All is in God’s Providence
We recently spoke at a Mission’s conference in Athens, GA. At this conference there was a Japanese man presenting about Japan. This was a unique situation in that this Japanese man is not a Christian. In fact, he is training to be a leader in his religion, Tenrikyo, and in preparation for this came to study non-profit management at the University of Georgia. Part of the program involved interning at a local non-profit and in God’s sovereignty he did his internship with Redeemer Presbyterian. As part of the internship he needed to complete a presentation about Japan. Redeemer invited him to share on Saturday night of the mission’s conference. In his presentation, he outlined some of the issues facing Japan such as high depression and suicide rates. The next day, he heard us talk about these same issues but also about how the gospel answers all of these problems. It was certainly a work of God’s providence to have us both there at the same time so we could share with him the message of the gospel through our presentation. He will return to Japan soon where he lives not too far from Nagoya. He desires to keep in touch, as do we, and we look forward to the opportunity to build on the teaching he is receiving at Redeemer right now. Please pray this man would come to saving faith and become a leader in the Christian church in Japan!

Traveling Across the US
Thank you for your prayers for our travels and for the last of our support to come in. We are home in Lexington, VA after a month long trip across the United States. While in Lakeland, FL, we were able to speak to a few mission committees as well see many of our friends and say goodbye. In Phoenix, a church partnered with our ministry which brought our remaining need down to 7%.

On Friday, we leave again for a trip through North Carolina. We hope at the end of February to have 100% of our budget pledged so we can purchase tickets for Japan and leave mid-March. Please pray for our visas (in process), safe travel, and the remaining $700/month needed to be pledged.

Many Thanks
We want to thank all of you who participated in the fish fry at Covenant Presbyterian in Lakeland. One youth member auctioned  to have his hair cut any way the winner desired. This alone brought in $70+! (See pictures below.)  After expenses we were able to raise approximately $4,500. This is a huge help in getting us to the field and we are very appreciative of all who participated and attended. This alone brought in $70+! Wow, what a crazy haircut.

[Show as slideshow]

January 9 – Presentation at Grace Covenant – Blacksburg, VA

January 16 – Preaching at Grace Presbyterian, Lexington

January 17-28 – Florida Trip

• January 21 – Fish Fry @ 5:30pm @ Covenant Presbyterian, Lakeland
• January 23 – Speaking at Covenant Presbyterian, Lakeland

January 29-31 – Mission’s Conference @ Redeemer Presbyterian Church – Athens, GA

February 1-Feb 11 – Phoenix Trip

• February 6 – Speaking at King of Kings, Litchfield Park

February 13 – Michael Preaching at ARP church near Lexington, VA

February 18-27 – North Carolina Trip

• February 18-20 – Retreat w/ Nagoya Team Members Itinerating in NC
• February 20 – 23 – Asheville, NC
• February 23 – 25 – Southern Pines, NC
• February 25 – 27 – Mission’s Conference in Hickory, NC

March 6 – Speaking at Ebenezer ARP, Near Lexington, VA

March 13-15 – Mission’s Conference in Hopewell, VA

March 17 – Prayerfully Leave for Japan

April 6 – Prayerfully Start Language School

*Please note changes might occur!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from our Family to Yours!

This weekend we are attending the MTW Global Mission Conference in Chattanooga, TN. The conference has over 2,000 participants ranging from students, to current missionaries, to church members interested in missions, to pastors, to partners of missionaries. The weekend is filled with times of worship, prayer for the nations, break-out sessions focusing on many topics relating to missions, sharing God’s work throughout the world, and fellowship.

Today we had the opportunity to meet with our team leaders and three other families in the process of raising support to join the Nagoya church-planting team. We also were able to meet an intern in Nagoya who recently returned from the field a month ago. This time was a huge blessing because these people will all be teammates when we are in Japan. What a blessing from God to have almost DOUBLED the current size of the team. PRAY this weekend we would be able to connect more with each other and pray together for the Gospel to go forth in Nagoya.

Wayne Addressing the Nagoya Team

Nagoya Team Members at GMC

After meeting with our team we headed to man the Japan Partnership display. (Thanks to Seven Rivers who designed and helped create the display.) This provided an excellent opportunity to share with many about the ministry going on in Japan and how individuals and churches can partner with the ministry. If you are at GMC stop by and say hello!

Working the Japan Booth

Note: If you have a twitter account there will be continual tweeting at #GMC2010. Follow what’s going on and stay connected!

Starting in December 2009 MTW has launched on-line giving.  This is a convenient and quick way to donate to your favorite missionaries.

