Dear faithful pray-ers
It has been great to meet some of you (in UK at least) and we are so grateful for your prayers.
Our co-worker in Sendai, Joel Lovestrand, writes that he has opportunities to speak at schools which is an open door to tell the gospel to many children. Pray also for the pastoral work he must do and for the regular preaching and teaching ministry which is always a challenge. Continue to pray for the Lord to raise up national workers and leaders, and for the church to become independent, fruitful and strong.
Tadamitsu Nishimura who was converted and baptised in Sendai in 2003 will return to Japan later this year after 3 years of theological study and youth work in New Zealand. Pray for guidance and blessing on his future ministry.
Home assignment ministry in UK in August will take us to Birmingham, Southsea, Titchfield, Havant etc. We hope to be used in the calling of new missionaries and those who pray and support.
Financial Information (for those who would like it)
In the past the UK side of OMF would 'top' up each member's support to 80-100% to enable them to continue. In the last 2 years however giving has decreased so that general donations to OMF now go mostly towards costs within UK. So if you would like to support us please make your cheque payable to OMF International but specify in a covering letter that it should go to the support of the Thomases in Japan. At present on an annual basis we receive about 60% individualised support. If this doesn't increase we may not be allowed to return to Japan, but if 20 people pledged to give 50 pounds/month we would be OK. The address is OMF International (UK), Station Approach, Borough Green, Sevenoaks, TN15 8BG, Kent. 01732-887299
God's richest blessings
Rod and Glenda Thomas
Thursday, 12 August 2010
Monday, 5 July 2010
Up-to-date at last!
Dear Patient Prayers
At last I have uploaded the prayer partner letters for the last 8 months. I shall try to keep them up-to-date from now on...
God bless
Rod
16th June 2010
Dear Praying Friends
Why is a missionary flying back on home assignment like toothpaste? Because he leaves his life, contacts, stuff and work in one part of the world, goes through a narrow metal tube and emerges into a new and different world to live and work! So we feel a bit like toothpaste but are enjoying ourselves, meeting family and are settled in a nice little flat.
1. We thank God that Glenda got her visa and we evaded the BA strike. So now we are in UK at the below address, close to St Judes Church. Please pray for an effective and blessed ministry in UK. We attend EMA next week 23-25 June and Keswick 17-24 July. Ministry in June and July will be in Southsea, Eastney, Alverstoke, Birmingham etc.
2. Please keep praying for the church in Sendai, for conversions, for God to raise up national workers and for the church to grow towards independence. Pray too for the nation of Japan: that God will have mercy on the 127 million people there. In particular please pray for Mrs RA who told us just before she had left that she had tried to commit suicide several times: she used to come to church but has stopped. Pray for Mr K, our almost-resident schizophrenic who attends every meeting and has changed so much in the past 2 years but still hasn't come to faith.
3. We have just heard that Amy has passed her medicine finals so she is now Dr Amy Thompson. We are so grateful to God as she has been working for this since was 12! She and husband Sam leave for Scotland in July. Christine is still writing her GCSE exams in India and returns to UK 1st July. Esther is with us in UK trying hard to get a job until she comes with us to RSA in Nov to work with Justice Acts, a Christian group that works to stop human trafficking.
Thank you for your prayers
love from Rod and Glenda
Why is a missionary flying back on home assignment like toothpaste? Because he leaves his life, contacts, stuff and work in one part of the world, goes through a narrow metal tube and emerges into a new and different world to live and work! So we feel a bit like toothpaste but are enjoying ourselves, meeting family and are settled in a nice little flat.
1. We thank God that Glenda got her visa and we evaded the BA strike. So now we are in UK at the below address, close to St Judes Church. Please pray for an effective and blessed ministry in UK. We attend EMA next week 23-25 June and Keswick 17-24 July. Ministry in June and July will be in Southsea, Eastney, Alverstoke, Birmingham etc.
