Here are a few tidbits of news for those who have been praying for specific things in our lives!
Jonathan Jelliff is sitting in our kitchen as I write this! Praise God he made it safely here! He is in the process of getting over jetlag, learning how to care for our two dogs, and meeting the different people we are working with (like Elijah, the church family, Norman’s English student Yusuke, our neighbors, etc.).
Other big news is this: Cameron and Chloe passed their black belt tests in karate! They still sport some pretty major bruising (mostly Chloe), but they survived and did well! They ended up having to spar about 14 people, one minute each. Pretty brutal! (I have video if you’re interested!)
There is one week before we leave. Please pray that we’ll not catch covid before leaving. (There are still cases floating around our area.) Norman is feeling the pressure of finalizing everything before we leave. I’m not sure why this is so exhausting, but it is!
Thank you for your faithful prayers! We couldn’t make it without your intercession. We praise God for your help.
Thank you to those of you who have been praying for Jonathan to receive his visa for Japan. He has it in hand! Praise the Lord! He has bought his plane tickets to arrive June 7th.
Jonathan (left) and Norman (photo taken several years ago)
Please continue to pray for Jonathan. We will be dumping a bit of work on his capable shoulders! It will probably feel a little overwhelming at first. Our time together is only about a week (overlapping time), since the Smith family plans to return to the States on June 15.
Please pray for Stephan as he has also applied for his visa to come help Jonathan in our absence. His plan is to be in Japan for a short-term assignment for now. But having both of them here is a huge weight off our minds! We are so grateful for their willingness to come help.
Spring winds are blowing, and we are in the last stretch before returning to the States for furlough. It’s always a challenge, leaving our home for an extended time, living/traveling overseas, and planning to return home later. (Home is now Japan!)
Cameron tells me that he can’t anticipate going to America until his karate black belt test is over! All the training takes a lot of time and energy. June 5th can’t get over quick enough for him.
One of our huge prayer requests has been that Jonathan Jelliff will be able to enter Japan the beginning of June in order to cover for us while we’re gone. He has recently received the first “okay” from the Japanese immigration office, and we’re waiting to hear about the official approval. It looks very likely that he’ll be here as planned. Praise God!
It’s strange to think about living in the USA again. I’m out of step with life there. I remember things as they were four years ago. Now, I have no clue about fashion, life post-covid, or how things have changed. One furlough the payment method for buying gasoline had changed, and we had to figure out how to work the pump. Other times, it’s how to buy certain food or drink from a convenience store. We feel so stupid! I struggled to pay with $20 increments, since we don’t have those in Japan. What will it be like this time around? Part of the adventure, I guess! I just have to remember to go easy on myself. And I hope those around me can be patient with me until I figure stuff out, too!
Norman’s been working hard to prepare the church visiting schedule, plus a lot of the other logistical items, like making our new prayer card (Melodie helped!), finding housing and a vehicle, putting together a report video. I will list the schedule as we know it right now. The open dates should be filled in soon!
OUR FURLOUGH SCHEDULE (as of early May): (Leave Japan: June 15)
June 19 Faith Baptist, Salem, OR
June 26 Bethany Baptist, Salem, OR
July 3 TBA
July 10 TBA
July 17 Heritage Baptist, Prattville, AL
July 24 CrossWalk Church, Appleton, WI
July 31 TBA
Aug. 7 First Baptist, Kiel, WI
Aug. 14 Walnut Park Baptist, Muscatine, IA
Aug. 21 TBA
Aug. 28 TBA
Sept. 4 Calvary Baptist, Chatfield, MN
Sept. 11 Berean Baptist, Pella, IA
Sept. 18 First Baptist, Yarmouth, IA
Sept. 25 Grace Baptist, Altamont, KS
Oct. 2 First Baptist, Creston, IA
Oct. 9 Blaine Baptist, Blaine, MN
Oct. 16 Calvary Baptist, Rochester, MN
Oct. 23 CrossRoad Baptist, Ames, IA
Oct. 30 Faith Baptist, Carroll, IA
Nov. 6 Faith Baptist, Iowa City, IA
Nov. 13 Emmanuel Baptist, Burlington, WI
Nov. 20 First Baptist, Hartland, WI
Nov. 27 Ladysmith Baptist, Ladysmith, WI
Dec. 4 Faith Baptist, Adams, WI
Dec. 11 TBA
Dec. 18 Green Pond Baptist, Green Pond, AL
Dec. 25 Christmas!
Jan. 1 TBA
Jan. 8 TBA
Return to Japan Jan. 12 (or so)
If you’re in the areas listed, come visit with us!
As I read through Luke 22 this week, several thoughts struck me.
Jesus and His disciples celebrated the Passover together, at which time Jesus told Peter that Satan demanded permission to “sift” Peter like wheat. Jesus told Peter that He prayed for his faith. Peter confidently stated that he was willing to go to prison or even to death for Him. Jesus predicted Peter’s denials.
