New life

How are you?  I am so excited right now!  I was supposed to finish writing this letter three days ago, but I am glad that I am writing this a bit behind in schedule.  Just now, one of our staff, Yuko, went to the hospital to give birth to her new baby!!  (I feel like a reporter!)  She was very calm and it is us in the office who is more excited than they are.  I am sure by the time you receive this letter, both mom and a baby will be safely home. Please pray for them.  (Before I got to send this out, their first baby (a girl) was born on July 17^th, 7:22am.  6 lb 1.3 oz, 18 1/4 inch)!

Not reluctantly

but what he has decided in his heart

I almost forgot what I was going to share with you!  Well, here I go.  Recently, God brings me back to the passage, 2 Corinthians 9.  Here it talks about offerings, gifts, service, commitment, God's provision and so on.  He points me to verse 7, the most.

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Each of us is given with different gifts and abilities, different places to serve Him.  There is no need to compare.  Only thing God is looking at is our heart, whether I am giving what I decided in my heart to give or giving reluctantly or under compulsion.

JCFN has been repeatedly talking about 4Cs, but this verse reminds me of CALLING.  How I am CALLED to serve in JCFN, as a missionary and a single Japanese woman who lives in a cross cultural settings.

I also think about the CALLINGS of those who are involved in JCFN one  way or the other.  (It is a very lim ited few that we get to know them personally.)  Their Christian walk, language, home countries, gifts, callings are all different.

However, there is this base that is the same for all of us.  ALL OF US is saved by Jesus, and is given privilege to serve the Lord.  It is the same that God will provide everything we need to serve Him.

Generosity in sharing = God will be glorified

Then we will "be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. Also when we give with generosity, people will praise God! (v13)

Ripple effect of calling

This is not just me listening to God's CALLING and obeying it.  This is HOW we obey His CALLING for us.  When we obey "what we decided in our heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion", not only our hearts will be filled with thanksgiving to God, but people around us will glorify God for His work!  It is my prayer for all of us that God will give such heart attitude.

What's gonna happen to US and Japan office!?

Since Yuko is going to be on her maternity leave till end of September, Yoko who is here from Japan for training will return at the beginning of August, and I will be on the road till the end of the fall, CHIHIRO will OFFICE ALONE.  Please pray for her.  For Japan office, is ONCE AGAIN will be MOVING in the midst of the summer activities.  Pray for that, too!

WIT 08 leadership camp

This year at WIT 08, once again we have a privilege of training 20 leaders from all over the states.  At WIT 08, we want to see "transforming Christ-like visionary leaders who multiply for God's mission."  We will learn from the ULTIMATE leader, Jesus, we will have VISION from Him and learn how to mobilize that vision, and also will keep our outward focus to be equipped to carry the World Mission as a leader.  Pray for staff as well as for the participants.

Campaign kick off seminar,

"journey to freedom"

On August 2^nd, in Tokyo, there will be a seminar concerning our "HEART".  We will focus on depression, un-forgiveness, fear, lust, anger, pride, etc., and learn what it is to have God's promise of the FREEDOM from the Truth, which the Bible teaches us and will have the first step to the journey to freedom.  This seminar is incorporated to have small group study.  If you wish to be a part of this JCFN small group or start one, we will provide the seminar DVD, Bible study text book and devotion guide for 6 weeks at free of charge.  Please contact us.

Lastly, thank you so much for your prayers.  All the visitations we did at several conferences and the seminars in June were all blessed.  I will be traveling to Germany, Singapore, Seattle, New York, Japan from August.  Please pray for the US Head Quarters.

Please continuously pray for this ministry.

Setsu Kuroda  International Director of JCFN