Dear Friends and Family,
In our last letter I wrote of some of the changes that are happening on the field. The funny thing about change is that it takes time. Time for all the pieces to fall into place, time for hearts to adjust, time and quietness to hear God’s voice for the direction one should take. The funny thing about humans is that we don’t always mix well with change and many of us don’t like it, and we want it all to be over and done with even though we know it is a process and may take months down the road before adjustment will be felt and a direction can be understood. We are at these crossroads. We are standing at one end of the “transition bridge” and wondering how things will all turn out and yet everyday life is still happening, God is still working, and He is still bending his ear down to hear us and saying, “Take my hand and trust me.”
As our missionary work force has become smaller, our work is now focused in Osaka. The English Center in Tsu has been handed over to be managed by the Japan Baptist Conference (JBC), Yuri Nakano is on home assignment and discussion has begun as to where her next ministry placement will be. We are hoping a couple churches will want to use Yuri as a facilitator/teacher to begin small groups and women’s ministry, which are two areas that need education and encouragement. Paul has been busy helping with the transition of the English center, JBC business, and ministry at Komyo Christian Church, Kongo Baptist Church and Heijo Christian Church. Shan Reed is a great asset as her ministry ranges from English teacher, church assistance to preaching twice a month.
At the Komyo Christian Church, we are thankful for the Gospel Café ministry, which happens once a quarter. Each one is unique. We are always amazed who God brings through our doors and how relationships are started, or continue to grow. We also spent an afternoon at the nursing home helping residents fold origami and laughing with them. The residents that participate on these days are ladies who are just so excited that you can’t help but smile and join in their excitement. Jonah was able to join us this last time, he was a huge help as he wrote the residents’ names on their artwork. Many of these ladies have very traditional and older names, so it was a great time of kanji (Chinese character) practice for him.
The church has recently experienced one of those bittersweet moments as you send a “family member” away in God’s grace. One of our members is moving to the United States to get married. Though we are excited for her and know that this is God’s plan it still is hard to let her go. Please continue to pray for the church’s ministries as we continue to listen to God’s voice to hear where He wants His church to work and serve in the Sakai area. Pray for us as we continue to discern and teach our members to listen and see what dreams God is giving them to serve those in their community.
On the home front, Noah and Jonah are enjoying their American-sized summer vacation, AKA, longer vacation. They now are enjoying 2 ½ months of vacation compared to Elijah with 1 ½ months. Noah is spending time studying as he is taking 3.5 credits in independent studies and Jonah is working on English and Math. Elijah is a little jealous of his brothers having the extra time off. We are glad to have time together and away from the routine. We are actually spending some of this summer vacation in Buffalo, NY, with family for some rest. As I shared in our previous letter with the change came exhaustion. We are hoping to have time to refresh spiritually, to find time to sit and be still before God without all the daily demands along with finding rest physically.
Change seems to be all around us. Even as we return to the States, we are faced with change. It is a part of life. How to navigate and weather change well and gain wisdom from God during it is a prayer of ours. We pray that it is a prayer of yours too.
Blessings,
Paul and Melissa
It was a joy to be able to be home for my mom’s birthday! Great fun being with family!