Update
We are long overdue in sharing all that God has been doing in and around our family and community since our summer update. We are so grateful your support. As we reflect, we would be remiss if we did not mention the fact that how God has used our family would not be possible without your joint effort! For some of you we have been encouraged by you, some have included us in your prayer routines and some of you have traveled to our location to serve and love us and our community. Some of you have opened your doors to us and our Japanese friends we have brought to the States for their first experience in America and some of you have sacrificed your financial resources to make what we do possible! WE THANK YOU!
Upon returning from our two week trip from the U.S. we hosted our biannual summer camp and enjoyed a couple weekend get-aways before school started. The highlight was visiting Christian sites that many tourists from around the world visit. Before Japan re-shut it’s borders to the world roughly 250 years ago persecuting Christians forcing them into hiding and many martyred because of their belief in Jesus, Christianity was growing and thriving throughout Japan especially here in the southern part of Japan where we live.
Our Halloween Trunk-or-Treat was one of the biggest and best ever with over 60 attending where we get to create an opportunity for family fun and community. We already have a vision about opening up this event to our entire school district next year!
Visitors from the U.S.
The last 3 weeks we hosted two different short-term missionary groups that were an absolute joy to have and look forward to having them back next year, God willing. Tiffany, Abby and Katrina from Colorado the last week of November. Read about their experience with us HERE .
And another couple, Jordan and Krista, from Alaska the first two weeks of December. Check out the video below for the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! An answer to prayer for sure.
Our Christmas Celebration last Saturday, we feel was one of the best ever! There was just something different about it this year that made it extra special for us and we hope all that attended got a glimpse of the TRUTH about Christmas!
Family Happenings
Ethan and I still run to his friend’s house each morning to help him get out of the house and get to school. All this running helped Ethan prepare for our community relay race held each year. I was leg #4 and he was leg #6. Our community placed 6th out of 12 local communities that participated.
Ethan also started soccer while still doing tennis and piano. Playing school sports in the Japan comes with a lot of obligated roles for EVERY parent to participate in called “volunteering”. Having two older children that played school and club sports in the U.S. there is a stark difference that is a tough pill to swallow and something to be navigated carefully in the Japanese culture.
Ethan will be flying solo to Tokyo on December 23 to spend time with Meg’s brother. This will be a fun adventure for him.
Chloe, coming up on her 10th birthday in January, wanted a puppy for her 5th birthday. I told her having just moved to Japan we are not quite ready for a puppy. She said: “how about when I turn 10?”. And thinking 5 years is doable, I agreed. 5 years felt like 5 months!! Well that time has come! So during Winter Break we will be making a surprise 9 hour drive to Hiroshima to the breeder to pick up her 2 month old Whippet puppy named (she decided) Champ.
Megumi and I celebrate 18 years of marriage!!! We are scheduled for an overnight get away after dropping off Ethan at the airport on Saturday. Chloe will stay overnight at our friend, Kana’s house with her 3 girls.
Looking Ahead to 2024
As we go into holiday mode we will be reflecting on all that God has done through our mission and ministry in 2023 and also start preparing ourselves for what’s ahead in 2024. Two big one’s worth mentioning now:
04.14.24 RUN JAPAN
Not Alone Japan initiative launch is finally happening with the kick off run across Japan starting at the southern most tip on April 14th. More to come on this but in brief, isolation is a cultural mainstay in Japan at pandemic levels that will not change course unless the CHURCH steps up to fight for so many unable to fight for themselves. God has put on my heart to be a spark to ignite others to run after those suffering and impacted by loneliness and isolation.
HOMESTAY USA
We have 4 elementary age children that have committed to go to the U.S. this summer for a 2 week homestay. We are looking for four families that would consider opening their home and be a host family at the end of July to mid August in the Northern Kentucky area. If interested in more info, please reach out to us.
Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
