LONGING FOR EASTER One mother told us they were not planning to join our Easter event but her child insisted so hard that she changed her mind. Only 5 kids were expected at that event but after inviting their friends, 11 kids showed up! Deep down, every child longs to experience and hear about the love God has for them. The Japan Mission team puts on many events throughout Kansai with small groups of students and friends during Easter. They put a lot of work into making it something people genuinely want to come to so they can hear Jesus’s message of love for them. “Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”” Matthew 19:14 Thank you for your prayers during this Easter season!

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VIDEO UPDATE

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RETURNEES Japanese often find faith in Christ and thrive while living overseas. But many challenges await them as they return to Japan and face societal opposition, and struggle to find a good Christian community. Sometimes we receive requests from overseas to help bridge the gap, and connect these Japanese returnees with a spiritual home back in Japan. Pray with us for these Japanese returnees who have tasted and seen that the Lord is good! That they might find solid community in Japan and continue to grow and shine their light where they are planted.

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FRESH BEGINNINGS In Japan, April is the beginning of everything! It means back to school for kids, the start of a new year for companies, and the beginning of so many other things in the daily lives of the Japanese. As the aroma of cherry blossoms fill the air you can sense the new season arriving for 2025. Pray with us as we also share the fresh beginnings we enjoy in our daily walk with the Lord during this Easter season.

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TIME CAPSULE 6years ago, 7 kindergartners graduated CAYA Kinder and wrote letters to their future selves and their parents as they took their next steps into elementary school. Last week we gathered all these kids who are now going into junior high to dig up the time capsule, reconnect, and share about their next steps as they begin junior high. It was truly a moving time reconnecting with the kids and their families… Please pray with us as these children grow into young adults, and the bonds formed with their families grow deeper. May the Lord truly bless each one. (Picture taken 2019)

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CAYA KINDER OUTREACH: Last week we had our CAYA (Come As You Are) Kinder graduation celebration! We had a total of 10 graduates this year! Please continue to pray with us that CAYA Kinder will be a place where kids and their parents can encounter the love of God, and find Jesus as they develop a deeper relationship with the Japan Mission team and members of the local church. See more: https://japanmission.org/ministries/english-outreach/kinder/

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CAFE MINISTRY: We re-opened CAYA Cafe for the Spring season two weeks ago We pray that it would be a place where people can truly "Come As They Are" and feel the presence of the Lord. Pray with us! See how it all started here:

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HINAMATSURI Today, families with girls across Japan wish their daughters a successful and happy life as they celebrate hinamatsuri (Doll festival). Pray with us for the local church who are reaching out to and care for the young children that will make up the next generation. https://blog.gaijinpot.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-hinamatsuri/

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Please welcome Nathan Johnson! He just arrived February 25th. New beginnings are exciting, but can also bring anxiety and require special strength and wisdom. Pray with us for him as he begins this journey with us to bring the Good News to the Japanese people. More about his story here: https://japanmission.org/staff/nathan-johnson/

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RECORD STUDENT SUICIDES 2024 (Article below) In Japan, there are too many children who are isolated, unaware of their purpose, believing lies about personal value, and left with no one to speak into their lives. As Christians, this is our turf, and we take it very seriously. We spend a lot of time building genuine relationships with those in the early years of parenting and childhood. We want to make sure that they have a place to reach out to during desperate times. We are working to connect deeply with these young parents and children in our community and share the grace and love of God that transforms us. Pray for Japan and pray with us as we seek to go deeper and wider in these ministries! https://ground.news/article/japan-sees-record-number-of-suicides-among-students-in-2024?utm_source=headline-link&utm_medium=share

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HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! In Japan, being able to "read the air" (kuuki wo yomu) is not just important; it is a fundamental concept in Japanese culture, inextricably linked to social behavior and etiquette. In Japan, Valentine's Day is a day where women are expected to give chocolate to the men in their lives. This means anyone from their husbands and uncles to co-workers and bosses. As any person's relationships with others are not always equal, Japan has three "levels" of chocolates that are given out based on the giver's closeness to the receiver: "giri-choco" (obligatory chocolates) "honmei-choco" (heartfelt chocolates) "tomo-choco" (friend chocolates) Here, even Valentine's Day can become a stressful event for women, who must navigate the social waters of their relationships to figure out what kind of chocolate she must give out. You can learn more about Valentine's Day in this helpful article: https://notesofnomads.com/valentines-day-japan/

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VISION TRIP
We have been blessed to have Cameron and Gretchen Wright visit us with baby Sayler on a vision trip the last couple weeks. They have felt the call of the Lord for Japan and we are excited to partner with them here as the Lord clearly guides and opens up the way for them to join us on the mission field. Read here for more about their calling and how to further pray and support them as they begin their journey to the other side of the globe! www.thenationswillknow.com

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THE BIBLE IS OUR MAP: Giving us direction, and navigation on our journey. When lost, we check it and re-set our course. “Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” Joshua 1:8

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ECHO FROM THE PAST So much has changed at Japan Mission over the years, but in ministry planning, Neil Verwey’s words echo loudly even today as we move wherever the Lord leads us. May we be attentive enough to be truly guided by the spirit of the lord! John 21:5-6 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. (Special thanks to Bellair International Video, helping JM back in the day, God bless you :)

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Coming-of-Age Day (成人の日）is celebrated each year on the second Monday of January. Those turning 20 before March 31st this year, will officially become adults in Japanese society. This day is celebrated to reflect both the expanded rights, but also increased responsibilities expected of new adults. Please help us pray for these young people that they may discover hope and purpose found in a vibrant and dynamic relationship with God. Also, pray for our local churches that they may communicate the Good News in a language that this generation will understand.

