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For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:3-5)
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Have you ever had a prayer that you did not quite dare to pray?
No God, I want that too badly! I can't dare to hope for that...

We have had more answered prayers.  Answers to prayers that we had stopped having the faith to hope for!

I recently did a 33 Minute Samurai challenge with two men from our Ishibashi family and they were both completely changed by Jesus.  From confusion to clarity, from apathy to passion, from timidity to boldness, from shame to freedom, from secrecy to vulnerability!  
Now this group of three men has multiplied into three groups of three as we are doing the challenge again with others.  Please pray for more transformation as we have a worship and confession evening tonight and a two-day camp on the 21st and 22nd.

I asked Masa and Masashi whether I could share about them in our prayer-letter and their responses blew me away!

Masa said: Tell them that "desperation leads to deliverance" and "don't give up hope that life can be different"

Masashi thought for a long time and then said:  
"Paul says in Corinthians 'I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.'  Tell the people back home that I thank them for the role they have played in my transformation."

Your prayers are making a difference here in Osaka!

I often feel that asking others to pray is like calling in air support.  It's like soldiers on the ground who are facing impossible obstacles radioing for the air force and saying: "blow that stronghold up!". (2Cor.10:4) 

As I was writing this letter I saw a kind of a vision which I will share with you.

I saw a person who "fell among thieves" while travelling. (perhaps a Pastor or a Christian like Masa or Masashi who has been wounded by the thieves of this world)  I saw Jesus come as the "Good Samaritan" and lovingly care for the wounded person, bandaging the wounds, applying oil and wine, putting him on his donkey and hurrying to the inn to further tend to him there.  I was the innkeeper, and I was touched and transformed as I watched Jesus caring so tenderly for the wounded person.  I was devastated when he turned to me and said that he had to go.  But when he gave me two coins and asked me to care for the wounded person until he came back I somehow believed that I could do it.

Thank you for praying, 
Cory and Masami
Read our past issues
↑ Photos 
Top: Plus One ;Ishibashi Church Men's Group Feb. get together
Bottom Left: Thu. Dinner Group
Bottom Right: Hayato sharing about his Mission trip with the group
Praise Items
  • Our hearts are filled with joy to see the changes happening in Masa and Masashi's life. Praise the Lord!
  • We thank God that we are having an unexpected increase in our family time (a lot of it!) in our last month with our foster baby. 
  • We are thankful that God is showing Japanese believers many new ways to be a church and worship HIm as many of our big gatherings are shut down (because of Corona)
Prayer Requests
  • March 30 Our foster baby Hana (not her real name) moves back to her birth family after living with us for 10 months. 
  • For our countries, Japan, Canada and USA as many of us are experiencing many plan changes. 
  • For Hayato, Nana and Yoshiwaki who were supposed to come to Multiply SOAR Heartland this month, which is now cancelled. That Jesus will work on their hearts in the place where they are. 
  • For Yutaka, who just graduated from univeristy, that God will show him the way to share the good news (door to door) with his neigbours in the greater Tokyo area. Also pray that we will know how to support him in his church-planting vision.
Copyright © 2020 Cory & Masami Giesbrecht, All rights reserved.