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Dear family and friends,
Greetings in the new year of 2025! Hope you had wonderful and meaningful Christmas and New Year seasons.
We love to participate in various activities and events in our neighborhood, such as mochi (sticky rice cake) pounding, stairways and hallways’ monthly cleaning, and other community services, etc. On one Saturday, we joined an onigiri and hot soup event and met many seniors. Many of them wondered the reason why we came to Japan. We communicated with our baby-level Japanese language ability, which made the whole conversation full of laughter and curiosity among them.
It’s our first Christmas in Japan. Even though the nation of Japan has low percentage of believers, Christmas atmosphere filled everywhere with seasonal decorations, including residential houses’ front doors, shopping malls, restaurants, hotels, and along the streets. Almost all Christmas lights and decorations have been completed by late November. We especially enjoyed a Christmas performance by high school students in a shopping mall. We pray that the audience not only have enjoyed the beautiful musical performance but also seek the true meaning of Christmas in their hearts.
Besides Christmas celebrations with coworkers and friends, we had the privilege of attending every Christmas event and service (Christmas Sunday service, Christmas Eve candlelight service, Gospel live loop concert) in the church. From early to mid-December, the church distributed 500 flyers by hand and 1,500 via newspaper inserts in the neighborhood. Among the attendees of the Gospel live loop concert, there was one newcomer, representing 0.05%, who was holding the flyer. Two people came to the candlelight service for the first time through personal invitation, and another two newcomers came after visiting the church’s website. In addition, two guests, who had been invited by church members, attended the Christmas Sunday service. No matter if reaching out to an unspecified large group publicly or through personal invitation to individuals, God is the One who moves peoples’ hearts and draws people close to Himself. Please continue to pray for the nation’s thirst for the Truth.
In the past few weeks, a Chinese couple and two Japanese ladies approached us and asked to practice conversational English with us. While we consider starting an English Corner ministry, it is not recommended that new missionaries in Japan start any ministries according to the polices of TEAM Japan. Rather, language learning is the focus in the beginning period of service. We pray for God’s guidance to serve and witness Him in any circumstances, anytime.
Once again, thank you very much for your continued prayers and all kinds of support. May our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always!
With love and appreciation,