Wednesday, April 27, 2011

April May Prayer Letter

Dear Friends and Family,

First of all thank you for your prayers and support for the gospel in Japan. The cherry blossoms bloomed a few weeks ago and Cherry began elementary school. At the entrance ceremony I was approached by the vice principal and asked to teach English lessons there. I will go to Dachi Elementary School 28 times throughout the year and teach 2 or 3 hours a day.

This past month a new woman began attending and the Yoshida family from Sendai (earthquake area) was staying in an apartment provided by a church member. Pastor Yoshida who is one of the lead pastors in Sendai has charge of several reformed churches and the ministry alliance there. He stayed in Sendai while his family stayed with our church. The Yoshida family had lived in Grand Rapids while Pastor Yoshida was studying for his PHD at Calvin Seminary, so we had a lot of connections to share. They returned to Sendai this past Wednesday. We greatly enjoyed each other’s fellowship.

A young woman from our church just returned from Sendai after volunteering for the past month. As she spoke in front of church this past Sunday, she was moved to tears. She shared what she had seen and the little help she was able to provide. Another woman from our English group, who is a regular attendee the last 6 months, has a believing son who is a nurse in Australia. He has received a month off and will be going to the Sendai area to serve in connection with a Christian relief ministry there.

While I was hoping a young woman studying for baptism would possibly be baptized on Easter, it did not happen. However, two other women are now also in the class for preparation for baptism.

We pray that you are all well. We remember you in our prayers. Drop us an email or note about your prayer needs. We praise God for his goodness even in difficult times in Japan and possibly the season before Christ's return.

Serving Christ in Japan
John, Kazumi, Cherry & Bianca VanFarowe

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