semi-busy bees

Right now we are between our two busy seasons here in Tokyo (Christmas & summer), and as we have mentioned before, the universities are having their term break until the new school year starts in April. But don't worry, we're not bored :)

Last weekend we had an awesome volunteer team here from the great state of Texas. Wow, were they an encouragement! They shared so boldly and passionately with anyone who would listen! And God is faithful to His promises --"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." (2 Corinthians 9:6) In just three days they saw 5 people profess faith in Christ! Thank you Lord!!

This week I made a huge batch of cupcakes and delivered them to some of our neighbors- some we knew already and others we only knew their names because they had replied to the Christmas cards we sent them. I knew it was risky trying to deliver them, knowing that I wouldn't be able to communicate very much.. but I tried! I got a variety of reactions.. one woman thought I was a new neighbor coming to introduce myself (which is customary here), and since I didn't know how to tell her otherwise I guess she still thinks that! A young mother looked completely awed to receive a present for no reason! An elderly lady just laughed her head off at me.. not exactly sure why. But the best was an older man who just moved in next door to us. He wouldn't answer the door when I rang the bell.. of course I had no idea what he was saying over the intercom.. so I just left the tin of cupcakes by his door with our business card. Well today he came over to tell me that someone had delivered this bag to his door by mistake, that it had my business card on it so it must be mine! It took forever for me to figure out how to tell him that it was ME who made the cupcakes for THEM! But finally I did, and he accepted them with a smile :)

It is difficult right now because of the language barrier, but we are really trying to come up with creative ways that we can reach out to the people in our apartment building and try to begin new relationships. Please pray that God would give Trent and I wisdom as to how we can minister to them! Also please pray that He would give us favor in their eyes, that they would see Him clearly in us, and ultimately that He would open their hearts to receive the Gospel. We're praying about showing the Jesus film in Japanese at our apartment Easter weekend and inviting everyone in our building. Will you pray with us that God would use this special holiday as a way for us to share the Truth with our neighbors??

We would also love for you to pray over some of the other activities we're involved in!

• We have been having a Bible study twice a month with some ladies who live in our area. A couple of the ladies have expressed real interest in becoming Christians, but they are very afraid of what it would mean for their families. We only have two more meetings left. Please pray that God would give them the faith and courage to follow Him whatever the cost!
• For a couple months Trent has been playing soccer with a group of guys every Saturday morning at a park near our house. Recently they invited him onto their university campus to have lunch with them - now he is going every week to spend time with them. In a few weeks we will be going to watch a concert they are putting on. Please pray that God would continue to deepen Trent's friendships with these guys and that He would give Trent opportunities to share about his faith with them.
• Trent also plays basketball with another group of guys on Wednesday nights. Several of them have been asking a lot of questions about why Trent is here and what he does. Please pray that God will give Trent boldness in witnessing to them!
• Although the campuses are closed for the break, the students of ICU and Tsuda are still very much on our hearts! We're already anxious to reunite with our friends and see how God has been working in their lives! Please pray for the students of these campuses, especially M-san from Tsuda and G-san from ICU.
• In April Trent and I will start working at a new university, Seikei. Please start praying with us now that God would prepare students there to follow Him with their whole hearts!
• And of course I am still homeschooling 4 days a week, so I would love for you to lift up that role of mine! Being a teacher takes an unending supply of wisdom, energy, and patience.. so please ask God to give me all three :)

Well wow, that is a lot of prayer requests! Please feel free to focus on just one or two that stick out to you.. or pick something different each day! Whatever you do, please know how thankful we are for you! It is through prayer that Japan will be reached with the Gospel! Thank you for being a part of it!!