Voices from the Field Paul and Melissa Ewing Get to know Paul and Melissa

Thankfulness

Published on November 16, 2020

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Praise

  • November 29 Yuki will be baptized!
  • God provided a location for the baptism.
  • Thankful for God’s provision in every area of life; relationally and materially
  • We will be able to gather and celebrate Christmas at various times!
  • The process to have Yuri Nakano return to Japan is moving forward.

 

Prayer

  • Yuki’s faith and discipleship. As he matures in life may his faith grow as well.
  • Yoko and her faith during life’s difficulties.
  • Yuri’s paperwork is in process and we are hoping for a January arrival date.
  • The Gaudio family’s continued fund raising and preparations for Japan.
  • Noah and Jonah will finish the semester online after Thanksgiving break; may they finish strong. Noah as he begins preparations for continuing his education in a master’s program.
  • Elijah is enrolled in an online school from the States, which has some logistical problems but we are persevering. We will need to decide about second semester by the end of this year. Please pray for wisdom.

 

As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.

2 Samuel 22:31–33 (NIV)

 

God is wonderful! He draws people to Himself and encourages us as we have the privilege to participate in shepherding new faith. Yuki is in sixth grade, and God has been drawing him to know Him since he was in first grade. His desire to understand and know God has led him to decide that he truly does believe and wants to declare his faith through baptism. We pray that as he continues his faith journey, his knowledge and love for God will continue to mature as he shares his faith with others. Due to COVID-19, we were not allowed to use the church we have used in the past and were concerned where we might be able to hold the baptism. We kept hope as we stayed open to God’s direction. We are thankful and blessed to have found a church and one that is big enough that will allow us to gather corporately while following COVID protocols. God is faithful!

If you have ever had to interact with an immigration officer, you understand that there often is frustration and a sense of no control over the situation. This can make it difficult to even want to ask questions. Yet, God was faithful, and each visit Paul had to the immigration office to discuss Yuri’s situation brought answers and a spirit of helpfulness. Japan has opened its borders to foreign residents, and we were able to start the process for Yuri’s visa. We are hopeful that Yuri will be able to return to Japan in January, which will also allow Shan the opportunity to return to the States for her scheduled home assignment. We continue to trust in God’s timing.

Keep Yoko in your prayers as she struggles with her faith and life difficulties. Pray for her knowledge and understanding of God’s faithfulness and that she would truly seek to know God and walk with Him daily.

We are thankful that the Gaudio family continues to work toward raising their support by participating in mission conferences and church visitations, whether in person or online. If you have not already, please get to know the Gaudio family: nabonmission.org/missionaries/raffaele-sylvia-gaudio and continue to pray for their preparations.

Noah and Jonah returned to Houghton’s campus, and we are thankful for the college’s leadership and the students’ cooperation, resulting in no COVID‑19 cases to this point. The semester will finish online after the Thanksgiving holiday. We continue to pray for safety for them and our family members. On top of finishing his senior year, Noah is starting the process to continue his studies in a graduate-level program. Pray for wisdom and guidance as he moves through this process.

Elijah has been participating in an American online school. He continues to persevere even though there have been some logistical difficulties. Pray for wisdom as we try to navigate the COVID-19 situation with very little information or testing being done here in Japan.

Blessings,

Paul & Melissa Ewing


CHRISTMAS EVENTS

December 01:    Ladies tea and making gifts for the nursing home

December 19:    Church kids’ Christmas party

December 24:    Christmas Eve service


2-33-6 Miikedai, minami ku, Sakai shi, Osaka Japan 590-0134

680 Heim road getzville New york USA 14068

Paul: pemedicus@yahoo.com Melissa: japanewing@yahoo.com

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