Dear Friends,
I am on the last stretch of my home assignment! TIME is going by so quickly! It is funny how time seems to feel longer or faster relative to how busy or relaxed you are. I will be going back to Japan on April 6, 2015. I was reminded about the Greek words for time and how “chronos” deals with the passage of time chronologically, whereas “kairos” deals with a certain moment in time that has deeper meaning and significance to our lives because of God’s specific plan. I am thankful for these “kairos” moments.
Kairos Course: I was able to take part in a one-week course that focused on understanding God’s mission to gather to Himself a people from all the nations of the world. The course encouraged me to keep passionate about sharing the gospel cross-culturally and to the unreached, but more importantly, to disciple others to have this same passion. It is easy to just take a course and then not do anything with it afterwards. I hope that I can pass on to others what I learned here. I covet your prayers that indeed I would be able to do that especially when I go back to Japan.
Christmas: It was wonderful to be able to spend this special season with family and friends in Canada this year. I even had an opportunity to bless my parents with a trip to Hawaii together! My parents are not getting any younger, so this was a once in a life-time opportunity for my family to enjoy this beautiful paradise island of Oahu together and escape cold Edmonton for a week. Thank you for praying for my parents’ salvation. I believe their hearts are becoming more receptive.
The Christmas season, unfortunately, can become a very busy and stressful time for ministry leaders and I am thankful that I could have a restful time this year without the responsibilities that I would usually have. I was praying for my colleagues in Japan who were very busy during this opportune time to reach people with the gospel. Thank you for continuing to pray for the Komyo Christian Church plant and for the Ewings and Shan Reed. Please pray for the church’s growth and maturity and that a Japanese pastor would be found to work with them and eventually take over the work.
Looking ahead: I will be returning to the same area that I was living before I left for Home Assignment, but I will have a new ministry focus. I have been in conversation with Paul Ewing regarding my next assignment in Japan. I will be working more closely with the pastors and churches in the Kansai region focusing on encouraging leadership development amongst the lay people. Please pray about this important transition.
I want to thank you for your partnership in the gospel and for supporting me through your prayers and your financial support. I look forward to going back to Japan in April and continuing to be your “hands and feet.”
Sincerely in Christ,
Yuri Nakano