After the kids recovered from jetlag, they returned to their karate dojo, where Chloe and Cameron received their black belts! They passed the test last year in June, but the belts hadn’t arrived before we had to leave for furlough. Congratulations!
Being able to attend the international Bible study again was a huge blessing and much anticipated meeting! Jonathan Jelliff has been doing a great job providing leadership for this group in our absence, and we got to witness it ourselves! We were also blessed to have Elijah lead the music. He also did a great job! We are so thankful for their servants’ hearts and willingness to pick up where we left off.
We really enjoyed our furlough, traveling to about thirty churches in our seven months in the States. We are back home in Japan, and I’m finding it a whole lot easier to cook here than in America! Food options, menu choices, gas stove, and my familiar kitchen make cooking a breeze. My kids reminded me that it wasn’t like this when I first arrived in Japan! How well I remember that! I had to toss my US recipes out, since I couldn’t buy the ingredients called for. After twenty years, I’ve figured it out! The kids had a short list of “Make this meal!” We have had Japanese rice, oden, fried rice, gyoza, rice balls, and yakisoba.
Our family was blessed to spend time on furlough with so many different Christians. Japan is such a different environment spiritually. Thank you for fellowshipping with us during our stay!
We can get to know new people! (Chloe and Rachel, 2014.)
Between reading Acts and Psalms, I realized what a blessing it is to “be known.” Acts 1:24 acknowledges that God knows everyone’s hearts; Psalm 31:7 says, “I will rejoice and be glad in your faithful love because you have seen my affliction. You know the troubles of my soul” (CSB). I believe God has given each human a desire to be known, whether it’s by our family, our friends, or God. There’s something wonderful about people really knowing me! When I meet someone new, and they don’t even try to know more about me, I come away feeling disappointed. I remember feeling this way even as a child.
It’s not easy or quick to really know another person . . . or God. It takes time, diligence, and love. This idea is changing how I relate to people. This past week, we visited a church where I don’t know many people. One guy sat a row ahead of my family, and since we were there early, I decided to try to get to know him. I asked about his family, his siblings, how he’d spend Christmas this year. I learned more about him, and it will make talking to him again easier. I’d like to think that he went home happy, to know someone cared enough to dig a little deeper. It reminds me of Jesus when He “saw” an individual against the background of the crowd. He reached out to individuals. He noticed them.
Norman’s been saying for years now that, in order to bear one another’s burdens, we must know people well enough to know what burdens they have! I get it now! It’s so simple, yet I have missed it. To my shame, I haven’t always been interested enough to learn more about individuals. If they need help, I might reach out. Too often, people become projects.
Of course, not everyone is open to being known. I could have attempted to get to know the guy at church, and he could have answered in monosyllables, shutting me out. I can only do what I can do. Their response is up to them.
What better way to mirror God’s love for me than to love someone enough to get to know them! Sometimes it takes times of simply being together with someone before they feel ready to open up and share of themselves. Or feel like they can trust me. I’m like that, too! It’s also good not to overlook those closest to me (my children, husband, family members, church people). I have the opportunity to know these on a deeper level than those I see only occasionally. Haven’t you ever wished your parents understood you better? How about your spouse? Wish you knew what your kids were thinking or feeling? Part of the challenge is figuring out ways to draw them out, to make them feel comfortable revealing the inner workings of their hearts.
As we hang out with extended family and our church body in the coming days, let’s try to show greater interest in the people God brings into our circle. How well do you know each one? Who might be receptive to you? Who is on the fringes? Let’s learn to truly know better the people around us, one by one.
If you have suggestions for good questions to use or tips for getting to know others, please send a comment! I have lots of room to grow in this area.
Our family wishes you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
We never know what God has in store for us when the new year rolls around. I’m glad He has control of all that! When our Commander is reliable, trustworthy, and caring, we have no reason to fear the future! The best part is that He walks along beside us every step of the way, guiding, comforting, encouraging, and empowering us.
What a blessing it is to be God’s child!
