THE VAN FAROWE FAMILY- JEMS MISSIONARIES TO JAPAN

It's January

2012-01-22T17:34:00.003+09:00

A short update on us in January

We reached our support goal for the matching gift for the fall/winter of $7,000. We went beyond it by a few thousand. We are very thankful to God and His Church.

Our current teacher finalized her decision to return to her home in Nagano and work for a Christian school in her home church as of April. Of course we desired her to stay with us, but we recognize this as God's will.

Our new ministry activities from April have been put into writing with the local ministries we will be cooperating with. Our plans have changed as our situation has changed. Last summer we were moving in the direction of starting our own ministry center using Kazumi's uncle's building in front of the station. As we were preparing the building during my summer vacation to open the following spring, I was networking with the area pastors. Ongoing dicussions with pastor Yasu Inoguchi at Agape church led to a change of plans.

Agape rents a seperate building for their after school program and is going to allow us to use space in that building to start some of our new activities. In exchange we will participate in their after school program providing English lessons to gather new students. Last year the J-Space space after school program had 18 students in it. This year it is hoped that with Agape Church and ourselves working in cooperation, we can raise that number to 30+ in the future. The building Agape church uses for J-Space will also be the location where we set a homeschooling co-op during the day.

We are still looking to start a new international Christian worship service in the valley. Our ability to do that will hinge on our ability to find a part-time teacher to work at the English school in our home. Pray for God to open the doors to find people to work for us and for us to work with. We are thankful for the support we have from churches in America and for the hundreds of people we see and meet each week. We will continue to keep you posted as things develop.

November/December Update

2011-12-31T21:39:00.002+09:00

The last two months have gone by super fast for us. Kazumi and the kids were in Guam for the first 3 weeks of November working on a tie up to a small Christian school there. I (John) was able to spend about 8 days there. Then December hit. During December we meet with each and every parent. I should say Kazumi does, I watch the baby in the other room. So about 50+ different meetings were scheduled at our home. Each meeting takes about 30 minutes. Family life is a complicated thing and often very difficult things are shared: from bullying, parents divorcing, to deaths in the family.
I was teaching a group of adults at my dinner table last week and we started talking about vacation plans. One woman shared that her family had no plans as her newly born and only grandchild had a serious medical condition and would be in the hospital over the vacation. We are praying for this family.
Another family sat in that same chair a week later and we talked with them about Christian education. They agreed (in the spiritual sense) to but their daughter in a church’s after school program that I will be teaching at from April.
As I write this it is the day after Christmas. Cherry has gone to school. Winter vacation has not started here yet. The 23rd was Emperor Akihito’s birthday and a national holiday.. So on the 23rd, a local church rented a cultural center and threw a Jesus centered Christmas party for children. A couple of hundred children were in attendance.

News From November

2011-11-20T15:09:00.001+09:00

Over the last three weeks we have been networking with a small private Christian school in Guam to provide new opportunities for educational evangelism. We did a trial run. For 3 weeks Cherry studied there as an international student. Yesterday Kazumi, Cherry, and Bianca came back to Japan and they are now home. I also was there for the first week but had to return because of work. It was a wonderful experience. As it was the off season we were able to travel on 25,000 airline miles per ticket. Bianca is also under 2 so she did not need a ticket. All in all it was the best vacation we have had. We enjoyed the fellowship and look forward to future opportunities to work with them in creating new opportunities to reach the Japanese with the gospel. Guam recieves about 800,000 Japanese tourists a year as it is much closer than Hawaii and more affordable.

Written For Calvin College's Japanese Department about my life in Japan

2011-11-16T16:18:00.000+09:00

The Van Farowe’s in Japan

I was one of the first Calvin grads to participate in the Japanese Exchange and Teaching Program. Of all of the grads I am probably one of the few who have remained in Japan long term. Over the last 15+ years I have had 4 different types of visas. I have had a teaching visa, a Japanese language student visa, a missionary visa, and now a spouse visa.

During those 15 years I have lived in Hirado City (Nagasaki), Fukuoka City, Tokyo, Guam, and now the greater Nagoya Metro area. I have seen more of Japan than most Japanese people and this is what I have learned.

Knowing the language is not as important as knowing the people and knowing yourself. I have had many foreign friends whose Japanese is better than my own but who the Japanese people can not stand to be around them. I have seen foreigners running from who they are in Japan and it is obvious to everyone. The key to success in Japan is to not only know Japanese, and know the people, but most importantly to know oneself.

It is very easy in Japan to be an English Teacher and make $30,000 a year. It is very difficult to be anything else unless you know yourself. Today I work with the Japanese Evangelical Missionary Society out of California, formed by Japanese American churches after World War II. I work with several local churches including the Reformed Church of Japan. We have an English school with 120+ students. We have local contracts with Japanese companies, a Nursing College, an elite Junior High & High School, an elementary school, and many local community classes.

The secret to making it to where we are has been knowing who we are. This has allowed Japanese people regardless of their belief system to trust us. I am thankful for the start I received at Calvin College. In the end it was not the Japanese language courses that helped me the most in Japan but a Reformed Christian worldview which helped me to become someone others saw as trustworthy.

In our Lifetimes

2011-09-29T11:47:00.000+09:00

In the last 100 years the gospel has moved forward around the world. When I think about Japan 100 years ago and today, now is the time.

The Aging of Japan

2011-08-23T00:37:00.003+09:00

The Japanese Health Ministry estimates the nation's total population will decrease by 25% from 127.8 million in 2005 to 95.2 million by 2050. Japan's elderly population, aged 65 or older, comprised 20% of the nation's population in June 2006, a percentage expected to increase to 40% by 2055.

I work a lot with children but also with the 40+ crowd. Personally I think the way to reach Japan is to reach the 40+ crowd. They are the largest section of the population. They stay in their geographical area. They have resources to give upon believing. They have life experience to enable them to become leaders.

I see missionaries and ministries target the young. If you go to their churches there are no grey heads. Churches like that in my opinion are a niche church. Businesses are already adjusting but the church is still often driven by the American youth model. Our English school franchise system and every business in Japan is changing to meet this coming demographic move.

The 60+ crowd is not going to put their hands in the air and wave them like they just don't care. They are more likely to bow their heads and fold their hands in reverent prayer. I am excited to be working with the Reformed Church in Japan because I see us prepared for the times we are in. When I walk into my church and see 33% of the members at or above retirement age, it is a sign that we are reaching Japan. That is who Japan is and who God calls us to reach.