VISION Japan Mission does not plant churches directly, but partners with existing churches and church-plants across Japan. We support churches that are evangelistic and grounded in the Bible by providing literature, resources, and evangelistic programs which help churches reach their communities for Christ. May the Lord equip us to faithfully support again in 2025! http://japanmission.org/about-us/

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SHORT TERM OUTREACH We began to lose count of the number of groups that visited JM from January 2024, so we put together a map. This week we count 29 pins and have 4 guests coming for Christmas! So thankful for all who visited this year, and pray that the Lord would continue to bless and walk closely with you in 2025. ----------------------------------- If you are looking to visit short term we welcome you! Helping churches reach their communities for Christ is a core purpose of Japan Mission. Volunteers with professional skills can help us make a great difference and bring spiritual blessing and encouragement to all involved. See more here: http://japanmission.org/outreach/short-term-outreach/

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True that! Christmas would just be when we celebrate Thanks for the comment🙌🏻 Good to see real people on Nostr, and hope decentralized social media catches on

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FREE BIBLES: JM provides a free Bible for anyone who requests one within Japan. It’s often the case that someone requests one on another’s behalf. Pray with us as these Bibles go out into the lives of people throughout Japan. Isaiah 55:7 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

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ENGLISH OUTREACH Through opening and maintaining English outreach programs in about 15 different churches, over 200 Japanese are connected to their local church every week. The Bible is taught after each class, and relationships are deepened on a weekly basis. PRAY WITH US! For more information, check out: https://japanmission.org/mini.../english-outreach/joy-clubs/

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NEED IN JAPAN japanmission.org/about-us/need-in-japan/ (See link for full infographic made by OMF)

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SHORT TERM OUTREACH We welcome short-term volunteers! Helping churches reach their communities for Christ is a core purpose of Japan Mission. Volunteers with professional skills can help us make a great difference. Short-term missions can be an encouragement and bring spiritual blessing to all involved. Please contact us if you’re interested in serving through short-term missions at: recruitment@japanmission.org http://japanmission.org/outreach/short-term-outreach/

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ALOHA BLESSINGS: Our community was truly blessed to have 3 longtime supporters from Hawaii these last two weeks. They joined us for our English outreach classes, childcare ministries and even café! We pray for the many seeds planted as the kindness they showed to everyone carried with it the aroma of Christ.

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CAYA CAFE: Tomorrow we have cafe again! We pray that it would be a place where people can truly "Come as they are" and feel the presence of the Lord. Pray with us! See how it all started here:

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CAMP: Thank you for praying with us for the outreach camp on October 13th & 14th! Over 140 people involved this year, PTL! English, Fun, Friends and a Gospel message. Many were blessed!

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CAMP: Pray with us for October 13th & 14th Over 140 people involved this year, PTL! English, Fun, Friends and a Gospel message. Pray with us that campers will encounter the lord here. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good - Ps. 34:8

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CAYA KINDER OUTREACH: Tomorrow it will be a month in the childcare ministry since the Summer break. We pray CAYA Kinder will be a place where kids and their parents can encounter the love of God, and find Jesus as they develop a deeper relationship with the Japan Mission team and members of the local church. See more: https://japanmission.org/ministries/english-outreach/kinder/

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LITERATURE: A team of writers, and support staff work hard every month to prepare over 20,000 copies of the Fountain of Joy leaflet (よろこびの泉) to be distributed into the communities of about 350 different churches throughout Japan. People are moved as they read stories about other Japanese who are transformed by the life-changing power of the Gospel. The leaflets are designed so that churches can stamp them with their local contact information. When they are distributed throughout their communities readers know where to go to connect with a community of believers. This makes it possible to connect thousands of people to local churches. Pray with us as the team works to provide this for churches every month! https://japanmission.org/mini.../bibles-literature-ministry/

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UPDATE Sept 2024

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SEPTEMBER START: We are full steam ahead again with various ministries. It has been about a week since churches have re-started their English outreach programs after a Summer break. Pray with us for the Japanese church leaders and missionaries as we give ourselves to love and care for each one the Lord brings to these churches. May they truly encounter the Lord, as the gospel is preached and our hands and feet are used to touch their lives. https://japanmission.org/ministries/english-outreach/joy-clubs/

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WE'RE BACK! We are gearing up again for this next term. Thank you for praying for quality time back home for staff and travel safety. Everyone has returned safely from their home countries. We will keep you posted as ministries are re-started!

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