How are you everyone?

I have returned from Japan in the middle of April, but continued on to Denver for 10 days and since early May, I have returned to my ‘old life’ in LA. I really felt that I was gone for a long time when I attended a meeting for young people in LA. Many faces have changed and I met 4 students who received Christ just the other day. In fact, three of them are returning to Japan for good this summer. I have spent three months working among those who have already returned, but now I am facing these who are yet to return. However, I must emphasize that it is not either BEFORE or AFTER your return to Japan. This is indeed a continuum and it is important to see it as one ministry.

Different Perspectives

In Japan, it seems as though swine flu has taken over Japan completely. 2 in the morning, Minister of Health would be on air reporting whether an individual was actually had flu or not. On the other hand, in the US, although it is located right next to Mexico, only people who are wearing masks are those who are doing painting job! What a difference!

Actually, you witness these differences in perspectives in many aspects of your lives. Some says it’s good and the other says the opposite. For instance, just looking at the questionnaires from All Nations Returnees Conference（ANRC）, some had said the conference was for young people. Others commented, “Where are the young people?” Some said, too much preaching, others said need more. Some said they need more workshops, and others said they don’t need them. Whoa! However, EVERYONE had agreed that the food was not good that they want more in quantity and quality. At least we agreed on something!

When we see things differently and when we hear so many different comments, WHAT SHOULD BE OUR FOUNDATION?

FOUNDATION in the midst of differences

Listening to so many perspectives and lose my ground. This is nothing new to me. However, I believe that these comments, no matter how different they maybe, are permitted by God for me to listen and there must be reason for that. My guidance in such situations is the following scripture. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” (Phil.2:3)

I think my response to people’s comments and voices has been changing over the past 15 years of ministry, especially towards negative ones. I am (unfortunately) getting older and I react differently than once I was young. My response has transformed from "intimidation" → "self-defense" → "take a "so-what" attitude" → "making effort to keep a good balance" I think I still find myself in the “so-what” situation, but try to keep a better balance. My goal is not to keep the balance to make situation better, but to keep the balance having JESUS as my ANCHOR. He is the best and ONLY ANCHOR.

I might Drawn!

Why am I writing this?

Well, after ANRC, it was obvious that God doing “God-Size” work. As we get excited at what He is doing, we are just simply in awe and scared. (You can check out what had happened at ANRC by visiting the home page. www.allnations.jp) JCFN’s circle of returnees from North America was stretched to WORLD. The age group that JCFN was comfortable with was the college age. But with ANRC, the age range expanded to ALL AGES. We were barely making our own way before, but now we feel like we can’t make it. We were in a pretty deep swimming pool, but now we feel like we are in this ocean, so far away from the shore and you don’t find a boat anywhere!

The voices we were listening had doubled in quantity and volume.

So, I must say that we are OVERWHELMED right now. I feel this overwhelming feeling from all of our staff. This is not individual staff but JCFN as a whole feels overwhelmed. That is why, especially now, we feel the urge and needs to quiet ourselves before God and listen to Him.

Important Announcement

In the midst of such ‘stretch’ I must make a very important announcement. Fumiko Asano whom you have been praying for the past three years as she was raising her support through her deputation ministry, has to resign from her position due to her personal reasons. We thank you deeply for your prayers and support. Please do pray for her future and also pray for JCFN as we are always in need of more workers.

Please Pray!

So, pray for us!

We feel the need to ‘stop’ after much running due to ec and ANRC. We are looking forward to our joint staff meeting in June, but before that we have several more events we are a part of. Pray for these as well, please.

On May 9th, there was a FUNDRAISE CONCERT by Yukiko Tanaka in Japan. You can check out the concert and the interview online. (japan.cgntv.net/_inc/player.asp?pid=2304&type=vod&player=8&bit=high&vid=42856&dreamon=Y)

During the Memorial Weekend (May 23-25), the7th Central Conference will take place in Chicago. (cc2009.exblog.jp/) There are more than 100 people who have already registered, and still increasing! Pray that all participants would hear from God and enjoy the fellowship with His people. Pray for the planning committee members. They are ALL volunteers.

May 29-31, there will be ACMI conference (www.acmi09.org) at Azusa Pacific University. This is for those who are ministering to international students. JCFN will serve them by providing workshop titled “Understanding Young Japanese Minds and Hearts.”

April and May were very busy with travel and other events, but we managed to have Intensive Staff meeting both in Japan and in the US. We exchanged many evaluations and comments, but in June, we will have our annual JOINT STAFF MEETING (6/9-11 for US and 10-12 for Japan). Since all of the staff gathered in Japan for ANRC, it is difficult for all of us to get together again financially and physically, we are going to have our first JOINT staff WEB conference. Please pray since there will be time difference and other issues we need to consider for this meeting. Pray for good preparation!

ANRC began its monthly meeting. It is still wrapping up from the 2009 but more than 40 people are already showing interests in getting involved in planning ANRC next year. Please pray not only for the conference itself, but through the joint effort, partnership and network will be built where would be the foundation of follow up for the returnees and for platform for them to serve Christ together. If you are interested, please contact us. The photo no left was taken at the meeting in April.

Thank you always for your prayers and support. God is answering your prayers. We are so privileged to be supported by you. May the Lord bless you abundantly today and forever.

Setsu Kuroda
JCFN International Director