Three weeks. Three cities. Three highlights.
One of the best highlights of the entire trip was reconnecting with our old friends and disciples. We were blessed to hear of Elijah (center) who continues to lead Bible studies in his dorm of Filipino coworkers. King (left) trusted Christ in January and was baptized in April. They both are finding ways to share the Good News with their families and those around them. Please pray for these two as they head toward full-time missionary service.
We also met up with other friends and loved ones, hearing how they continue to thrive as believers, sharing the light of Christ where they are.
The following picture wasn’t a highlight! Fourteen hours on one plane is a very long flight! Thankfully, we were able to catch a few winks and made it safely to Tokyo.
First stop in Japan: Chiba, a city beside Tokyo proper. Here we met the Vannings, a missionary family with whom Chloe will be learning under in 2026. There are about 3-4 apartments buildings like this surrounding a shared park area. The Vannings live on the 8th floor of one of these and hold a Sunday morning church service in their apartment.
Second highlight: Getting Chloe settled. This is the sight that met us upon arriving. No one had lived here for several months, and weeds took over! With the help of two young, energetic short-term helpers, we got the yard fixed up, as well as cleaned and organized the inside.
A third highlight: Visiting with the ABWE Japan team! We enjoyed fellowship with missionaries we’ve known for years, as well as meeting some newer additions to the field and visiting friends. Please pray for these warriors as they continue to fight off the darkness with God’s marvelous Light.
During our time with these folks, I had the joyous privilege of sharing my salvation testimony and the gospel to a middle-aged Japanese woman whom some of us missionary women met at the hotel where we stayed. Pray for this dear woman to read her Bible and pray for understanding. God helped my rusty Japanese along to be able to share how much Jesus means to me. Thank you for your prayers!