John and Tomoko serve with the Japan Baptist Union (JBU) churches in the Kansai (western) area of Japan. Currently, they are working with the Nishi Okamoto Baptist Church in the city of Kobe.

They write: This has been a time of transition for us as we have not only moved back to Japan, but also moved to a new residence. Transitions can be times of stress and uncertainty but they can also be a time to stretch and rethink. It can be a time to let God be in the lead and to look for the doors that He opens. But for that to happen one has to be listening for God, a challenge in the middle of our busy lives.

Perhaps we are feeling a little like Abraham and Sarah right now. We felt the stress and uncertainty. Actually we felt blessed that on the first day of searching we found a place that we felt fit our needs.
Large enough for our family, less than a 10 minute walk to the station and the rent was very reasonable for the location and size. Of course there is a reason for the reasonable rent. We are right next to one of the train line. Literally, RIGHT NEXT to it. Even though 20 or 30 trains go by during the rush hours, it really isn’t too noisy and we do feel fortunate that we found this place. The Lord opened the right doors.

In September we will be attending a retreat for the pastors of our area. The subject of the retreat will be our roles in ministry with the churches of this area. When we left a year ago, we had planned to come back and focus on ministry with youth, children and parents. During our absence several things
have changed, including the fact that now 5 churches are without pastors. Still we feel the need to reach out to the youth of Japan.

We are excited about all the opportunities ahead of us. But we know that we cannot do all things, so we need to be open to the leading of the Lord. This is a time to pray, listen and perhaps stretch a little.
The Nishi Okamoto Christ Church continues to grow in faith and in their ministry of the gospel under the leadership of Rev. Akira Takahashi. They are well under way with plans for a new church building, having just hired an architect. As you may imagine, nothing in Japan is cheap, including a new building. But as a church they are stepping out in faith. Trusting the Lord will bless them in this journey, next spring will begin their time of transition. We rejoice in their faith to follow the leading of God.
•    Praise for our new residence and the safe moving of our family.
•    Pray for our children as the return to school, especially Ami as she returns to college in Canada.
•    Pray for the pastors’ retreat in September, that we will all be open to the leading of God’s Spirit as we plan for the future of our ministry together here in Japan.
•    Pray for the building plans of the Nishi Okamoto Christ Church.