In Japan, I travel a lot from city to city.  So wherever I go, I go with my suitcase.  The worst enemy as I travel with my suitcase is the train station with no escalator nor elevator.  It's hard to travel in Japan, but I won't be stopped!  When I get on the ‘Manin Densha' (full and packed train), I try to pray for those on the train with me as I listen to Christian music with my ipod.  Majority of them are business men and women.  Japan mission is full of challenges and potential.  I pray that God would use all of us, especially our beloved returnee friends to impact Japan.

What is your focus

When your location or people you work with change, the works of God that you can observe also change.  However, it is the work of the SAME God.  There are times you shout hallelujah and others you want to ask why.  However, the same God is always at work.  Our response change depending on what you focus on.

Last letter, I shared with you the excitement when I witnessed the powerful work of God.  At the camp in Seattle, two students were saved!  This was a hallelujah experience!  Right now, in Japan, I met some people who are away from the relationship with God or have difficult time being in the fellowship with other lively Christians.  Then, I want to ask God ‘why'.

One thing I need to remind myself is that God' is always at work in Japan or anywhere else on the earth.  At the same time, I need to remind myself that this SAME God is with THIS PERSON.  What I see or experience, or the current condition of these people are so limited, and it is natural that we are not able to comprehend all.

And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"   (Matthew14:31)

I always pray for faith of Peter who stepped out of the boat.  However, our step of faith also sinks just like Peter did because we focus on what we see or what our circumstances are.  As Peter sank, he immediately looked to Jesus and said, "Lord, save me!"  I also want to focus where I should focus.  Rather, ‘whom' I should focus.  That is Jesus.  Then, Jesus saying "O you of little faith", would stretches His hand, holds my hand tightly and lifts me up out of the water.

Singapore and new york trip

I went to Singapore to attend the Diaspora Ministry Team Conference of OMF (OMF is a parent like organization of JCFN).  Today, the geographical boundaries do not define people groups anymore.  People around the world had left their mother land and are living in the foreign country.  So, OMF, not only sending missionaries to South East Asia, but is sending missionaries to work among those South East Asians around the world.  For instance, an OMF missionary from Taiwan is serving in Germany working among Chinese.  An English OMF missionary who served in Thailand had returned to UK to work among Thais in UK. 

Just like Japanese ministry outside of Japan, other ethnic groups also are opened to the Gospel when they are away from their homeland.  However, the returnee issues are so different.  For Japan, we are able to work together with churches in Japan to do follow up of the returnees, but with China and other Muslim countries, even when the returnees go back to their homeland, they cannot do follow up like other open countries can.  In a near future, China will send out workers, students and researchers around the world.  These indicate opportunities and challenges of Diaspora ministries.

While in Singapore, I visited Singapore Japanese Christian Fellowship for Sunday service and prayer meeting.  The very week was their children's summer vacation Bible school.  123 Japanese children gathered this week and for many of them it was their first time hearing about the Gospel.  Every summer, they have volunteers from Japan helping this ministry.  What a great model of Diaspora Japanese ministry together with churches in and outside of Japan.

In New York, I attended the second East Coast Joint Family camp sponsored by eleven Japanese churches in East Coast.  One of the characteristics of this camp is that the Korean churches are involved and the camp is done in three languages, Japanese, Korean and English.  In Hawaii or on the West Coast, many Japanese churches are more than 100 years old, but on the East coast, only two are like that.  Rest of them are fairly young, around 20 years.

The main speaker was Rev. Kenichi Nakagawa of the TV ministries called Harvest Time Ministries.  He is a speaker for All Nations Returnees Conference as well.  In his introduction, he defined this East Coast Camp as a new beginning and new hope and possibilities of Japanese ministry.  He spoke powerfully from the scripture that I would recommend Christians to listen to.  (Sorry, only in English.)   If you are interested, please contact us.

Important Prayer requests

There are several things we would like you to join hearts with us in prayers.  First of all, we would appreciate your prayers for us, JCFN staff.  I think it is because I have been on the road for so long, but I feel that our foundation is a bit shaky and unstable.  It seems we are doing so much and keeping ourselves busy, but we don't feel enough consistency.

Maybe it is because each one of us is so busy doing our own things that we lack communication.  Please do pray that each one of us would be encouraged.  Please also pray for the preparation for equipper conference, All Nations Returnees Conference, and for small group ministries which are thee foundations of our returnee follow up ministries.

In the US, while Yuko is on her maternity leave, the US is taking care of just the bare minimum administrative work.  It is God's provision to have a part-time worker to fill in, but we do need more and long term administration helpers.  We also need to prayerfully consider the best way for Yuko to return to work after her leave.  Please pray for Yuko, too.

Another important prayer request is for our financial needs.  Recently, our administration fund is running in red.  We analyzed the current situation, and found out that due to different reasons and circumstances, our donations are decreasing.  Last year, we had several big one-time gifts; however, we did not receive these in the first two quarters.  This situation had contributed to the low income.

If we keep this pace, by the end of this year, we expect $20,000 deficit.  Currently, we are evaluating our budget and amking necessary adjustment.  We would like to ask you to join us in prayers for His provision.

Currently, we have a staff on deputation, and we are just beginning fundraising for equipper conference and All Nations Returnee Fellowship as well. 

Indeed our God is the God of Provider.  We will look to the mountain where His provision would over flow.  Pray that we will be good stewards to what God would give to us.  Pray that we will not stop God's work due based on what we can see nor how our financial situation going to be.  Pray that we will be faithful in whatever situation we may find ourselves in.

It is very much autumn weather in Japan.   We have All Nations Returnees Conference Kick Off Regional Meetings in Tokai on 9/27, Tohoku, 10/4, Kansai 10/11, Fukuoka, 10/18, and Hokkaido on 11/18.  Please pray for these as well.

Thank you so much for your faithful prayers and support.  May our Lord Jesus bless you abundantly,

Setsu Kuroda  International Director of JCFN