Super Easy Two Step Instructions:

1. Click button below.
2. Follow MTW directions.

I will be back posting a few things to catch up from the summer. We have been lame in updating the site. If you see something below that wasn’t here before that is why!

Greetings from Virginia! Michael and I have just arrived and wanted to post a quick update along with prayer requests. We have quite a busy schedule ahead of us. (Our itinerary is below so you can check the specifics.) Please pray that we would be faithful to our calling and churches would be moved to pick us up at missionaries!

We do not have any additional news on the break in at out house but would like to express our gratitude for everyones prayers, cards, meals, etc. We are so well cared for by our Covenant family and VERY grateful!!!

VA Trip Itinerary:
Sunday – Speaking at Knox Presbyterian in Richmond, VA

Sunday Night – Small group meeting in Lexington with group from Grace Pres.

Monday – Meeting with missions committee at an EPC church in Lynchburg

Wednesday – Friday – Trip to DC

Sunday – Speaking at PCA church in Blacksburg, VA

Many have asked us to send our response to the break-in that occurred at our home on July 4th.  This is the second e-mail we sent out on July 7, 2009.

Thank you to all our friends and family for praying for us over the last few days.  God is a gracious God and we have been immensely blessed by him and through our wonderful community who have provided meals, assistance, and most importantly prayers!  Thank you to all of you.

I arrived home yesterday from Virginia and was nervous about what the evening would look and feel like.  I think God has given both Michael and I so much peace over the situation and hearts of thankfulness…trust me we would never have this on our own.  Today has been extremely difficult as we’ve gone around to pawn shops giving them a list of unique jewelry that might come their way, working with our internet service company to restore the equipment, and replacing necessary items for the house.  It is tedious and our lack of patience is revealing quite a bit of our own sin.

A wonderful blessing that happened an hour after I sent the last e-mail was the discovery of Michael’s laptop and my watches.  Michael was taking pictures of everything and saw a cord hanging out of a laundry bag by the door in the back room next to the door.  The police and he had missed this the night before and here it is late Sunday afternoon and he discovers yet again a wonderful treasure.  (We use his computer the most and it has all of our everyday files…including MTW stuff.)

If anymore information comes about we will update everyone, but I imagine it will mostly be putting our home in order and working with our insurance company…who has been excellent.

Please do continue to pray as Michael and I try to work through the fear and violation of this situation.  Both of us have struggled sleeping and seem to be much more on “edge.”  Pray we would acknowledge the fear, but also not be slaves to fear and remember that the Lord casts out all fears… that we would understand and reflect upon how he is still and has always been in TOTAL control and rules over all that happens.  Pray we find our home inventory.  I am so detailed and have everything beautifully documented with photographs but can’t find where I put it. (Typical me…unfortunately )  Prayer for Michael as I am away next week with the youth on the road trip.  As mentioned before please continue to pray for those who broke into our home…that they would come to know Christ’s forgiveness as Michael and I have been blessed to know.

Thanks again for all of your support and kindness.  We are blessed to be in such a loving community of believers who are advocating to the very throne of God on our behalf!  Thanks be to Him!

Cathalain Carter (for Michael too!)

We’re here!  Well, we are commuting to GA each night.  Please e-mail, text, twitter, facebook or call (whew that is quite the run down of social networking tools) if you want to get together.  We’ll probably be hanging around the Japan table in the exhibit hall so be sure to stop by!

Thank you all for praying for our trip to Virginia. We were able to meet with five different pastors/churches, attend presbytery and Cathalain went to a women’s retreat where she assisted with the worship. It was a great time of developing relationships with churches and pastors as well as a good time of relaxation. In the middle of the week we were able to stay in Lexington for a few days of  rest and relaxation.

Our time back in Florida has paralleled our time in Virginia. We have been able to speak to pastors and churches, such as Holy Trinity Presbyterian in Tampa and we have also been able to relax, such as camping at Fort DeSoto with some good friends from church.

Again, thank you for your prayers. Please continue to pray as we continue to speak to churches, pastors, missions committees, presbyteries, and individuals. Pray also for our upcoming travels this summer.

On a final note, Cathalain and I received an exciting surprise this past weekend while driving home from a Mother’s Day celebration with her family. If you look back to the February 24^th entry, you will see a picture of us speaking at Grace Presbyterian in Arcadia, FL. We learned they will be supporting our ministry as a church. We have enjoyed getting to know the people at Grace Presbyterian and are very excited for their partnership. Praise God!