2. Please keep praying for the church in Sendai, for conversions, for God to raise up national workers and for the church to grow towards independence. Pray too for the nation of Japan: that God will have mercy on the 127 million people there. In particular please pray for Mrs RA who told us just before she had left that she had tried to commit suicide several times: she used to come to church but has stopped. Pray for Mr K, our almost-resident schizophrenic who attends every meeting and has changed so much in the past 2 years but still hasn't come to faith.
3. We have just heard that Amy has passed her medicine finals so she is now Dr Amy Thompson. We are so grateful to God as she has been working for this since was 12! She and husband Sam leave for Scotland in July. Christine is still writing her GCSE exams in India and returns to UK 1st July. Esther is with us in UK trying hard to get a job until she comes with us to RSA in Nov to work with Justice Acts, a Christian group that works to stop human trafficking.
Thank you for your prayers
love from Rod and Glenda
11th May 2010
Dear Praying Friends
Greetings from Japan! Thank you for your prayers.
1. We have booked a flight from Tokyo to UK on 31st May to return for our home assignment. But we have hit a snag in that Glenda has found she needs a visa to enter UK. This is a new rule for S Africans from 2009. It is not a simple matter and the documentation we had to provide was enormous. So please pray that it is granted.
2. Last Sunday we had 40 adults in church which is encouraging. Please pray that growth continues, that we will be able to accommodate the congregation, and that new inquirers will feel free to attend and stay. Joel Lovestrand and his Japanese wife Seiko will be taking over leadership so please pray for wisdom and strength for them to 'make many disciples' Acts 14:21. When a missionary leaves there is often an interesting dynamic as long-term inquirers (ie non-Christians who attend) start to seek the Lord with a strong mix of sadness & human dependence etc. Please pray for conversions and revival in the whole city.
3. Esther has joined us from Australia and will come back with us to UK. Andrew has paid us a surprise visit for 2 weeks. Both are a great blessing to have here. Christine is writing her GCSE exams in India and Amy starts her final medicine exams on 1 June. Both value your prayers.
Thanks again!
Yours in the grace and grip of the Gospel
love from Rod and Glenda
Greetings from Japan! Thank you for your prayers.
1. We have booked a flight from Tokyo to UK on 31st May to return for our home assignment. But we have hit a snag in that Glenda has found she needs a visa to enter UK. This is a new rule for S Africans from 2009. It is not a simple matter and the documentation we had to provide was enormous. So please pray that it is granted.
2. Last Sunday we had 40 adults in church which is encouraging. Please pray that growth continues, that we will be able to accommodate the congregation, and that new inquirers will feel free to attend and stay. Joel Lovestrand and his Japanese wife Seiko will be taking over leadership so please pray for wisdom and strength for them to 'make many disciples' Acts 14:21. When a missionary leaves there is often an interesting dynamic as long-term inquirers (ie non-Christians who attend) start to seek the Lord with a strong mix of sadness & human dependence etc. Please pray for conversions and revival in the whole city.
3. Esther has joined us from Australia and will come back with us to UK. Andrew has paid us a surprise visit for 2 weeks. Both are a great blessing to have here. Christine is writing her GCSE exams in India and Amy starts her final medicine exams on 1 June. Both value your prayers.
Thanks again!
Yours in the grace and grip of the Gospel
love from Rod and Glenda
30th Mar 2010
Dear Praying Friends
1. Next Sunday of course is Easter and we always try to do something special. This time we will be having a Family Service and message for children. The same day Glenda goes off to India to Christine's halfterm. Please pray for travelling mercies and a good break for them both.
2. Please pray again for Mrs Temple-field who is now facing various unforeseen problems. I think it is obvious that God is working in her life and answering your prayers and I had a chance to go through the 'Two Ways to Live' booklet with her. Pray her and others into the Kingdom!
3. In the English Cafe we will be continuing the Creation vs Evolution theme and do the 'Origin of Man' on 17 April.
4. Most importantly, pray for God to pour out his Spirit and many to be brought to faith, for all the churches in Miyagi Ken to be revived as per Acts 9:31 'So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied. '
5. Esther is on a working holiday visa in Australia but hasn't found work! Please pray something opens up soon or she will come back here.
