On Christmas Eve, we held a simple Christmas Candlelight service with two first-time visitors. On Christmas we had a morning and afternoon service. In Japan, “Christmas Cake” is popular, so we celebrated after the services with Christmas cake for everyone. After taking a few days to drive out and visit my (James’) parents we returned to Nagoya for New Years.
During the New Year season, many people go to the large shrine in our city. This year, they estimated that 1.6 million would come. Seeing an opportunity to mass distribute literature, volunteers from church helped us pass out 4800 hand warmers in just two hours. Each one had scripture and a QR code to a video sharing the Gospel. We then returned to the church for Japanese new year food and an afternoon service.
January has already brought some changes. Our monthly Lunch and Learn is becoming bi-monthly as we work towards a weekly afternoon service/Bible study time. This month we also held our first weeknight prayer meeting on a Monday night (separate from our midweek Bible Study). Five adults attended and we are looking forward to seeing people grow in their walk with the Lord.
As mentioned in the last letter, we desperately need a new meeting space. Specifically, please be praying for a facility that is 100 square meters (about 1100 square feet), has 15 parking spaces, and is on the first floor and not too far from where we are currently located. We are also looking for a facility to start a second location since the place we previously wrote about fell through.
Our goal this year is 5 people saved and baptized. Please pray for our church plant to multiply disciples in Nagoya!
Finally, thank you for continuing to pray for our summer internship program. We are currently talking with several possible candidates. Pray the Lord will use this to not only increase our outreach but also raise up laborers for his harvest.
Yours for Japan,
James Miyashita