01/2025 Recap and PR!

Anywhosies here we go! Recap! 

Long time no sizzle! Notes for the past month. We have made it officially another year and the past few months since starting ministry have been good.

Highlights include taking over management of the English classes at Asahigaoka. I preached for the first time in Japanese and that went as well as I can expect lol 😂. Luckily it was still an encouragement to the people but I am doing my darndest to continue to grow my Japanese while I sink into the job.

I am enjoying my split assignment at Asahigaoka and Shibuya. I have loved getting to know the people there and beyond. The kids at Shibuya are as lively as kids anywhere but it is really good getting to teach the Bible in the most basic Japanese I know how.

Finally there has been my time at Jubilee House where there is currently one woman in residence. She was formerly homeless and a “hikkikomori” aka a severe recluse and shut-in. It is a long process to get her rehabbed into living a normal life but I have been enjoying going to do art therapy and having deep discussions. I was even able to help run special art events among different communities for Christmas. 

Prayer Requests:

• Please pray for the churches I am working with, for their continued growth and encouragement. There will be a transition of pastors at Shibuya church in June so please pray as they are searching for a new pastor.

• Please pray for the development of new leaders here among the churches as most of the former pastors are slowly aging out with not many down the pipeline to replace them.

• Please pray for Fujimi church plant that is preparing to launch. I am helping with the Fujimi plant team to prepare the building so please pray for safety and for us to be able to complete the preparation in time for launch. 🚀

• Please pray for “K” at Jubilee House, for her breakthrough and processing into society, for healing and development. 

Exciting news and Prayer Request: 

• My brother Ben is officially engaged to his long term GF, Ligia. Please pray as they prepare and plan for a wedding in the future, for Ben’s cultural acquisition as we invite Ligia into the family. 

• Finally, super excited for the Bridge Community Church teams planning tandem trips to Japan. We have lots of exciting opportunities that this could develop into. Please pray for their preparation as well as for the opportunities here in Tokyo to 🌸 blossom!

Love love you all!