10 MARCH 2000 - PRAISE & PRAY from the HILLS of JAPAN

REGARDING JEFFREY'S EVALUATION...
Well here it is almost a month since we've chatted. We had an
extremely encouraging time during Jeffrey's evaluation. The period
evaluated itself was quite rugged and we went with some concerns
about how we would be received. But actually the evaluation indicated
that we came through those "deep waters" and we were commended
for it.

A reminder to us that just because it does not "feel" like a good time
in our life, frequently it is that very kind of time that God is most at
work in us.

There is much that could be said about the evaluation results. I will
have Cheryl and Jeffrey write one of these in the next month and give
you that report. For now I will tell you that he had two of his writings
read to the lecture audience and had a painting he "facilitated" with
his mother displayed. We will pass the writings on to you soon too.

REGARDING ANSWERED PRAYER!
Thank you all so much for your faithful prayers for Ryunosuke Nozaki.
He has begun his new job with Bridgestone - Firestone in South
Carolina. First reaction was that it is sooooo far from those who have
had so much spiritual influence on him. But God is sovereign. He is
about 50 minutes from former CBI missionaries, Frank & Betty Noell.
Frank and Betty host a weekly Bible study for Japanese college
students at their home. We are praying that Ryunosuke will attend that
meeting. They will also be available to assist Ryunosuke to find a
church family to fellowship with in the city where he lives.

Many of you sent us ideas and contacts. I passed all those on to
Ryunosuke and he was extremely appreciative of them. He was
impressed how God's people mobilized to assist him.

Please pray for Ryunosuke to make a public confession of faith. Pray
also that he will avail himself to the friendship of Frank & Betty Noell.

This coming week:
FRIDAY - 10th:
Going full steam ahead, trying to catch up with all the back up after
going to Tokyo so much for Jeffrey's evaluation. Correspondence,
taxes, etc., etc., etc.... Sermon preparation too.

In house date with Cheryl. BTW "in house" this time is her choice as
we have some Herriot videos that she wants to watch and I'm a fan
too, so will snuggle down to a cozy time together, eating "bangers and
mash" watching the video.

SATURDAY - 11th:
Sermon preparation.

Meet with Yoshiya Okita and Nao Nomura. This is a high accountability
discipleship time with these two Junior High boys. Awana Club in the
afternoon. Victory Prayer Meeting in the evening.

SUNDAY 12th:
Worship together at Midorino Chapel. I preach there on "Go Forth
>From Your Country" Genesis 12:1.

MONDAY - 13th:
Office day in a big way... probably some grocery shopping too. Must
finish taxes... due the 15th this month in this country.

TUESDAY - 14th:
Free Conversation English classes in AM. To Ikedas to help with
Takashi's rehab program in the afternoon. Children's & Jr. High English
in the evening.

WEDNESDAY - 15th:
Take Eriko Koizumi and her mother (Fumie) to Narita Airport. They will
travel to Salem, OR. They will be hosted by our good friends, Glenn
and Nancy Barker. Their purpose for travel is to visit Western
Mennonite High School, where Eriko has been accepted for the school
year beginning Fall 2000. Please PRAY for every aspect of this trip.

THURSDAY - 16th:
I will meet with a young couple who have requested to have a wedding
ceremony at Midorino Chapel. This will be the first of 3 sessions. Pray
for their Salvation. Their names are Masao & Hiromi.

High school and Adult English in the evening.

UPDATE ITEMS: (refreshed on 10 MAR 00)
* ERIKO KOIZUMI *
Eriko meets with Pastor Okita weekly for discipleship. Pray for her
continued spiritual growth. Praise as her father has returned to work
after his cancer surgery. Praise also for God working out the details of
high school for Eriko.

* ERIKA MORIGUCHI *
She has become more comfortable in the regular classes at Weber
State Univ. Pray that she will give witness of her faith. And also, that
she will soon be baptized. Pray for her mother's salvation who is here
in Japan. Pray for us as we miss her "extremely".

* NOBUE KONNO *
Nobue is ministering together with Washington Heights Baptist Church
and MTA missionaries Robert & Karen Nakaoka. Pray for her as she
leads the weekly prayer and study time with Erika and Sanae.

* SANAE HOYA *
In Ogden with Nobue and Erika, studying at Weber St. Univ. Pray that
she will have the courage to make a public confession of faith in Jesus.

* AKI TAIDO *
She has returned. Pray we will have opportunity to witness to her
here. A tentative get together this month. Pray she will attend church
with us.

* NOZAKI FAMILY *
Pray for fellowship with this family and their salvation.

* RYUNOSUKE NOZAKI *
Pray that Ryunosuke will choose Jesus Christ as his special friend.
Pray for him in his new life in Aiken, South Carolina.

* CHERYL (the Mama) HILL *
Unless otherwise indicated, Cheryl is always the one running Jeffrey's
program and there is ALWAYS A SPECIAL PRAYER NEED for her.

A FINAL PERSONAL NOTE...
For those interested, we did sandwich some fun family times into the
busy-ness of going to Tokyo in February. We got some discount rates
in some rather nice places and had some wonderful family times.
Praising God for that too!

Thank you for your ever faithful prayers. We praise God for you!

Your Compatriots in Christ's Kingdom,

The Hills: Abigail, Jeffrey, Cheryl & Leon