Chloe and Cameron sharing special music in Green Pond, Alabama – December 18.
Jesus told His disciples, “You will become sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy” (John 16:20 CSB). He said this relating to His coming death and return to the Father. Yes, His disciples would be sad when they witnessed His crucifixion, but later, after they understood its purpose, they would be joyful. They’d be SO joyful, in fact, that their sorrow would be all but forgotten, like a mother after giving birth forgets the agony of labor (verse 21).
In life, we, too, feel sorrow from time to time. I think of my friend who is facing cancer and a life-changing surgery. We grieve a loss (of many kinds). We sorrow over life change; we find new physical limitations; we are treated poorly or betrayed; we hurt in all sorts of ways. But having faith — we will understand the purpose later — we can access that joy even in the sorrow. That is a work of God! Only divine help supporting our faith can enable us to see past the sorrow of today to embrace the joy of the future.
“Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 CSB)
“Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross . . .” (Hebrews 12:1b-2a).
Oh, Father! May this kind of faith be true for me! When difficult news comes my way, help me look past the temporary discomfort to the joy awaiting me, understanding that You have a divine purpose in every sorrow You allow into my life. Increase my faith! Help me lift up my eyes to the joy ahead. Amen.
Our family is on a two-week trip, staying one week in Minnesota and one in central Iowa. On Monday, we were able to meet up with our Japanese friend, Ritsuko, who lives in Minnesota. She set out an astounding amount of food for us! We took half of it home with us and are still eating it!
As I think back over how we met Ritsuko, I see God’s amazing hand in each part of the story. First, Ritsuko’s parents live in Kikuchi, the town we live in. It’s the same town where we opened our first coffee shop. Ritsuko was the first person to attend our first Bible study there. She was visiting Japan for an extended stay, and our family got to know her then. Her husband grew up near where I grew up in Wisconsin. And her MN home is right on the way between two of our supporting churches. We keep running into each other!
This week is sort of a “breather” for us. We are camped out in the lovely basement apartment of Mrs. Merrill in SE Minnesota. Good timing, because our kids caught colds and needed a quiet place to take it easy. The fall colors are gorgeous here this week!
We will visit Calvary Baptist Church in Rochester, MN, on Sunday. Following our time there, we will attend the Global Reach (missions) conference at Faith Baptist Bible College. We hope to be able to speak with college students and share the need in Japan. We need more workers!
We are enjoying cooler fall temperatures as autumn comes to Iowa! We have had a busy schedule, but we are being encouraged as we fellowship with our supporting churches around the area. What a blessing to sing together, hear testimonies, and share how God is working.
This coming week will be busier than usual. We’ll visit three churches, fellowship with old friends, tour a dog trainers’ school, and travel hundreds of miles!
Last night Melodie and I helped the church here to put labels on 4,500 water bottles in preparation for a parade event . . . which got rained out today! The event continues into tomorrow, so maybe they’ll have another way to distribute them! They each say something about Jesus being the Living Water. How wonderful to know Christ and have our deepest thirst quenched! I am grateful for God’s life-giving sustenance.
Traveling from Wisconsin to Iowa was a little tight!
After brief stays in Oregon, Alabama, and Wisconsin, we have now relocated to Iowa. We plan to be here for almost three months. (Take deep breath!) Whew! We have been wonderfully blessed by our supporting church in Creston, IA. We are staying in their mission house, which is perfect for us. We even have horses next door to admire!
We’ve been enjoying visiting with a variety of supporting churches so far this furlough. Some of these have been supporting us for over twenty years! We are so grateful for our church families sending us to Japan with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We praise God for each one of you!
This weekend, Norman and Cameron plan to take in a men’s retreat. A couple weeks later, Susan and Chloe are looking forward to a ladies’ retreat. In the meantime, we look forward to Wednesday nights together with the church body here in Creston. After being in charge of running Bible studies and church services, it’s nice to sit back and not be in charge! The encouragement of being together with brothers and sisters in the Lord is not something we take lightly. What a blessing!
