Thank you for your prayers. October is our last month in UK. It has been good to have this break from ministry in Japan. It widens our perspective and we meet lots of 'normal' people. At the same time speaking at churches on the reason for the mission to Japan has strengthened our resolve to continue it. We seen have how a variety of churches work, attended some great conferences and met our precious prayer partners and the prayer groups who pray for us OMFers. Of course we have seen my dear parents and our children and many other relatives for which we are very grateful. We have a full month with ministry in Berks, Hants and Sussex.
Please pray for Christine who travels back for half-term 10th-23rd Oct.
We have just updated our website,
http://rodthomas.drivehq.com/mission/welcome.html
take a look!
Joel in Sendai writes that some of the young people are not able to attend services because of school clubs that are on Sundays. The church has a guitar concert with testimony by Yoneda-sensei on 15th. Church members Mr TS and Mr TN ask for prayer for career decisions. Keep praying for Mrs RA who is depressed and staying away from church. Keep praying for Joel's ministry. And for revival in Japan
On 4th Nov we arrive in Cape Town, please pray for those looking for accommodation and transport for us to have success soon!
I heard an Indian preacher recently say that Japan is the world's largest unreached group.
If we are unconcerned with the evangelisation of Japan we have wrong Kingdom priorities. If we think it is unnecessary we have denied the evangelical faith.
Saturday, 25 September 2010
Monday, 6 September 2010
August 2010
"Japan... has more than 120 million people, who cannot tell their right hand from their left... Should I not be concerned about that great country?" adapted from God's words to Jonah (4:11). Japan has mostly fallen off the missions' map in many UK churches. Missions' interest is mostly absorbed in Africa or confused with poverty and disaster relief. The reason for this is that Eternity has faded from view and the Bible teaching that those without Christ are lost forever is not the over-riding concern that it should be. This is a generalisation and there are some bright points of light but "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul" is a perspective that is as difficult for us all to keep now as it was in Mark 8. We have a busy schedule in Sept but mostly all local in Hampshire.
News from Sendai Church, Japan: There is Chilean lady who occasionally attends services and has been having severe emotional and mental problems. Her Japanese husband is a man I have known for 5 years as a friendly honest mechanic who has fixed our cars and has started coming to church to try to help her. Please pray both Mr and Mrs A into the Kingdom.
Next week is Obon, the Buddhist festival of worshipping the dead. It is a national holiday when many go back to their homes. Pray that the believers will not fall into idolatry.
Pray too for our co-workers, Joel and Seiko Lovestrand, that they will have grace and strength for every pastoral challenge they meet.
Finally, pray for the church to become strong, independent and fruitful, and for us to have financial support to continue in ministry.
Christine returns to Hebron, India unaccompanied 16-17th Aug. Please pray for a safe trip. We thank God for a great couple of days with Amy in Scotland and Andrew has spent much of his leave with us which has been a blessing. Keswick Convention and EMA were spiritual feasts. Esther comes with us in Nov to RSA to work with Justice Acts, a Christian group that works to stop human trafficking.
Thank you for your prayers
News from Sendai Church, Japan: There is Chilean lady who occasionally attends services and has been having severe emotional and mental problems. Her Japanese husband is a man I have known for 5 years as a friendly honest mechanic who has fixed our cars and has started coming to church to try to help her. Please pray both Mr and Mrs A into the Kingdom.
Next week is Obon, the Buddhist festival of worshipping the dead. It is a national holiday when many go back to their homes. Pray that the believers will not fall into idolatry.
Pray too for our co-workers, Joel and Seiko Lovestrand, that they will have grace and strength for every pastoral challenge they meet.
Finally, pray for the church to become strong, independent and fruitful, and for us to have financial support to continue in ministry.
Christine returns to Hebron, India unaccompanied 16-17th Aug. Please pray for a safe trip. We thank God for a great couple of days with Amy in Scotland and Andrew has spent much of his leave with us which has been a blessing. Keswick Convention and EMA were spiritual feasts. Esther comes with us in Nov to RSA to work with Justice Acts, a Christian group that works to stop human trafficking.
Thank you for your prayers
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