July 2012 Prayer Letter

Hi everyone,

I hope you are having a great summer! Here in Japan we’re coming to the end of the rainy season and entering the super hot and humid mid-summer.  July and August are once again going to be my busiest time of year, so I’d really appreciate your prayers!  Please pray for safe travels, good health and effective ministry!

Here are some praise and prayer notes…

Praise Notes:

• Four people were baptised at my church on Sunday!

• Our monthly English Cafe has grown to the point where I’ve had to ask for help. Fortunately I found a fellow-Canadian English teach willing to pitch in.

Prayer Requests:

• English Cafe this Friday night, July 6.

• Worship leading at prayer meeting, July 11.

• My ministry in Shizuoka, July 15.

• English Club “Canada Day” event on July 22.

• Youth group at Nagoya-Higashi Church, July 28.

• Kids’ Day Camp in Toyota July 29 & 30.

• July 31 – Aug. 6 — A much-needed vacation!

• Youth & young adult events in August.

Thank you so much for praying and giving, so that I can be in Japan to be a part of what God is doing here!

– Robin

 

Psalm 144

"Lord, what are human beings that you care for them,
    mere mortals that you think of them?
They are like a breath; 
    their days are like a fleeting shadow."

(Psalm 144:3)

Our human lives are short and fragile.  In a unimaginably huge universe, we are pretty small, weak and seemingly insignificant.  But God is thinking of us.  God — eternal, creator, all-powerful — is thinking of us.  Of me.  Of you.  

Today I'm reminded of God's great love. That He is on my side.  That I am not alone.  Thank You, Lord.

Psalm 143

“Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you.
Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.” (Psalm 143:8 NLT)

It’s through trust that we experience love. It’s through surrender that we find direction. Lord Jesus, today I choose to trust in You. I give myself to You. Please fill me with Your love, and show me where to walk this day. Amen.

Hosea 11:1-11

“It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
taking them by the arms;
but they did not realize
it was I who healed them.” 
(Hosea 11:3 NIV)

Sometimes God is at work in our lives but we don’t see it. We’re either too busy to see it at all, or we think we did it ourselves. So we fail to fully embrace what God is doing; and we miss out on His best. Or we enjoy some of the benefits of His grace but don’t give Him thanks. We don’t worship. In that case, too we miss out.

God, please forgive my ingratitude. Forgive me for allowing distractions into my life. Give me the grace to fully embrace what You’re doing in my life. Give me eyes to see, a heart to praise and the will to follow wherever You’re leading.

The Shizuoka Gang

P404

Here’s a shot of me and the kids who came on Sunday morning. It was a small group but we had a fun time. Please keep praying for this ministry!