LOTS and lots of great happenings!

How are you?  This month, too, I am so excited!  Last month, I was excited about Emma, Yuko's daughter's birth on July 17^th.  This month, I am excited because two students last week on the 15^th received Christ at the camp in Seattle!  The summer is filled with events, trips, visitations, and so forth, I am not sure whre to begin!  God is at work all the time.  I am barely following His footsteps, I feel like.

Too much blessings during the trip

I mentioned this last month, but the month of August is filled with trips.  I have been to Germany, Portland and Seattle, Singapore and New York.  Everywhere God has taken me, He has shown me His wonderful and faithful work.  Here is the verse He has been speaking to me lately.

"Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old.  Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it?  I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert. (43:18-19)

I feel like I have not being able to manage my time and have not being living "NOW".  Although I am living now, I am controlled by the things I did not finish yesterday and my thoughts are occupied with the things I need to do tomorrow.  I am grateful for this verse.

The autumn is just around the corner.  I pray that your health will be protected and that your ministry which might be filled with special events will be blessed and used for God's glory.

U.S. and japan office are hanging in there!

US Office is at the critical point.  Chihiro who is alone in the office since Yuko is on her maternity leave and I am constantly on the road.  She is taking care of everything in the office from meeting with visitors to arranging the small group campaign that will take place in September.  She has those on top of everything she does, ec prep., follow up, accountability for regional activities.  Japan, too, will move its office this month.  Please pray for both offices.

Europe Kirisuto sha no tsudoi

Every year, in Europe, there is a conference for Japanese Christians there.  This year, it was held in Wittenberg, where Luther had reformation. The very first conference was held 25 years ago with 50 adults and 40 children from 5 churches and fellowship throughout Europe.  This year, we had more than 320 from 34 churches, fellowships, ministries, and etc.

"Importance of building up the partnership in the region beyond denominations" is one of the most important challenges that Japan churches face.  And it is almost a privilege and gift for Japanese churches and fellowship to experience partnership beyond denominations or theology.  Of course we deal with language and cultural differences, but it is so important to be united in one Christ.  This is something Japanese ministries in overseas can contribute to the churches in Japan.

In Europe, too, young people are serious about following Christ.  It is our hope to have ec08 connected together with a group in Europe, Asia and Japan via Internet.  We are hoping to praise God together online and pray for one another, ministries in and outside of Japan and salvations of many.

Portland and seattle

I visited north west states recently.  It is obvious that if the locations differ, Japanese who reside there have different purposes and their terms of stay.

In north western states, unlike LA or New York, more internationally married people and short-term students of less than a year stay are common.  Naturally, the styles of ministries need to adjust to the situations

Salem, located in south part of Oregon, a Japanese worship begun with the cooperation of American church there about 4 years ago.  Currently, we have the second pastor, but the main committed people of the service are non-Japanese who have burdens to reach out to Japanese.  Tacoma in Washington, too, faces similar situations.  Although it is a Japanese service, it is targeted to the internationally married and local people, therefore, bilingual service is a must.

I have attended an evangelistic camp in Seattle hosted by JxJ, an outreach ministry by Japanese young people, Talk Time, an evangelistic English conversation ministry, JEMS, a Japanese American mission organization, together with local Japanese churches.  We had 10 non Christians in the 30 participants.  2 made decisions to receive Christ and others made decisions on baptism, growth in their faith, and so on.  Non-Christians, too, had very positive responses that they will be opened to investigate further.

It is an honor and privilege to be a part of such ministries.

I have a trip to Singapore and New York before I go to Japan in the fall.  Please continue to pray for the ministry.

Setsu Kuroda  International Director of JCFN