Bernie, Cheryl, and Fujiwara-sensei during their installation as a pastoral team
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned” (Isaiah 9:2, NIV).
More than 700 years before Jesus was born, Isaiah prophesied the coming of the Messiah, the child who would be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6) and “Light of the world” (John 8:12). When John the Baptist met him, he rejoiced in the fulfillment of the prophecy, declaring, “This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah . . . ” (Matthew 3:3). What joy there was among those who realized that the long-awaited prophesy had been fulfilled!
On June 14, Bernie, Cheryl, and Tomoko Fujiwara were installed as the pastoral team of Tamagawa Church of God in Tokyo. After attending the service, a friend encouraged us greatly when she handed us her bulletin on which she’d jotted the following note:
“While I was praying during the service, I saw a picture of a rope dipped in oil lying on the ground and spiraling over all of Japan. Suddenly it caught fire and spread [quickly] down the rope. I felt it was God saying that with each bit of work and service you do for him, you are laying another strand of the rope. [Let’s be] ready when he sets it alight!”
In this 150th anniversary year of Protestant missions in Japan, it is our prayer that we may indeed be privileged to see the Holy Spirit set this nation on fire as never before. May it be, Lord God, is our prayer. Will you pray with us to this end?
Comings and Goings
Thank you for your prayers for Cheryl as she traveled to the United States to participate in the North American Convention and speak in several Living Link supporting churches. She returned to Japan renewed in spirit on July 14 (one reason for the lateness of this newsletter). Not only was she inspired by the 100th anniversary celebration of the organized missions efforts of the Church of God in North America, but she also excited as she returned because she was traveling with her sister, Don Deena Johnson. During the convention, Don Deena was commissioned as a missionary to Japan—a great answer to prayers we’ve all been praying for a replacement for the Nishi-Kunitachi position, a concern we’ve mentioned several times in newsletters this year. Praise God for answered prayer! Needless to say, we’re also excited that we’ll be living near Don Deena for the first time in 25 years. Please pray for Don Deena’s transition.
Please also pray for Millie Michael as she concludes her two years as a special assignment missionary in the Kansai this month and returns to the United States. Finally, also pray for Tyler Hobbs, also commissioned at NAC 2009, as he prepares to come to Japan on August 19 as Millie’s replacement. Comings and goings are always bittersweet times of excitement for the church in Japan generally and for the Bartons specifically. Thank you for your important prayers.
More prayers needed
Please continue to support us with your faithful prayers about these matters:
►For a harvest from seeds to be planted during Tamagawa Seigakuin’s Bible Camp, July 20-22. We’re excited that seventy girls will be participating voluntarily, and we’re expecting the Holy Spirit to move in amazing ways. Please pray that the fires of revival in Japan will be lit at Tamagawa Seigakuin.
►For our annual summer pastors’ meetings (July 29-31) and national summer convention (July 31-August 2). How we pray that revival fires also will be lit within our 16 Church of God congregations in Japan. To be honest, we sometimes wonder whether this will ever happen. Surely, the Jews wondered the same as they waited for Isaiah’s prophecy to be fulfilled. We also wait not very patiently, but always with expectation.
►For refreshment and renewal as we visit our family, Stephanie, Donald, and Little Ben, in China from August 4-18.
We covet your prayers for the fulfillment of God’s promises in Japan.
