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The purpose of our lifetime ministry in Japan is to encourage both the vision for church planting and the development of evangelical theology which gives rise to that vision. Women in Ministry
Celebrating Christmas One of the popular ways for Japanese to observe Christmas is to set up what is called “illumination.” Many stores and parks create impressive lighting displays for the public to enjoy. We missionaries take advantage of the commercial focus on Christmas to explain the true meaning of Christmas. This year we held a Christmas party for the students in Ann’s English class in Tomioka City. One of the students taught us how to make home made stamps from erasers. We also enjoyed some refreshments, sang some Christmas carols, had a gift exchange, and read the true Christmas story together. Each lady received an English easy-to-read book on the Bible story from Luke 2. We were delighted that ten ladies joined us for this party.
Thanks for Praying! Two previous prayer requests have come together in an unexpected way. Request #1: Teachers for the outreach English classes in Nagoya City, a partnership ministry of the EFC of Canada Mission. In October Anna To from Toronto arrived. However, there was still a need for a second teacher to keep up with the classes at the four participating EFC of Japan churches. Request #2: Adjustment to life after university for our daughter Kristy. Just a short time after Anna arrived in Japan, Kristy began looking into coming to teach with Anna. Within a month she was accepted by the EFCCM and raised all her needed support. We were able to bring her to Japan on our air miles. Her need for proper legal status was covered by the dependent visa she has as a result of being our daughter. Kristy arrived in Japan on December 13, spent Christmas with us, and took a highway bus to Nagoya on January 5. She will be teaching in three churches until the end of June. She feels this ministry opportunity fits better with her goals of becoming a cross cultural counselor. We, of course, are happy to have her in the same time zone even though she will be living six hours away. Be sure to read her first prayer letter below.
Prayer Items * Praise God for good attendance at our outreach English class Christmas party. * Continue to pray that the hearts of the ladies in the English classes will be open to the gospel. Pray that they might desire to study the Bible further. * Praise God that we have seen four new faces at our monthly Tomioka Bible study. * Ask the Lord to raise up personnel for our church planting team who can live in or nearby Tomioka. * Pray for Ann as she leads the planning for the Women in Ministry retreat in March. * Pray that Kristy’s and Anna’s evangelistic English teaching ministry in Nagoya will be fruitful and encouraging.
Kids Korner: Electrified Beagle We are surprised at how many people ask about our beagle, Sherman. So we decided to add him to our kid’s korner. Sherman is not allowed near the table while we are enjoying a family meal. He likes to lie as near as possible by hiding between the couch and an end table. One evening he jumped out of his hiding placeand yelped. We thought he perhaps had seen a cockroach (not uncommon in most households in Japan) and it had surprised him. Upon further investigation Matthew discovered Sherman had been chewing on an electrical wire and had received a shock. As a beagle he is “not so bright.” But we momentarily did consider stringing him up with our outdoor Christmas lights.
Dale and Ann Little
News, Nagoya, and Needs Nagoya JAPAN
I was given the opportunity to join the Evangelical Free Church of Canada Mission (EFCCM) as a short term missionary for six months. The EFCCM has partnered with a group of churches in the city of Nagoya to help with outreach English teaching programs. I am now teaching conversational English to children and adults in several churches as a way to encourage people to grow in their familiarity with these churches. Part of each class consists of a Bible lesson, so my students not only learn English, but also are introduced to, perhaps for the first time, Jesus Christ. I live in an apartment provided by the churches with a roommate who teaches along with me.
Of course, I am very excited about this opportunity for a number of reasons. I have enjoyed returning to Japan to live and am enjoying the challenge of living here on a more independent basis than I ever have before. As well, I am looking forward with great expectation to what God will do through my work in Nagoya. After all, there has always been and always will be a special place in my heart for the Japanese people. And naturally, living only a 5 hour bus ride from my family is much more pleasant than a 9 hour plane ride!!
As with any short term missions trip, there are expenses that need to be covered. Thankfully, all of these expenses have been met! My airfare was taken care of with air miles and the Nagoya churches provide a monthly salary. Friends and supporters have donated the required CDN$810 to cover my health insurance and some personal expenses.
I would also greatly appreciate your prayer support. Please pray specifically for those I will be teaching, that their hearts will be open to God’s work in their lives, and for the church people as they live as Christians in a very non-Christian country. Please pray for me as I adjust to my new life in Nagoya and attempt to teach English classes that meet my students’ needs educationally, socially, and spiritually.
I am planning to send out monthly emails during my time in Nagoya. If you would like to receive these emails, please . You can find my website/blog at http://web.mac.com/purplesweetpea.
Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers! --Kristy | |
