Over 170 people attended the final day of our annual Kids Gospel Week! It was an exciting time of interacting and sharing with kids and parents from the community. The gospel was presented each day through teaching, songs, and activities. Close to 30 staff and volunteers worked with kids from ages 3 to 15 years old. A week later, some of the children were still singing to themselves the songs they had learned during the time. For others, the memories go back much farther. One of the older ladies in my Friday neighborhood Bible study remembers earlier times like this. As a young child on her way to school she would walk by a church each day. She was invited to participate in a children’s program and really enjoyed it. She has shared a number of times about her experiences as a child and how she was introduced to the Bible through that local church’s kids program. Those experiences left a favorable impression on her, and she looks back on them even now as she continues to study the Bible with us and as her heart opens further to God’s truth.

Prayer Requests

1. For the seeds that have been planted for the gospel to blossom and flourish.
2. For these young children to continue to have opportunities to be involved with God’s Word and God’s people.
3. For the many parents who came every day of the week and carefully listened and observed. Pray that they would be drawn to Jesus.
4. For good follow-up and wisdom in continuing to reach out to the precious children God has brought to us.
5. For our Japanese youth worker Ayumi as she works with the older youth of our church. Please pray for opportunities to be able to build close relationships and that God’s Spirit would foster heartfelt sharing and receiving of His Word.

This past week during one of our Bible Studies with a Japanese family the father commented, “Ten days ago I realized I am a not a good person inside.”  Isn’t this the truth, not just for this man but for all of us?  I praise God for revealing to my friend his need.  It is only when we understand our sin more that, as Watson said, we will be evermore grateful to Christ for his death and resurrection. This has been a constant theme we have studied throughout the past month in all our Bible Studies whether it be 1 Peter, 1 John or the marriage study.  Pray for all of us as Christians to truly believe Christ has conquered sin and he gives us power over sin even in this broken world!

Relief Work Update
Our team will be leading a trip up to northern Japan the week of June 20-24.  (Unfortunately this is the week before my language school break and I will be unable to go along.) The amazing aspect of this trip is the group was invited as Christians to come into the public schools to speak and do crafts with the children.  In Japan this was shocking to our veteran team leaders (20+ years in Japan) and an amazing opening by God.  Please pray for wisdom as the group prepares for this trip. Pray for this to not only continue to be an avenue for evangelism amongst those suffering in northern Japan but to also be a way for other Japanese Christians to display Christ’s love to others through acts of mercy ministry.  We are seeing first hand many hearts softened to the Gospel and God using this horrific event to strengthen and mobilize his church.  Reaching out has been a great weakness in Japanese churches and praise God for growing his Church in this area!

Study, Study, Study
This past month has been an intense time of language study. Thankfully Cathalain and I are both growing in our language abilities.  In three weeks I will be taking my last round of exams for this session.  In July I will start the 102 class and we have decided for Cathalain to start full-time in the 101 class.  Pray for Cathalain as this will be quite an adjustment.  She has really enjoyed the opportunity to stay home with Tobin and be part of day time activities at our church. With both of us in school, Tobin will have to be put in a day time program for 5-6 hours and this is a struggle for us.  Ultimately after much prayer and discussion with many people we feel our first priority must be learning the language and in the long run this will be best not only for ministry, but most importantly for our family.  This time as been allotted and we won’t have this opportunity again.  Please pray the transition will be smooth and for us to continue to learn the language thoroughly and quickly.

Once a month there is a kid’s club at the Japanese church we attend. This is challenging in few people actually speak/understand English but has been a great time for Cathalain and Tobin to join in the church ministry and fellowship. (Also a great time to practice Japanese!)

Pray to and Praise God
Thank you for your faithful prayers!  We want to urge you to keep praying for Japan.  God has answered MANY prayers and many of those are specific requests you have prayed for faithfully over the years. (Requests are below.)  Please be encouraged by God’s work and know your partnership is truly eternal!

