Mustard Seed Network Retreat

I pray this finds you and your family well.

Thank you all for your prayers for our Mustard Seed Network Retreat! Those three days were filled with time in God’s Word, praying, fellowshipping, laughing, and vision casting. Over 100 adults and 50 children were able to attend this year. We are praising God for many new Network teammates and families! As you may have seen in a previous newsletter 3 new churches are preparing to be planted in 2025 in Saitama, Sapporo, and Fukuoka! We are rejoicing that there will be more Gospel-centered churches to share the Gospel with the 99% who have yet to hear the Good News of Jesus. Please join me in continuing to pray for these new church plants, the existing MSN churches in Nagoya, Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Tokyo, Sendai, Hiroshima, and Yokohama, and for God’s work to continue among the people of Japan.

“And you will say in that day: “Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth.”

Isaiah 12:4-5

Thank you all so much for your prayers! By God’s grace, I passed the driving test in the first round and now have a Japanese driving license!!!

In October, our “play date” group met at Tsuramai Park to play together. Unfortunately, I was sick and could not attend; however, my dear friend S, her husband, and two kids joined the playgroup for the first time. I praise God that they connected with more Christians at the play date. The November “play date” meet-up will be on the 2nd. We are praying for more families to join and for the opportunity to share the invitation flyers for the Family Christmas Party that we will have at church on December 7th. Please join me in praying that families will continue to connect to believers through the “play date” group and for many to come to the Christmas Party in December.

I joined Anna Joy’s (Livengood’s youngest daughter) Undokai (sports day) at her Yochien (preschool). It was such a fun time to connect with many families who are not Christian and support the Livengoods as they continue to build relationships with the families at the Yochien. One of the games was パン走る which means “bread run.” Everyone lined up on one side of the gym, and on the opposite side was a string with different types of bread hanging down. As the name sounds you run to grab the bread you want. It was fun to watch the kids and adults run for the bread.

This coming month, November 13th-15th will be the bi-annual CPI Renown conference. Christians, missionaries, and church planters from all over Japan gather for this conference to worship, fellowship, attend training, and grow in God’s love together. Our church staff will be attending this year. Please join us in praying for all attending, specifically for safe travels, health, and a rejuvenating time with other believers and the Lord.

On December 7th, our church will host an outreach event: Family Christmas Party. Please join me in praying that many non-Christians will come and hear the Good News of Jesus.

On December 14th, our church will host a Ladies’ Cookie Exchange event, and that evening we will host a NagoYAn (young adult) Christmas party. Please join me in praying for these events to be honoring and glorifying to the Lord and that people will connect and be encouraged in God’s love.

On Sunday December 22nd, our church will celebrate our 15th anniversary and Christmas! Please join us in praying that the worship service and celebration time will be filled with God’s goodness and praise.