Hello from Kita-Kyushu!

We have been having way too much fun here! We come to Japan with the mindset of serving and giving, needing nothing for ourselves in return. But it is so amazing to see the way the Lord has given us times of fun, rest and refreshment during our stay in Japan. Rocky and Marla really wanted to give us some time to enjoy Japan and rest up for the last leg of our trip.

On Tuesday they took us to the beach, it was such a beautiful day! We had lunch there, got stung by small jelly fish, relaxed, and tried to break open a watermelon with a large stick while blindfolded (like piñata)! It was such a fun day! Unfortunately we all got quite the sun burns! Aloe Vera is now our friend!







That evening we went to a nice restaurant. Pastor Noguchi, has treated us to a delicious dinner every year we have come to Japan (this is our 4th year). He is such a sweet man, who has an incredible passion for the Lord. He has been through some really hard times in the past few years, loosing his wife and his mother that he had cared for. He is adjusting to a new life of singleness, and is using every moment to serve the Lord. He has stepped in as a pastor for a near by church. It is wonderful to watch his joy for the Lord overflow from his smile! Rocky said as soon as Pastor Noguchi saw our flier (telling that we were coming) he called and said, "when can I take them out for dinner". He is incredibly kind to take us out every year, and to give us all thoughtful gifts. We pray that the Lord would continue to comfort him, strengthen him, guide him, and that his joy for the Lord would be infectious!


Wednesday morning Rocky and Mara drove us up to a place that overlooks the city of Kita-Kyushu. The view was beautiful, and the sky an amazing reflection of the Lord's beauty and artistry. We spent time praying together for the city of Kita-Kyushu, for the island of Kyushu and for Japan. We prayed for the unbelievers and their hopelessness. We prayed for families, specifically for fathers. That the Lord would make a way for the men of Japan to hear about Jesus Christ. That they would long to know Him and that they would want to lead and raise their families the way that the Lord wants them to. We prayed over the churches, and the pastors / leaders here in Japan. That the Lord would raise up strong Japanese leaders and that He would send more workers to this place. We prayed for Rocky and Marla's church, which is currently with out a pastor and the missionaries that are there to serve, leave next year. We asked the Lord to give the Christians in Japan a boldness and a

burning desire to tell anyone they come into contact with about our glorious Heavenly Father. It was such a memorable time, crying out together for the people of Japan. As we stood overlooking the city, we lifted our voices in worship to the one who gives us life. The sound of our voices (acapella) lifted and blending as one, was a powerful and unforgettable moment. We are again so incredibly thankful that the Lord allowed us to meet the Ayatsuka's, who's hearts are so in tune with ours.



For lunch that day we ate a delicious dish of cold noodles, meat, vegetables, and my favorite sauce here called "goma" (which is a creamy sesame sauce). We have lots of fun recipes we want to try on our families when we get home! That afternoon they took us to do Karaoke! This was a first time for all of us! Karaoke here in Japan is much different than anything we have back home. You rent your one personal room for your group, and you get microphones and then you sing your heart out! This was so fun to do with Rocky and Marla, because they are one of the most joyful couples I have ever met!


On Thursday night there was an intimate worship service with the Afureru team and a few other people. The Afureru group is part of the Ayatsuka's ministry here in Japan. They have a worship service every month, rotating to different churches each time. One of their desires is to promote unity among the churches in Japan. They lead us in an awesome time of worship and then I shared a message about how worship is a lifestyle. I talked about what the Lord has done for us and how realizing His greatness makes us want to give something to Him in return. The only thing we have to give is our life, giving the Lord every part of us. Our mind, will, and emotions. The way we live our every day life, our words & our actions, can bring God glory. The gift of salvation and the relationship with have with Jesus Christ is something that is meant to be shared. So I talked about being so filled with the Lord, that it flows over into every part of our life. Always remembering that we are a mirror reflecting Jesus to all who come near. What kind of Jesus are we showing? One that is selfless and loving? As we live our lives of worship, we need to constantly look to Jesus who set the example of a life humbly given to God. Rocky translated for me that night. He is so enthusiastic and definitely overflowing with the joy of Christ! As always it is so wonderful to work with this group who has the same vision and heart for the Lord.










Our Heavenly Father is so good and gives us much more than we deserve!

May we ever live to serve Him more!