Junior Summer Camp

2011-08-12T11:10:00.003+09:00

Last year the Central Presbytery of the Reformed Church of Japan began a 3 day camp for elementary and junior high school students. This year's theme was "the lost sheep." 48 children stayed in the cabins at the camp center along with 22 adult supervisors. The children were divided by grade level where they studied different Bible passages and developed a presentation. I worked with the junior high age group. The event went really well. A lot of the regional pastors were on staff and it was a blessing to get to know them in that context. My non-christian nephew and niece came and had a great time. Cherry had a great time too. We thank God for this ministry. I will post more photos and stories from this time over the next few days.

July Prayer Letter

2011-07-20T13:35:00.002+09:00

Ministry News
As summer approaches, so does camping season. Our valley has the camp grounds for the Reformed Church of Japan in it. Kazumi will be a staff member for the elementary school children’s camp and me for the junior high. We are excited to see Cherry go with two non-Christian cousins. Pray that my nephew Kosei, niece Riko and the many other campers will learn of the love of God as they study about God’s love for the lost sheep.

The outreach English Conversation class will be on break in August. From April we had to move meeting from Thursdays to Tuesdays. When we met on Thursday we met on the weeks the pastor’s Thursday book club was on break. Since we lost that tie-up attendance has been down. I also continue to have a weekly breakfast fellowship time for English speaking ex-pats. A non-Christian friend from New Zealand attended for the first time this past month and we pray he returns.

On June 19th two adults were baptized at Tajimi Reformed Church. One was the husband of a longtime member and the other was the younger sister of a woman baptized at Christmas. You may remember that two adults were baptized on Christmas and two made profession of faith. Also two others are currently studying for baptism. Since I first came to Japan in 1996 as an English teacher, I have never seen this many people come to accept Christ in a local church setting.

Support News
Support raising has been slow. While we wait for additional support to come in we continue to serve in local churches doing the above as volunteers and absorbing any cost. At times we are having problems doing ministry, teaching 130 children at our home and caring for our own family emotional needs.

We will continue to do our best, and I believe that the level of support we receive is the level God desires us to have and we will be thankful for it while petitioning God for more. At the same time pray that we will be like the wise managers turning our 5 talents into 10. Pray for us to have the support, the wisdom and the energy to do the work of the Kingdom. Ask the Lord of the Harvest to send us anything or anyone we may need. Amen.

Two Adults were Baptized June 19th

2011-07-07T12:05:00.002+09:00

On June 19th two adults were baptized at Tajimi Reformed Church. One was the younger sister of a woman baptized at Christmas. The other was the husband of a longtime member. Two others are currently studying for baptism. We are very excited to see growth at Tajimi Reformed Church . There is currently also a discussion on building a new facility. The elders met in session to discuss it this past week. When I asked one of the elders what kind of time frame they were thinking of for a new facility, he told me they might challenge the church to start within 3 years.

A New Family Came and Sat in Our Seats - Praise God

2011-06-13T12:59:00.005+09:00

As children many of us read the story of Goldie Locks and the 3 bears. In the story there is the refrain - "Someone's been sitting in my chair, eating my food, and sleeping in my bed." Well, Japanese churches are quite small and our church has no more seating room. That means when someone new comes they have to take what someone considers to be their seat.

This past Sunday a mother and three young children came and sat in the back in the row we as a family sit in. We had to sit somewhere else of course but rather than it irritate me it made me rejoice. I found myself praising God that not only did a new family come but they sat in our seats.

After the service seating in my new seat, I saw another young woman who is a seeker and in the preparation for baptism class talking with a strong Christian. As they talked the believing woman took the young woman's hand and with their heads bowed they began to pray. I would not have seen it from my old seat.

A little info on JEMS - Our Missionary Sending Agency

2011-05-23T12:32:00.000+09:00

JEMS is an interdenominational evangelical Christian para-church organization. Our goal is to reach the non-churched Japanese world-wide and Asian Americans nation-wide with the dynamic Gospel of Jesus Christ and equipping the Christian disciples to serve God. Our mission statement is "creatively developing and providing ministry opportunities in partnership with the churches, enabling the Japanese and those of Asian descent to be authentic disciples of Jesus Christ."JEMS is committed to servant-hood and partnership with pastors and local churches. The ministries include International Missions to Japan and South America, US Campus Ministry in USA (AACF), Specialized Ministry including Careers/Young Adults, Women, Men for Missions, 55 & Better Seniors, Sports & Recreation, Music, Nichigo (Japanese speaking ministry) and Developmentally Handicapped as well as Leadership training and Annual Family Conferences and Retreats for all ages.

April May Prayer Letter

2011-04-27T12:18:00.001+09:00

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

Serving Christ In End Times

2011-03-25T13:32:00.003+09:00

Serving Christ in End Times

3 days ago I went for a walk and saw an elderly woman, Tokiko, who is a good friend of mine. She has studied the Bible with me in the past. She saw me and called my name as I walked around the small lake near my home. “Are you and your family going back to America?” Tokiko asked. Many foreigners are leaving Japan.

I am reminded of Luke 17:33. Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it. This warning is present in all of the gospels when Jesus discusses End Times. The problems are so big that people have a choice to live for themselves or lose their life. For many they decide to live for themselves and their love grows cold.

Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Mark 24:13~15)

Last year an earthquake hit Haiti that killed over 200,000 people. In 2008 an earthquake hit China that killed 70,000. In 2004 an earthquake hit Indonesia that killed 250,000. Just to give it some perspective in World War II the US had 418,000 military deaths. These are big numbers. The problems of the world are so big that we numb ourselves and let our hearts grow cold. We become like Lots wife thinking of ourselves rather than following the God leading us out of Sodom.

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels. (Mark 8:34-38)

We live in a unique time with a unique calling. Kazumi and I got in an argument last week about money. We do not have a college fund for our children but yet are giving to various world wide causes and support our local church. Kazumi in frustration asked me, “Do you love some person in Africa more than your own family?” Of course I don’t. I assured her that when the time came for our children to go to college somehow God would provide. But today the gospel needs to go forward, and starving people need to eat, and those in distress need care.

To my friends in America the news of Japan’s earthquake and the 20,000 dead has been interrupted by the news of another war we are in. But we are not really in a war with Libya but with the prince of this age. Pick up your cross! Do not let your Love Grow Cold! Give your Life for Christ knowing you will only gain your soul! The problems are too great to solve but with our eyes on Christ let’s move forward in love, serving and proclaiming the good news! In His Return the prince of this age will be put to shame and we will receive the Father’s Glory.

I don’t want you to respond to the quake in Japan. There will be more earthquakes, wars, and famines. Respond to Christ and reflect on how you can give to His Kingdom. Thank you for keeping us in your prayers. Thank you for your prayers for Japan. Japan is still the second largest unreached people group in the world. Pray that we in Japan will do more than save ourselves but give our lives to the Savior.

