Our return to Canada is quickly approaching, we only have about two months left of our one year term here in Osaka. How time flies! In The past while we’ve been happy to host more Canadian guests, including my brother and his wife, Eric and Gina, along with Gina’s mom, Lydia. This week we’re anticipating more guests, and next month Logan’s younger brother will be coming our way as well! It’s nice having a full house!
In May, we had the opportunity to visit Northern Japan where the Great Earthquake/Tsunami of 2011 hit. We went along with several other Mennonite Brethren church members from the Osaka area, including the pastor of our church, who led the tour. We stayed at a church that began shortly after the Great Disaster led by a Japanese pastor and his family, along with a missionary couple from America. It was great having fellowship with them and hearing their stories about how God has been working in that area. We were surprised by how many victims of the disaster are still living in temporary homes. Please pray for this area, as after four year, there is still much work to be done - physically and spiritually.
This week we were very discouraged after one of our chapel times. For the devotional, we decided to focus on a portion of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:25-34) about worry. I’ve always found encouragement from this passage and thought the Japanese may feel the same way. One of our students, however, could not grasp the idea of trusting Jesus to look after his earthly needs (clothing, food, drink, etc.) His response is always the same to our chapel times: “That’s a very nice story, but I think it’s too difficult.” I was so heartbroken at his words. Yes, being a Christian isn’t for the faint of heart, but I can speak from experience that it’s the most rewarding relationship we can have on this earth. The Bible says very clearly that some will accept the gospel, and some will reject it. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will change his heart!
This past week we celebrated four years of marriage (thank you for your MANY prayers ;) by going to nearby Awaji Island. We stayed in a Japanese style hotel and experienced the beauty of the Japanese countryside.
Praise & Prayer:
Pray that the chapel times in our English classes would challenge our students, and that the Holy Spirit would work in their lives
Pray for Logan as he prepares to preach his first sermon on Father’s Day Sunday, June 21.
Pray that we would stay present in our duties here for the next 2 months and not be distracted by the uncertainties of moving home.
Pray for Osaka Bible Church as they discern how to continue English classes after our departure.
Praise that we had five new students join our English classes this month!
Praise for the past four years of marriage.
Praise for continuing to strengthen the relationships we have with our students
Us with my brother and sister in law at Osaka Castle park.
This was our tour group that visited the 2011 disaster area.
Celebrating 4 years of marriage in traditional Yukata!
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