Family, Friends, and Partners in the Gospel,
Let’s hanami! Time to enjoy the cherry blossoms! |
The past few months have been filled with the beginnings of change, wonder and excitement, and we have some big news: we’re having a baby! Baby Lee is due this coming October. This blessing comes with many challenges, but we are encouraged to see God’s loving provision around every corner.
The decision of whether to return to the States or remain here in Tokyo for the baby’s birth is one of the big questions on our minds lately. While we’d love to be near family, we’re also amazed to find how at-home we feel here in Tokyo. As we’ve recently made the commitment for a longer term of service, it seems like a blessing of confirmation to feel such peace about even the possibility of having our child in Japan. We are grateful for the contentment and joy God has given us here.
Getting started with our hospital visits, it’s also been wonderful to see how God weaves things together—the lines between life and ministry begin to blur, in a good way! A huge aspect of His provision has come through Jo Beth’s Christian Japanese friend Leah, who has been so kindly willing to help us schedule appointments and translate for doctor’s visits. At the same time, they are still meeting together with our teammate Jill for weekly prayer and study in the book of Genesis. Discipleship could hardly get more life-on-life than this it seems!
Alongside these personal changes, a couple of other big events are coming up as well. We are looking forward to hosting a prayer team next week to come and intercede for us and the people of Tokyo. Following that, we are taking a two-month intensive Japanese course starting at the end of April. Right after that, our team is planning to host about eight young interns for a 7-week program this summer to join us in ministry and get a feel for full-time missions.
Phew! It’s quite a busy season. With all of these decisions, plans and transitions, we would be grateful for your prayers! However the Lord leads you to pray would be wonderful. Please also pray for listening hearts and faith to walk in obedience every day.
John & Jo Beth
…& Baby Lee
To many, it’s much more than picnics and parties… |
Meeting and encouraging a young couple from our church |
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Find past updates, additional photos and more information at Jo-John.com