March 2013 Update
Hello to all of my friends, family, supporters, prayer warriors! Another
month has come and gone. A cold spring has begun! Though I'm sure it'll
get warm soon. Sakura flowers are blooming in the trees here in Tokyo
and it's beautiful. Hope you have had a blessed March! Anyway, here's
what's been going on here this past month.
Outreach Team & DTS Team
At YWAM Tokyo, this month has been a month of preparation in the lead up to the start of DTS. The school starts in a couple of days! So the DTS staff (the majority of YWAM Tokyo) have been getting ready and also, after much prayer and searching, they have moved into two new locations where some staff and the DTS students will live. They have now settled into their houses as the students start to arrive. There are also a number of staff that have been here for over 2 years, including myself. We are now part of the outreach-focused team that will focus more on building ministries in Tokyo. This is great! Usually when DTS time comes, it requires so much work and time that ongoing ministries have taken a back-seat. But this year, because of the number of staff, YWAM is able to continue to focus on reaching the Japanese people. We have been working some more on planning to open an English conversation cafe, some people will go into a high school and teach English (and also share about God with the blessing of the school staff!), doing research into orphanages, and doing worship and evangelism in the streets. We will be partnering with the DTS to get the students involved in what we're doing!
Communications
I have been passing on the communications work to one of the other missionaries this past month, so that someone else is able to maintain the work I've been doing the last couple of years! A big task for sure. I am also working on various new pages for the website, including a page where people we meet on the streets can go to find out more about God and also be linked to churches in Tokyo.
Cornerstone
Cornerstone is still growing! We have started a second service on a Saturday now. The two service times are 4pm and 6pm. The earlier service is aimed at families, is more casual, and has more bible teaching. It is ran by a couple of the YWAM staff. This Easter weekend we had a baptism where two young Japanse women that have been coming for a while decided to give their lives to God and live for Him! So amazing!! We also had an Easter dessert party after the 6pm service which was fun (and yummy!).
Wedding Prep
We have been making progress this past month as Naoko and I prepare to be married next month! (Can't believe it will be next month..) We have been asking people at Cornerstone and YWAM to help us and we feel so blessed to be surrounded by so many amazing people! Just a few more details to go now, as well as official documents that need to be filled in, a tuxedo for me, and then we need to plan our stay in Japan after we're married, as well as our time in England. Exciting! But lots to do! Also in March, Naoko graduated from university! I got to see her in a Hakama and she looked beautiful.
Thank you for reading this update! And thank you so much much for your prayers. I cannot be here without it! Also, a huge thankyou to all my financial supporters. You make me feel so loved and I am humbled by your generousity. I pray that God pours His blessings on you and I look forward to seeing you all again this summer! Naoko sends her love. Have a really good April.
Gary
Outreach Team & DTS Team
At YWAM Tokyo, this month has been a month of preparation in the lead up to the start of DTS. The school starts in a couple of days! So the DTS staff (the majority of YWAM Tokyo) have been getting ready and also, after much prayer and searching, they have moved into two new locations where some staff and the DTS students will live. They have now settled into their houses as the students start to arrive. There are also a number of staff that have been here for over 2 years, including myself. We are now part of the outreach-focused team that will focus more on building ministries in Tokyo. This is great! Usually when DTS time comes, it requires so much work and time that ongoing ministries have taken a back-seat. But this year, because of the number of staff, YWAM is able to continue to focus on reaching the Japanese people. We have been working some more on planning to open an English conversation cafe, some people will go into a high school and teach English (and also share about God with the blessing of the school staff!), doing research into orphanages, and doing worship and evangelism in the streets. We will be partnering with the DTS to get the students involved in what we're doing!
Communications
I have been passing on the communications work to one of the other missionaries this past month, so that someone else is able to maintain the work I've been doing the last couple of years! A big task for sure. I am also working on various new pages for the website, including a page where people we meet on the streets can go to find out more about God and also be linked to churches in Tokyo.
Cornerstone
Cornerstone is still growing! We have started a second service on a Saturday now. The two service times are 4pm and 6pm. The earlier service is aimed at families, is more casual, and has more bible teaching. It is ran by a couple of the YWAM staff. This Easter weekend we had a baptism where two young Japanse women that have been coming for a while decided to give their lives to God and live for Him! So amazing!! We also had an Easter dessert party after the 6pm service which was fun (and yummy!).
Wedding Prep
We have been making progress this past month as Naoko and I prepare to be married next month! (Can't believe it will be next month..) We have been asking people at Cornerstone and YWAM to help us and we feel so blessed to be surrounded by so many amazing people! Just a few more details to go now, as well as official documents that need to be filled in, a tuxedo for me, and then we need to plan our stay in Japan after we're married, as well as our time in England. Exciting! But lots to do! Also in March, Naoko graduated from university! I got to see her in a Hakama and she looked beautiful.
Thank you for reading this update! And thank you so much much for your prayers. I cannot be here without it! Also, a huge thankyou to all my financial supporters. You make me feel so loved and I am humbled by your generousity. I pray that God pours His blessings on you and I look forward to seeing you all again this summer! Naoko sends her love. Have a really good April.
Gary
Comments