6. We are due back in UK on 31 May and RSA on 3 Nov for home assignment until 26 Feb. Please pray for a smooth handover to the our coworkers, Lovestrands and that we don't forget anything!
Thank you for your prayers!
Yours in His service
love from Rod and Glenda
1. Next Sunday of course is Easter and we always try to do something special. This time we will be having a Family Service and message for children. The same day Glenda goes off to India to Christine's halfterm. Please pray for travelling mercies and a good break for them both.
2. Please pray again for Mrs Temple-field who is now facing various unforeseen problems. I think it is obvious that God is working in her life and answering your prayers and I had a chance to go through the 'Two Ways to Live' booklet with her. Pray her and others into the Kingdom!
3. In the English Cafe we will be continuing the Creation vs Evolution theme and do the 'Origin of Man' on 17 April.
4. Most importantly, pray for God to pour out his Spirit and many to be brought to faith, for all the churches in Miyagi Ken to be revived as per Acts 9:31 'So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied. '
5. Esther is on a working holiday visa in Australia but hasn't found work! Please pray something opens up soon or she will come back here.
6. We are due back in UK on 31 May and RSA on 3 Nov for home assignment until 26 Feb. Please pray for a smooth handover to the our coworkers, Lovestrands and that we don't forget anything!
Thank you for your prayers!
Yours in His service
love from Rod and Glenda
25th Feb 2010
Dear Praying Friends
Thank you again for your prayers which are so valuable to us.
1. We have been encouraged by a change in the tone of the some of the prayers we hear prayed in the church. Many of the women now are praying for the conversion of their husbands and children instead of just their health etc. It maybe that this shift will be a sign that God will soon do great things.
2. Please pray for Mrs Temple-field who came to our English classes and has been asking all sorts of interested questions. She had no previous knowledge of Christianity at all. Pray her into the kingdom before she grows hardened! (What a privilege it is to be a missionary in a place like this!)
3. Last week's English Cafe was on Creation vs Evolution. We had a number of inquirers. Please pray for them! On March 19 we will do 'Fossils, Dinosaurs and the Flood'.
4. We always have a few foreigners in our Japanese service. A few weeks ago though it was extreme - we had 19 foreigners from 13 nationalities and only 11 Japanese! We of course are here to plant a Japanese church so please pray the core of Japanese increases. Positively most of the foreigners are embedded in Japanese society and act as lay-missionaries to their Japanese contacts. For example 7 were wives married to Japanese.
5. Esther is back in Australia adjusting to civilian life after an intense short-term mission trip to Cambodia - please pray for her future. Christine is preparing for her IGCSE exams soon. Pray for her to maintain a composure and walk with the Lord. Glenda's hand is slowly healing. Andrew is witnessing for the Lord in a difficult situation in Scotland. Amy has her scarey finals after 5 years of medicine. (I, Rod, am fine)....
6. We are due back in UK in 1 June and RSA on 3 Nov for home assignment until Feb.
Thanks again!
Yours in the grace and grip of the Gospel
love from Rod and Glenda
Thank you again for your prayers which are so valuable to us.
1. We have been encouraged by a change in the tone of the some of the prayers we hear prayed in the church. Many of the women now are praying for the conversion of their husbands and children instead of just their health etc. It maybe that this shift will be a sign that God will soon do great things.
2. Please pray for Mrs Temple-field who came to our English classes and has been asking all sorts of interested questions. She had no previous knowledge of Christianity at all. Pray her into the kingdom before she grows hardened! (What a privilege it is to be a missionary in a place like this!)
3. Last week's English Cafe was on Creation vs Evolution. We had a number of inquirers. Please pray for them! On March 19 we will do 'Fossils, Dinosaurs and the Flood'.
4. We always have a few foreigners in our Japanese service. A few weeks ago though it was extreme - we had 19 foreigners from 13 nationalities and only 11 Japanese! We of course are here to plant a Japanese church so please pray the core of Japanese increases. Positively most of the foreigners are embedded in Japanese society and act as lay-missionaries to their Japanese contacts. For example 7 were wives married to Japanese.