January Prayer Letter

2011-01-14T11:18:00.002+09:00

Dear Friends and Family,
We are back in Japan. We continue to work towards transition into greater missionary service while maintaining our teaching schedule.

Praises
Reitaku Schools have agreed that it is okay for me to continue there as a part-time lecturer while doing church work. They have created a 2 1/2 day schedule over 33 weeks providing for our tentmaking income goal of 33% of needed support.

Yesterday I spent an hour with a seeker at Tajimi Reformed Church doing a Bible study. Pray for those God is leading to faith. This person has been associated with us for about 2 years now.

Prayer Requests
Pray for our support raising efforts. In total we need to raise about $21,000 in outside support. Several churches will be considering supporting us for the next budget year. Pray for a positive result. We need to develop a several month cushion in our budget before we start missionary works in April.

Pray for cooperation with Japanese Churches. Our home church, Tajimi Reformed has asked us to put together a vision and proposals for this year. Pray that we will be able to start an evangelical outreach service on Friday nights and that the local church will allow for the service to collect its own offerings and also support it from its general budget. Our launch goal for a new service is April.
We are thankful for the many opportunities that God gives us. We pray that in gathering support and making contacts with those around us, that God will enable us to establish a self supporting, self leading, reproducing group of new believers. We pray these believers will then establish God’s glory in Japan and serve his church.

Blessings to you in your walk with God.
John and Kazumi Van Farowe and family

An Amazing Story from Our Life in Japan

2010-12-03T11:36:00.005+09:00

I am going to tell you a story about money. Last year I had to have a building torn down and hired a local company to do it. The building was owned by us and another party so we hired the company together.

While tearing down the building they found an old well. Japanese tradition and superstition demanded that they bring in a Shinto Priest to do a ceremony before they closed it. They did all this without telling me. Then the company came to me and explained what they had done and told me that while they could not make me pay it would be the practice in Japan for the property owner to cover these costs. The cost was $300. I at first was angry and thought there is no way I will pay this, I at first thought of shaming the company and owner I had dealt with. Giving this money for this purpose is against our beliefs.

But to be honest I had worked construction and knew the real costs of what he had down for us and he did a good job and had done it under what I considered reasonable costs. The day came to meet with the company owner. He was very apologetic. He felt I would shame him for this situation. I said to him. If I give you the $300 you have asked me I am really giving it to this Shinto Priest and I can not do that. If I do not give you the money you will have to pay it yourself and it will come from your own money and families and workers. If that happens you will curse my God and I love Jesus Christ and do not want that to happen. I have prayed to my God and asked what I should do. I then took out an envelope and gave him $600 and said I am giving you twice what you have asked me for because you have done a good job. This has nothing to do with the Shinto ceremony but is in the name of Jesus Christ. Take the money and take you family out for dinner or treat your workers. He spent the next hour talking freely with me as a friend and if I needed anything done I know I could call him right now.

The story does not end there. We then went to the property to look over the work, we pointed out that from the property line; the well was not on my property but the other owner. In fact he never had a right to ask me for $300 for the well. He offered to give me the money back. I told him my God had led me to give it to him in the name of Jesus Christ and he was to use to treat his workers and his family. In the end the whole company came to praise Jesus Christ and God that day.

I saw this as a minor miracle. They went to the other owner and asked for $300 for the Shinto Priest.

2 Visitors and 6 or so in New Believers class

2010-11-21T20:27:00.002+09:00

Today was another Sunday at Tajimi Church. We had two people visit our church today and I was able to speak with each of them for some time. Pastor Ono is also doing a New Believers class for profession of faith/baptism. There are about 6 or more in that class after church.

In looking at things at Tajimi Reformed Church, I would say the thing I am most thankful for is the unity. Pastor Ono is preaching and serving faithfully. The elders are doing a great job. We are doing a small part, in providing a weekly outreach class and giving of ourselves.

One of today's visitors was a Japanese Christian working in Australia. He had brought his mother to our church and was looking for a church home for her. I had a chance to talk to them both, and invited her to our weekly class. I expect to see her in the class and minister to her by helping enfold her into the church. She was baptized a number of years ago in Canada but has never had a church home.

Another woman from church, who we have had time to interact with is studying in the New Believers class. Kazumi asked her if she thought she would get baptized this coming Christmas. She replied that she has not decided yet but that she is studying and enjoying the class.

Last week the church had a Bazaar and several of the women who are attending our church's English class attended.

Kazumi and I told Reitaku Schools we would not seek to renew my contract after it ends in March. This is stepping out in faith, it is our hope to raise the money in support to make up for it. We need to strengthen our ties to the Japanese Evangelical Mission Society and raise support. We also need to more aggressive in forming more small groups. Starting more ministry groups that can support us here is just as viable as an avenue to raising support as finding it outside of Japan.

Pray for passion and God's blessing in these things.
Amen
John Van Farowe

Thoughts After a Friends Death 3 Months Ago

2010-10-09T21:22:00.004+09:00

It was almost 20 years ago, as a senior in high school, my brother Joel was told he had at most 5 years to live. He and I had several conversations about it. He actually came so close to death once during a hospital stay I prayed God would end his suffering or heal him. He recovered that time and was taken suddenly about 6 months later. In June, a man I knew and whose company I really enjoyed died of cancer and one night I sat down with the scriptures and thought about death from a biblical perspective.

First, suffering and death have meaning because God is "Immanuel" because he is with us. "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us form the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8: 38,39)

Second, as brothers and sisters in Christ, we are assured that God is with us; but also that we will be with him. "For we know that if the tent, which is our earthly home, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." (2 Cor 5:1)

As a young man I worked for a couple of contractors building houses. Many of my friends and their fathers were builders. I saw the special care that when into planning and building the home their own family would live in. The special care and planning as a fathers they put into their own houses. We have a Father building us a house, ...

Finally, we have a consistent purpose. "So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are home in the body we are away from the Lord ... We would rather be away from the body and with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him." (2 Cor 5:6-10) I know a sister in Christ right now preparing for missionary work though she has cancer in her lungs. It is a witness to a key principle in the Christian Faith. Our aim in living and in eternal life is the same. Whether in the body or in heaven our lives center around the worship and service of God. This is a unique teaching of Christianity.

I know my writing style is compact and my thoughts sometimes jump, so thanks for reading. In June, a man I know and whose company I really enjoyed died. On the night of his death, I sat down and thought about death from a biblical perspective. So to list my points in a conclusion: 1. We have the promise that God is with us. 2. We have the promise that we will be with God. 3. These promises combine to give our existence a consistent purpose and us courage.

