It has been cooler summer in Southern CA, and it is already in the end of August. I have heard it is still very hot in Japan. I pray that this newsletter finds you well wherever you are. There were several events and trips taken during July and August. Thank you always for your faithful prayers.
■JCFN Headquarters Moved.■□
It has been a prayer request for a long time to find a new location for JCFN US Headquarters. Thank you for your participation in prayer. On July 17th, we were able to move from Long Beach to our new place in Irvine, Orange County. Now we started renting rooms at New Song Community Church. This church has been emphasizing "Third Culture" in their ministry, which values new culture born out of multi-ethnicity. The expression of "Third Culture" is also used to describe returnees in our ministry settings. We do not know well about this church yet, though, we are looking forward to any opportunities for ministries developing in this location. At this point in the end of August, we still have boxes around in office, but it has slowly been functioning as office. While at the previous location, we have several rooms to use including copy room and storage. We only have 2 rooms and one for copy and storage room, and the entire staff of workers are sharing the other bigger room. Please pray for our new working environment.
It takes me 30 minutes to commute from Long Beach, where I live to the new office. So I am planning to find new place to live closer to the office around the end of January after trips and ec. Please pray that I can find a good place.
□WIT10 Leadership Camp□■
The fourth WIT (Whatever It Takes) Leadership Camp was held on July 22-24 with blessings. Including those who were on the planning team, 23 people attended from all over the North America (including Canada). We focused on inviting "already leaders" who are involved in leadership in regional ministries. It turned into a place for their encouragement.
The vision of WIT10 was "to equip leaders who can help one another and obey God by standing on the Word whatever it takes." 8 of us (JCFN staff workers and campers from previous WIT) had been planning. All of the planning meetings were done through conference calls. It was harder to get to know each other among staff than planning in person. In order for teambuilding, one person from the planning team came up with an idea to have chain e-mails among staff. Taking turns, we e-mailed (1) sharing from devotion, (2) answering particular questions, and (3) sharing prayer requests. Those questions were really funny such as "name a dish which describes one of team members well." Most of the questions were things which we do not usually think about, but they led us to think about people on the team. We were able to know each other better and remember them in our prayers. Our first time to meet face to face was at the actual WIT10, but we did not feel like it. Literally, we, planning staff, experienced WIT10 vision throughout planning, and I believe that other WIT attendees must have felt that. It is one of WIT's values that those who are involved in planning are able to get the opportunity to be equipped.
The characteristics of this year WIT was that there were opportunities for campers to deal with inner selves and that they were encouraged to live in the Word of God without compromises. We learned about burn-out. We experienced to face our own past pains and sins, and God's intervention to deal with them. The second night, we had small group time. While it was planned for several minutes of sharing and prayers, it ended up to last a few hours until midnight by listening to each other, confessing their sins, and praying and laying hands on one another in prayer. I felt that God provided a safe place for them to share. I relearned that it is important for leaders to have a place to share their weakness and ask their prayer needs. Please pray for each leader whom now are sent to their ministry fields.
□Europe Trip□■
Following the week after WIT10, I flew to Madrid, Spain. Japanese Christians Retreat was held in El Escorial. It was my first Europe trip and first time to attend this retreat. Every year, different country/church in Europe becomes in charge of hosting this retreat and it was the 27th retreat. About 240 people attended from all over Europe. This year, it was hosted by Bible reading group in Madrid (only 3 people!). Since most of the time when we plan, quite a few people are involved in planning and organizing, it was surprising to know only 3 people were on the planning committee.
