We've been quite busy sharing the journey God is sending us on to Japan with a lot of folks at Small Group Gatherings (SGG) throughout Silicon Valley. What a great blessing each and every SGG has been! We are especially grateful to those who volunteered to host an SGG. We've had over a dozen SGGs, and every single one was so unique. We'd like to share a unique aspect about each one of the ones from June, at least for those where we remembered to take pictures (sorry Huy!). (Click on the pics to view a larger image.)
The SGG at the Fujinamis was particularly special because the Fujinamis have been tracking with us from the very beginning, and they are part of our Prayer Advocacy Team (PAT), which has been our main source of encouragement, prayer and advice. They also went on a short term missions trip to Japan, and have a tremendous heart for the Japanese people.
Can anyone say "playdate"? The Bivens hosted an SGG where all the attendees were families who have young children. This was a great time for us to share one of our main strategies toward building relationships with families in Japan who have children of similar age as our daughter Juhee through playdates and starting a preschool.
Sharing with Agnes, Sara and Helen was a real treat. Agnes hosted very soon after moving so we were very especially grateful. Along with the Fujinamis, she's also a part of our PAT. When we talked about the various needs in Japan, and shared how Romans 10:14-15 (below) really spoke to us, Helen said this same verse was her promise verse for her summer mission trip to Cambodia."How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent?" (NIV)
The Hongs hosted our first Korean speaking SGG. The eldest of the attendees, Helen Hong's grandmother, has been visiting Japan as a short term missionary from Korea at least once every year for the past 20 years. She had many words of wisdom, and especially encouraged us to have a long-term view of missions in Japan.
No, it wasn't someone's birthday! :) Lynn & Judy hosted one together at Lynn's place. It was great to be able to spend time with the singles as we don't often have the opportunity to and also be able to share about our journey to Japan with brand new friends too. It was fun having Jenny's mom there too and she added to the presentation. 
Although all the people invited to the SGG at the Rajaratnams couldn't attend, we had a sweet time of fellowship with Niranjan and Jina. It is through the encouragement, financial partnership and prayers like that of the Rajaratnams that we are able to do what the Lord has called us to do. Thank you all for reading up on the latest news about us, for praying for our current situation and specific needs, for sending us encouraging emails and letters, for supporting us financially, and for joining us in His Kingdom work in reaching the Japanese for Christ.
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