April Prayer Letter

by | Apr 3, 2012 | Ministry News

Hi everyone,

March was a pretty busy month, including a trip to Tokyo for the Immanuel Church’s national annual conference. It was great to get to connect with pastors, fellow-missionaries and friends from around Japan.

Meanwhile, our new kids’ English class has gotten off to a good start, adding to a growing ministry here in Nagoya.  I now teach 3 adult classes and 2 kids classes per week, with a total of 43 students — most of whom are from outside the church. It’s been encouraging to see so many connect with a local church for the first time. Some of these non-Christian  students have also started attending other church events where the love of Jesus is shared more openly. Pray that God keeps making these connections stronger, and that He will be these seeds of His love to fruition in the form of changed lives.

Thank you for your prayers and support! I would not have the opportunity to build these spiritual bridges with you.

This Month’s Prayer Points:

• English Cafe — this Friday night.
• Cherry Blossom Picnic with English students — this Saturday.
• Worship leading at prayer meeting — Wed, Apr. 11.
• Kids/English ministry at Shizuoka Church — Sun, Apr. 22.
• Youth ministry at Nagoya-Higashi Church — Sat, Apr. 28.
• My regular English classes & Japanese studies. 

Blessings,

– Robin

Luke 22:39-53

by | Apr 2, 2012 | Thoughts, Uncategorized

“Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” (v. 46)

We all face temptation every day, some days more than others. But the Bible promises that God always provides a way out. And I wonder if sometimes it’s as simple as Jesus’ instructions to His disciples in this passage…

“Get up and pray.”

Jesus’ temptation was to flee from or resist the coming storm, His crucifixion. It was a trial He did not want to go through. But it was part of the Father’s plan. Jesus sets an example for us here when He faces the temptation to disobey. He prays. 

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (v. 42)

He prays. He’s honest about how He feels, but He submits to the Father’s will. He chooses to obey. And when the time comes for His arrest, Jesus does not resist, because He’s already settled the issue with His Father in prayer. He does the right thing, for us. 

Meanwhile, the disciples — who slept instead of praying — are overcome by fear when the storm arrives. When temptation comes, they flee, betray and deny. 

Whose example do we follow? How often does something as simple as fatigue or laziness win out over prayer in our lives? How often is defeating temptation as simple as getting up and praying?

Get up and pray!

Two rare sights in one

by | Mar 22, 2012 | Uncategorized

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1. Me in a suit. 2. Me holding a baby.

This was shot at Immanuel Church’s national annual conference. I got to re-connect with a lot of people, including a good friend (a Japanese pastor) whose wife had a baby since the last time we saw each other.

Birthday Weekend Pics

by | Mar 9, 2012 | Uncategorized

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See the full gallery on Posterous

Not sure why, but the last post had only 1 pic even though I thought I uploaded 3. So here they are again…

These are some pics from last weekend: English Cafe, young adult prayer time & dinner; and a sushi party at the home of some students. It was a full and fun birthday weekend. And yes, there was cake. And yes, I’m blogging about food again… but don’t food and ministry go hand in hand?

March Prayer Letter

by | Mar 1, 2012 | Ministry News

Building Spiritual Bridges Teaching English!

Kids!

Hi everyone,

Greetings from Nagoya, Japan! I have lots to be thankful for and lots to pray about this month. Please join me!

The above picture is from my kids’ English class. We just completed our first year with this group, and it looks like most (if not all) of them will be continuing during year 2. Most of these kids come from non-Christian homes; in fact, only one is from our church.  In March we will be starting a second kids’ class, with 9 signed up so far, all of whom are from outside the church. I’m so thankful to see our church building relationships with families in our community through this ministry! Please pray for these kids, their families, and this important part of my ministry.

As you may remember, I also teach 3 adult English classes. Most of these students come from outside the church as well. There are a couple of students in one of these classes who seem to be becoming more open to the things of God. Please pray these students — and for me as I try to speak God’s truth and love into their lives.

Recently the Immanuel Church elected our new daihyo (president or superintendent) Rev. Fujimoto. Please pray for this time of transition, our leaders, and for our annual national conference being held March 19-21.

And last, but not least, I would ask you to pray for Japan. It has been almost one year since the March 11 Great Tohoku Earthquake.  As memorial events are held, especially some big outreach events in the Tohoku area itself, pray that God would turn people’s hearts to Jesus.  Many seeds have been planted over the past year as Christian organizations and churches have reached out in practical ways to those affected by the disaster. Pray that God will bring a harvest.

Thank you so much for your partnership, through prayers and giving, in building spiritual bridges in Japan!

– Robin

Luke 12:35-48

by | Mar 1, 2012 | Thoughts, Uncategorized

“The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat!” (v. 37)

In Jesus’ parable, after the master returns from his journey to find his servants waiting, the master serves the servents. I find this really encouraging. What an amazing picture of the reward God has in store for us who are His servants in Christ!

In the end, it will be worth the wait. It will be worth the pain. It will be worth the struggles. Be faithful.