The highlight of the retreat for me was small group. I was asked to become a sub-leader of non-Christian group. 7 of 9 in our group were non-yet Christians. They were international students, working with working holiday visa and tourists. I had heard that the international students in Europe are little different from those in the States. In fact, I noticed several differences as I was speaking with them. Especially those who are studying music are very artistic and emotionally sensitive. I felt God is using their sensitivity to reveal Himself to them. Within the limited time of small group, the leader and I were able to share not only sensing God's creation, but also the essence of the Gospel, original sin, need of salvation, and answered their questions. Thankfully, two of them accepted Christ during the retreat and one of them confessed her faith after the retreat. Please pray for the wisdom of how I should be involved in following up with them, residing in the States. Some of them are back in Japan, and I am hoping to meet them while I am in Japan. Please pray that I can meet them.
After the retreat, Setsu and I had a chance to travel around in Spain for several days and enjoyed old towns. Especially I enjoyed food.
After Spain, we visited London, UK to visit Japanese churches and friends. We stayed at one Japanese family (same generation) who are planting church in partnering with English church. It was such an encouragement for me to listen to what they have been through. Please pray for their ministry.
□What's Going on with Chihiro□■
The biggest thing happening to me is to stay in Japan for about 2 months from the end of August. I will be visiting different regions and meeting returnees and people who are following up returnees. It has been 4 years since I last stayed in Japan during summer. Please pray for my physical condition during this hot season. I am looking forward to meeting those who are in Japan!!
Aug. 25th - Oct. 28th: Stay in Japan
Sep. 5th - 7th: Nagoya
Sep. 25th - Oct. 3rd: Trip in west side of Japan
Oct. 9th - 11th: Tokai Camp (Hamana-ko)
Oct. 12th - 20th: Trip to Hokkaido, Tohoku
Oct. 22nd - 23rd: Bridge Builders Training (Okutama)
Dec. 27th - Jan. 1st: ec 10 (CA)
■Prayer for Chihiro■□
♪ Thanksgiving ♪
◆ For protection during my trip to Europe.
◆ For salvation during Europe retreat.
◆ For supporters continuously being provided.
♪ Requests ♪
◆ That I am able to obey God's voice.
◆ For 3 sisters saved during Europe retreat.
◆ For my home church, Chofu Baptist Church.
◆ For Japan trip. Please pray for wisdom for planning of my trip and I may be able to meet who I need to meet.
◆ For my health condition.
◆ For financial supporters to be provided consistently.
■JCFN Headquarters Moved.■□
It has been a prayer request for a long time to find a new location for JCFN US Headquarters. Thank you for your participation in prayer. On July 17th, we were able to move from Long Beach to our new place in Irvine, Orange County. Now we started renting rooms at New Song Community Church. This church has been emphasizing "Third Culture" in their ministry, which values new culture born out of multi-ethnicity. The expression of "Third Culture" is also used to describe returnees in our ministry settings. We do not know well about this church yet, though, we are looking forward to any opportunities for ministries developing in this location. At this point in the end of August, we still have boxes around in office, but it has slowly been functioning as office. While at the previous location, we have several rooms to use including copy room and storage. We only have 2 rooms and one for copy and storage room, and the entire staff of workers are sharing the other bigger room. Please pray for our new working environment.
It takes me 30 minutes to commute from Long Beach, where I live to the new office. So I am planning to find new place to live closer to the office around the end of January after trips and ec. Please pray that I can find a good place.
□WIT10 Leadership Camp□■
The fourth WIT (Whatever It Takes) Leadership Camp was held on July 22-24 with blessings. Including those who were on the planning team, 23 people attended from all over the North America (including Canada). We focused on inviting "already leaders" who are involved in leadership in regional ministries. It turned into a place for their encouragement.
The vision of WIT10 was "to equip leaders who can help one another and obey God by standing on the Word whatever it takes." 8 of us (JCFN staff workers and campers from previous WIT) had been planning. All of the planning meetings were done through conference calls. It was harder to get to know each other among staff than planning in person. In order for teambuilding, one person from the planning team came up with an idea to have chain e-mails among staff. Taking turns, we e-mailed (1) sharing from devotion, (2) answering particular questions, and (3) sharing prayer requests. Those questions were really funny such as "name a dish which describes one of team members well." Most of the questions were things which we do not usually think about, but they led us to think about people on the team. We were able to know each other better and remember them in our prayers. Our first time to meet face to face was at the actual WIT10, but we did not feel like it. Literally, we, planning staff, experienced WIT10 vision throughout planning, and I believe that other WIT attendees must have felt that. It is one of WIT's values that those who are involved in planning are able to get the opportunity to be equipped.