5. Esther is back in Australia adjusting to civilian life after an intense short-term mission trip to Cambodia - please pray for her future. Christine is preparing for her IGCSE exams soon. Pray for her to maintain a composure and walk with the Lord. Glenda's hand is slowly healing. Andrew is witnessing for the Lord in a difficult situation in Scotland. Amy has her scarey finals after 5 years of medicine. (I, Rod, am fine)....
6. We are due back in UK in 1 June and RSA on 3 Nov for home assignment until Feb.
Thanks again!
Yours in the grace and grip of the Gospel
love from Rod and Glenda
9th Jan 2010
Dear Praying Friends
Simeon said that Jesus Christ is "a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel". Another reminder that it is God's will that the gospel must be spread as far and wide as possible.
Thank you for your prayers for us in December. We had good meetings with many new faces which we now need to follow up but no clear conversions, though we are hopeful some may come through for the Lord later.
After Christmas most midweek church meetings were cancelled so we were able to spend a quiet couple of weeks with all our children except Esther. Amy and husband Sam came out from UK. Amy writes her finals in June but has been told that she must do her 2-year junior-doctor training in Scotland. So Sam must look for another job there. Christine is having her winter holidays from Hebron and studying hard for her IGCSEs. Esther is in Cambodia with YWAM reaching out to street women and homeless children. She finds it hard and challenging but loves it.
In the church, Mrs Great Friend has the sadness and trial of her father's death. It is a trial because he wasn't a Christian and is having a Buddhist funeral which she is compelled to be involved in. He died on New Years Day but the funeral can only be held after 15th because that is when the Shinto decorations are removed. Christians always find these events repugnant as well as hard to deal with because of the constant danger of idolatry and family pressure. So please pray for her and others in the same position that they'll be a good witness.
Glenda is having a long overdue carpal-tunnel syndrome operation on her wrist this Wednesday (13th). Please pray that the Lord uses this to heal her.
Bible studies, Alpha course, Ladies meetings, etc re-start this week and English classes next. Please pray for us that we will be effective in ministry to all in our care.
Events this month are Men's Breakfast (23rd), Christine's returns to Hebron (25th) and English Cafe (29th).
Thank you for your prayers!
love from Rod and Glenda
Simeon said that Jesus Christ is "a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel". Another reminder that it is God's will that the gospel must be spread as far and wide as possible.
Thank you for your prayers for us in December. We had good meetings with many new faces which we now need to follow up but no clear conversions, though we are hopeful some may come through for the Lord later.
After Christmas most midweek church meetings were cancelled so we were able to spend a quiet couple of weeks with all our children except Esther. Amy and husband Sam came out from UK. Amy writes her finals in June but has been told that she must do her 2-year junior-doctor training in Scotland. So Sam must look for another job there. Christine is having her winter holidays from Hebron and studying hard for her IGCSEs. Esther is in Cambodia with YWAM reaching out to street women and homeless children. She finds it hard and challenging but loves it.
In the church, Mrs Great Friend has the sadness and trial of her father's death. It is a trial because he wasn't a Christian and is having a Buddhist funeral which she is compelled to be involved in. He died on New Years Day but the funeral can only be held after 15th because that is when the Shinto decorations are removed. Christians always find these events repugnant as well as hard to deal with because of the constant danger of idolatry and family pressure. So please pray for her and others in the same position that they'll be a good witness.
Glenda is having a long overdue carpal-tunnel syndrome operation on her wrist this Wednesday (13th). Please pray that the Lord uses this to heal her.
Bible studies, Alpha course, Ladies meetings, etc re-start this week and English classes next. Please pray for us that we will be effective in ministry to all in our care.
Events this month are Men's Breakfast (23rd), Christine's returns to Hebron (25th) and English Cafe (29th).
Thank you for your prayers!
love from Rod and Glenda
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