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
Thursday, 12 August 2010
Prayer Partner Letter July 2010
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
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
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
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