2017 – September Update

Dear Beloved in Christ and Partner in the Gospel,

Finally the heat of Tokyo summer begins to ebb, and we are thankful for cooler days.  Our summer schedule seemed to intensify with the sweltering summer heat, yet we are now experiencing the relief of a break between language school terms.  We’ve learned many new words, grammar points, and Chinese characters, yet still we have long way to go!  We’re hoping that a short break will refresh our minds and help us prepare for another term.  After that, we both plan to study for about another six months while gradually transitioning to full time ministry. 

Our team has seen some exciting breakthroughs in ministry this month, where the hand of God is clearly softening hearts and opening doors for the Gospel.  We’re excited to share some answers to prayer below in “Recent Events & Prayer.”

Every month when we look at God’s incredible provision through prayer and giving, we are taken aback at your faithfulness and generosity as our partners in ministry.  Being deeply grateful for the sacrificial gifts we receive, we have also been falling short of our monthly financial needs.  Although we returned to Japan in 2016 fully supported, the average amount received has been about $1200 below our ongoing monthly need.  Among several reasons, the cost of moving in and rent were higher than anticipated and some giving has dropped off—these factors have eaten away at our budget for language school.

Our immediate needs are met right now, and we thank God for our daily bread.  We trust that He will provide one way or another.  If God allows our deficit to continue through the end of this year, He may be calling us to an early home-assignment in the States to grow our support base.  Looking at our stage in ministry, we would like to continue in Tokyo at least through the end of 2018 before taking our next home-assignment and so, we’re appealing to you. 

Would you also prayerfully consider joining us as financial partners or increasing your monthly support level?  We welcome one-time gifts as well, which especially help us pay for tuition in this language learning season.  Thank you for lifting us up and caring for us in so many ways!  We truly wouldn’t be serving here in Tokyo without you.

Thank you for walking together and holding us up in ministry.  We are so thankful for you!

-John, Jo Beth & Brooke Lee

• Please continue to pray for our neighbor and café-owner, ‘David’.  John has been taking guitar lessons from David to develop a skill and spend more time together.  John very clearly shared the Gospel of Christ with David and was a little nervous that David might become shy or reluctant to share a deep relationship after that…but praise God for the opposite result!  David continues to welcome us to his café and share deeply in conversations with John.  He has also clearly welcomed our team to use his café for possible future ministry activities!
  

• Jo Beth has finished at ISI Language School!  Thank you for praying for her studies and for our relationships with her classmates.  We hosted a farewell dinner for many of the students in our home, which was a sweet time of goodbyes and also bonding.  A few of the students clearly want to stay in touch and continue getting together.  Praise God for these furthered opportunities to be salt and light to the nations! 

• Please also continue to pray for our team, next steps in church planting and unity in Christ. God has brought several young believers into our team’s lives who are seeking fellowship and discipleship.  Up to this point, our Missional Life Group gatherings have been mainly for our team’s exploration and training, but recently we have branched out and started welcoming young Christians in our neighborhood. It is a joy to see our small community beginning to take on a dynamic new life as we gather with others around the Lord!  Lately, our team’s Missional Life Group has grown consistently larger and it seems we are outgrowing our current format and space.  We are working through how to best split and multiply groups to meet in multiple homes or even karaoke rooms.  Please pray for us to seek God’s will together, and pray for spiritual protection over our team.