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The autumn season brings about thoughts of what kind of kingdom harvest there has been in ministry. I would summarize the last few months as times of connecting with various people and churches.
It has been a long time since we have felt the freedom to go travel to other churches and to have fellowship time afterwards to eat and to chat. How wonderful it was to visit churches in person and worship together. We still all wear masks and are careful about keeping viruses at bay. I was happy to be asked to preach at Heijo Christian Church in Nara on October 16 and also at Higashi Muko Church in Kyoto the following Sunday. At both churches, I was received warmly, and I enjoyed the fellowship of brothers and sisters that I had not seen in many years. I was also able to share more about women’s ministries and seminars while I was there. I also got good feedback that these churches are eager to participate in the seminars. This was encouraging because these churches are in a region that we haven’t been to yet. Please pray for our upcoming Ladies events that we will have this month.
Connections are also made via the online Zoom “talk” events that the Japan Evangelical Association holds every quarter. Women’s shelters were the topic of the last one, and it was very encouraging to know that there are several good shelters to help women in need temporarily from domestic violence and abuse. I am also particularly thankful that one of the women that I am mentoring has become a regular participant of these events.
Another connection that God made was a timely text message from a roommate, from way back when I was still in Edmonton, who now lives in Japan. She is not a believer, but she has a friend who has many questions about the Bible and wanted me to connect with her. I found out she lives in Tsu city, where I was going to go visit in a couple of weeks’ time! I said, “Let’s meet at the church,” in hopes that she would attend there. I was praying that she would, and God answered that prayer! I just found out that she has been going to church there regularly to worship and has recently started attending Bible studies, too.
My monthly connection times with the ladies that I am mentoring are the times that I most cherish. I find the Holy Spirit guides our conversations and helps us to see God at work in our daily lives. There are times we weep together and also rejoice together. I see the work of the Lord in each of these women and continue to look forward to see how God uses each of them.
Lastly, I am grateful for my connection with you who partner to pray with me. Thank you!
Blessings,