January 2024
Dear Praying Friends, November 2020
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20
We do give thanks for all the faithful pastors, churches and individuals who have stood with us in prayers and financial support over these many years as missionaries in Japan. We recently were informed of a new supporting church. It has been quite a few years since we have had a new supporting church. We were greatly encouraged by this. Thank you for praying for your missionaries and faithfully supplying their financial needs so that the gospel can be preached in the regions beyond.
In Japan, November has two holidays. As yearly hosts of a Hokkaido missionary thanksgiving gathering, we always choose from one of these to gather for the ease of everyone’s schedules. The consensus was the first holiday would suit all our needs so all that could, gathered on the 3rd to rejoice in what God has done through the past year, to eat traditional American thanksgiving foods, and pray over the times ahead. This type of gathering is always rare and so special to all of us. While we usually have around 30 gather, because two families are in the States right now, we had 18 of us! These dear folk have all become family to us and we are so thankful the Lord allowed this gathering, especially in the midst of so many challenges due to covid 19 here. We also want to shout out to Lighthouse Baptist Church in the Tokyo area, pastored by Brother Bill Lyons and his dear folk who always provide the meat and side special ingredients, we might not otherwise be able to incorporate into the menu. We were greatly blessed.
Ministry in this day and age, doesn’t always stay right with your local group. Due to the internet it opens up doors that help spread the things you can do far and wide. As we reported in another letter a couple months ago we have been praying and following a young Malaysian woman’s course as she was punished, imprisoned by her family, and taken before the police several times. Vicki has been quite busy at times in communication with her (along with a few other ladies), in prayer often and in hopes as we awaited God’s plan for releasing her from this painful and dangerous experience. Praise God on the 21st of this month, she flew to Seoul, South Korea via her student visa. God protected her through roadblocks and one other interrogation before she reached the safe shores of South Korea. While one might think she is well on her way now, there are still other challenges ahead of her. Not because of who she is as a Christian, but other issues that were also involved. She also has special needs of a way to finance her living there, a place to live, a quick understanding of her classes she will begin in less than a week, and some health issues as a result of her past. Please continue to pray for Stellar! She is trusting greatly in her Father’s plan and will!
Another special opportunity this month was when the taishogoto instrument group that Vicki is a part of needed a place to have class. We opened up our meeting room downstairs for this gathering. This was the first time these ladies have come into the church area. Verses are printed and hanging on the wall. Japanese missionary letters hung on a board. A couple of the ladies took time to read these and we are thankful for any means to introduce God to them.
We had asked prayer for Vicki for the 3rd of December, but the event that she was going to participate in has been cancelled. Due to various areas in Hokkaido springing up with more cases of covid, larger gatherings have again been restricted. As a result, we will not be able to have our usual large Christmas program and tea time. We will instead hold a special Christmas themed Sunday morning service on the 20th. We will still be inviting as we have opportunity so we ask God to provide some special people, even one or two to come! The high school band teacher had asked us about a Christmas program so we have invited him to this and trust he can come. We also had him over on the 2nd holiday this month for pizza and games. Another first time personally with him. May the Lord use that as a beginning for interest in spiritual things. Thank you for always remembering our ministry in prayers! We are praying for you during this season as well! May Jesus Christ be praised!
Prayer requests
- Christmas service on the 20th (Saturday night 19th, 9 p.m. American EST)
- People’s hearts to be open to the Gospel and for opportunities still due to Covid.
- The salvation of believers’ husbands and families
Serving Christ Together, Ken & Vicki Just A Prayer At Night – Your evening is our daytime!
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