The characteristics of this year WIT was that there were opportunities for campers to deal with inner selves and that they were encouraged to live in the Word of God without compromises. We learned about burn-out. We experienced to face our own past pains and sins, and God's intervention to deal with them. The second night, we had small group time. While it was planned for several minutes of sharing and prayers, it ended up to last a few hours until midnight by listening to each other, confessing their sins, and praying and laying hands on one another in prayer. I felt that God provided a safe place for them to share. I relearned that it is important for leaders to have a place to share their weakness and ask their prayer needs. Please pray for each leader whom now are sent to their ministry fields.
□Europe Trip□■
Following the week after WIT10, I flew to Madrid, Spain. Japanese Christians Retreat was held in El Escorial. It was my first Europe trip and first time to attend this retreat. Every year, different country/church in Europe becomes in charge of hosting this retreat and it was the 27th retreat. About 240 people attended from all over Europe. This year, it was hosted by Bible reading group in Madrid (only 3 people!). Since most of the time when we plan, quite a few people are involved in planning and organizing, it was surprising to know only 3 people were on the planning committee.
The highlight of the retreat for me was small group. I was asked to become a sub-leader of non-Christian group. 7 of 9 in our group were non-yet Christians. They were international students, working with working holiday visa and tourists. I had heard that the international students in Europe are little different from those in the States. In fact, I noticed several differences as I was speaking with them. Especially those who are studying music are very artistic and emotionally sensitive. I felt God is using their sensitivity to reveal Himself to them. Within the limited time of small group, the leader and I were able to share not only sensing God's creation, but also the essence of the Gospel, original sin, need of salvation, and answered their questions. Thankfully, two of them accepted Christ during the retreat and one of them confessed her faith after the retreat. Please pray for the wisdom of how I should be involved in following up with them, residing in the States. Some of them are back in Japan, and I am hoping to meet them while I am in Japan. Please pray that I can meet them.
After the retreat, Setsu and I had a chance to travel around in Spain for several days and enjoyed old towns. Especially I enjoyed food.
After Spain, we visited London, UK to visit Japanese churches and friends. We stayed at one Japanese family (same generation) who are planting church in partnering with English church. It was such an encouragement for me to listen to what they have been through. Please pray for their ministry.
□What's Going on with Chihiro□■
The biggest thing happening to me is to stay in Japan for about 2 months from the end of August. I will be visiting different regions and meeting returnees and people who are following up returnees. It has been 4 years since I last stayed in Japan during summer. Please pray for my physical condition during this hot season. I am looking forward to meeting those who are in Japan!!
Aug. 25th - Oct. 28th: Stay in Japan
Sep. 5th - 7th: Nagoya
Sep. 25th - Oct. 3rd: Trip in west side of Japan
Oct. 9th - 11th: Tokai Camp (Hamana-ko)
Oct. 12th - 20th: Trip to Hokkaido, Tohoku
Oct. 22nd - 23rd: Bridge Builders Training (Okutama)
Dec. 27th - Jan. 1st: ec 10 (CA)
■Prayer for Chihiro■□
♪ Thanksgiving ♪
◆ For protection during my trip to Europe.
◆ For salvation during Europe retreat.
◆ For supporters continuously being provided.
♪ Requests ♪
◆ That I am able to obey God's voice.
◆ For 3 sisters saved during Europe retreat.
◆ For my home church, Chofu Baptist Church.
◆ For Japan trip. Please pray for wisdom for planning of my trip and I may be able to meet who I need to meet.
◆ For my health condition.
◆ For financial supporters to be provided consistently.
