canada, where we’ll be making our home for about the next year. As we begin Partnership Development together, we’d appreciate your continuing prayers for safe travel, effective ministry and new supporters.
Here’s our schedule for July and August:
7/5-12 – Beulah Camp (Brown’s Flat NB)
7/14 – Digby Wesleyan (Digby NS)
7/21 – First Wesleyan (Saint John NB)
8/4 – Woodstock Wesleyan (Woodstock NB)
8/11 – Westchester Wesleyan (Westchester NS)
8/14-15 – National Conference of the Wesleyan Church (near Montreal, QC)
