Ministry Newsletter: Fall 2014
Hi, everyone! I just finished my latest newsletter and you can read/download it HERE.
October Prayer Letter
Hi everyone,
I’m writing to you today from Massachusetts. I’ve now been on the road for almost a month. It has been tiring at times, but I’m thankful for safe travels and good times of reconnecting with supporters in Ontario and the US. As a bonus, I’ve also had the opportunity to catch up with some old friends along the way, and I even did some sight-seeing.
I’ve still got about 2 weeks left before I’ll be back at my parents’ place in New Brunswick. I’d really appreciate your continuing prayers for safe travel and effective ministry. I’m also still waiting on some paperwork I need for my visa to Japan, so please keep that matter in your prayers as well.
Meanwhile, in Japan, I’ve getting good reports on how our English ministry is continuing in my absence. Please keep my students and substitute teachers in your prayers. Also, Global Partners director Dennis Jackson will be visiting Japan later in the month to meet with our Japanese leaders and discuss our ministry there. Pray that these meetings are fruitful and will help GP build on our partnerships in Japan.
Thank you for being a part of our mission in Japan through your prayers and giving!
– Robin
September Prayer Letter
Hi everyone,
I hope you’ve enjoyed your summer. For me, the past month involved lots of travel around New Brunswick as I visited 5 churches to share about our ministry in Japan. Here are some things I’m thankful for:
- Safe travel and good ministry.
- The chance to visit my home church on a rare Sunday off.
- Lots of opportunities to catch up with friends and family.
- My financial support is strong.
- It looks like I’m on-target to return to Japan by New Years as I’d hoped.
Starting this weekend, I’m scheduled to be on the road for about 6 weeks! I’ll be visiting churches, pastors, supporters, family and friends in Ontario and the US. (You can view my ministry calendar HERE.)
Please pray with me about the following things:
- For God’s protection for me (and the car!) as I travel.
- That I can minister effectively at the churches I visit.
- That I can be a blessing to the people I visit.
- For my visa application.
Yes, I’m beginning the visa application process again. You may remember that I tried to get an extension before leaving Japan. Well, I was not able to get it because of timing issues, so I have to have a new visa before I go back at the end of the year. Please pray that it goes quickly and smoothly this time!
As always, thank you for your partnership in prayer!
– Robin
Canadian Adventures: August Prayer Letter
Hi everyone,
Thank you for your continuing prayers! This past weekend I was in Digby and Brazil Lake, Nova Scotia to speak at two of my supporting churches. It was a great time of ministry and catching up. The food and scenery were great too!
Prayer points for August:
As I mentioned in my summer newsletter, 5 unchurched kids from my English ministry are attending my church’s kids camp — this weekend! Please pray for this important ministry and specifically for the non-Christian kids in attendance.
Please pray for my continuing Partnership Development travels and ministry. Pray for safety, favour with potential supporters, and that God will use me in each church I visit.
A note about financial support:
One of the purposes of my time back in North America is to ensure that my financial support levels are where they need to be for the next term. If you have been supporting me this past term, and are planning to continue, GP needs to know. Please contact me (email robin(at)japanlog.co) to update your Faith Promise.
Special thanks:
For those of you who have been giving, thank you so much! I’m especially thankful for your consistency. I have not had to worry about my ministry or personally finances much at all, and appreciate your partnership in our mission to Japan.
And again, whether you are able to give or not, thank you all for your partnership through prayer. You are making a difference!
Blessings,
– Robin
There & Back Again (summer 2014 newsletter)
Hi everyone,
It’s time for my summer newsletter! Please follow the link below to view/download the PDF.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/12247320/024-summer2014.pdf
Thank you as always for your prayers and support!
– Robin
July 2014 Prayer Letter
Hi everyone,
Thank you for your prayers during this time of transition. After many final classes and ministries, and a lot of goodbyes, I left Japan on June 16 and arrived safely back in Canada.
After about a week off, last week I was in Marion, Indiana, for meetings and training along with other GP missionaries. Then, on Sunday I kicked off Partnership Development with my first church visit at Corbette Ave. Wesleyan in my hometown, Fredericton NB.
Partnership Development is a time of re-connecting with the North American church and sharing about what God is doing in Japan. My plan is to be here for about 6 months before returning to Japan.
Please pray for me as I plan, prepare, travel and share over the next month. You can check out my schedule HERE. I’m looking forward to connecting with many of you in person while I’m here!
I’ll be in touch again soon with an over-due quarterly newsletter, but in the meantime, thank you for your prayers and support!
– Robin
Last Week of English Classes in Japan
I’m back in Canada now, but here’s a look at my English classes as of a couple weeks ago…
Back in the Homeland
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!
Change is in the Air (Prayer Letter, June 2014)
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
Prayer Letter (May 2014)
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