Dear Praying Friends
In the early 1900s there was a rebellion in NE Japan which was brutally suppressed by troops from Kyushu. When we served in Hachinohe (200 km N) in the 1980s there was still strong resentment towards that southern part of Japan. But since the tsunami many volunteers, police forces, emergency vehicles, water trucks, food supplies etc have converged from all over Japan to help in Sendai, the area hit worst by the tsunami. For example last week we attended an impressive display of dance, songs, stories, karate with 50 performers from Okinawa, which is as far away as anywhere, with free food. The stated purpose was to 'cheer up the people of NE Japan' and it worked: we really enjoyed it! Friendly policemen from near Tokyo have offered us chocolate, and when there was no water, trucks from Mt Fuji delivered it. The government must be pleased at this breaking down of internal barriers but I wonder if God's purpose in this is to make Japanese evangelists more acceptable no matter what part of the country they come from or go to, when the revival comes. Let us pray and work for this. I believe we are living in historic times.
We have found a small office to start our relief/ evangelism centre in Arai Town. It is small but adequate and visible. Please pray that our application is accepted and that the landlord reduces the 'key' money from 6 months rent to 2 or less.
Tadamitsu our church evangelist has made good relationships with the leaders and many of the occupants of the temporary housing sites in Arai Town where the tsunami homeless are housed. We have visited many homes and shared the gospel and helped people in material ways. Please pray that they will open their hearts not just to us but to the Lord.
Christine flies to India on Monday: we will miss her. Please pray for safety. She got 2 of her AS results back and got 'A' s for which we thank to God! Esther still hasnt got anywhere with Student Finance regarding the student loan and the promised accommodation in Farnham has fallen through so she is looking for alternatives. Andrew is back in UK and has an important test 22-27th Aug. Amy and Sam have moved to Glasgow.
Glenda has been teaching about 60 university students and about 10 women each week : please pray for conversions.
Please pray for the normal church life and ministry as well as for God to do great miracles of saving grace.
Yesterday I spoke to a man sitting on the beach. He looked depressed and said he was sad that the beach was empty in mid-summer and that he worked at the town office and heard nothing but complaints all day. We had a good talk and I told him the gospel but he bowed deeply and walked away...
Thank you for your faithful and loving prayers,
Yours in Jesus, who never gives up with us,
Rod and Glenda Thomas