The disciples followed Jesus up the Mount of Olives where Jesus urged them to pray that they would not fall into temptation. They slept instead. Jesus went off a ways and faced His own temptation: “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”
I believe Peter was physically and mentally ready to fight with swords to help deliver Jesus from harm. He would have protected Him with his own life. He felt ready for the challenge. Yet that wasn’t God’s plan of attack. When Jesus stopped Peter from using the sword and fighting back, I think it threw Peter off his game. Confusion paralyzed him. If physical action wasn’t allowed, there seemed to be no plan . . . other than to lie down and let the bad guys win.
Peter’s heart was willing to do his plan, but it wasn’t God‘s plan. Peter wasn’t sure what God’s plan was, but it didn’t seem as effective as his own! Accepting God’s plan would need . . .
** eyes of faith,
** a non-human perspective, and
** a willingness to let go of his own plan.
Peter would need to follow Jesus’ lead. Fit into His plan as it unfolded.
Isn’t this what it’s like when we get a cancer verdict, or a job layoff, or the sudden death of a loved one? That wasn’t part of our plan! What now? My plans are out the window, and God’s plan is murky and confusing. Right now, anyway. But God does have a plan, and we can follow Him one step at a time, one day at a time, praying to not fall into temptation, but viewing the changes from God’s perspective. We will need to stand firm in faith (in Who God is and how He sees me) and let go of our own plan.
Meet our new friends! Yusuke (on left) has been meeting with Norman almost weekly for English conversation practice. Yusuke is amazing on the slap bass, and he generously uses his talents to aid Chloe in her song-making.
Yusuke recently introduced us to his friend and fellow band mate, Tsuyoshi. He is an accomplished drummer and a welcome addition to Chloe’s music as well! In the near future, you will be able to hear his genius in Chloe’s new songs.
We are grateful for being able to meet these two, especially during a time when people are still social distancing here in Japan. We look forward to building deeper friendships in the coming months!
God has been teaching me some new things about the Christian life. For instance, for most of my life, I’ve desired to be “productive” as a Christian. I want “success” in ministry. I want something to show for my life and my efforts for God. Basically, I want to be effective as a Christian, as a missionary, as a mom. But when you stop to think about it, too often we mistakenly allow someone other than God to define success and effectiveness.
Look at Jeremiah, the prophet. Was his life effective? He shared the Word of the LORD to people, and no one listened or obeyed. If you were to read his prayer letter, would you consider his ministry a success? Not by the definition of this world. Not according to the piles of books on church growth. Not according to my own definition. I wouldn’t want to experience that kind of ministry! But if you look at Jeremiah’s life from God’s perspective, how does that change your impression? God called Jeremiah and gave him the messages He wanted Jeremiah to proclaim. Did Jeremiah faithfully obey God, doing His leading? Yes! That means Jeremiah fulfilled the work that God had for him. That’s success!
Too often my goal is the fruit. I want certain results in ministry, but those are not for me to drum up. I have no control over how people respond to God’s message. In a similar way, I must concentrate on fulfilling the job God has given me. What does God desire from me? He wants my heart. He wants me to have a close relationship with Him. His plan is for my old nature to grow weaker and for Christ to live in and through me (Gal. 2:20).
As a side note, though I can’t produce results by an act of my will, I can upgrade my skills in certain areas. I can learn how to more effectively explain the gospel, for instance. I can integrate tips on how to use my time more wisely. I can learn how to pray better.
I am still learning what this looks like in day to day life. How can love God with my whole being? In what areas is God calling me to be faithful to Him? What skills do I need to be honing to be the best servant I can be? Who is God bringing into my life that He wants me to love? How am I relying on His Spirit to truly love them? Where am I not being obedient? What is hindering me from truly loving God with all my heart? Am I willing to give that up?
Let’s pray together for us to be faithful and obedient servants of our Lord!
The year 2022 is underway. What will the next twelve months hold? Only God knows! I am thankful that we journey together with Him. He goes before us, lighting our path day by day. One plan our family has for this year is to take a six-month furlough to the States, to report to our supporting churches, visit family and friends, and recruit more workers for God’s harvest field.
You may wonder what it is like to be on furlough from the mission field. I will attempt to give a glimpse of it for you. As a side note, each missionary’s furlough may look vastly different from how we do things.
We have around 34 supporting churches. We hope to visit each one. This means that every available Sunday, we will be visiting a different church to give an update or report. Obviously, in a half a year, there are only 26 Sundays, so that means a number of Wednesday night services will need to be used as well. We enjoy meeting up with “old” friends we’ve seen and known for the past 20+ years, in addition to meeting newcomers to the churches since we’ve been away. It does involve a LOT of traveling!
Our supporting churches are located mostly in Alabama, Iowa, and Wisconsin, but there are some in Kansas and Minnesota as well. During our furlough, we typically live with both sets of parents for some of the time, and we hope to find a place to live during the times we’ll be in Iowa.