Thankful for God's "No"

2010-07-31T06:47:00.003+09:00

Three years ago when I moved to Mizunami and began life here, I met and talked with several mission agencies. We considered raising support but over and over again the door was shut. Well in that time the US economy has tanked. Many of my friends in ministry in the US and Japan are really hurting. I have had friends working as assistant pastors in churches who have been let go. I have other acquaintances in missions who have had to leave the field or are far below support. 3 years ago we started down the road of tentmaking in Japan. Tentmaking is a term for a Christian who works in a business in an area, while also seeking to serve the church. It is a reference to the Apostle Paul who funded his missionary work through the making of tents.

It has been an up and down road here, but I praise God that we are in a position to not only support ourselves but also begin to hire people around us to form a team. Kazumi and I still hope to raise support for specific tasks and projects we have in mind that can not be self funded this next year. But we do so knowing that whether the support comes in or not, God's "No" 3 years ago is providing for us now.

We are also thankful for Takezawa Futaha who will finish her degree at Pensacola Christian College this coming term and Lord willing return to work with us in January. Thank you for your service the summer Futaha. We also give thanks again to God for his continued leading in all things.

One Small Step at a Time

2010-07-05T09:50:00.002+09:00

Is the glass half empty or half full? It depends on the day. Yesterday was Sunday. 5 people were at church that we invited. A single international student, an international married couple like ourselves and their daughter, and a Japanese speaker of English. The previous week we had either emailed them or called them or talked to them personally. Now I considered this to personally be a miracle.

Sounds Great Like a really blessings. I was happy about the situation but throughout the day it became evident that my family needed more of my time and energy. There is a need for a new transition. Next week summer vacation starts for us and it is time to begin working on raising support so ministry is not being paid for by sacrificing family time. In working full time and doing ministry things on top of that it is often the case that my family time is sacrificed

Right now, my sister-in-law Roxanne Van Farowe in the US is putting together documents explaining our ministry so we can begin raising support in the states. We need to raise support to free us from some of my work responsibilities into more ministry. As our income comes from a patch work of our own private students, community classes, and contract work it is possible for us to rearrange things at anytime. We also need to expand things by developing a team of workers here. Well the thoughts are kind of random so I hope you followed the line of thought.

Two little girls studying the Bible

2010-06-02T22:32:00.003+09:00

This winter we met, Miya. She had recently become a Christian and speaks 3 languages: Japanese, Tagolog, and English. Unfortunately her marriage had ended in divorce and she found herself a single mother. Her daughter, Monica, is 3 years older than Cherry and we recommended Miya to put her daughter in our English School and then we would look for opportunities to serve them as a family. This summer with the presence of another Christian teacher we were able to put Monica and Cherry in an English Class by themselves where they could also learn Bible Stories. Last week was their first class. I talked to Miya as she waited to pick up her daughter. Her face was so much happier then the one I had seen 6 months ago when we first met. She was praising God for his goodness. I praise God for progress in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, and that in 6 months a chance meeting has led to children studying the Bible together.

Paul as a Type or Model for Missions, Japanese Evangelical Mission Society

2010-04-06T10:20:00.007+09:00

I have been thinking about the Apostle Paul as a type or model for missions. To start I want to say I think there are several different models for mission work in the Bible so for those who do not fit this type do not be discouraged.

When I look at Paul I see a multicultural missionary and not a cross cultural missionary. By the term multicultural here I am speaking of someone who has a natural place in more than one cultural, and not someone being sent from their place in their "home" cultural to a "foreign" culture.

Paul was a Roman citizen. Roman citizenship gave him priviledged access to the areas he wanted to go. Ultimately the place he wanted to go was Roman and it was his citizenship that allowed him to appeal to Ceasar and be sent to Rome to have his case heard there. His multiculturalism also meant that he knew his field to an extent that allowed him to be a tent-maker. He could make a living if need be and live off from his knowledge and place within the host culture as we see of his time in Ephesus.

It seems to me that as I look at the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st, the first world is moving to a more multicultural format much like in the days of the Roman Empire. I believe supportung multicultural missionaries rather than crosscultural missionaries is a good use of resources. Here in Japan cross cultural missionaries are disappearing and multi-cultural missoinaries are remaining.

Now I need to close with saying Paul is just one model. The cross cultural guys are doing great work and many of them work in very expensive areas I would never consider opperating in. There are certain areas that are either cost prohibitive (Tokyo). Also outside of the none first world one needs outside support (ex. Aids in Africa). So there is a place for traditional cross cultural work.

But there are more of us multicultural people now too. That is one of the reasons we are excited to join the Japanese Evangelical Missionary Society. A mission society created by Japanese church leaders in America to send people with multicultural connections to Japan here for service.

Japan the Land of "Can't"

2010-01-04T13:06:00.002+09:00

Japan is a land where people are only given one chance. The population density creates a lot of competition to get into good high schools, colleges, companies, etc. Because the number of people competing is so great when someone fails and must start over again it is seen as tragic. Tragic enough for many people to take their own lives.
Because of this the word, "can" is a critical word often used in the negative as a warning. "That can't be done." I hear it a lot. Japanese people hear it a lot. 10 years ago when I was living in Tokyo one day I met this group of foreigners walking down the street in Kunitachi. They asked me some questions about the area and then invited me to dinner. They just happened to be executives from CitiBank. They were setting up the Japanese division and were looking for a place to put their Japan headquarters. They complained to me about hearing the word "can't" a lot from their Japanese management.
My calling in Japan is too try. Yes, I must listen to the all the "can't"s but in the end I must try. Yes, everyone before me has failed in the eyes of most of Japanese society. Everyone who has brought the gospel to Japan has found they carried an unwanted message. But regardless, I am called to try.

Correspondence Partners

2009-11-25T14:52:00.003+09:00

For those who are helping in America by volunteering for correspondence I would like to say thanks. I want to give you some background so you can understand the situation. While I teach some classes at church, the students involved in this correspondence are all in classes at community centers. There is no overt evangelism in these classes; however I think they are very important. People in the community get to know me and know about my faith and when someone wants to learn about Christianity it makes me easier to find.

What I would hope for correspondence partners is to just write the women interested as a friend. As you share your life and struggles share your thoughts about how to approach them. If these thoughts and approaches include your faith, naturally share it.

I need to say that Japanese people have a very negative veiw of religion as a whole. I think this stems from their World War II experience in which national religion was used to bring the nation to war and tremendous suffering to the Japanese people. Also Japanese communication styles are very indirect, so try and be very polite and not too pointed on any one topic. Thank you for your cooperation. If this goes well I have another community class of 5 women I would like to find correspondence partners for after winter vacation. Initially all correspondence will flow through me but then later after trust has been developed people can either write or email each other directly. Thanks Again.

