Jun 30th, 2009 by Peter |
Maryjane Moser Thomson
October 8, 1926 - June 27, 2009
My mom passed away Saturday. Her health has been failing over the past year, and last week I got a call from my brother that things were not looking good. We immediately bumped-up our Home Assignment travel plans to be with her. Before leaving Japan, my brother held up his cell phone to her ear and well all shouted out our love for her. On the way to California, just two hours from reaching her, mom was gone.
I went straight from the airport to her residence, where my brother was waiting. Though mom was already with Jesus, I was blessed to have a final moment with her and give a final kiss goodbye.
This is the last picture I have with my mom, taken in September of last year. I last saw her in January of this year.
While I wasn’t expecting to start this Home Assignment in this way, I am thankful for God’s timing and that he is in control. We now have time with my brother and his family, a special chance to celebrate my mother.
Thanks for your prayers for my family during this time.
Jun 24th, 2009 by Peter |
On June 21, we helped to sponsor a gospel concert in Sanda. About 200 came out for the concert. It was fantastic to see the response both to the music and to the message. The main musicians were all pros and the music was top notch.
Part of the program included a Community Choir, in which Wendi and the kids participated. They all did a great job.
After the concert, we held a party ot the local YMCA.
The following day, members from a Baptist church in Kentucky held an additional concert in Osaka for some physically challenged people. It was awesome!
Overall, we had a great weekend proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ to our city!
Jun 16th, 2009 by Peter |
Why are we living in Japan? After twenty years of work, why are we still here? The David Crowder Band sums it up in their offering “Glory of It All.”
At the start he was there
In the end he’ll be there
And after all our hands have wrought
He forgives
Oh the glory of it all is he came here
For the rescue of us all that we may live
for the glory of it all
All is lost, find him there
After night, dawn is there
After all falls apart he repairs
Oh the glory of it all is he came here
for the rescue of us all that we may live
for the glory of it all
Oh he is here for redemption from the fall
that we may live for the glory of it all
After night comes the light, dawn is here
It’s a new day everything will change
things will never be the same
we will never be the same
we will never be the same
We live in Japan that Japan may LIVE! The rescued have become rescuers. The beloved have become lovers. We that dwell in the light invade the darkness because we will never be the same.
How we love serving Jesus in Japan! We love this nation! We love this people!
Friends, while we are in the US this summer come and learn about what God is doing in Japan. Join in the celebration of God’s glory!
Jun 9th, 2009 by Peter |
On June 21, we will help host a Gospel Celebration in Sanda. It will be a great time of really, really good music. Pro singers, so it will be very cool. Pray for at least 200 to turn out.
Well, there are a few amateurs… us. We are putting together a small community choir to help raise interest in the concert. This picture was from our practice on Sunday.
I plan on singing quietly enough so as to not throw everyone off key! S- had a good time at the practice.
And the day before, we celebrated Little N’s fourth birthday. How fast they grow!
God is good all the time!
May 18th, 2009 by Peter |
This past Sunday, we had a “Bible Club” meeting at our home. We love these opportunities to invite friends over, spend time together, laugh a lot, and introduce people to Jesus.
This time we talked about how the Bible is God’s love letter to us. We passed out Manga Bibles to all the kids in attendance. As soon as they had them in their hands, we almost lost them; they just started reading away. It was so awesome!
Everyone took time to read through the Sermon on the Mount, parents reading together with their children. (The picture above is of our church planting partner Keishi reading with a neighbor boy.) Then in small groups we shared something that impressed us, or that we had a question about. Then, we shared our thoughts in the large group. We loved seeing Scripture through the eyes of our friends.
Thanks for praying for us. We love this ministry! We love these friends!
May 12th, 2009 by Peter |
We are excited to see the number of church planting networks increase across Japan. The chart below illustrates this growth and shows the number of active networks (colors) and participating churches (numerical value) each year.
The first network in 1996 was an experiment to see if what we were dreaming could be done in Japan. After the success of this network, in 2000 with the launch of the second network, we began to pursue expansion in new regions. Since 2002, we have continually expanded, with the total number of networks reaching sixteen, and the number of churches equipped in church planting totaling seventy-nine.
