Rosie and I sat down and recorded a video update about what has been going on. You can watch it here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=iqnwJ9RKq9g
Praises:
- Back home in Nagoya!
- Reconnecting with people in Japan
- Bible study restarted with visitors
- Kids adjusting to Japanese school
Prayer Requests:
- Downtown meeting place provision
- Apartment for my mom
- 8 people coming on March Recon Trip
- Support level to strengthen
Yours for Japan,
James Miyashita
Click here to get a printable version of this prayer letter.
Details discussed in this video:
As we came up the subway escalator, two figures stood waving. Their words radiated a warmth through the cold subway air: “Welcome home.” It was 7:30 p.m., but this elderly couple went out of their way to be at the train station and walk back to our apartment with us. It was a visible reminder we are stepping back into the life and community God has given us here in Nagoya after being in the U.S. for over 5 months.
Before departing for the U.S., we made the decision to keep our apartment in Japan. Because of this, we avoided the cost of moving and storing our things and also avoided paying initial deposit money for a new place. We got to pick back up where we left off with relationships. The boys started back at their respective schools the day after we landed.
For people in Japan, it is customary to bring something back when you go away on a trip. We have spent a significant amount of time in our first few weeks going around to visit people and give gifts. It doesn’t feel very “productive,” but things like this matter when ministry is built on trust and relationships. I am reminded of the words in Proverbs 18:16 about how a man’s gift makes room for him.
We have already met with our real estate agent (he got a gift too!) and the hunt is on for a suitable place to use for church services. For now, we are meeting for Bible study twice a month in parallel with a Bible reading plan covering the “one another” passages in the New Testament. Thirteen people came to the first gathering including one man who is not a believer.
In addition to the ministry, please be praying for (1) details handling my late father’s estate 4 hours away, (2) finding an apartment and moving my mother to our city, (3) the 8 participants preparing to come on our March Recon Trip (specifically clarity and discernment about serving in Japan), and (4) ongoing fundraising efforts to regain support levels. [1]
Thank you so much for praying for us and for partnering with us to make this work possible. It’s really good to be back!
Yours for Japan,
The Miyashita Family
On the plane headed home!
Silas walking to school (the tall yellow hat in the front)
We had a lot of paperwork waiting for us when we got back 🙂
[1] if you are curious as to why we went ahead and came back while not fully funded, those details are in the video that we linked to