Kazumi is Pregnant

2009-10-08T22:24:00.002+09:00

Well much has been put on hold as Kazumi is about 3 months pregnant. Because of the many changes ahead in the next few months we are not in a position to try new things. She will have to teach less at home and I will be taking over some of her classes. I continue to teach English Bible study classes at church and that is going well. I am thankful for the church I attend and a wonderful pastor. Tajimi Reformed Church and Pastor Ono have been a true blessing.
We have 78 students in our school at the house and I teach 3 days a week at a private junior high and high school. Along with that we are involved in our local church. We are thankful for God's many blessings.

3 Summer English Bible Classes have started

2009-08-10T09:46:00.002+09:00

Last week 3 summer English Bible classes started. In all about 20 students have joined. Many of the students are not Christians. We are studying basic English conversation for the first half of the hour and then the Romans Road/Four Spiritual Laws in the second half. Please keep these groups in your prayers.

A Case Of Pepsi and a Box of Jello Deserts

2009-07-24T15:04:00.003+09:00

We have 3 different students that are very high end ADD. From each of these families we recently received a gift. From Daiki's mother we got a high end box of jello deserts.
From Try's sister we were given a case of Pepsi. Try is one of my favorites and is such a sweet little boy. Sadly his mother jumped off the bridge near our house and committed suicide when Try was a baby. From Riku's mother we were given a container of suckers to give to the other children in our school. The classes in which these children participate require Kazumi and I to teach together to handle everything. Most small cram schools like ours would not take such students or if they get in encourage them to quit. You see other students and mothers are also paying for lessons and fear that the presence of kids with learning issues takes from the attention their own children receive. But the three boys beyond their behavioral issues are just so sweet. After all who would not want an occasional case of Pepsi. They saw me drinking it one day and just bought me a case. I feel honored to have them as students.

Three English Bible Studies to begin in August

2009-07-20T12:24:00.003+09:00

After a lot of networking and help from everyone involved; this coming August we will be starting 3 English Bible studies at Tajimi Reformed Church. The application to a missionary agency is moving forward also. This past week was the end of the Japanese school year and it is now summer vacation as of today.

Please continue to keep us your prayers. We praise God for the progress we see even though at times it is small.

What I listen to....

2009-05-25T10:26:00.003+09:00

I listen mostly to jradio.net Jradio.net is an online Christian Japanese music play list. Most school days while I am at my desk I have one earphone plug in listening to Japanese Gospel Music. I especially like the Okinawain style of music.

In Japan, religious organizations are not allowed to own radio or TV stations so there is no such thing as Christian Radio except for the emergence of the internet. So far jradio.net is the only station I have found. It is based in Australia and amazing enough there are optional worship services to listen to and the churches broadcast are ones that Kazumi is familiar with.

The Back to God hour Japan and other sites have many things to listen to on demand but have not put them into a playlist for a radio format type of listening.

Are We ambitious for the Gospel????

2009-05-19T14:48:00.003+09:00

I have been reflecting upon ambition or in better words being driven. As tent-makers we are called to run a business. We are very ambitious in business going after contracts and students. We hold ourselves to standards of quality and service. If we do not do well we do not eat, at least as well as we would like. Do I have this same urgency, ambitious, drive, for the Kingdom of God? Recently I have been chanting to myself the old high school cheer, "Be Aggressive, B-E- Aggressive." It is my hope to be more aggressive for God's Kingdom.

This verse has stuck with me for about a month

2009-04-25T15:10:00.003+09:00

In Genesis 33:14 Jacob responds to Easu with the following words at the time they are reunited: Let my lord pass on ahead of his servant, and I will lead on slowly at the pace of the livestock that are ahead of me, and at the pace of the small children.

I am struck as a parent and as a teacher and a missionary by this verse. Here Jacob provides an excellent symbol of what it is to be a good shepherd. Now don't get me wrong Jacob is not sitting around singing Kumbaya. He has traveled a long distance with this clan. He knows his flocks and his children and what they can endure. He has been a servant leader, leading those under his care to the promised land but at a pace adjusted to the weak under his care. Parents, teachers, and church leaders can learn from cross referencing this verse with Psalm 23. Well this verse has been with me for about a month because I have a lot of learn about adjusting my pace to the needs of others.

I drive a minicar

2009-04-15T19:39:00.003+09:00

Last year when my parents were here and gas was Skyhigh my mother commented that maybe in America everyone will drive mini cars like us. My wife and I drive two mini-cars which are called Keicars in Japan. Would I ever drive them in America, probably not.

Japan and probably much of Europe are well suited for small cars for a couple of reasons: mass transit for longer trips and exclusive local city driving.
We only do local city driving and when traveling any distance use trains or buses. Japan has a highway system and it even cuts through the city I live in, but I have never driven on it. The local city roads we drive on are marked at 50 or 60 kmh max (30-40 mph). The roads here are also very narrow and large vehicles just do not navigate them well.

So when you live in a land of no high speed head on collisions like Japan small mini cars are fine. That land is not America though, I would never drive the cars I have now on American roads. Maybe in Guam though were the top posted speed limit on the island is 45 and that is only one small stretch.

New School New Opportunities

2009-03-22T22:40:00.002+09:00

Today I had the welcome party at the new school I will be teaching at. I was one of 17 new teachers at this welcome party attended by about 60+ staff at the school. One of the Japanese teachers I know who teaches there is a Christian and has told some of the other staff who are Christians about me. One woman introduced herself to me with the opening words in a whisper, "I am a Christian too."

This new school contract is by the teaching hour and not a full time job allowing for more ministry time. One of the classes at our home is changing from an English class to a Bible Study Class. Though at the start it will only be 3 people, a Christian woman named Chikako, my wife, and myself I think it will grow (God willing). We praise God for his goodness and proclaim, "We are followers of Christ."

Met a Man looking for a Church Yesterday

2009-02-28T20:13:00.003+09:00

Last night I was eatting out and a man who had seen me arround said hello. As I was by myself (Kazumi was away for a class she is taking) I asked to share his table. We talked and he told me he was a Christian and had moved to the area last November. He had become a Christian while studying at a college in Texas. Well we shared our testimonies with each other and I explained the status of the churches in area and was able to help him find a church that might match what he was looking for. I drew him a map and gave him the name of contact and he gave me his email address and phone number to stay in touch with him. Divine Appointments are the easiest to Keep.

