Click here to view this newsletter as a PDF.
Dear Family and Friends,
Happy Thanksgiving! It is the time of year we Americans spend time with family and friends thanking God for all He has done in our lives over the past year. I have many things for which I am thankful, especially each of you as you pray for me and the ministry in Japan. Thank you!
September Music
September was full of music for me! Anointed Gospel Choir held its 14th annual concert. We had a wonderful day of singing and fellowship. I love these ladies and the way God is at work in their lives. Mr. Yamamoto, our director, does an amazing job of sharing the gospel and Jesus’ love not only in our rehearsals, but also at our concerts. Two weeks after our concert, after the last rehearsal I attended, we had a ‘see you later, Shan’ meal together. Each lady gave me a hug before they left!
At Komyo Christian Church we hosted a Live Gospel Café with Cassandran Peake and one of her choirs as our guests. It was an uplifting and fun evening of music and fellowship. We appreciate Cassandra’s ministry not only to us when she comes to Komyo Church, but also around Osaka as she leads gospel choirs and gives voice lessons.
Komyo Christian Church
I have enjoyed being part of Komyo Christian Church since we started this church plant and I look forward to how God is going to continue growing us in the future. It is hard to be away from the church for this time while I am on home assignment but know of God’s faithfulness as He continues leading and guiding. Praise God for the way He has grown this congregation in faith and grace!
I wanted to share with you a few more of the faces and connections I am going to miss while I am on home assignment. Since this page will contain quite a few pictures, you may want to print just the first page of this letter!
Behind our church is a little takeout lunch place. At least once a week I go there to get lunch and when we have seminars or activities on weekdays, we order lunches from them. These are some of the people who put together the lunches and always greet me with a smile. They love to get to deliver lunches to us.
Several mornings a week I run through the local park and then do radio exercises with a group there. Whenever I am going to be gone for more than a day or two, I have to let them know so that they don’t worry about me. Having gotten to know them, and other morning walkers, it is unusual for me to go to the grocery store or train station without running into someone I know. I love the small town feel in the midst of millions of people.
The ladies from my baking and English class have become good friends. Before I left we went on an outing to eat something that someone else had made for us. Pancake restaurants have become quite popular recently in Japan, so we went to try the super fluffy pancakes together.
Of course, my Komyo Church family and and NAB mission family will be high on the list of those I will miss.
Thank you for your prayers and faithful support. God’s richest blessings!
Soli Deo Gloria,
Shan in Japan