Japan

Sorry it has been so long since we have written. Life is very busy but nothing compared to the pace they keep in Japan. The people of Japan literally run at a break neck speed to work and work is their life.

Japan is a country like no other that I have visited. In Tokyo, there is an estimated 33 million people living in a small area surrounded by mountains and sea. It has hundreds of tall buildings and an incredible mass transit system. The food is very unusual and definitely not my favorite. The people are wonderful and most of them have an understanding of English. They are all polite, they want to please you in everything they do and are very hard working.

While there I was able to meet with the leaders of PAZ Japan, the organization WIM has partnered with. They do church planting, leadership training and also have been working in the disaster relief. I also was able to visit WIM missionary Janine Geekie, whom he and Vonda had trained in Mexico. It was great to see how well she is doing and all that she is involved in. I did a teaching on making disciples with the leaders of the FUSE and shared a little of what God is doing in the places I have traveled. Though time did not allow me to go to the disaster area, I saw photos and heard incredible stories of what has happened since the earthquake/tsunami. The relief effort will be ongoing for the next several years.

The highlight of the trip was ministering with Aaron who has been in Japan for a month. We walked all over the Norborito neighborhood where the church was, shared good laughs and lots of good father/son time. It was neat to see him lead the street band outreaches outside of the train stations or in an area of the city that has thousands of people congregating or passing through in the evenings. He led worship at the FUSE church plant and even sang in Japanese.

I have now completed 5 international ministry trips since February. This would not be possible without faithful people like you who pray for us and give to us. God has supplied for each trip the funds for airfare and ground expenses while in country. We appreciate you all very much and pray God’s blessings for you and your families.