One Day in Nagoya
Found this on Vimeo a while back, and wanted to post it to my blog to share my city with you… Nagoya… Japan’s 4th largest city, but outside of Japan virtually unknown.
Isaiah 55
‘”For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain. My covenant of blessing will never be broken,” says the Lord, who has mercy on you.’ (Isaiah 54:10 NLT)
Today I’m thankful for the fact that God is faithful and trustworthy; He keeps His promises and does not forget His people. And all of this comes from a heart of LOVE.
Lord, thank you for Your great, faithful, trustworthy LOVE. Thank You for loving and saving me. Please help me to remember these truths throughout the day, to be grateful. May I live and move in and share Your LOVE today.
Last Week’s English Cafe
We were few but we had fun!
Beautiful Feet
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!” (Isaiah 52:7 NLT)
Today I’m reminded that God’s promises are true. He is trustworthy and faithful! As He promised and provided deliverance from captivity for Israel, He also promised and provided a savior — Jesus! — for all of us, to save us from our sins.
God calls us who follow Jesus to be messengers if this good news. May I be found faithful as His messenger today. May my words and actions point people to Him. May it be clear to those around me that our God reigns!
Lord, I’m weak and need Your strength. I can’t carry this burden alone. Thank You that You are with me. Please make me aware of Your presence and strength today, and help me to live, work and minister FOR You as well as WITH You. In Jesus’ name…
“Out of Control” — Robin’s June Prayer Letter
Hi everyone,
Thank as always for your continuing prayers. My English ministry in Nagoya is continuing to grow — almost to the point where I almost can’t handle it anymore! A good problem…
In May I started my English Bible study class, and it’s going really well so far. I’ve got 4 students, and we meet twice a month, studying the book of Mark using some ESL Bible study curriculum. 3 of the 4 students are not Christians, and they are really eager to learn! They keep me on my toe with all their unexpected questions.
Meanwhile, my Saturday English class is full! Literally just today, two new students joined us, making it 12 in total, and bringing my total number (all five classes combined) to almost 50 people! I’m thankful for all this growth and interest, but don’t really have time to start any new classes.
Please pray for God to provide the help I need, and the wisdom to lead. And pray that He’ll use this ministry to draw more people to Jesus. Please pray, too, that June will be a really productive month for me. July and August are going to be super busy again, so I want to make sure I’m ready.
Thanks, and God bless!
– Robin
Isaiah 37:1-20
“Now, O Lord our God, rescue us from his power; then all the kingdoms of the earth will know that you alone, O Lord, are God.” (Isaiah 37:20 NLT)
No matter what fear, temptation or challenge you are facing today, God is bigger. God is stronger. He alone is God, and He gets the final word.
Spring 2013 Ministry Newsletter
I just finished my new newsletter. Please click a link to view or download your PDF:
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Photo Gallery: English Club Easter Event
April 2013 Prayer Letter
Hi everyone,
I hope you had a great Easter! Thank you for your prayers over the past month.
I had a great time celebrating Easter in Nagoya. In the morning we had Easter worship followed by a baptism. And in the afternooon, I hosted a special English Club event. HAPPY Around 40 people attended, and we had a great time playing games, singing songs and eating delicious sweets. Special guest Zach Motts (WGM missionary) gave us a short Easter message and performed an Easter skit with me. And we had seven guests from outside the church! I’m thankful for God’s blessing on this spiritual bridge-building event!
Please pray with me this month about the following:
1. Japanese studies — I’m starting to take private lessons again, twice a month, starting this week.
2. English Cafe — This Friday, April 5th. Please pray for good conversations and relationship-building.
3. Youth ministry — On Saturday, April 13th I’m speaking at a youth event here at the Nagoya Church.
4. English Bible study — This isn’t starting until May, but please pray for us as we prepare and promote it.
Thank you for your continuing prayers and support of our ministry in Japan!
– Robin
John 14:25-31
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27 NLT)
Jesus didn’t promise His followers an easy life, free from pain. He didn’t promises riches or comfort. But He did promise something better, something that this world can’t give: peace of mind and heart.
There are a lot of things I don’t have. But really, I know I don’t need them as long as I have Jesus. To be honest, I don’t always feel that way. But I’m thankful for this reminder, and that it’s true.
Lord, please give me a real sense of Your peace today, and let that determine how I think, how I talk and how I live.