Misc. Updates - 7/3/2018

Miscellaneous Updates In lieu of a standard newsletter, here are a number of updates in the life of our Genesis team mission work: College President: For how long have I been saying "I think we are very close to naming a new president/college planter"? It seems like forever -- to me, if not also to you. I keep hoping that "in the next newsletter," I can make a big announcement! But yet again, perhaps next time. I do believe we are getting close; very close! Pending two additional online interviews, we may be able to make that announcement. Please continue to pray for this critical position. Home Missionary Assignment: As of the end of August, I will have been in Osaka for FOUR YEARS, and will be due to take my "HMA" (sometimes known as missionary furlough). I anticipate leaving Osaka in late October and spending a full year in the States in order to assist our new college planter, the Lord willing, in the work of recruiting teachers and staff for our English school and eventual college. My primary base of operation will be in my hometown of Inwood, IA; but I will travel extensively, recruiting and reporting to supporters, around the US and Canada. January-March will be spent largely in Mississippi and neighboring states in order to participate in their missions conference season. One church in Hattiesburg, as well as my home church in Jackson, have already invited me to their conferences. I would love to join your church as well! Please let me know if that may be possible! West Coast Missions Conference: I participated in the MTW West Coast Missions Conference in April, and was busy meeting with many people, advocating for Genesis College, and speaking with potential recruits. One meeting also was productive strategic planning for the designation of a new GIC college planter. Thank you for your prayers! New Missionaries! This summer, we anticipate welcoming some new missionaries to our team! One family (with four children) has purchased their tickets to arrive on August 21. One bachelor (we have a lot of us on this team!) anticipates arriving late summer. Please pray for the Gibsons, and Jeff as they prepare to move to Japan. There are so many details to work out for such a move. Encourage One Another Life on the mission field can seem very monotonous, sometimes. We have to do all the ordinary things of life - laundry, grocery shopping, etc. And in a country where the gospel seems to take such a long time to penetrate hearts, I can sometimes wonder why God brought me here. One of my first Japanese friends in Osaka is a 30-something young man, Yuuki, raised in a Jehovah Witness home, who became an atheist in university, but then a Christian about six years ago. His family cut off relations with him, and he went through difficult days, feeling very alone in a nation that values being a part of the larger group. I walked with him through dark days during my first two years in Osaka, crying with him, praying with him, loving him. God eventually brought him a renewed sense of hope, and not long after that, a quality young Christian woman whom he has been dating for some time now. He also walked with me in my dark days this past winter, praying for and encouraging me. During one of those conversations, recalling his own dark times, he said, "I am the reason God brought you to Japan." While I have no doubt that God's purpose for me in Japan is greater than Yuuki or I could ever imagine, it was certainly good to hear -- to know that I have been used by God in the life of this young man, and to see God using him in my own life. Please thank God with me for Yuuki, and pray for him as he continues to live for Christ, to shepherd other young men, and looks toward the future with his serious girlfriend. Follow on Facebook Follow on Twitter Forward to a Friend Prayer Points PRAISE GOD for continued, if slow, progress in providing a new college planter. Pray that He will bring all things together very soon! PRAY FOR Daniel & Carla Gibson, and Jeff Edwards, who are in the final phase of preparing to serve with us in Osaka. Continue to PRAY FORShoko, our new team administrative assistant, as she continues to learn her job, working in a 100% English environment. Some of her tasks include finance work, and helping foreign missionaries with all sorts of things -- translating at their children's schools for meetings with teachers, helping us with just the ordinary things of life in Japan! Tastes of Home Life overseas is exciting, but can also be difficult as one misses the comforts of home. And what sort of things do I miss from home? Family, friends, my home church -- especially singing in the gospel choir. Oh, and FOOD! I'm sometimes asked whether I cook, and what sort of things I cook. Yes, I cook, and I pretty much cook only American foods. They are what I know! I'm somewhat limited by the groceries that are available here, or I might try a creative substitution -- sometimes that works . . . . But to get a REAL taste of home, I enjoy a couple of Mexican restaurants. (I like to say "there's nothing more American than Mexican food!") In January, I discovered Taqueria La Fonda, just a ten minute bike ride from my apartment. This tiny cafe (seats 16 maximum) serves up amazing soft tacos, and polenta soup! They opened a couple of months before I moved into my apartment. It may be a good thing I didn't know about them all this time, or I might have spent a lot more money there! ​Now if only I could find Chicago-style pizza. Ah-Hah! Last week I met an American pub owner who also makes Chicago-style pizza pies! They are currently  closed for renovations, but you know I'll be among the first when they re-open! Stay tuned for an update!