June Prayer Requests

• Pray for the two week break we have between language school sessions. (June 26-July 8)  Pray God would use us in this time to best fill in gaps in our team whether it be small tasks or going up north to assist short-term teams with relief work. Pray also God would give us quality family time to spend together.
• Pray for the three studies we are currently leading.  (Wednesday – Family Study, Thursday – Singles Study, Saturday – Marriage Study)  Pray for the non-Christians to come to Christ and Christians to grow in grace.
• Pray for God to raise up a Japanese national pastor to work with upon language school graduation.  Pray for wisdom in where God desires for us to plant a church.  The need is great everywhere so pray this decision would be clear!

Lexington, VA – $2.86/gallon

New York City, NY – $4.37/gallon

Japan – $9.02/gallon

This is a practical example of the cost of living issues we face in Japan.  Due to the yen gaining strength to the dollar this becomes increasingly difficult.  Last year $1 would buy around 95 yen.  Today the same $1 will only buy 82 yen.  Please pray for the currency to stabilize and for Michael to have a happy heart about reducing his milk guzzling tendencies!

Please pray for Nagoya:

• Pray for the growth of Christianity to continue in Nagoya
• Pray for national leaders to rise up and lead within the Church
• Pray for eight churches to be planted in the next ten years within Nagoya
• Pray the Japanese would be equipped to reach other Asian Nations

Please Pray for the Nagoya Team Specifically:

• Please pray the team will be able to reach out and come alongside those who are visiting the Nisshin Church and get to know them better. Please pray they would be enabled by God to shepherd those who are presently in the church and who are in need of discipleship and training.
• Please pray for effective follow-up of the relationships that were built during the Kids Gospel Week.
• Praise God for the growth of the Choral Ministry lead by Tom and Teresa Wilson. Over 400 people attended the Grace Gospel Charity Concert last Spring which was even televised! Pray the Lord would reach the many unbelievers involved in this ministry.

Please pray for our intineration specifically:

• Pray we would raise the last 19% ($1,900/month) of financial support by the end of 2010
• Pray for the visa process we are starting
• Pray for our language school applications, schedules, and housing.

John Piper in his book entitled, “Let the Nations be Glad” writes that when it comes to missions there are three types of people.  Goers, Senders, and those who are disobedient.  We must ask ourselves which category do we fit in?  Maybe all three!  One important aspect goers and senders share is to call upon God in prayer…continually.  This post is designed to give you an idea of how you can prayer for our mission and for the lost nation of Japan.  If you still wonder why we pray we would encourage you to look at a guide Wycliffe has developed. It is the most succinct and helpful snapshot we have found on the subject.

Praying specifically for the Carter Family

• Pray for Michael’s upcoming licensure exam (Monday, April 19 in the morning) and practice preaching to the youth group (April 21).  Specifically pray for his ability to clearly articulate the answers to the many questions he will be asked.
• Pray for the expected birth of our son, Tobin James, in early May
• Pray for the transition from Lakeland to Virginia to New York at the end of June
• Pray for our last cross-cultural training in NY City from July 1-31
• Pray for the last 30% of funding to come in so we can be approved to leave for the Nagoya in fall 2010
• Pray God would strengthen our marriage through much transition and we would look to him first, continually be faithful in the word, and be faithful in our prayers

Praying for the MTW Nagoya Team

• Pray for eight churches to be planted in the next ten years within Nagoya
• Pray for the Nisshin Church as they begin their tenth year of ministry
• Pray the team will be able to reach out and come alongside those who are visiting the Nisshin Church and get to know them better. Please pray they would be enabled by God to shepherd those who are presently in the church and who are in need of discipleship and training.
• Pray for the new musical ministry being led by Tom and Theresa Wilson (especially the three new choir groups meeting across the city)
• Pray for the English conversation students who hear and interact with content from the Bible each week as part of their class

Praying for the Nation of Japan

• Pray for those who are currently studying the Bible. Please pray that not only will they grow in their knowledge and understanding but that their hearts would be opened by God’s  Spirit to put their faith in Jesus.
• Pray for men to rise up and become nationals leaders within the Presbyterian Church in Japan (especially keep in mind Christ Bible Seminary located in Nagoya)
• Pray the Japanese would be equipped to reach other Asian Nations

I am still working on creating a .pdf version for downloading so you will be able to print one out. (And actually read the text!)  Click here to download our prayer card!

If you would like one for your prayer stack or refrigerator send us an e-mail or ask us when you see you us.