Merry Christmas!
Last Thursday was a very sweet time for us at Vision Baptist Church. They held a special Blessing/Send Off Service as we prepare for the field. This service is one that they do for all the missionaries that are about to leave for the field. We received many kind words from people we have had the opportunity to rub shoulders with over the past years. Additionally, they gave me (James) a sword with the words “Has your sword tasted blood?” inscribed.
These words serve as a reminder about Eleazar, on of David’s mighty men (2 Samuel 23:6-10). The Bible says he stood his ground and fought when everyone else fled. Because of all the fighting, “his hand clave to the sword” (2 Samuel 23:10). May this be a continual reminder of the victories that God can win. We appreciate our church and the staff who tireless labor to create a culture of sending people around the world to the gospel out.
On Friday, we received Rosie’s visa to leave for Japan! We praise the Lord that He worked out all the paperwork so we can leave for the field next Tuesday.
On Sunday, we had the opportunity to be with two different churches in GA for meetings. Tomorrow, we will be with one more church for our final meeting on deputation! This past week, we also heard from a church that voted to take us on for support.
We hope that you have a merry Christmas. For those of you who are coming to the Summit in Ohio on Thursday, we look forward to seeing you on Friday!
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Santa Claus isn’t the only lie that is broadcasted in Japan. Chicken is another lie. See the news section for more info.
Praises
- Safety traveling to meetings
- One new church voted to start supporting
- Rosie’s Visa received!
Prayer Requests
- Packing as we prepare to leave
- Ten Hundred Thousand Churches (details here)
- Our Generation Summit in Ohio
From the News
Many homes in Japan order and eat KFC for Christmas. This is because people believed that this is what people in the west do for Christmas. Click here to find out how people first started to think like this in Japan.