Click here to view this newsletter as a PDF.
The month of December was filled with lots of celebrations and answers to prayers. A huge task for me this home assignment was to help my parents move out of their home and downsize to a condo. We were so happy to have the home that I grew up in sell quickly! I am so thankful to God and to our good realtor for making all of this happen. Having had to move all of my belongings out of my apartment in Japan earlier in the year and then to also move out in Canada was quite a stressor for me, but it is a huge relief to have all of this accomplished before the year end. I can say that the year 2025 was a MOVING year!
I also enjoyed spending a month with my sister and her husband and my niece, Lena. I had promised Lena that I would dedicate a month to her, and we enjoyed the special time together. It was so good to spend Advent and Christmas together and to also spend time preparing for her baptism. A highlight for me was to be able to baptize her on December 28, on my birthday! Her baptism is testimony to many people’s prayers and support to her over the years. My parents and my other sister were able to witness this, together with many others from the Edmonton Japanese Christian Church. She is a walking miracle and testimony of God’s grace and love, as she has literally survived four major heart surgeries throughout her 18-year life. My prayer is that her baptism will be the beginning of a deeper, intimate relationship with Jesus that will guide and strengthen her through the journey that God has for her.
I will continue to visit supporters and churches to share about the work in Japan in this next quarter, as well as start preparing to go back to the field sometime in April. Currently, I am starting the process of visa applications and getting more acquainted with the logistics of working with our new partner mission, TEAM Japan. I covet your prayers for the process to be accomplished according to God’s will and timing.
Note: Many have been asking me about financial support and where to send it. Please continue to send through the NAB. The NAB is in partnership with TEAM Japan. You can look at the NAB website and click on the giving tab or visit nabonmission.org/missionaries/yuri-nakano.
It is also exciting to meet up with Lindsey Gelinas, the newly appointed missionary to Japan! I attended the Alberta Baptist Association Retreat for Pastors and leaders and their families and had a good time getting to know Lindsey better. She is hoping to go to Japan next year, and I praise God that He is answering our prayers for more missionaries. I am happy that she is answering God’s call on her life. If you feel led by the Lord to support her, please visit nabonmission.org/missionaries/lindsey-gelinas.
I appreciate your prayers as I continue to make visits to churches and supporters.
Here is my schedule in the coming months:
- February 4 – Bethany Baptist Church in British Columbia, seniors group
- February 8 – Bethany Baptist Church Sunday worship
- February 13–14 – Zion Baptist Community Church Retreat at Camp Nakamun
- February 15 – West Meadows Baptist Church in Edmonton, Alberta
- February 22 – McKernan Baptist Church in Edmonton, Alberta
- March 1 – Terwillegar Community Church in Edmonton, Alberta
- March 13–15 – Detroit Missions Conference
Thank you for continuing to partner with me through your prayers and support!