June Newsletter

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Here is what has been happening in June:

Praise Report:
*It was a blessing to be able to share from Isaiah about Hezikiah to college students from Korea at a gathering in Tokuyama. It was quite a detailed study, but I trust the Lord lead us the entire time.
*I received good marks on my recent M.A. paper, praise the Lord!

Our Monday night English/Bible study at Hiroshima International University has seen regular attendance from Junko, Su-jong, and Kaori. We also have about five or so other students who come fairly regularly. On the last Monday of each month we have a Bible study. It is always probing and students are usually very open and honest. This past Monday at our Bible study, one of the ladies was asked about her thoughts on "eternal life". Her response was interesting and sad...she said she could not imagine the idea of eternal life since she was a Buddhist. This is a pretty good example of how challenging it can be just to talk about Biblical concepts in Japan. Thankfully, we trust that God is at work and we are just instruments.

On Tuesday nights we have just begun a Prayer and Worship meeting at Daichi church. It is a time for musical worship, prayer, scripture reading, and the manifestation of the gifts of the spirit. Particularly with the gifts of the Sprirt, it is defintely someting that I believe the Lord is encouraging us to take part in during this time, especially because the common practices of the Japanese church is to focus on other things than the edification of the body through the gifts of the Spirit. Paul tells us, "I would not have you be igonorant of (the gifts of the Spirirt)"(1Cor.12:1) The point is we as a group on Tuesday nights have been very blessed as we gather in Jesus name seeking to pray for the city of Hiroshima and to edify the body of Christ according to the God's Word.

The Thrusday night English class at Daichi church seems to have weened this past month. Attendance has been low overall. Perhaps it is because summer break is near which means we will be wrapping it up as of July 9th until September. Nevertheless, we have been able to continue preaching the Gospel to the non-believers who attend. As for the future of this class, may God's will be done.

Concert preparations have continued and we are excited to be venturing out this August to be playing instrumental music in some rather secular venues such as a bar, two cafes, and at Daichi church. Our purpose for this group is two fold. First, Two of the five members of this group are non-believers and we intend on bearing witness to them while rehearsing at the church and playing together in various locations...Second, we will be sharing the Gospel. Basically, we will tell the story of our group history right before taking our break.

Here is what I will be saying (Interpreted into English):

"We began as a "Jam Session" at Mitaki Green Chapel. Most of us are Christians. We believe "That God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son and whosoever will believe in Him will not perish but have ever lasting life." (John 3:16) If you would like to know more we'd love to talk with you or you can simply take some literature available over here. Thank you for coming. We will be back in twenty minutes or so. Stick around."

We pray this time will be fruitful endeavor.

Lastly, contray to my prior newsletter which stated I would be going to Cambodia; I have changed my plans and will be returning to the States to visit my dear brother in Christ Micah Stout who is battling cancer in Atlanta, Georgia. Please pray for complete healing of his body.

Thanks for reading. Please pray as the Spirit leads. May the Lord continue to lead and guide us each and every step.

In Jesus,
Tyler