Voices from the Field Paul and Melissa Ewing Get to know Paul and Melissa

Home Assignment Preparations

Published on May 17, 2016
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Dear Friends and Family,

Thank you for joining us in prayer as we petitioned God for someone to step in and help the ministry at the Komyo Christian Church while we are on home assignment. God has led us to a family who is interested and is now being interviewed. Please continue to ask God for wisdom and guidance as we move through this process, and look for our monthly prayer requests, as we will be sending information out with possible needs once we know more.

Ewing1 As a mission, we have had a dream to help others to grow deeper and stronger in their understanding of God’s word. We desire to help others learn how to read God’s Word on their own and grow in their relationship with Him. We dream of having a leadership location where many can grow deeper in their faith and service to God. God has been showing us the steps we need to take and has answered many of our prayers in this process. Our friend Dr. Daisuke Okada has started the Japan Bible Academy, which is currently teaching a three-year lay-leader training program, through the local church, at three locations in Japan. We recently had the privilege of having Dr. Okada come to the Komyo Church to lead a seminar on how to read the Bible on a deeper level. God answered our prayers and our church was filled with 16 people from five local churches including our own. We are looking forward to having Dr. Okada lead a second seminar this fall.

Dr. Daisuke Okada and his seminar.

Dr. Daisuke Okada and his seminar.

Every year the Japan Baptist Conference meets for a day of study and fellowship and this year marked the 54th meeting. It is always a good time of seeing people that we only get to see once a year. The youth shared two gospel songs and Higashi Sensei is encouraging the youth to participate in worship. Many of the youth played guitar, bass or cajon to add to the singing. It was especially wonderful to see Jonah on guitar and Noah on Cajon. Elijah sang along with the elementary students in his last year of participating in the kids program.

Elementary Kids' Worship

Elementary Kids’ Worship

Youth Worship--Noah and Jonah are playing behind the group.

Youth Worship–Noah and Jonah are playing behind the group.

Be in prayer for the Komyo church as they are preparing for when we are in the US for a year. During our last members meeting, we were encouraged as we shared the needs of service opening up with our absence and many volunteered to fill a need. We were blessed that one member agreed to fill in as an active roll in coming along side Shan Reed as a support person. As we learn how to come together as a church, it is encouraging to see people being courageous and stepping into roles of greater service. God is truly active here in Japan!

Continue to pray for Y san during her last year of nursing school as she juggles internships, tests and single parenting. Pray also for Rumi as she is in her last year at university and has begun the challenge of finding a job. The system of finding a job here in Japan is extremely stressful and can become very defeating. As she is a young Christian facing challenges, pray her faith would remain strong and she would lean into Jesus. Continue to pray for Okuda san as well. He faithfully attends our worship service and bible study times, asking great questions and even helping those around him find answers when he can. Pray that he would have faith to completely trust in Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

On May 17, Jean Ewing and Linda Hanes (our moms) will be arriving to help watch the boys, as Paul and I will be attending the NAB Mission Summit meeting in Hungry. We will be gone May 21-June 1. We are incredibly blessed that our moms are able to come and help us out. Pray that schedules will run smoothly and travels will go well. Having our moms here is especially sweet, as Komyo’s Sonshine Gospel Choir will be having our last concert on June 4. They will be able to hear Elijah sing, which we are sure will be a delight to their hearts.

Kansai Christian School, where Noah and Jonah attend, has a new teacher and her family is arriving this summer. Keep the Swallow family in your prayers as they make the necessary preparations to come and the adjustments needed once here.

We appreciate the churches that have contacted Paul concerning a visit this coming year and look forward to reconnecting with you. If you have a date that you would like us to come and visit your church, please contact Paul at pemedicus@yahoo.com, as he continues to set the schedule for this year of home assignment.

Thank you for continuing to remember us in prayer.

Blessings,

Paul and Melissa

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