The growth of the networks has taken place because of the unique role they play in equipping churches to reproduce. We consistently see networks influence churches in the following areas.
- Transform the concept that “church planting is impossible” to “it is possible”. Networks help churches overcome negative feelings towards church planting.
- Networks remove the barrier of loneliness in the church planting process. Because it takes time, many churches will give up before planting a church, but networks help them to hang in there through equipping and mutual encouragement.
- By focusing on the Biblical principles of the New Testament church, networks transform concepts of ‘church.’
- Networks encourage the use of all believers (lay leaders), not just professional clergy.
It is awesome to see God at work!
May 5th, 2009 by Peter |
From one generation to the next, passing the baton…
Yes, an electronic kit makes it easier on the parents and neighbors (a must here in Japan) until he goes acoustic. Dang, the cymbals have three programmable strike spots. Sweet!
No apologies here, dad is getting in on the action, too. Ahh, jamming to Zep and the Clash!
Apr 29th, 2009 by Peter |
Starbucks opened a very cool store in Kobe a few months ago. It is in a 100-year old house in a section of Kobe that used to house embassies. Some might not want a multinational corporation to be in such a building, but it is better than it sitting there empty and rotting. Today was a national holiday in Japan, so we took in some of the old buildings, and got a little caffeine.
The building is great, and both floors are open to use, full of typical Starbucks cushy chairs and lots of space.
The girls liked the fireplace. And chai tea latte.
Some cocoa for T-.
Dark mocha frappachino for K-.
It was a fun family day, and included getting together wih the A2 family in the Osaka/Kobe area for a BBQ, hosted by one of the A2 Board members. First BBQ of the season, and it was awesome!
Hope you had a great day, too.
Apr 27th, 2009 by Peter |
Today I read the poem “Sabbath in Late Fall” by Ruth Haley Barton. Over the past six months, I’ve been praying much about, and reflecting on, our future. Seeking God for direction, clarification and discernment. It’s been good, but not always easy, especially when the possibility of change enters the picture. Ruth Barton does a great job of capturing that which I feel. I hope you enjoy it.
Sabbath in Late Fall
For everything there is a season…
Sometimes on the Sabbath
all you can do is
settle into the soft body of yourself
and listen to what it says.
Listen to
the exhaustion that is deeper than tiredness
the hunger that is for more than food
the thirst that is for more than drink
the longing for comfort that is more than physical.
On the Sabbath
body and soul reach out for time of a different sort
time this is full of space rather than activity:
time to watch the burning bush in your own backyard…
the movement of the wind among bare branches…
the last leaf clinging to the branch before its final letting go.
Letting go is hard,
letting go of that which no longer works
that which no longer brings joy and meaning
that which is no longer full of life.
It seems cruel
That something that used to be so beautiful
should fall to the ground
sinking into the earthly mud along with everything else that is dying,
no longer recognizable for what it used to be.
It seems cruel but it is the way of things.
One generation gives its life for the next
One season slips away so another can come.
One crop of fruit falls from trees so that more can be borne.
One wave recedes while another gathers strength to crash upon the shore.
It seems cruel
but it is the rhythm of things.
And rhythm has its own beauty.
Are we expecting massive change in our lives? Not that I can tell. But as “one season slips away so another can come” we anticipate God taking us forward in ministry. That’s a good thing. But, at the same time, letting go is hard. So I seek Sabbath rest in Jesus, that my heart may be refreshed.
Apr 18th, 2009 by Peter |
Last week the “sakura” (cherry trees) bloomed in Sanda, and we took time to hang out with friends, the O family.
It was a kind of “Japalian” day. First we went to “Dono”, an Italian restaurant in the middle of nowhere, that makes woodfired pizzas. Yum! Then we went to a dairy that made it’s own gelato. Another yum!
The sakura were blooming everywhere we went. We took this picture of all the kids at the pizza restaurant. Behind me, is the restauant, but right next to it is a traditional Japanese farm house with beautiful trees.
It was a great day of being with friends.