My sister and me, together for the first time in almost 5 years
I am reading 2 Samuel this month. Today I read about several armies uniting against Israel. Joab, Israel’s military commander, led the charge against the enemies. The attacking armies divided, some on this side of Israel, some on that side. Joab told his brother Abishai, “You go attack that side, and I’ll fight over here. If the Aramaens are too strong for me, then you will be my help. But if the Ammonites are too much for you, I’ll come to your aid” (paraphrase of verse 11).
What a great picture of the Christian family, the church! When times are tough for me, I’ll look to you for added strength and support. I will allow you to help me. (This is not always easy!) When the tables are turned, and you are in a bind, then I’ll be ready to jump in and give you a hand. We’re in this battle together. Together, we can be stronger. We’ve got each other’s back.
I love this imagery. Too often, it feels like it’s every man for himself, but God never meant it to be that way. I’m guilty of trying too hard to do everything myself. And I am hesitant to “push” myself into someone else’s life. I’ve experienced times when others have come to my rescue, and it’s been wonderful. Why is it so hard to admit the need for help? Pride, I suppose.
This week, let’s look around and see if a brother or sister looks like they could use some support. And if it’s you or me who needs extra help, let’s be brave enough (and humble enough) to reach out to a brother or sister and request a hand. Let’s encourage a Together relationship with our church family.
Our family began our furlough journey in Oregon. We then moseyed down to Alabama to visit Norman’s side of the family and pick up our vehicle. About three weeks after that, we took two days to drive up to Wisconsin to see my side and celebrate my mom’s 80th birthday. (Happy birthday, Mom!) This past Thursday, we headed to Creston, Iowa, where we plan to settle in for about three months. Our supporting church here has graciously offered us the use of their missionary house. We are so thankful to be able to rest in place (during the week anyway!) in one location with just our family!
By way of update, we have had some terrific news from home in Japan! Elijah led another Filipino friend to the Lord! Please pray for Charlie as he takes steps along the road of discipleship, and for Elijah as he leads Charlie.
Also, Stephen Clemans made it to Japan! He plans to help Jonathan cover for us while we’re in the States. Currently, Stephen is sick and had to see the Japanese doctor. Not a fun way to get started, but God’s doing something!
(from left, Stephen, Elijah, and Jonathan)The kids and I joined my sister on a walk to a pier by Lake Michigan.Visiting Walnut Park Baptist Church in Muscatine, Iowa, our kids stand ready to greet anyone who looks interested in talking with the missionary family!
Our hostess claimed she ran out of normal spoons and handed out what was available. Ha!
Our family of five made it safely back to the United States on June 15th. An added blessing was that just days before leaving Japan, the PCR test requirement was lifted! We traveled from Kumamoto to Tokyo (Narita); then on to Vancouver, Canada, and Portland, OR. Pastor Craig Slaughter came to get us, and we spent about 2 weeks in Oregon getting over jetlag AND covid! Double whammy! The church family (Faith Baptist in Salem) bent over backwards to help us out and meet needs during our illness. Thank you!!
We flew then to Alabama to recover more at Norman’s parents’ home. We had to postpone or cancel 2-3 Sundays during this time. Cameron came down with covid in Alabama. We had a forced rest, which wasn’t such a bad thing. 🙂
On July 19-20 we traveled in our packed car to Wisconsin and are currently hanging out with my side of the family. We plan to visit three churches here before moving on to Iowa for about 3 months.
We hear that Jonathan is doing well back in Japan, meeting weekly with Elijah and the international church group as well as brushing up his Japanese speaking level. Keep him in your prayers, please.
Norman has begun a podcast in the last several months called Run With Horses, 30-minute episodes on topics such as discipleship, family, and marriage. He made a new website for it, as well — runwithhorses.net. I add my two cents on the marriage edition of it, and both Chloe and Cameron chime in on Family Fridays. This podcast is also aired on an internet radio program each week, potentially reaching a larger number of people. This is a new ministry for us, and we hope it will encourage many Christians around the world.
