Today was the day of the Kids’ concert at Yotsukaido church and also the day we would bid farewell to everyone.
After all the hard work, the children performed excellently and enthusiastically. A number of the children come from non-Christian families and it was encouraging to see their parents attend the concert. The proud parents took videos and applauded after every song. We would like to pray that some of the children will start attending Sunday School and that the parents will be inspired to speak to Ohashi-sensei about attending church or an alpha course. After the concert the children came to the team and received autographs on their tshirts. Thank you all for your prayer support for the first of our Kids’ Gospel programmes.
During the concert Rachel gave her testimony and she did very well. Again, it is very difficult to bring these personal issues into public and we are thankful for the strength she was given to speak about this.
It was also encouraging to see that some of the attendees of the music shop concert also turned up at church this morning and after hearing Rachel’s testimony we hope that this will lead them to question their need for Christ.
The culmination of the concerts led to our departure which was very difficult after a week of bonding with the children and the church. The church could not have been more kind or more generous to us. During our stay we really felt like we had become part of the family of Yotsukaido and, like saying goodbye to any family member, it was heartbreaking. We also said goodbye to the families which had opened their homes to us and again they were so kind and generous to us that it was difficult to say goodbye. Please continue to pray for Ohashi-sensei and the church as they seek to witness to people who worship in the Shinto and Buddhist religions. Their ministry is so difficult but they are so faithful in serving God in Yotsukaido.
Please pray for the team: Today was draining both emotionally and physically. We are now back at Ichikawa, tomorrow is a day of rest, but then we have to start all over again on Tuesday at the Chapel of Adoration. Again, thank you very much for your messages and prayerful support.
Regards
Stuart and David F.
Enjoy your day of rest – know that God will refresh you ready for the week that lies ahead, so trust in Him and he will sustain you through the next week. We are praying that your testimonies will rest with those who have heard and encourage, challenge and change lives – never under estimate how God will use his people.
Praying for your week in Ichikawa and Elaine count yourself fortunate, it is one thing training Dave Farrow but Lachlan now some things may be impossible!!
The Macs
Hi Folks
We had another update from Angela at Church this morning. It is good to hear that the Kid’s Club went so well and that all of your hard work has paid off.
The home stays seem to have been mostly good and have provided an insight to home life in Japan. We will be praying for you this week as you have home stays again.
We will be thinking of you all very much as you have your second Kid’s Club, that you willl alll get some good nights sleep and that the heat and humidity will not drain your strengt htoo much.
Glad to hear that the concert at the train station went so well and that the flute players did come to Church, so maybe there will be some seeking God’s kingdom and love.
Pics are great kep them coming.
Hopw there are no more earthquakes.
Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers,
Ann, Billy and Fay.
The photos are so good and give us a better idea of what you’ve been doing. It’s great that the folks turned up at church today and how encouraged Pastor Ohashi must be. We pray that God will continue to Bless the church in Yotsukaido and the work going on there. Gad the concerts went well ,the photos show people at the station watching and listening behind you. I’m sure you’re glad to be back together and we prayed at church this morning for refreshing sleep for you. Enjoy your rest day and every Blessing for the work ahead. Love Sue & Robert.
Hi,
Glad to hear everything went well at the outside concert at the station. Was it raining? – all the comments with the pics were in spanish. Hope J+S are bearing up well. The photos show that it seams good fun.
The sun here is like turning a lioght on in the morning and it stays shinning until later that night. Phew really warm today. Uncle stephen just beat me at chess. That levels us up with 1 day to go.
Glad everything went well for Rachel and Elaine again.
I am praying that the strength that brought you to do this gives you the strength to do it next week. Bound to be easier!!!!
Have to go.
LOL to J+S
God Bless
Davy
XOXO
PS tell gossip girl to write.
It is sad to say goodbye but you have left a lasting memory at Yotsukaido and pray that there will be a harvest after you have gone photos are grate it brings it so near. Good that there were soe at church that had said they would be
God bless you all and give you the strength for the kids next week hope you all will get a good sleep tonight and a rest tomorrow. Love & prayer’s to you all Eileen
the photos were super, and its easy to see how it must have been sad saying goodbye to all those beautiful little children, and your host families.
glad your testimony went well Arf, and it was great to hear that the flautist from the music shop attended church this morning.
we pray that the work which has been done this week will have a lasting impact on the people of Yotsukaido and they will indeed question their need for Christ.
we are thankful for the generosity and hospitality of Pastor Ohashi, the church and the homestay families.
hope you all get a good sleep tonight and a restful day tomorrow, and we look forward to hearing about the work at The Chapel.
love T & J
xxx
Good morning team
Trust that sleep was refreshing and that your day of rest will truly be a day of rest! Encourage one another in the LORD and prepare for the week of KG at the Chapel, remembering again that HIS strength is made perfect in our weakness and HE turns our weaknesses into HIS opportunities. All glory to HIM! REJOICE…oops, beginning to sound like a song.
GPC welcomed and enjoyed the update thismorning. We are praying through the requests with thanksgiving for all that has taken place so far. We are so grateful to the people at Yotsukaido for offering hospitality and for entrusting their children to you. The new photos are beautiful and I look forward to showing them to the congregation here next Sunday.
Arfy…hope you received my reply to your email. Thank you for letting me know about the concert on Sunday.
Elaine…Mrs Flaherty stopped me on the way out of church today. She is so pleased to hear about your work out there and of you giving your testimony. Must make your Good News Club leader give a little smile of thanksgiving!
God promises to supply all your needs. We pray on expectantly and leave you in his loving care.
Hugs from home, Angela ooo
Hi guys,
It was great to get an update from Angela yesterday in church and to see some more photos of what is going on in Japan. It was fantastic to hear about the unplanned music shop gig and that Lou and her tin whistle are taking Japan by storm. I love the photos of the holiday bible club! They show how much fun you are having but also the love that you are giving to the children and families that you meet. It also looked like a lot of fun but Suzie should stop trying to overtake the children in races…
Will be thinking about you as you begin a new week of fresh challenges and will pray for sleep, energy and no more earthquakes!!
Amanda
xo
Hello all,
Monday morning – 11.00 a.m. – tea break at work – just checking up on you.
It was good to hear about the homestays. The host families were very courageous in taking in guests and it comes across as a great honour. I think that you all did much better than I would have done in the circumstances. I would have felt very isolated and alone and would have needed at least an English / Japanese dictionary, and a list of essential English / Japanese phrases (Is this the way to B&Q, Do you know that your wall wobbles, etc.). You are all stars (hosts and guests). Your experience will help you in the homestays this week!
It’s good that the railway station concert went so well. Just to let you know – Mum/Sue, with her Translink connections, has arranged gigs at Great victoria Street, Laganside and Maysfield for when you come home.
Ah well – time to get back to work.
Dad/Robert
Hi everyone,
photos are great too!
Just back in the office today after a week out at New Horizon and loving reading all your updates
Seems like you are having a great time and doing some fantastic work. Look forward to reading more this week.
take care in those earthquakes
Lyndsay