I thought we could start introducing the Nagoya Church-Planting team to our readers.  I am starting with the Bakelaars because I just received a prayer update from them.  Peter has a gift in graphic design so all of their letters are VERY creative.

Peter and his wife, Diane, have been serving in Japan since 1990.  They have four children ranging from 10 to almost 20 years of age.  As many missionary couples they are involved in various ministries on the team.  Currently Peter overseas the English Program.  This is an evangelistic program used to introduce Japanese to the Church and provides an opportunity for sharing the Gospel.  They also assist in the International Christian Academy of Nagoya, discipleship, special events and the list continues.

If you are interested in reading about their experience in Nagoya, Japan check out their monthly e-newsletters.

December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008

We would appreciate your prayers this week for the following events:

• Michael takes his comprehensive TESOL exam on Friday, Nov. 7, 08.  Please pray for the ability to retain the information as he goes into the exam and for peace during the days preceding the exam.
• We will be talking with Shepherding Groups at Covenant on Sunday afternoon.  Please pray for clarity in our presentation and for the hearts of the people we speak with to be opened to partnering with us.
• Tuesday we go before the Southwest Presbytery at the meeting in Tampa.  Pray that we would build more relationships/partnerships with churches in our area.
• Tuesday night we will meet with Covenant’s mission’s committee.

As you can see we will be quite busy over the next week meeting with various groups.  We appreciate your prayers!

When people find out we are going to Japan it is always amazing the various connections people have to Japan.  Within our own church the organist, Kae, actually grew up in Japan and attended Japanese school.  Kae’s parents were missionaries and she has a huge heart for the Japanese and for the Japanese to know Christ as their Savior.  This past summer she was able to visit one of her brothers who still lives and works in Japan.

This weekend we were very grateful that Kae invited us to join with some of her friends and talk about our future ministry in Japan.  It was especially interesting to hear more about her experiences in Japan and the work she has witnessed overtime.

The brunch was a wonderful time and we are thankful to Kae for her hospitality.  It was neat for us to see someone so excited about ministering to the Japanese people and her burden/love for this nation!