Tickets Bought - 4/10/2010

Dear Friends & Family,

Just a quick update, a few prayer requests, and an invitation:

Updates:

• I have purchased airline tickets for Japan! I will be departing from Atlanta on Tuesday, April 13 and arriving in Japan on Wednesday, April 14.
• Additional gifts and pledges have been coming in, bringing me to 88% of my two-year budget, or $600 per month shy of 100% funded!

Prayer Requests:

• My college roommate’s wife is battling cancer. Please pray for them (Ron & Connie) and their two pre-teen children. Pray that God would bring healing to her body and grace to their family as they go through a very difficult time.
• I will be driving to South Florida on Thursday to visit Ron & Connie, and then to Atlanta to apply for my visa at the Japanese consulate. Please pray for:

o Safety on the roads,

o God’s presence during my Florida visit,

o That the Japanese consulate will readily approve my visa.

o I will be staying several days in Atlanta with my nephew and his wife. My brother, sister-in-law, and their other three children will all be visiting as well, making for a full, but fun two-bedroom apartment. Pray for peace and love!

Invitation:

• My friend Bryan Gueltig, who has been very gracious in opening his home to me these last several months while I’ve been raising support, is hosting a farewell party for me on Saturday, April 10. This is a bonfire, come-and-go-as-you-like event from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. If you’re in the Jackson area (or would like to be!) and would like to stop by, I would love to see you!

o Drinks and s’mores will be provided; please bring a snack to share, if you like.

o If you plan to attend, please RSVP to either my email or to gueltig4@gmail.com for planning purposes.

Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and support!

Final Push - 3/26/2010

Dear Friends & Family,

First, praise God with me that additional funds have been pledged since the last posting just two days ago, bringing me within $875 per month of full funding! A number of people have contacted me to say they would like to contribute, but have not yet specified an amount. If you would like to join in the effort, please let me know!

Second, I purchased airline tickets for Japan this afternoon! I will be flying out on April 13, arriving in Japan on April 14!

Thank you for your continued prayers, encouragement, and support!

Departing Soon for Japan! - 3/24/2010

Dear Friends & Family,

Praise Report:
I have exciting news! You will receive my April Newsletter FROM JAPAN, the Lord willing! I have been given permission to depart for Japan on the second week of April!

Urgent Prayer Request:However, I am only at 78% of my two-year budget. In order to allow me to depart for Japan, MTW slashed my budget to bare bones and then also has the assurance of my team in Japan that they will cover the remainder of my unmet financial needs, should I not be able to raise the full original amount.

Why must I arrive by the second week of April? Because a new session of English classes begins in April and the Tokyo team is in dire need for me to teach six of these classes. Please take a moment and read the following note from Sally Dangler, the Team Coordinator in Japan, regarding this work:

Dear Friends of Brent,

Every Saturday morning in Oyumino, Japan there is a small group of businessmen who gather to study English. One of the men is a cardiac surgeon, another is a nuclear engineer, others are in the corporate world but when they gather, work is set aside and they enjoy the challenge of improving their English and finding out a little bit more of what is in the Bible. While they all participate in the English class, several of them “come to life” when the Bible discussion starts. They want to know more about the God who is Himself perfect and yet offers forgiveness to those who fail. In this country where there is zero tolerance for mistakes and little hope of forgiveness, this is refreshing news. From classes like this we have seen many people take steps toward deeper understanding and eventually trusting Jesus as Lord and Savior.

There are two classes just like this in Makuhari, Japan that need a teacher. The mission team here thinks that Brent, with his friendly demeanor, caring personality and bold trust in the God of the Bible will do a great job at leading these classes. We also look forward to his extensive help with the accounting work as well as outreach through choirs and college ministry.

Please help him to get here. He needs your prayer and he needs financial support. If you are able to make even a small monthly pledge please let Brent and Mission to the World know soon. We are planning on Brent joining us by the second week of April and are praying that God will raise up the remainder of the support he needs.

Thank you for your involvement in God’s kingdom work and for your consideration of this need.

Sally DanglerTeam CoordinatorTokyo/Chiba Church Planting Team

Would you please pray:

• That God will raise up the remaining $1,147 in monthly support needed for me to be at full funding?
• Ask God whether He might be calling you to join me as a financial partner? Perhaps you’ve given a one-time gift; would you consider becoming a monthly partner? Even small gifts add up quickly.
• For my final weeks in the States. There is much to accomplish, including: Driving to Atlanta to get my visa to enter Japan (pray that there are no problems with this). Packing for two years in Japan, and all that entails. Selling my car.

I will be keeping you up to date more regularly in these next several weeks as more details are worked out and as prayer needs arise. THANK YOU for your friendship, prayers, and support. I will not be going to Japan alone, but as each of you has influenced my life I will be taking you with me in these various ways.

For Christ and His Glory,
Brent Kooi

High Priority - 3/11/2010

Dear Friends,
Shortly after posting the March Newsletter yesterday, I spoke with one of my teammates in Japan. She stated that they are considering it "high priority" to have me in Japan by the second week of April! This is exciting, and a little scary at the same time! Why the second week of April? Because a new term of "Open House" English classes begins the first week of April. The team is planning to cover my six classes for the first week, but really needs me to be there by the second week.
I also learned that I will be teaching at the Presbyterian Church in Makuhari. This is part of the city of Chiba, but is a unique location as it is on land created by filling in a small portion of Tokyo Bay. For that reason it is also called "The New City." It's also right up against the city of Tokyo. Google it, if you like; you may find some interesting things, including a photo similar to the one used as the header to this blog -- I took the photo at a park in Makuhari in 2007!
PRAYER NEED:
PLEASE PRAY with me that God will provide the remaining 23% of the support I need to depart in one month! Specifically, I still need approximately $1200 per month. TWELVE individuals giving $100 per month would send me to Japan! But smaller amounts also quickly add up with the gifts of other supporters. Perhaps you are able to contribute $10 per month, or $25 . . . . Please prayerfully consider whether God might be leading you to partner with me in sharing the gospel in the largest unreached people group in the entire world.
THANK YOU for your prayers, encouragement, and support!
For Christ and His Glory,
Brent Kooi

Golden Opportunity to Reach Japan - 3/10/2010

Included in this edition:

• Golden Opportunity to Reach Japan (Christ Bible Institute's New Opportunity)
• Prayer: (Answers & Requests)

(Right-click on photo to open in new tab.)