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As 2025 began, Yuri and I rang in the new year together as we have for many years. This year was filled not only with gratitude but also with a bit of sadness. I am grateful for the years we have had serving the Lord together here in Osaka. What a tremendous blessing to have a coworker who is also a friend. We are going to miss these New Year’s Eve celebrations, along with ministry and travel adventures around Japan!
For the past year I have said that next year I am leaving Japan. Suddenly, it is next year! As I was thinking about 2025 and all it might hold, God led me to Psalm 145, especially verse eight. Hearing of God’s unfailing love each morning reminds me to trust him, that I can trust him fully. This year will hold an immense transition for me, more changes that I can anticipate. Without God showing me, I will not know where to walk, and so in trust I give myself to him. Thank you for praying for me and for your patience as I continue to answer, “I don’t know,” to your questions.
Before leaving Japan, I want to see as many people and visit as many churches as I can. As I mentioned in my last newsletter, I was able to visit friends in Karuizawa last autumn. I have also had the privilege of preaching at many of the Japan Baptist Conference churches. What sweet fellowship with our brothers and sisters at these churches as we share a meal or have teatime while telling stories of God’s faithfulness and goodness.
There have been, and will be more, lunches, teas, and dinners with friends. God has been reminding me of his work in the hearts of my friends, students, and neighbors. Each time of fellowship is another reminder of his unfailing love and that I can trust him to continue the work that we have planted and watered.
On February 1, Yuri and I hosted a farewell party. Not only was it a time to get together with as many friends as possible, but it was also a time to sing and share the love of Jesus one more time. We invited our gospel choirs to sing a few songs, and each of us gave a little speech. Two of our good friends helped plan the party, and people from church and the gospel choirs helped with set-up, serving, and take down.
Over 80 people gathered to hear Wings Gospel Choir, Yuri’s choir; Anointed Gospel Choir, my choir; and our friend Cassandra. Wings sang three songs chosen by Yuri, and their director shared the meaning of the songs – he also helped with sound, which none of the rest of us know how to do! Cassandra sang “The Goodness of God” at my request and encouraged Yuri and me with her kind words. AGC sang two songs. Then I was able to share the reason I chose those two songs and why I came to Japan. With the tears flowing by this time, Wings and AGC joined together to sing “Oh Happy Day” to finish off the afternoon. Dozens of pictures were taken, and hugs exchanged. My heart was overflowing as I drove home!
Some of the hardest goodbyes for me have been saying goodbye to the youth and young adults. For so many years I have been planning, participating in, speaking at, and driving to the JBC youth and young adult events. I have watched many of these students grow up, physically and spiritually. When I first came to Japan twenty-eight years ago as a short-term missionary, the leader of the youth committee was a high school student and not at all interested in church or the Bible. I only met him then because his father is a pastor, and he occasionally showed up for dinner when I was at the church teaching English once a week. Now he is a pastor and leading the youth. His is just one of many stories I could share about God’s faithfulness and goodness in the lives of these amazing young people.
The above picture is of the youth who attended our farewell party. These are the students and young adults who have attended YEAH, the youth group we started at Komyo Church in 2020. Only three of them attend Komyo Church; the others attend other JBC churches in the area. At our Christmas party, two of the young adults committed to leading the group when I leave. Thank you for your prayers for these amazing young people who are learning to live as Jesus followers in a country where less than 1 percent of the population has a relationship with Jesus Christ.
I will be contacting my supporting churches soon to start planning church visits for this year! Thank you for your patience. I am trusting God as I walk each step of this transition. Thank you for your faithful prayers.