Thank you for your continued prayers and support. Your partnership in our labor in the Lord for the Japanese people is greatly appreciated.
In 2018, we have been continuing various English outreach ministries in partnership with Pastor Miyauchi at Fukuoka Evangelical Free Church (FEFC) including weekly Kids English classes and a Ladies’ English class, and monthly Moms & Kids classes, Kids’ English class, and Coffee & Bible classes. We also have a monthly College Fellowship, various hospitality outreaches, and various outreaches related to the holidays like Easter and Christmas.
One of the highlights of this year was our Vacation Bible School, held during the summer break. We had 51 kids who participated, with 17 volunteers who came from various parts of the world. Here’s an excerpt from our Summer newsletter.
“Jenny was a bit worried about this year's theme as it seemed like such a difficult one for the children to understand. Every day, each day's theme was something that would be mind-blowing for the 51 students who came from non-Christian families. The first day was about Creation. The second day was about sin entering the world. The third was about the birth of Jesus Christ. The fourth day's theme was Jesus dying on the cross for our sins. The fifth was Jesus' resurrection and the promise of the Holy Spirit. Every day, that day's theme was repeated three times - through the skit in the morning, Kayo-san's Bible time, and Superbook. After watching an anime version of Jesus dying on the cross for their sins on the fourth day, Jenny wanted to take the opportunity to really speak to the students about what they had just watched. She reminded them of the definition of sin. She asked if they believed that they were a sinner. Almost all of them raised their hands. She asked if they believed that Jesus is real. Almost all of them raised their hands. She asked if they believed that Jesus Christ was born into this world, died on the cross, and rose again for their sins. Almost all of them raised their hands.
That afternoon, we decided to do something a bit different on the last day. We decided that Kayo-san would teach them about salvation and ask if they believed and wanted to accept Christ into their hearts during their Bible time. On the final day, 34 children raised their hands to receive Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord. Praise the Lord! We are still in awe of the miracle that happened this summer.”
That afternoon, we decided to do something a bit different on the last day. We decided that Kayo-san would teach them about salvation and ask if they believed and wanted to accept Christ into their hearts during their Bible time. On the final day, 34 children raised their hands to receive Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord. Praise the Lord! We are still in awe of the miracle that happened this summer.”
To follow up with these students who showed a desire to follow Christ, we developed Kids’ English Bible School, which meets about once a month. This is a mini-VBS where the children sing, play games, maybe do a craft, and learn from the Bible, which is led in Japanese by Pastor Miyauchi. Thus far we’ve had anywhere from 6 to 12 students attending this outreach. We continue to pray that these students grow more in understanding and faith, and will lead to deeper discipling relationships. A handful of students have come multiple times and are becoming more and more familiar with reading directly from the Bible and become comfortable with asking and answering questions in a familiar and safe small group setting.
We praise God for the many students and parents who attended our various outreach events this year led by both us and the church. Please pray with us that they will draw nearer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are thankful for the many questions our friends ask about our faith and lives. We do not take these opportunities lightly. We are also thankful that we are able to say that it is because of our Christian supporters abroad that we are able to be here and keep the cost of our English classes low. Our friends are always amazed that people would give so sacrificially for us to be here!
As for thinking about our ministry for 2019, one major development arose during our last meeting with Pastor Miyauchi in November. He said he appreciated all our work in reaching out to those in the area with the gospel, but felt that the culture of the church (FEFC) was hindering our zeal for evangelism. He suggested we work more independently, without the burden of having to partner with the church. He said we could continue the English outreach ministries at the church building for the time being, and would also help us with any official paperwork such as renewing our visa.
From an outside perspective, our regular ministry will not look too much different than before. The major differences are that we will no longer have regular meetings with the pastor, will not be able to have VBS at the church (unless we choose to limit our numbers to about 30), and we will not be committed to attending Sunday services at FEFC. Also, if the church decides to start a weekly outreach program on one of the days we hold our classes, then we will need to move ours.
So with the dissolution of our partnership, we have much to pray through during this transition. We still sense God’s leading for us to stay in this area of Fukuoka, and utilize English to reach out to the Japanese here. We have developed so many relationships here with our students and their families, our kids’ friends and families, several college students, and our neighbors. We want to be able to follow up with the people we’ve built relationships with and continue investing in their lives for God’s Kingdom, especially as we can sense that God is tugging in the hearts of some of them.
There are also other missionaries and Japanese pastors in the area who have showed interest in partnering with us. We want to be wise and discerning as there are so many opportunities and we have limited resources, time, and energy. We still have the vision to support a local Japanese pastor who has a vision for evangelism, discipleship, and church planting, and would like to see a church planting movement take place in Japan.
So our current ministry focus for 2019 will be to continue our current English Outreach ministries at FEFC. We might need to look into other facilities in the future, but will continue holding classes at FEFC for the time being. Our next steps will be to pray and consider how to draw people who are attending our various outreaches into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.
In 2019, we are also planning on being on home assignment from April 12th to September 3rd. We plan on being based in the Bay Area, CA, and will also visit Dallas (mid to end June) and the LA area (most of July) while Juhee and Sungjae are on summer vacation. We have a vehicle to use in the Bay Area, and LA, but will need a vehicle for Dallas. We have housing in LA, but will be needing housing in the Bay Area and Dallas. Please keep these needs in your prayers.
We look forward to seeing you and fellowshipping with you during our furlough.
Many blessing to you all!
Peter and Jenny
* Update: A family we have never met has offered us housing and the use of one of their cars while we're in Dallas. Praise God! :)
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