It is difficult to leave behind those we’ve been meeting with here. Norman always makes a plan to have someone preach each Sunday that we’re gone. So far, we’ve had someone in place to help out. There are two men who are planning to arrive in June to cover for us, but they’re coming from the US, and the coronavirus has kept Japan’s borders shut for much of the last couple years. Pray with us that these two men will be able to arrive this summer!
We look forward to joining God’s church gathered in larger groups than we see here in Japan. A typical church service here has under twenty people at any one time. To sing together with a group of one hundred is thrilling!
Our kids love to spend time at American libraries! We borrow loads of books each week we can!
One of our children said the thing she likes about furlough is traveling by plane to get there. And then she’s able to read ALL the signs! (Japanese is very difficult to read!)
Some of us look forward to all the food we can’t get here. This includes the wide variety of breakfast cereals, instant oatmeal, certain snacks, flour tortillas, sausage, “real” ham/bacon, macaroni and cheese. (However, when we leave Japan, we will miss Japanese rice, unsweetened green tea, and chopsticks!)
We will have to get accustomed to driving on the right side of the road again! And American vehicles are SO much bigger than Japanese ones! Driving speeds in the US are also much faster.
I will need to relearn how to cook in America. I use a gas stove here, so electric is very different. I’ve also grown used to adjusting recipes for using what’s available in Japan.
People act so differently in America, too! Japanese tend to be reserved and to hide their emotions. It can be both refreshing and shocking to experience the change between the countries!
It is very strange to live for half a year without a home. In recent years, we’ve been gone from our home in Japan for only a couple months. After even that long, I am more than ready to be back at “our own place.”
This time, we’ll be leaving behind our two dogs. We hope we can find someone to watch them!
Maybe that gives you an idea of what we’re looking forward to. Furlough can be both exciting and exhausting. We are so grateful for each one who prays for us year after year. And our churches have been so faithful in supporting us for over twenty years now! Thank you from our hearts!
We usually see new plant life in the spring, but we are thrilled to find it in the fall this year! No, not these plants. I’m speaking of new life in Christ!
Norman has been discipling a young man from the Philippines who lives and works just minutes from our house. Elijah grew up in a pastor’s family, but he came to Japan over a year ago to work in construction. In the process of his spiritual growth, Elijah became burdened for his fellow workers. He has been reaching out to them. God has produced some fruit! Recently, Elijah’s friend made a profession of faith! Elijah told us afterward, “He had a lot to confess!”
Sometimes you just need a little push to get started studying God’s Word. If you want one, here’s one for you!
Psalm 119 is the longest “chapter” in the Bible (though we don’t usually call psalms “chapters”). There’s a different feel to it when compared to other psalms. But there’s a lot we can mine from its pages. To begin this study, I recommend that you copy the entire psalm onto pages you can write on. (You can copy actual pages from your Bible or print off Psalm 119 from an online Bible source.)
You can use different colored inks or highlighters to search for each of the categories listed below. You can also come up with other categories! Copy and paste the categories listed below into a word doc or hand write them on another paper to fill in the answers. Have fun!
When you are finished, look over the results. What can you learn from the psalmist? What impressions do you get from the words he used? What can you tell about the author? What do you learn about God? About His Word?
A. Names of God’s Word
Example: The law of the LORD, Your law, the law of Your mouth
B. Names of God; Descriptions
Example: My God
C. Description of Author (example: I am needy)
Example: With my whole heart I seek You.
Example: I have stored up Your word in my heart, that I might not sin..
D. Requests of Author
Example: v. 10 Let me not wander from Your commandments!
Example: v. 12 Teach me Your statutes!
E. Part 1 – Comparisons (if this, then that)
Example: vv. 5-6 Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping Your statutes! Then I shall not be put
to shame, having my eyes fixed on all Your commandments.
Part 2 – Comparisons (opposites) Such and such is this way, but…
Example: v. 51 The insolent utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from Your law.
F. Descriptions of ungodly
Example: v. 21 God rebukes the insolent, accursed ones, who wander from His commandments.
G. Results of Keeping God’s Word
Example: v. 1. You will be blessed, and your way will be blameless. (1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD.)
H. Results of NOT keeping God’s Word
Example: v. 21 God rebukes the insolent.
I. Attitudes of Author
J. Descriptions of God’s Word
Example: v. 7 Righteous (also 75, 106, 128), right (137, 172)
K. How Author Uses God’s Word (meditates)
L. Author’s “I will” Statements
Example: v. 7 I will praise You with an upright heart, when I learn Your righteous rules.
M. Author’s “I will not” Statements
Example: v. 16 I will not forget Your word.
N. Author’s “I have” Statements (Positive Actions)
Example: v. 11 I have stored up Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.
O. Author’s Motivations for Keeping God’s Law
Example: v. 168 I keep all your precepts and testimonies, for all my ways are before You.
