A scene from "The Nativity Story",starring Keisha Castle-Hughes and Oscar Isaac
The nativity story
“. . . and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7, NIV).
Just in case you’re wondering: no, we’ve not forgotten to look at the calendar lately, and yes, we know that it’s only October! Nevertheless, we had the opportunity earlier this week to attend a preview showing of The Nativity Story, a movie that will be released under the title Maria in general theaters in Japan from early December, just in time for Christmas. We were asked to help promote the movie and also to pray that the hope of the nativity will be preached widely and become the hope of this nation “because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Would you pray with us, please?
Revival in the air?
Dare we imagine such a hope as revival for Japan? Of course, we know that the promises of the Bible are true. But, to be honest, sometimes it’s very difficult to see that God is working here in Japan. With a Christian population of one percent at most, Japan is one of the most resistant fields in the world for Christian evangelization.
Needless to say, it’s thrilling when we see signs of God at work in our midst. As principal at Tamagawa Seigakuin, Bernie got reports from three different Christian summer camps that Tama Sei girls attended, including Tama Sei’s own Bible camp in July (see our August newsletter). A second camp was a Tokyo area Nazarene youth camp, where Bernie was the speaker. The third camp was organized by Tokyo Baptist Church. Between these three camps, more than 30 Tama Sei girls made decisions for Christ and/or to be baptized this summer!
As Bernie was sharing this exciting news with Cheryl, he commented, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if these girls were the start of a revival at Tama Sei and that would spread all over Tokyo?” Indeed! And all over Japan, too! Would you join us in praying for this?
The “no” that opened a door
In September, we asked for prayer for Atsumi Nijuken, seeking to find a hospital willing to accept a program to care for mothers whose pregnancies end in miscarriage, stillborn births, or the deaths of newborn infants. We were disappointed when a leading hospital of obstetrics and gynecology in Kobe turned down her request—the second hospital where there was a good chance for Ayumi, the organization Nijuken-san has founded, to begin its work. Nevertheless, the Tarumi Church woman is excited about the very positive reception that the hospital gave her and the door that has opened despite denying the permission she requested. The new opportunity is for Nijuken-san to provide the tiny doll clothes-size gowns to a lead nurse at the hospital who visits public schools to talk about the value of life. Considering that abortion is the number one method of birth control in Japan, this is a message that very definitely needs to be shared wherever possible. Nijuken-san is confident God has opened a door that she never expected.
Through the contact at the hospital, Nijuken-san also learned of an annual “convention” in Kobe of people and organizations that have various services to offer to parents. Each group is allowed to set up a booth in a convention center where they can explain their services and/or programs. Already Nijuken-san is making plans for a booth at this upcoming convention (after the first of the year). Please pray with us that this will open the right doors for Ayumi and bring this fledgling ministry into contact with women who need to be comforted in their loss.
By the way, while we were disappointed in the no to Nijuken-san’s request, she herself was completely cheery. “God has a little different plan than I had,” she said confidently. “I just have to keep looking for it.” Please pray that God will soon show her his plan.
Other prayer concerns
In our August newsletter, we shared the exciting conversion story of Eriko Tanaka. Unfortunately, recently her brother has become violent towards her. Pray for Tanaka-san’s protection. Her faith remains strong, but is certainly being challenged.
Also, Cheryl is hard at work on the 1998 international testimonies book, Yet I Will Rejoice, and a history book, Into All the World: A Century of Church of God Missions. The latter book, on which she is working with her father, is to be published in late 2008 as part of celebrating the hundredth anniversary of organized missions within the Church of God. It will include a reprinting of Lester Crose’s history, Passport for a Reformation (through 1980), and our additional thirty years since then, in addition to a number of appendices. Among these are 20 one-page biographies. Needless to say, this is a huge project. Please keep both of these books in your prayers.
“. . . and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7, NIV).
Just in case you’re wondering: no, we’ve not forgotten to look at the calendar lately, and yes, we know that it’s only October! Nevertheless, we had the opportunity earlier this week to attend a preview showing of The Nativity Story, a movie that will be released under the title Maria in general theaters in Japan from early December, just in time for Christmas. We were asked to help promote the movie and also to pray that the hope of the nativity will be preached widely and become the hope of this nation “because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Would you pray with us, please?
Revival in the air?
Dare we imagine such a hope as revival for Japan? Of course, we know that the promises of the Bible are true. But, to be honest, sometimes it’s very difficult to see that God is working here in Japan. With a Christian population of one percent at most, Japan is one of the most resistant fields in the world for Christian evangelization.
Needless to say, it’s thrilling when we see signs of God at work in our midst. As principal at Tamagawa Seigakuin, Bernie got reports from three different Christian summer camps that Tama Sei girls attended, including Tama Sei’s own Bible camp in July (see our August newsletter). A second camp was a Tokyo area Nazarene youth camp, where Bernie was the speaker. The third camp was organized by Tokyo Baptist Church. Between these three camps, more than 30 Tama Sei girls made decisions for Christ and/or to be baptized this summer!
As Bernie was sharing this exciting news with Cheryl, he commented, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if these girls were the start of a revival at Tama Sei and that would spread all over Tokyo?” Indeed! And all over Japan, too! Would you join us in praying for this?
The “no” that opened a door
In September, we asked for prayer for Atsumi Nijuken, seeking to find a hospital willing to accept a program to care for mothers whose pregnancies end in miscarriage, stillborn births, or the deaths of newborn infants. We were disappointed when a leading hospital of obstetrics and gynecology in Kobe turned down her request—the second hospital where there was a good chance for Ayumi, the organization Nijuken-san has founded, to begin its work. Nevertheless, the Tarumi Church woman is excited about the very positive reception that the hospital gave her and the door that has opened despite denying the permission she requested. The new opportunity is for Nijuken-san to provide the tiny doll clothes-size gowns to a lead nurse at the hospital who visits public schools to talk about the value of life. Considering that abortion is the number one method of birth control in Japan, this is a message that very definitely needs to be shared wherever possible. Nijuken-san is confident God has opened a door that she never expected.
Through the contact at the hospital, Nijuken-san also learned of an annual “convention” in Kobe of people and organizations that have various services to offer to parents. Each group is allowed to set up a booth in a convention center where they can explain their services and/or programs. Already Nijuken-san is making plans for a booth at this upcoming convention (after the first of the year). Please pray with us that this will open the right doors for Ayumi and bring this fledgling ministry into contact with women who need to be comforted in their loss.
By the way, while we were disappointed in the no to Nijuken-san’s request, she herself was completely cheery. “God has a little different plan than I had,” she said confidently. “I just have to keep looking for it.” Please pray that God will soon show her his plan.
Other prayer concerns
In our August newsletter, we shared the exciting conversion story of Eriko Tanaka. Unfortunately, recently her brother has become violent towards her. Pray for Tanaka-san’s protection. Her faith remains strong, but is certainly being challenged.
Also, Cheryl is hard at work on the 1998 international testimonies book, Yet I Will Rejoice, and a history book, Into All the World: A Century of Church of God Missions. The latter book, on which she is working with her father, is to be published in late 2008 as part of celebrating the hundredth anniversary of organized missions within the Church of God. It will include a reprinting of Lester Crose’s history, Passport for a Reformation (through 1980), and our additional thirty years since then, in addition to a number of appendices. Among these are 20 one-page biographies. Needless to say, this is a huge project. Please keep both of these books in your prayers.
Thank you so much for your prayers on which we depend!
