What I think as I continue to travel

How are you?  I hope this letter finds you well.

I have been on the road since last part of July (I think I traveled around the globe more than once!) and sam still traveling.  I am now in Japan from first part of September till October to prepare for the All Nations Returnees Conference (www.allnations.jp) which is scheduled to be held in March 20-22, 2009.

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.

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.

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

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 17th. This month, I am excited because two students last week on the 15th 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.
(Isaiah 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.

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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

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 17th, 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 limited 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 2nd, 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