Thank you so much for your prayers.
1. The shop we applied to rent as a preaching point/ relief centre has fallen through when the owner found out that we were going to have bible studies there. The estate agent was very apologetic but it means we have to start again. Please pray that God will provide a suitable place in Arai Machi if it is his will, or else lead us to a better place.
2. Tadamitsu is working hard as our church's evangelist. He has visited temporary housing sites (THS) where the tsunami victims are housed in prefabs, and has handed out welcome packs containing a vitamin drink, New Testament, tract and church invitation. He was (illegally) prevented at one by the caretaker who objected to the bibles. Hopefully next week he will have the use of a van - we are waiting on the issuance of the parking certificate by the police - a formality but pray anyway.
3. On Monday 18th we are having our first mobile cafe at one THS - with free food, literature... and bibles (ohoh), and a church in Tokyo is helping us put on a miniconcert at the same time. We would like to do this regularly. There are at least 17 THS within a 40min drive.
4. From 25-28th a dance team of Christian young people will be coming from Tokyo to do workshops on breakdancing etc. We are hosting them at some venues. Tadamitsu has received a police certificate for street performances in downtown Sendai. They are keen to give their testimonies and tell the gospel, as we are they should, so please pray that is effective. Our English cafe will be led by a Hong Kong team on 29th.
5. It is great to have Christine back who arrived safely from India. She is awaiting her UK passport renewal and Japan visa renewal before she goes back on 15 Aug, which is tight. Also Glenda and Rod need visa approval in the next two weeks. Esther is safely back in UK after an exciting time of ministry in South Africa. Please pray that the student loan we have applied for will be granted. Their automated system doesn't seem to handle oddities like our family situation.
6. Our annual holiday is 24th July - 8th Aug. It is already filling up with work (see above), which is OK as we can always rest later and don't want to miss these opportunities but pray above all that we maintain our walk with the Lord, freshness and obedience, and for revival in Sendai.
David said 'But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever' (Ps 52:8), which is impressive faith when you consider his state of mind after 1 Samuel 21 &22.
Yours in the steadfast love of Jesus
Rod and Glenda Thomas
Saturday, 16 July 2011
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
Prayer Partner Letter June 2011
Dear Praying Friends
Thank you so much for your prayers. Our big official prayer request last year was to be fully supported. We are very grateful to all our supporters because this year so far we are. Another prayer was that we wouldn't be bored if and when we got back. (Although Japan is unreached it can be boring; the same meetings, faces, problems etc). Well, the tsunami took care of that - everyday has been different and exciting and challenging, though we never wished for this tsunami!
1. Tadamitsu
OMF has given a grant from the Sendai Earthquake Relief Fund to our church to open a preaching point and relief centre staffed by church member, Tadamitsu Nishimura. Three years ago our church sent him to New Zealand to study theology and he returned a few weeks before the tsunami. He will give up his job at the end of June and our first decision will be where to locate. Arai Machi is our first choice. The new subway terminal will be located here when it opens in 2013. The station itself will be just south of the Sendai Higashi motorway exit. Arai Machi was hit by the tsunami and the area seaward of it, Arahama, was totally destroyed. Tadamitsu has already done relief work in this area. We are looking for a shop front which is accessible and public. It can be then used to stage relief supplies, or a coffee shop, a 2nd hand clothes shop, Christian bookshop, or short termers could teach English - the possibilities are endless. His first plan would be to work through the volunteer centres, but the needs change with time, and he will learn on the job. Please pray that the Lord will guide us to choose the right place, Tadamitsu's preparation, and for this to be fruitful etc.
2. Higashi
Many of our church members have become more zealous, serious, joyful, prayerful and evangelistic. This is true of Yoshiya Higashi. He is our treasurer and a professor. Because his university has a Christian constitution he has many opportunities to use his influence for the gospel and is getting more and more busy so please remember him.
3. Ministry
At Shichigahama by the time most of you read this the evacuation centres will all be empty and the evacuees will have moved into temporary housing and will face loneliness, higher living costs etc. Pray for us as we must adapt and find new creative ways to minister to them.
4. Christine will be coming back to Japan on 23-24 th June. It is quite a journey: 8 hr bus journey to Bangalore, flight to Hong Kong, another flight to Tokyo and then a 5 hour car drive to Sendai. Esther will be leaving Cape Town for UK on 9th July. Please pray for safe travel.
Thank you for your prayers
Thank you so much for your prayers. Our big official prayer request last year was to be fully supported. We are very grateful to all our supporters because this year so far we are. Another prayer was that we wouldn't be bored if and when we got back. (Although Japan is unreached it can be boring; the same meetings, faces, problems etc). Well, the tsunami took care of that - everyday has been different and exciting and challenging, though we never wished for this tsunami!
1. Tadamitsu
OMF has given a grant from the Sendai Earthquake Relief Fund to our church to open a preaching point and relief centre staffed by church member, Tadamitsu Nishimura. Three years ago our church sent him to New Zealand to study theology and he returned a few weeks before the tsunami. He will give up his job at the end of June and our first decision will be where to locate. Arai Machi is our first choice. The new subway terminal will be located here when it opens in 2013. The station itself will be just south of the Sendai Higashi motorway exit. Arai Machi was hit by the tsunami and the area seaward of it, Arahama, was totally destroyed. Tadamitsu has already done relief work in this area. We are looking for a shop front which is accessible and public. It can be then used to stage relief supplies, or a coffee shop, a 2nd hand clothes shop, Christian bookshop, or short termers could teach English - the possibilities are endless. His first plan would be to work through the volunteer centres, but the needs change with time, and he will learn on the job. Please pray that the Lord will guide us to choose the right place, Tadamitsu's preparation, and for this to be fruitful etc.
2. Higashi
Many of our church members have become more zealous, serious, joyful, prayerful and evangelistic. This is true of Yoshiya Higashi. He is our treasurer and a professor. Because his university has a Christian constitution he has many opportunities to use his influence for the gospel and is getting more and more busy so please remember him.
3. Ministry
At Shichigahama by the time most of you read this the evacuation centres will all be empty and the evacuees will have moved into temporary housing and will face loneliness, higher living costs etc. Pray for us as we must adapt and find new creative ways to minister to them.
4. Christine will be coming back to Japan on 23-24 th June. It is quite a journey: 8 hr bus journey to Bangalore, flight to Hong Kong, another flight to Tokyo and then a 5 hour car drive to Sendai. Esther will be leaving Cape Town for UK on 9th July. Please pray for safe travel.
Thank you for your prayers
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