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The Vanning Family Update
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In Japan, the school year begins and ends in the spring. Emi is beginning elementary school, and to commemorate the occasion we took some pictures at the nearby cherry blossom park. Since Nozomi's parents are now retired we were able to go with them as well. 

March/April 2019 Update

Moving Fast

<<Salutation>>

Thank you for your prayers about our search for a new home. The day after our last update the opportunity to rent a condo in the building complex next to ours opened up for us. With an extra bedroom, we can separate the boys and girls. Plus, it is the largest building complex in the area, and we have some couples we've been trying to reach out to who live there. It looks like this complex will offer many more opportunities to connect with our neighbors, maybe even start a Bible study in our home, and the kids won't have to change schools.

If you've been waiting for a chance to help us out with financial needs, this move will be significantly more expensive than we originally thought. The building we are living in requires us to hire a moving company to move which will be over $1000 when all is said and done. We also have the usual (for Japan) moving-in expenses which will cost us more than five months rent. If you'd like to help us with the expenses please go to our website, www.vanningjapan.com and click the "support" link. There will be options to do a one-time gift or a monthly pledge. 

Pregnancy update: We found out we will be having a boy in July. Right now we're trying to think of a good Japanese name for his first name (one that Americans can pronounce). If you have any suggestions we'd be happy to consider them. Simply reply to this email.

Pray for Nozomi as she is suffering from severe varicose veins in her right leg. With 4 kids and me being at school she's not able to get off her feet as much as the doctors suggest.

Thank you for praying about my Japanese studies. I am still trying to get used to the way subtle nuance changes the way you say certain phrases, but I received my highest test grade since we've arrived in Japan on my test last week. It was very encouraging. I'm also enjoying reading through Romans in Japanese on Fridays with my Japanese teacher. So far, we've read up through chapter 3.

Keep praying for the kids. Their greatest need is for God to save them. They need a relationship with God. We've seen a lot of growth from Emi lately. Pray Nozomi and I can graciously and consistently use opportunities to be ambassadors of Christ to our children. 

As for Kensei's eyes, we still haven't been able to find the help he needs here in Japan. But we did find a school that teaches parents how to train their children to control their eyes (because it's actually a brain issue). The school is in Philadelphia and just yesterday I found out from them that they may have a practitioner in Japan who may be able to help us. Pray for wisdom and funds for next steps.

Please continue praying for Gospel-centered Christian friends and fellowship. We trust God will provide this type of fellowship for us because we know we need it to grow well rooted.

We are also still praying about possibly planting an international church here in the West Makuhari - East Tokyo area. I believe we will need ministry partners to accomplish this since a church planting team is biblically ideal. This need clearly overlaps with the need for Gospel-centered Christian friends.

You and your love and care for us are a great blessing to us. We are so honored to be working together with you to take the Gospel to the millions of lost in Japan. If you have any questions about what we are doing in Japan, or about partnering with us financially please do not hesitate to email me.

Love,
Jared
In Japan, the elementary kids use the same backpack for their entire 6 years of school. It's called a randoseru (from "ransel" Dutch), is genuine leather, and recently available in multiple colors. This is the one Emi picked out.
Nozomi took her parents and the kids, including our niece to a nearby old-traditional village, called Boso no Mura. Everyone had a great time. Here all the kids are trying to copy how Grandpa is crossing his legs.
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