Dear Fellow-Workers,
Once again Mission Japan would like to convey our gratitude to each and every one that is involved with the ministry in Japan. Your support, financial contributions, interest and intercessory prayers are indispensable. Thank you so much. The work in Japan is doing well; we are aware of God’s blessings in so many ways.
Stephan and Carina and their family have adjusted well. They are enjoying their lives and the work in Japan. Stephan is drawn into a variety of projects in the ministry in the Shikoku Presbytery. His focus is mainly on family ministry – an important focus in the Japanese community. He is also becoming increasingly involved in theological training. The fact that Stephan has mastered Japanese so well helps a great deal. Carina’s contribution is equally valuable with their children’s home schooling, the contact with young mothers and Happy Kids, an church for infants to which non-believing mothers also bring their children, and which has shown such growth that the congregation of Shikoku actually needs to enlarge their church building. Stephan and Carina are expecting a new baby by the middle of November – a wonderful addition to their lovely family! The bigger number of children in their family will, however, pose new challenges, especially in Japan where domestic help and nannies are non-existent.
Gys and Linda Olivier, who teach at a Christian school in Kochi City on Shikoku Island, are also fine. Linda has recently given birth to Linie, a beautiful little girl. There is also great appreciation for the work they do. They can be contacted at gyslindaolivier@gmail.com
Mission Japan has decided to send Tobie and Annalie de Wet to Japan again for a few months from early September. For six weeks they will be assisting with the ministry to congregations of the Reformed Church in Japan in the Sendai area, where the huge disaster of 2011 brought about so much disruption and trauma. We trust that their presence and pastoral involvement there will, as it always was in the past, be of great blessing to all. The Lord is using the church in this area in a very special manner. Mission Japan has also requested Tobie and Annalie to support Stephan and Carina when the baby arrives. At that time Tobie will assist Stephan with his ministerial duties and he and Annalie will strengthen old friendships – as part of their continued friendship evangelization. They can be contacted at tobiedewet@hotmail.com
Within the next few weeks, as from 18 to 26 August, we will be receiving a group of visitors consisting of 11 representatives from the Reformed Church in Japan. The group will consist of 4 ministers, 1 deacon and 6 young people. They will be visiting the Charisma congregation at Laudium outside Pretoria. At an orphanage in Botshabelo, about 50 km from Bloemfontein, they will be helping with building and maintenance work and outreaches to the community. This tour will also focus on contact between young people. On 22 August Mission Japan will meet with the visitors. At that meeting the possible recruitment and sending of more missionaries will be discussed. We trust that this visit will again contribute towards strengthening ties between us and our fellow-believers in Japan.
We ask for your prayers for all of these exciting developments.
Gideon van der Watt
(Secretary)
Dr Gideon van der Watt