Tentmaking and Business

2008-12-16T17:26:00.004+09:00

One thing I am finding out about Japan is the hard side of doing business. I do not like it but it can't be helped. The English Teaching business is very cut throat. God has blessed us but it has been like walking a type rope some times. As it is all contract work, there was a situation in which someone asked to cut my pay when someone came in and bid lower.

It is the game of business. I do not go out and target other schools like ours but I also realize that I always need to act in what makes the best sense. At times that means expanding in what someone else thinks as their territory. As we set up a classroom and ministry, Lord willing in front of the station, many area churches and schools will feel threatened.

For example if we start something, we will need teachers so I have been talking to some of the area teachers I know who are under paid about working with us. Well the people who under pay them are also acquaintances of mine. They are not happy about maybe losing teachers. Also the 2 pastors in this city of 45,000 will not be happy about us starting something as they will see it as competition.

In the end I am reminded of the parable of the talents. We can fear criticism and hide our gifts in the ground so as not to offend someone, or be good stewards; and that means business.

Cherry Growing in Faith

2008-12-09T22:00:00.005+09:00

Cherry is growing in faith and it is exciting to see. I got her the cartoon series The Flying House for her birthday last month. It is a cartoon about some kids stuck in a time machine that go back and visit Bible times. CBN (Christian Broadcasting Network) produced the cartoon in Japan in the early 80s. I had seen it in America but the Japanese language version is much better.

The last week she has watched The Story of Jesus for Children produced by Campus Crusade International. From the Flying House she knew much of the content except Jesus death and resurrection. (I only bought the first half of The Flying House set as the whole set was over $500.) The Story of Jesus for Children is great and you can see it online. She watched it over and over again and explained to me about how Jesus was the Son of God, died on a cross, and then rose from the dead. My niece who is 6 and from a non-christian home came over and Cherry wanted to show her the Jesus Story and tell her about Jesus. My niece only watches Sponge Bob Square Pants. Riko, my niece, had no interest. But it made me realize the need for Cherry to have Christian friends as she grows up. It is not enough for us to teach Cherry we must reach Japan. Cherry and all Christians in Japan need a strong Church. God is establishing it for his glory.

Thank you for your Prayers

2008-12-09T21:41:00.002+09:00

About 3 weeks ago I asked for prayer concerning a coming meeting with an area school. I believed the meeting would turn into a contract negotiation and it did. In the meeting I was offered a job and pay was discussed. Thanks to God who bestows favor and honor and your prayers, they raised the pay rate twice in the meeting and it came in where I had hoped.

Well the deal needed to go to the board for approval and it did. They raised it another 15% above what was agreed upon in our meeting. This contract is for 10 to 13 hours of teaching a week in a part time status. This provides us a stable income and enough spare time to launch a ministry in the area.

Now I ask for wisdom in what to set up in the building in front of the station. The planning on this will be very difficult. Over Christmas break we will be choosing and putting in some carpet, in my uncle-in-law's building.

Kazumi's knees are doing better now that she using a desk instead of being on the floor Japanese style. I told her months ago that the way Japanese people sit on the floor would make her knees go bad. She did not believe me until she could not walk. Now we have more chairs and sofas than before. PTL. I am not a big fan of getting up from sitting on the floor.

Returned From America

2008-09-02T18:45:00.003+09:00

First, thanks to everyone we had a chance to see in America. Well we are back in Japan and this will be just a short note. One of Kazumi's student's mothers, who had been battling cancer, died the day we returned. The woman had been a head nurse at a hospital, she is survived by her 6 year old daughter who studies in our home.
We did not share this in many circles but Kazumi's father has cancer and had his voice box removed while we where in America and will no longer be able to speak. The type of cancer he has is very aggressive with an 80% death rate within 5 years. Kazumi's father is not a Christian nor the family of the mother who died this past week.
Pray for the gospel to move forward in Japan to give hope to the hopeless and eternal life to those facing death.

Summer Vacation is Short in Japan

2008-07-31T20:26:00.002+09:00

Well my summer vacation began July 25 and lasts until September. Yes that is about 5-6 weeks. Too short. I have a private student planning to attend high school in Australia who asked me to tutor her mornings, Kazumi and I are also preparing a property we have for sale; that and 2 weeks in America this August make summer vacation short. I was hoping to kick back but that is not happening. Continue to pray for us as we seek God's will.

We praise him for all the provision that he gives us. Kazumi and I talk about staying here or moving to a location for more preparation. At the beginning of our marriage we planned on not moving or taking ministry responsibilities until after a year of marriage. That plan has stayed in place though I have almost challenged it more than once. As of September, we will have been married a year. Marriage has changed my whole decision making process that is for sure, and for the better. PTL

Today is Saturday and this is our Day

2008-07-05T20:48:00.004+09:00

Well we got an email from Kimiko whom we had the opportunity to meet and share our testimony with a couple of months ago. She and her husband Kurt and daughter Julia are now living in Omaha. We will miss them as a fellow international couple we had a lot in common.

I got an email through one of the blog pages today from a young man moving to Fussa here in Japan. I used to live in that area when I was a volunteer missionary with Christian Reformed Japan Mission. I hope I can help him network and have a nice experience. Fussa is home to the US Air Force, Yokoda Air Base just outside of Tokyo.

Also I did my 3rd wedding today and it went well. I am learning a lot about non verbal communication in Japanese formal occasions. The Japanese web log is also up and soon it is hoped that the wedding ministry will be networked to this new site.

With summer vacation starting in 2 weeks we are also working on writing an application to a mission agency in the states. We are writing an application to United World Mission for long term missionaries service in Church Planting Saturization to Japan. I will let you know more about this as it materializes.

And as the Sun went down we went for a walk and saw some of our neighbors and talked with them. One of my neighbors fixed my car port while we were out and I thanked him. We met another neighbor who has a junior high student with some social problems and talked with them for a while.

It was a good day. In one way or another we interacted with about 120+ people today, through public speaking, emails, and personal contacts, etc. We thank God and please keep us in your prayers.
John, Kazumi, and Cherry Van Farowe

Wedding Ministry Update

2008-06-15T21:14:00.003+09:00

Well the wedding service went well. The local pentecostal pastor was the coordinator, his wife was one of the singers, another church's organist played the organ, and another member of the church was also a singer in the service. Kazumi and Cherry sat in the balcony and watched.

It went well. Being the first time there is room for improvement. The message was short but it was on forgiveness. There were about 100 people in attendance. Pastor Nakaoka does the counseling for the couples and it is also his goal to develop a special message for each service that reflects the counseling time. I have been asked to do 4 more services in July. It was fun.

