January 2024
Acts 4:9, 10 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
As Peter stated in these verses, any good deed that we get thanked for is not because of us, but because of God’s grace of the risen Savior working through us. Recently I was told that whenever I walk into the teacher’s room at school, the atmosphere of the area changes to a more light-hearted joyful place. I was able to reply that it is the grace of God through me. In the same way this month, we want to give God the glory for the grace of God shown through three more of the churches that have stood with us through the past 30 years of ministry here in Japan. First Baptist Church of Dillon Montana, First Baptist Church of Cody Wyoming and Bible Baptist Church of Sidney Montana. Vicki’s father, Arthur Coats pastored the church in Dillon for seven years when she was in elementary school. So, there are many there who are like family to us, and especially her. The church’s Christian Women’s Fellowship has also made us a special point of ministry and prayer. The old log building church in Cody is special because of the people in it and the pastors who have served it. First Pastor Nichols and then Pastor Barrick have been very encouraging to us through the years. In Sidney Montana, the people and Pastor Backhaus have been especially personally encouraging. We have had two young people from this church come for summer missionary internship and last year Pastor & Mrs. Backhaus came to visit us. We give praise to God for these faithful local churches who have demonstrated the grace and power of the risen Saviour to the Japanese through us these thirty years.
April is the end of the full school year here in Japan. We are usually stateside this time of year on short reporting furloughs. Beings we weren’t this year, Ken was able to attend two grade school graduations, two junior high graduations and one high school. This gives opportunity to greet many parents, who we normally do not see, and for interaction with the teachers and principals. We never know what little seed through action and word may begin a series of deeper opportunities to get the gospel to these dear people. With the end of the school year comes transfer in and out for various teachers. We are thankful that Miss Tsuzuki requested and was granted another year here in Teshio. Ken is now team teaching with a couple new teachers and one of them came over for supper the other night. She said she would come to the Sunday English service some time so please pray for Miss Nakamura and further opportunities to minister unto her. We continue to see Ken’s teaching in the local schools as a means to open doors for furthering the gospel beyond the church building and meetings we hold here.
Ken had another 3 month checkup on the remaining kidney stones. No major change although there is still some slightly elevated white blood count so they will do a special medicated CAT scan in July to see if they are missing anything else. We are thankful for no new stones beginning and no complications indicated.
Vicki has again been asked to be the president of the local ladies’ chorus group as well as a continued consulting member of a small group that meets about 3-4 times a year to talk about creating more communication in families, to keep events going within the community and community development. Each is a small open window for the Lord to use for His glory.
Prayer Requests:
1. Families of believers to be saved and baptism of believers
2. Health of Mrs. Sonoda; salvation of her husband and father; her mother’s health
3. Bible study with Hitomi Tsuzuki-her salvation; rehab and healing of her knee
4. New inroads to be found into people’s lives and hearts; Mr. Moriyama, Miss Emi, Filipino ladies;
5. Praying for those that left Teshio this month to have further Christian contacts and for new folk that come in and we may find ways of meeting them
Serving Christ Together, Ken & Vicki Mansell Just APrayer At Night – Your evening is our daytime!
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