Christmas in Japan

I came across the above video a couple of days ago. Please watch it. It brought tears to my eyes as I thought about how many people in Japan have never heard this message and how in my own heart it's so easy to become accustomed to "knowing" it. 1 Corinthians 15 says that the gospel message is of first importance. Right now, 99% of Japan hasn't heard the most important message that the world has ever received. Hiroko and I are more excited and anxious than ever to begin our support raising full-time to prepare to go.

If you're a parent or around children during the holidays you can perhaps relate to this: as our family grows and as Christmas approaches, the season starts to bring along with it a bit of wonderment I haven't felt in a while. It's easy to get lost in the busyness and to-do lists that often surround this year. Due to the busy nature of the holidays it's important be intentional to remind ourselves as believers in Jesus Christ the depth, weight, and unfathomable cost paid for us. With Amilia in the house I'm starting to see a bit of a glimmer in her eyes as she looks at the tree (and babbles something I pretend to understand). I'm reminded of what this time of year meant to me as a child. My family would be together, my dad would read out of Luke chapter 2, and (if I was lucky) there would be a freshly wrapped Sega Genesis below the tree. There is an awe that I pray comes to her mind this time of year as she grows that also brings to mind: while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.

An area that I keep coming back to in my prayers for Japan is the family. I've mentioned it before to you--families are dwindling in Japan. Do a Google search for "Japan population crisis" and there is a myriad of data to support the changing landscape of families in Japan. Along these lines, a coworker pointed out this article to me yesterday. Twenty percent of Japan's population (in excess of 125 million) is over the age of 65. Christmas in Japan is not a family holiday, but New Year's Day is. Would you pray for Japan? Would you pray that the Holy Spirit would save and that families would form that cherish, love, and understand the love of Christ.

Hiroko and I would like to take an opportunity in this newsletter to thank you. Thank you for your encouragement, your prayers, and your support. Our goal is to be on the ground and settled in Japan by October of 2014. Beginning in February I will be leaving my full-time job at The Village Church and embarking to full-time support raising. This season of celebrating family, friends, and the birth of our Savior is marked by gifts. Would you prayerfully consider a gift to our ministry? Contributions can be made through Great Commission Ministries. Our desire is to be above reproach in our lives and our ministry, and it is in that spirit that you are welcome to check at any time our financial progress and goal here.