These couples have a choice and they choose to let Christians come and pray for their weddings and give a message. This highlights the need for me to develop a Japanese language gospel page blog and I will work on that tonight before I go to bed. In Japan opportunities to share the gospel are rare so we thank God for these opportunities.

general update

2008-05-20T20:52:00.003+09:00

Well the school year is moving forward. We have bought tickets to go to the states via driving from Toronto. It saved about $2000 on peak summer tickets between the 3 of us. I see a lot more Buddhism in the school system than 10 years ago. There was a law passed to re-introduced moral education classes sponsored by the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito a few years ago. Komeito is the political wing of neo-buddhism known as Sokka Gakukai.

Things continue to move forward but slow at church. Everyone is waiting for the new pastor to come in a couple of months and until then everything is on hold. But a lot of good conversations are going on. I see such need here for a strong church planting movement but opportunity does not equal responsibility, we continue to seek God's will on a daily basis. The churches in Japan are in need of prayer and revival. The spiritual forces of darkness and the prince of the air are real in Japan.

Please pray for my family and marriage life. With our work changes we are just very busy. My summer vacation is less than 2 months away. That will help. All in all our Good Shepherd continues to lead us.

Planting Deep Roots

2008-05-05T10:36:00.007+09:00

Spring has sprung and I know many of you in Michigan and elsewhere are now in the gardening mode. I planted some potatoes in a container. When the plants grew about 4 inches I covered them with dirt again and repeated the process until the dirt reached the top of the containers. I hope they will have long roots and produce a reasonable amount of potatoes.

Yesterday I spent the afternoon at the home of one of the elders of Ena Church. His name is Machino. We had a good time and talked about various things related to faith, being a Christian, and having a Christian family in Japan. We had a really nice time and were there for about 4 hours. Ena's new pastor comes in July and many of the ideas I would like to move forward are on hold until he arrives, but I see this as a season to deepen the roots. Spending time with elders and pastors is very important in Japan in order to develop deep roots of trust and cooperation.

This past week at one of the schools I teach at, one of the teachers brought up my faith. All the schools have a copy of my resume written in Japanese and it includes that I have gone to seminary, been a missionary in Japan, and been a pastor in the US. I do not remember this teachers name as I write this because I am at 10 different schools. She is a special education room teacher. She is a long time teacher in her late 50's early 60's. She asked me if I was a Christian and then talked with me about her respect for Christianity. Japanese people are very indirect so I see this as an invitation to share more with her in this area in the future. I explained where I went to church but will also get some book marks with the church's web-page on it. I see the need to start my own Christian blog in Japanese and to produce business cards with the address on it. This will probably be a summer vacation project but I will start on it a little if I have some time this spring.

Thank you for your prayers. Oh, I should mention the English School in our home has grown from 60 students to 85. Also with my work in the public school system where ever we go we are seen by one of the students from one of the schools. I teach about 1000 kids. We'll God continues to bless us but we need your prayers and support to effectively have the resources to preach the gospel. We praise God, he is giving us deep roots.

John, Kazumi, and Cherry

Trials and trails

2008-04-23T07:23:00.004+09:00

Sometimes a trial is a trail that God wants to lead us on for his greater purpose. 2 weeks ago our hot water heater went out, so we went to the public spa. There I ran into a pastor I had been thinking about working with. He had not planned on being there either. At the last minute he had been asked to take some foreign guests there. His guest had not wanted to leave so the night was becoming rather late. Kazumi, Cherry, and I came in and Pastor Niwa was sitting drinking tea. He and I had time to talk. Later he emailed me saying that he thought God had arranged our meeting. He and I will get together this coming Saturday.

Yesterday I got a traffic ticket. The whole ordeal lasted a little over 2 hours. It was not very fun. I taught at a local school and the street to the school is one way from 2 to 5 pm. No one told me and the sign explaining it was not visible from the school. A cop was sitting there and in all effect it was a trap to get the daily ticket quota. They brought me to the station where they were not very nice to me. Here is a side note about the law in Japan, they can hold you for up to 30 days with out a charge and they do. It is how they get confessions. I left the police station wanting to leave Japan for good. But then I realized that unlike my Japanese friends I had the hope of leaving. The only possible hope for my Japanese friends was that regardless of the situation God loves them and wants to have a personal relationship with them.

Then later in the evening we got a call from Kimiko who is moving to the US and had been reading some Christian daily devotionals we gave here. Her husband has already gone to the US and she was calling to give praise to God. He had gotten a good job with good benefits and found an apartment with a grocery store only 200 meters away so Kimiko would not have to drive right away. When Kazumi gave me the phone the first thing Kimiko said was "I want to thank God." Sometimes a trial is a trail God wants to lead us on. I understood the depth of her words because I understand the context of life in Japan and turning from that to trusting in God.

The Cherry Blossoms are in Full Bloom

2008-04-07T18:54:00.004+09:00

The cherry blossoms are in full bloom. April is the beginning of the new school year in Japan. Cherry switched kindergartens and had a graduation at one and an entrance ceremony at the other. My niece Riko also entered elementary school, and I started as a teacher at 11 different schools and kindergartens. Yes, eleven!!! I will visit 7 kindies and 4 elementary schools this year.
A week ago we met again with Kimiko, a Japanese woman interested in learning about Christianity. We had a great time. She is also in an international marriage and has a daughter the same age as Cherry. Kimiko and Kazumi have a lot in common so when we go visit it is an all day event and it is a lot of fun. Kazumi gave her a bunch of Daily Bread devotionals in Japanese.

This coming Sunday the church council will meet at Ena and we will continue to work on some ideas together. We will discuss the children's program we hope to start in May. It has been a very busy week or so; pray for all the transitions going on. Pray the the Lord will continue to draw us closer to him and guide us in his will for our lives.

Recent Happenings

2008-03-27T10:36:00.002+09:00

On Wednesday I met with the Japanese pastor of the church a few stops down the train line from us in Nakatsugawa. He actually has a Masters in Theology from Calvin Seminary. He also served as a missionary for ten years in Indonesia. I wanted to go and check things out for future ministry opportunities. The churches in Nakatsugawa and in Ena are in the same area so if we advertised in community newspapers there could be cross over and it would be beneficial to work together.

Well the pastor there had heard I had moved into the area through the church grapevine and was hoping I would stop by sooner or later. We talked about how we could work together. He shared with me some struggles in the church as about 1/3 of the 45 members had left over a conflict to form another church. This often happens in Japan.

I honestly do not know what I can do for the church in Nakatsugawa. Its location is poor but there is good population density in the city. The church has mostly older people. I will probably try to encourage it and help keep it stable this next year. Keep the church in Nakatsugawa and myself in your prayers.

