We wrote to you on March 21st with great anticipation of two exciting things starting in early April. (1) April 7thwas Clark's scheduled first day of 1st grade at the local Japanese elementary school. (2) April 11thwas our new church plant's first scheduled worship gathering. Then life began to change due toCOVID-19'simpact in Japan.
It started slow...
• Late March, stay-at-home orders issued. • 4/2, in-person church gatherings/church plants cancelled/postponed.
• 4/6, Greater Tokyo Area under State of Emergency.
• 4/15, Nationwide State of Emergency.
• Even now, SOE extensions being discussed beyond 5/6
We're sure you can identify with this progression in some way where you live.
Like many of you we, too, are wrestling through our own feelings of disappointment, grief, impatience and a host of other emotions. Of course, we know this doesn't surprise God. In fact, we believe He has allowed this. Yet, it can be a difficult trek for man in what our minds know to where we embrace what the Lord is allowing in our hearts.Hereis an important reflection on how God views COVID-19.
Psalm 139 has a good word for all of us...
"How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with You" (Psalm 139:17-18).
"O Lord, You have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, You know it altogether" (Psalm 139:1-4).
The range in which David describes God is remarkable. God is so big, His thoughts are beyond understanding. They number more than the sand.And yet,He's intimately involved with each one of us. He knows all our ways - our actions, thoughts, motives, words - even before spoken (!).
What a comfort! Amen!?
A dear brother from our sending church in Virginia always signs his emails with "press on". I always appreciate this subtle challenge. And so we do. Each day we lay our hearts before the Lord in prayer, in meditating on His Word and humbling ourselves recognizing God knows all that is happening around the world and how it affects each and every one of us. In fact, He's ordained it! And because we know He is good, we know His love, we've experienced His grace and acknowledge His presence, we press on.
Read below for an update on how we're attempting to redeem the time amidst quarantine, social distancing and ultimately waiting on the Lord.
God is Moving @ Denen Grace Chapel!
The Lord allowed me the opportunity to preach to nearly 70 attendees virtually via Zoom on Easter Sunday. This is far beyond our normal 30-35 in attendance in-person Sunday mornings. 6 logged in from the area we'll be planting a new church - mostly non-Christians. Online worship has provided an easy entry point for gospel ministry. Click hereto read more about Easter 2020. Please pray for the brothers and sisters at Denen Grace Chapel during this time of separation though longing for fellowship.
Church Plant Prep & Life Readjustments
As mentioned above, our originally scheduled April 11th launch for a new neighborhood church in the Azamino area needed to be postponed. This has allowed our family the opportunity to spend time with families at the nearby park - great for maintaining ministry relationships while honoring the social distancing mandates. The Lord has certainly used these times to not only prepare our hearts in the waiting, but also those who He is drawing to Himself and through whom He will build His church! Please continue praying for our Bible Studies with Mrs. H, Mrs. F, Mrs. C, Mrs. M, Mrs. K, Mrs. M & Mr. M (see Lindsay "Zooming" for Ladies Bible Study in the above collage). Pray also for folks we've been intentionally seeking redemptive conversations with: Mr. K, Mr. T, Mr. K, Mr. Y, Mr. T & Mr. S (still running with Mr. K each Tuesday morning - please keep praying!)
Prior to Easter, Linds made Resurrection Egg kits for those we're discipling in our neighborhood. Please pray for those that received these kits. It's been encouraging to hear our non-Christian friends' feedback as they open the eggs with their families.
We're also using this "at-home" time to study Japanese, homeschool a bit to keep pace and cultivate family worship rhythms. Please pray for our family as we seek to honor the Lord with how we use our time. As we're sure many of you are, we're discovering the beauty and fruit of slowing down, teaming better as parents and more time as a family.
What about you? We sincerely mean this. How can we pray for you? What are you doing to redeem this time?
A special note to those who financially support our church planting work in Japan. Your generosity, faithfulness and care for our family and the people of Japan has always been an inspiration to us. You have stepped out in faith and for that we're forever grateful. This is also a trying time for many families financially. We recognize this. And to know you are continuing your partnership during this time does not go unnoticed. We love you and appreciate you.
Our mailing address is:
2-4-12-1 Edanishi, Aoba-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa-ken, Japan 225-0014 Our email address:mitchell.justinandlindsay@gmail.com Skype Phone Number: 434-473-6304 Website/Blog:www.GodsGloryinJapan.com
