The Cycle Continues
Welcome back friends, and happy spring to you! We're enjoying spring, which in our neck of the woods includes warmer temperatures, sunny days without humidity, and so many gorgeous flowering trees, including the famous Japanese cherry blossom, or in Japanese, sakura.
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One of our favorite things about springtime is of course enjoying Japanese cherry blossom trees, but most of all, enjoying our backyard before it gets to the humid summer weather! Picnic lunches, sunny reading time in the afternoon, chalk art or just running some laps to get some energy out.
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Last month our church hosted a group of eight students from our alma mater, Central Christian College of the Bible. They were taking part in the student-led spring outreach trips that the college puts on every year. Some of you may remember that we had previously hosted a team two years ago with Machida Church of Christ (MCC), and we had three students return this year for a second trip! We delighted in their company, and enjoyed their contributions to our Sunday services, and kids programs, as well as sharing them with other church congregations in the area, for various day programs and outreach events.
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The last event they took part in before returning back to the States was a 5th Sunday rally held in Isehara at our sister church, Sannoubara Church of Christ. Many churches from the Tokyo and Kanto areas gathered to attend the rally after regular church services. We enjoyed witnessing the ordination of a graduate from Osaka Bible Seminary, and the Central students also had a chance to introduce themselves and give testimonies. The minister at Sannoubara also asked Travis if he would give his testimony as a part of the program. It was so fitting for the event. Our testimony, our journey to Japan, as Travis shared, starts exactly where these kids are in life. Students from Central, seeking what is next in life, coming to get a taste of life and ministry in Japan. It was beautiful to see the cycle continue. We saw a passing of the torch to the young graduate, and we listened as several of the Central students shared their interest to return to Japan and join alongside the Christians here as we all look forward to what God will do in Japan for His glory. What an encouragement it was!
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Okay, story time: many years ago, even before I went to Bible college, I went on my first mission trip with my home church, Christian Church of Anchorage, (CCA), to the Dominican Republic, to visit missionaries Doug and Carol Reed. The Reeds were supported by my home church in their ministry, and though they may not know it, they were instrumental in my interest in missions and encouraging my parents to support me in the endeavor. After Doug and Carol transitioned off the mission field and back to the U.S., Doug began working at Literature and Teaching Ministries, (LATM) in their ministry to translate Christian resource materials for churches around the world in all languages.
Fast forward to this year, the senior minister from MCC, Tim Turner was contacted by a friend who wanted to sponsor the book Life of Christ Visualized, to be translated to Japanese and printed for use in ministry in Japan. She asked Tim if he would be willing to distribute the books around the country to other churches, Christians, and seekers. Tim agreed and the books were recently delivered to the church. I wondered who had facilitated the translating, and was delighted to discover that the facilitator was LATM! Another neat example of the cycle of discipleship, and of the church and working together to tell the world the message of the cross.
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Friends, I hope you are encouraged by these stories. I hope you know how much you are a part of these things, by helping us to continue our ministry here. Thank you for showing up for us in prayer, encouragement and financial support!
God bless,
Becky
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