More Women to Pray for . . .

Thanks for supporting our work in Harumi. We thoroughly enjoy our ministry here and it is apparent that God orchestrates meetings with those people that he intends to touch.

Last week I met with Marie and Tomomi and Tomomi was very open about her struggles and her search for a "spiritual" answer. Her mom, who is living with her right now while she's receiving cancer treatment, has become increasingly fretful about her future. Tomomi was grateful to hear my testimony and to understand that I personally know a God who loves and cares for us. Tomomi has encountered nightmares and anxiety attacks since the police knocked on the door of her 43rd floor apartment to ask if the neatly folded clothing that was lying outside the door belonged to her. It turned out that it belonged to a man who jumped from the outdoor hallway just outside of her apartment. She'd seen the man wandering the hallways earlier in the day and now can't forget his face and the fact that he ended his life shortly after she'd seen him so close to her apartment.

Please continue to pray for me as I meet with Tomomi and her mom and others like her who are searching for the truth. Pray that I'll have wisdom as I share my faith with them and that they'll be responsive to the Holy Spirit's calling. This weekend there will be a celebration that I've invited many of the women I'm meeting with to. Pray that they'll come with open hearts to hear what God has for them.

More opportunities to interact with young moms

Last week 2 women from my mom's and tot's group, who are also involved in the women's discussion group came for coffee. Both women are concerned about their futures and whether they should return to their jobs as Airline Flight Attendents or stay home with their daughters. I was so happy that they felt comfortable enough with me to share their concerns and deep feelings. That gave me the opportunity to pray for them. I love showing God's love to the kids he's put in my life too.

A God-given opportunity at the local elementary school

Last Thursday Doug, Laura and I had the privilege of talking to the entire elementary school in our neighbourhood about Canada. I've been doing some book reading to classes in the school, but the opportunity actually came through a Japanese class that I've been taking at the International Centre in our area of Tokyo. I sure never thought this opportunity would come from my desire to improve my Japanese and to meet other internationals living in the area, but then, we never know how God will use what we're involved in for His Glory!

Since Thursday, we've become celebrities in our neighbourhood. All elementarty-aged children greet us, in either Japanese, English or French since we taught them that during our presentation.

After our power point presentation for the entire school, we spent 45 minutes talking with 70 Grade 6 students, then doing a 45 minute cooking class. We taught them how to make bannock and ate it with Maple Syrup.

I'm not sure that's how Canada's first nations people enjoyed it, but the kids sure liked it that way. Canada is probably best known here for its maple syrup!

We're praying that God will use that opportunity that He provided to touch families in our area for Christ. Would you pray with us that through the classes we teach and the contacts we make that God would make himself known on this little island in Tokyo Bay? If you'd like more information on how to pray specifically for our ministry please contact us. Thanks!

High School Field Hockey

Last Saturday Laura's Field Hockey team played an excellent game against Yokohama International School making Christian Academy in Japan the league champions. Laura made a couple of phenominal saves as goalie and played an excellent season.

This Saturday the International Schools came together one last time to play in a tournament and once again CAJ came away undefeated! Laura played 4 shut out games and the team came away with the tournament champion trophy! The fans made up of class mates, parents and teachers were ecstatic. What a way to end your High School career in Field Hockey! We are really proud parents!

Megan also had an excellent season as the Middle School Field Hockey goal keeper. Her skills have improved greatly and she too loves the game. She's looking forward to returning to CAJ for her Grade 10 year and joining the High School Field Hockey team. Not much chance of finding Field Hockey featured at her Canadian High School!

Wow! Thanks for praying!

Recently I sent out a "list" of people I'm working with asking people to pray for opportunities to share Christ with them. The response from "pray - ers" has been phenomenal, humbling and encouraging. Thank you so much for your support! I've had lots of opportunities to meet with moms and talk to them about my relationship with God. Please continue to pray that their hearts would be open and that they would have a desire to learn more. They have lots of questions and seem somewhat interested.

Narumi, Luna and Fumito (sleeping) with their Moms

I can't believe that we'll be going on home assignment in only 5 short months. Wow! So little time and so much to do! Pray with me that God will use us in an incredible way to bring the people he leads us to one step closer to Him.

Moms and kids circle continues to be a lot of fun and a great place to meet young moms. The group in really becoming close and affords lots of opportunities for deep conversation.

Snack time! Lots of fun! I'll keep you updated!

Harumi Community Christmas Party

About 50 people from our various programs and classes attended our community Christmas party on December 17th. Many of those who came were families with young children. Everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy the crafts . . .

Food . . .

A puppet show . . . "What's Christmas all about anyway?"

A great message "What's Christmas all about anyway?"

And a lot of fun! Pray that these contacts will continue to attend and seek a deeper understanding of who God is and how He can have a part in their lives.

English Class Christmas Party

Last Wednesday, we hosted a Christmas party for my three adult English classes. About 25 attended and we had a great time. Every year I'm amazed at how well chirashi zushi (a type of sushi) goes with turkey, dressing and gravy. What a great meal! I have some wonderful cooks and bakers in my classes and when we get together they enjoy going all out.


After lunch Doug lead some Christmas carols with his guitar. I looked around and marveled at all of these Japanese (mostly women) obviously enjoying singing Christmas hymns about the birth of the Saviour that I'm so desperate to tell them about. Many have commented on what a great experience that was. For my Harumi class women, it was probably the first time they'd ever sung Christmas carols. However, several from my Sayama and Kotesashi classes have experienced this several times and look forward to the party each year because it will give them the chance to sing them again.



Don Love told a great story about an early Christmas experience that made him realize the joy of giving and of God's ultimate gift to us in Jesus Christ. Everyone seemed to enjoy hearing a little about Canadian Christmas and what the season means to him.Please pray that this explanation of the true meaning of Christmas will create an opening in hearts that will allow the gospel message to take root over the next few months.