Blessings, John

Easter a new Beginning

2008-03-23T10:52:00.005+09:00

Easter marks a new beginning for us. There are lot of changes going on. We are hoping to start a Mom and Kids class at church using English and Sunday School material. The goal is to make connections for a future Christian kindergarten.

We hope to launch a multilingual (English, Spanish, Japanese) Bible study using the Experiencing God material.

From Friday, I start work as an Assistant Language Teacher for the local school district. This will really network us into the community. I will visit 11 different elementary and kindergartens. It will also stabilize us financially. For this we thank God.

Currently, we are in contact with a mission agency in the states. We hope for a connection with an agency in the states and in the future to move into full time church planting support roles.

We also hope to strengthen our ties to Faith Church in Guam and start a once a year Christian retreat to Guam for families. 1 million Japanese tourists go to Guam a year and the prices are very reasonable. We will make some contacts with a target date for next spring, for this.

Above regular involvement in our local church these are our current New Beginnings.

God is in control of the details

2008-03-10T22:30:00.003+09:00

To believe God is sovereign is to believe he is in control of the details. He has brought us here. He has opened some doors and closed others. He is casting vision and providing resources. He has brought you this very second to read these words, that is the reality of God being sovereign.

Today's Reflection from John Piper

2008-03-10T22:06:00.006+09:00

Belief or Faith is a heart passion to find one's delight in Jesus. Seeing Jesus for all that he is. Is your only comfort Jesus? Any one who truly knows Jesus will deeply love him. And Jesus said, "I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to me will never hunger and he who believes in me will never thirst"(John 6:35). Faith is to find one's soul satisfaction in Jesus, is Jesus your satisfaction?

My wife a long time reader of Daily Bread

2008-03-01T00:14:00.004+09:00

Just an interesting story. My wife is a long time reader of Daily Bread and today she was reading this month's Daily Bread translated into Japanese. Out of the blue she asked me what I knew about Grand Haven Michigan as the writer of the devotion she was reading today was from there. It is a small world and God has the whole world in his hands.

Parents to arrive Next Week

2008-02-29T14:04:00.003+09:00

Cherry and I have had a cold and that has stretched Kazumi a little. I scratched our car yesterday and need to have some touch paint done on it or it will get surface rust. I also got a response to an advertising inquiry with The Australian Presbyterian. It is the magazine of the Presbyterian Church of Australia. The denomination has about 55,000 members and is a member of the Reformed Ecumenical Council. It is my hope to coach individuals who could be part of a team here through the tentmaking process of becoming an Assistant Language Teacher.

My parents arrive next Monday. I will teach 2 classes in the morning and then off to Nagoya International Airport to meet them. It will be nice to see my parents and show them our lives here in Japan. I wish it was a little warmer while they are here. It will be in the 50s for high and our house does not have central heating so it is a little chilly. I am kind of done and will listen to a John Piper sermon now, I think.

Update for Wednesday

2008-02-27T13:00:00.002+09:00

Well a reply came from the local board of education. 3 companies were up for the contracts. I had ties to all three. The company who won the bid offered me a job. I have accepted the position. I praise God for the job and the chance to plant deeper roots in this location.

I have contacted some Christian Magazines in Australia about advertising to recruit tentmakers to come here. One of the companies I have ties with has strong ties to Australia. I have heard back for the The Trowel and Sword, which is a magazine tied to the Christian Reformed Churches of Australia.

I have been listening to John Piper on the links found on this page. I recommend listening to Desiring God Radio to those of you who have never heard him preach.

Blessings as always,

John Van Farowe

This Sunday's Praises

2008-02-24T20:19:00.001+09:00

There are 2 things to give thanks for this Sunday. One is that the elders at Ena have approved a plan to raise support directly into the church and oversee any program that could be started from that support. It means I will contact some supporting churches and try and set up direct wire transfers to an account at Ena church.
Today Kazumi and I had a great time visiting with a Japanese woman who is soon moving to the states and upon moving there seeks to be baptized in a local church. We hope to provide her with some beginning instruction. We talked casually for over 4 hours. It was a great time for us all.

A new thing I have been working on at home: creating a youtube channel for Cherry. The channel shows Japanese children animation along with Christian songs and bible stories. The animation runs in less than 10 minute segments and in between each segment instead of a commercial has a Christian Song or Bible story of about 2-3 minutes.

The challenge for the weeks ahead is to start networking with groups in the states. I think that recruiting tentmakers is a way to develop both support and bring coworkers. I will be looking at advertising in certain reformed magazines in the next few weeks. I will probably look at the Banner, the Herald, and World Magazine.

Keep us in your prayers.

Ongoing requests

2008-02-22T14:30:00.001+09:00

There are 6 reformed churches within an hour commute of us. Many of these churches are struggling. Rather than try and start another struggling church it is our vision to work with existing churches.

This coming week I need to talk with some of the elders of two of these churches about setting up English Evangelism Classes in them. These classes will also need support from America to have viability. The Japanese churches often only have 30 people or so. The resources are stretched. The pastors do not have full time incomes and often work in such jobs like newspaper delivery etc on the side. So pray for a support system to be set up and support to be raised so that we can freely serve without competing for resources the pastor desperately needs. It takes about $150 a month to support one class.
Pray for a good result on contracts submitted to the local boards of education. These contracts are very competitive so there is a chance that no work will come from it, so prayers are greatly appreciated.
Pray for anyone in America who wants to join our team here. We can use our contacts with different English Conversation Companies to help them through the application process. Upon getting a contract with one of these companies they would come to our area as tentmakers.

One day - 150+ contacts

2008-02-19T18:34:00.000+09:00

Well today I taught one private lesson with a kindergardener and his mom. Cherry and Kazumi also join this lesson. Then I handed out 100 flyers at the local elementary school 2 blocks from our home for the English School we have. We currently have about 70 students. While I did this Kazumi had a class with 6-8 1st graders. Then I walked back to the house and Kazumi and I taught a lesson together with about 7 preschoolers in it. Two of them came with their mothers for a trail lesson. The moms were very young in their early 20s and enjoyed watching the lesson. Now while I work on my blogs and stuff Kazumi is teaching a class with 4 junior high students in it. In total I would say we had brief contacts with about 150 people today.

Oh my non-christian brother-in-law stopped by today too. It is amazing when I look back on the day and think of all the contacts one day can bring. Pray that contacts will lead to deep relationships based on trust allowing for effective witness. While non of these contacts was based on direct evangelism we do pray for those opportunities. My father-in-law is in the hospital with cancer of the throat and we have given him some Christian books to read. We are praying for him to come to faith.