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UPDATE FROM DALE AND ANN LITTLE, July 2005
Modeling and Encouraging both Church Planting and Theological Education in Japan
Tokyo JAPAN

LITERATURE DISTRIBUTION TEAM AT TOMIOKA CHURCH PLANT IN JULY

During the spring of 2005 we decided to partner with the Kodama EFC, Saitama prefecture, in planting a church in Tomioka city, Gunma prefecture. This is part of our strategy to simultaneously help lead two church planting projects in the greater Tokyo area, each on a part time basis.

The Tomioka church plant is just in its beginning stages. Currently a monthly home Bible study gathers at the Kobayashi home. The study is led by Pastor Matsumura of the Kodama EFC. Beginning in the fall, Ann will teach evangelistic English classes twice a month in our target area of Tomioka.

In order to get the word out about the Bible study and English classes, a team of short term missionaries will distribute advertisements, along with a gospel message, in Tomioka city from July 11-15. Former EFCA International Mission colleague, Jon Prins, will be leading the team of five workers from Minneapolis. The team will distribute thousands of pieces of literature door to door, praying as they go. The week of pounding the streets falls at the end of rainy season as well as at the beginning of Tokyo’s hot and humid summer. Because our house is two hours from the target area, the team will be overnighting for four nights at the Kodama EFC building closer to Tomioka. The other six nights the team will be staying at our place.

Our previous church planting ministry has been enhanced by outreach English class short term teams, but this is the first time we have had a team come to distribute literature. With a 99% literacy rate in Japan, it makes good sense to invite such a team to supplement our ministry. We desire to continue utilizing short term teams in a variety of ways in our church planting efforts.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Dale completed his semester of teaching theology at Tokyo Christian University in early July, with a possibility of further part time teaching at the university later in the fall or next spring. He continues teaching part time at Japan Bible Seminary through October. He counts it a privilege to participate in building the Church in Japan in this manner.

FAMILY EVENTS

Kristy completed her third year at Trinity Western University by taking two upper level psychology classes in Europe for a few weeks in May. For the rest of the summer she is with us here in Tokyo, completing requirements for those classes and enjoying some needed relaxation. Matthew has already enjoyed his week at camp, and Bryan’s week is coming soon. For a few days in July we will be taking in the sights of the World Exposition in Nagoya city and snooping around the area in which we used to live. In August we plan to take a vacation in the Sendai city area of northern Japan.

KIDS KORNER

Matthew goes river rafting in Tokyo!

Matthew enjoyed his last week as a camper at Joy Bible Camp in the mountains of Okutama in western Tokyo. Next year he will be too old for camp. When he gets to high school he would like to be on staff. One of his favorite parts of camp last week was finally getting to raft down the Tama River, an activity usually reserved for the oldest campers.

Quiz: When Matthew packed his suitcase for camp, the most important item he packed was: a) Swimsuit; b) Ping pong paddle; c) Bug bite ointment; d) Toothbrush and head gear.

If you guessed b), his ping pong paddle, then you are right! Even though the ping pong paddle did not help him paddle down the river, it did help him beat all of the counselors in ping pong.

PRAYER ITEMS

* Give thanks that a short term literature distribution team is able to help us at the beginning stages of the Tomioka church plant.

* Pray that the team members will be able to raise all their required financial support.

* Pray for a vehicle for the team to use while here in Japan and for safety on the road (Jon will be driving).

* Pray for strength for the team to distribute literature in the humidity and heat.

* Pray that those with hearts open to the gospel will receive the literature and that the team’s ministry will bear long lasting fruit for the birth and growth of the Tomioka church plant.

* Pray that Ann’s outreach English classes at Tomioka which begin in the fall will attract unbelievers to the church plant.

* Praise God for family time together in Tokyo this summer.

Dale and Ann Little