Newsletter in English: 2012年4月アーカイブ

Again, I apologize for not updating for awhile since the last Chihiro Times. During my quietness, Equipper Conference (ec) was held, I visited Japan, the JCFN annual joint staff meeting took place, I made a trip to Italy, and we completed our one-Third of 2012... Time flies. May God bless each of you wherever you are. I assume you had a chance to look at my "Interim International Director Letter." Here I would like to share my personal reflection and the report from April.


■After Annual Joint Staff Meeting■□

In June, 2011, I was unexpectedly appointed to be JCFN's interim International Director. The original plan of this personnel change was applied until the end of last year. However, the situation has continued, and my first annual joint staff meeting as an international director came up in March. I mainly used to have reflections and planning on my responsibility in the field of ministries. But this year, it brought me to think through how the structure is functioning in terms of the organization. I also had the privilege of communicating with each staff and associate staff member in order to reflect on each one's condition. I am thankful to God for providing this opportunity to stretch my perspectives on things and to grow in many ways.


Looking back, I can calmly reflect on how I was going through the process. However, while I was preparing and directing the meeting, I faced to my lack of ability and felt humbled. This reminded me of God's strength when we stand in Him. I am so thankful for that. After the joint staff meeting, each staff is now in the planning and preparing for the upcoming annual board meeting. JCFN's new fiscal year will start in July. Please continue to pray for the planning. My situation as interim International Director will be reviewed at the board meeting in May.


□SLIM12□■

In the middle of April, I attended the SLIM conference. SLIM stands for Servant Leadership in Ministry, and its purpose is equipping young adult generation in Europe. It was the very first conference, and I heard that they had some ideas from JCFN's ec. My co-worker, Setsu, was invited as one of seminar speakers. We thought it would be better if JCFN can be their resource, so we visited Italy where the conference held together. JCFN was also supported by different organizations and individuals when it started 21 years ago. ec was originally envisioned and started by several international student ministries so that JCFN would be able to independently operate the conference in future. JCFN is willing to support to other ministries because others have supported us.

I had the privilege of helping one of the seminars Setsu was in charge of, which was the: "Unwrapping Gifts Seminar." As I was teaching a seminar, having fellowship within a small group, and throughout the conference itself, I realized one clear thread of purpose: "I would like to be equipped," and, "I would like to be involved in others to be equipped." This purpose is also my passion for ministry, so I felt so comfortable being there. Please continue to pray for those who attended SLIM12 so that they may maintain the decisions that they made. Please also pray for the ministries in Europe. I feel something new will start.

After SLIM, I had some days off in Italy and traveled to Milan, Florence, and Rome (the Vatican, too!). It was interesting to see both new and old cities within one small area especially in Florence and Rome. I even felt to be placed in the early church history era. I am so thankful to have this refreshing time!


■What's Going on with Chihiro■□

After the annual joint staff meeting, we made a brief schedule for the year of 2011 (again, JCFN's new fiscal year will start from July). One of the biggest moves is that we are planning another BBWIT (Bridge Builders: those who follow up returnees) leadership camp, which we had in Tokyo in February. The next one will be held in Aichi in September. So, I will probably be staying in Japan from the middle of September until ANRC12 in November.

As I have been reporting, my financial support has decreased. So, I am hoping to do support-raising by visiting churches and individuals during my stay in Japan this fall. Please pray for my support-raising during this time so that I would have new supporters. If you know of any churches or individuals who might be interested in this ministry, please let me know.

In spite of traveling around, I have the privilege of mentoring two people; one is in Japan, and another is in California. It is difficult to set a meeting schedule if I have trip after trip. I am hoping to use time wisely and have quality time of mentoring faithfully. Besides, I have time to do Skype with associate staff members and regional ministry leaders. Please pray for the communications taken place on-line so that I may be able to listen carefully and speak only what I should speak.

May 13th: Message at Wintersburg Presbyterian Church
May 25th-28th: Central Conference (IL)
May 29th-31st: JCFN Board (CA)
July 26th-28th: WIT12 (CA)
Mid September: Stay in Japan
September 21st-23rd: BBWIT12 vol2 (Aichi)
November 22nd-25th: ANRC12 (Shizuoka)


□Prayer for Chihiro□■

As I announced before, I am sending out a prayer e-mail to those who would like to join in the circle of prayers. E-mails are sent irregularly and in short sentences. If you are interested in receiving this, please contact me.

♪ Thanksgiving ♪
   ♪For protection on trips (Japan: Feb & March; Italy: Apr).
   ♪For JCFN team members.
   ♪For supporters continuously being provided.

♪ Requests ♪
   ♪For relationship with those whom God placing around me so that I may be able to use my time wisely.
   ♪For my home church, Chofu Baptist Church.
   ♪For financial supporters to be provided consistently.