Report # 1: "Dear Lindsay, I'm thankful for our friendship and fellowship for 4 years. I could come to know about God throughout your guidance. I would like to serve new neighbors at Fukui just as the way you served us," wrote Mrs. C just before moving 6 hours west to the Japan countryside. As it turns, Mrs. C has been inviting her non-Christian sister and family to their new church in Fukui Prefecture.
Report # 2: "Justin-sensei, as I translate your messages into Japanese, I share what you write with many ladies that I meet with. The Lord is using you far beyond Azamino Chapel!" encouraged our faithful friend, Mrs. O.
Report # 3: "I met a friend recently who is struggling and is very lonely. I hope it's OK, but I invited her to Azamino Chapel" explained one of Azamino Chapel's new believers, Mrs. K.
Why share these with you?
As one church planter shares in his article, 3 Habits to Combat Disappointment in Ministry: "We should be unashamed gospel cheerleaders and make noise whenever the Lord does anything for His glory in His church."Amidst the grind of language & culture barriers...amidst the longing for "home" when suddenly America nor Japan feel like "home"...amidst the misunderstandings with teammates or national partners...there's something very precious and needed when you step back and take in what is happening before you.
Jesus is building His church.
It may not be my church. It may not be in the way I would do it. It may not be in my timing or preference or order. And yet, isn't that better? God's way and timing is always better.
What is God doing before you? Do you struggle like I do of getting in the way of what He wants you to see? I need this perspective of God's perfect order, divine wisdom and precise & purposeful timing. Whether it be planting a church...or parenting...or in our careers...or communities...Jesus is faithful to His promise: "I will build My church" (Matthew 16:18).
Azamino Chapel Update
Rental Space Search &
Increasing Meeting Frequency
It was an active summer for the AC ministry. Summer worship services, English club and 1-on-1 Bible Studies kept people coming in and out of the Mitchell home! Speaking of our home, beginning in September Azamino Chapel has begun the process of relocating from our home to long-term rental space options. September 10 (cover photo above) was our first worship service in our church's 2-year history outside of our home. We'll be experimenting with different rental facilities in the Azamino area this fall. Please pray as we're still discerning what options our small band of believers and seekers can meet in more regularly.
Additionally, beginning this month we will start meeting twice a month as a church. We're excited for this shift to more frequent meeting times. We'll be utilizing Tim Keller's "New City Catechism" devotional - translated into Japanese. Please pray that these increased meeting times will be fruitful in further establishing our church planting efforts in the Azamino community. As always, please continue to pray for new believers, Mrs. K, Mrs. Y and Mr. T. As well as seekers, Mrs. H, Mrs. Y, Mrs. N, Mrs. A, Mr. Y, Mr. T, Mrs. S, Mr. H and Mrs. M.
The photo below is from a stained glass/mosaic making event that our WorldVenture colleague, Janet Brown, facilitated in September for the Azamino ladies. Please pray for our continued outreach efforts.
Below is a blog I wrote sharing about ways we serve day-in and day-out, but we don't typically write about in these newsletter updates. Click the button below to read more!
Thank you for your continued prayers for our team. It's been an active season of apartment hunting, language school beginnings, discovering ways to connect as new teammates all while maintaining normal ministry rhythms. We're all learning a lot. I am also part of a four-way leadership team to help guide our team in life and ministry. Lindsay and I's specific role is related to the critical need of Member Care and Team Building. Please continue to pray as we seek to honor one another and our unique personalities and giftings from the Lord. Pray against Satan's attacks toward building unity and that we would have increased grace toward one another. Pray especially for our newer teammates who are struggling with homesickness, language challenges and grieving many things that were part of their lives in America.
Family Update
Our family really enjoyed our travel to new places this summer. We had a really refreshing time of being together as a family. Thank you for praying as we expressed a bit of weariness in our last update. Though we enjoyed some refreshing family time, we also had some exciting moments as well. Bear needed a quick trip to the ER requiring 2 staples in the back of his head. And 2 days later, I sliced my finger (rather badly) cutting vegetables. All the while, Clark has developed a new allergy to dust! Us Mitchell men are OK. The real concern was Lindsay as she cared for us all! Please pray for us to tightly guard our family time. It's easy to say "yes" to new opportunities and commitments while neglecting this much needed time together. Pray for good family rhythms as we are in the full ministry and school swing this fall.
Lindsay and I celebrated 12 years of marriage this past summer. Clark turns 9 this year and loves 3rd grade. Mollie is 7 and enjoys her 2nd grade class. Bear is 5 and likes to get dirty at kindergarten. God is good. Thank you for your prayers for our family. Pray that we'd walk by faith, rest well and be fully present in life & ministry.
