We have returned to Kobe after a refreshing time of leave. There were enough friends, marshmallow barbecues, time for reading, quiet time and games of tennis. On Sundays up to 100 people (mostly missionary families) would gather for worship services – and for relaxing fellowship – in the local chapel at Takayama.
On our return to Kobe the other day, just like last year, I was again struck by the same sweet aroma. At first I thought someone in our neighbourhood was making candyfloss all the time! Later I discovered it came from the Katsura trees around our home. Now I also know that this is the first sign that summer is dwindling and autumn is approaching. … If you missed our previous video on Spring-Summer highlights, click here.
Last Saturday (Aug. 27), we enjoyed fellowship with a group of 15 visitors from Korea who supports our home congregation, RCJ Kita Kobe. The next day I started off preaching at two churches in Shikoku (Sakaide and Marugame). At the turn of the season, I would like to share with you (below) a few prayer requests and some of our planned activities for September.
We appreciate you support!
God’s Peace and Joy, in Christ Jesus.
Stéphan, Carina, Annlie, Cornelius, Lodewyk and Stephan (Jnr)
Pray with us
- Kobe Theological Reformed Seminary (KTRS)’s lecturers and students (who are now concluding their 2 months’ practical within congregations).
- RCJ Shikoku Presbytery and congregations where we had ministered for six and a half years; particularly for RCJ Tokushima Congregation, their new minister and his wife (Sumito and Akiko Furusawa), the Church Council, Happy Kids and English Fellowship ministries etc.
- Gys and Linda, Mission Japan’s English teachers at SEIWA Girls’ School in Kochi City, who had also been enjoying their leave and who are doing well. Gys led a successful outreach team from California at the school in July. Baby Johan (7 weeks old) is growing fast, with his sister Linie (3 yrs) right beside him.
- Carina and the children’s new term of home schooling is again in full swing.
- Stéphan’s preparations for the new term’s lectures (which is soon to start), as well as other ministry opportunities (read here below).
Stephan’s appointments (excluding KRTS lectures) in Sept:
- Sunday 11 Sept’s sermon and fellowship in RCJ Marugame.
- Monday 12 Sept’s meeting of the RCJ Shikoku’s Mission Cooperation Committee in Kochi City.
- Sunday 18 Sept’s sermon in RCJ Naka Congregation in the Chubu Presbytery (Nagoya area)
- Sunday evening 18 Sept and Monday 19 Sept: presenting a seminar on pastoral care with ministers and church members from the 26 congregations from Chubu Presbytery. More than 300 participants.
- From 27 to 30 September: attendance of 6th Japan Congress on Evangelism (JCE6) with all the KRTS students and lecturers. This is held only once every 7 years, with Dr Christoper Wright as one main speaker.
