2 OCT 2000 - PRAISE & PRAY from the HILLS of JAPAN A FEW(?) WORDS... About a Blessed Summer! JUNE... ...was a month mostly of preparation for July, which meant many planning meetings. Boring right? Well perhaps not exciting. Yet, in addition to the preparation and prayer, which in themselves are reason enough, these meetings mean spending time together. And it takes time together to build camaraderie and bonds of love. Cheryl and I give thanks daily for the union of love we have with our brothers and sisters in Christ here with Midorino Chapel. One big event was one of the best Annual Conferences ever with our fellow missionaries here. And I can tell you that we have had many excellent ones and nary a bad one. What a great missionary family we belong too. JULY... ...was perhaps the busiest month of our career in Japan. My color coding in my personal calendar resulted in a rainbow swirl. It included visits to Tokyo in relationship to Jeffrey's rehabilitation, an 11 day joint outreach ministry with a Short Term ministry team from Korea and Steve our summer Short Term Missionary. The later two overlapping ministries resulted in an amazing time of decisions for Christ and blessed fellowship of Christ's Kingdom across cultural boundaries. In the midst of those days, THE OUTSTANDING EVENT OF THE SUMMER, was Jeffrey's Baptismal service about which we have already communicated. AUGUST... ...was HOT, HOT, HOT,... we did get one P & P email off to you regarding young Mr. Yuichi Abe who stayed with us. After he returned home we did speak with his mother, and there seemed to be some disappointment with us. But a couple of weeks later we heard through Grandma (our English room landlord) that he had returned to his school's baseball team and the family credited that to his visit with us. August also had an English Camp for Jr. - Sr. High and up, a Day Camp for elementary school kids and younger, other short term home stays, visitors from the USA, visitors from Japan, several trips to the airport, a wedding, and of course all the regular stuff too. Yes it was busy, but God blessed each event and all the fellowship! Praise to His Almighty Name, Jesus Savior of all creation. ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SUMMER... ...was helping prepare and the sending of 6 young ladies to the USA for a variety of different kinds of experiences. Eriko Koizumi is studying full time in Salem, Oregon at Western Mennonite High School. A big thanks to the Bensons and Barkers for their personal and significant ministry to Eriko and her family. Kumiko Kobayashi is attending Weber St. University in Ogden, joining 3 others that we have sent there. The other 4 went in 2 pairs for short home stays with families of Washington Heights Bapt. Church of Ogden, UT. Each pair was a Christian with a "not yet a Christian" friend. THE OTHER HIGHTLIGHT OF THE SUMMER... ...was sitting in front of the fans with our kids towards the end of August watching some favorite "old time" videos. As we approach our upcoming Home Assignment we find ourselves pondering over the past 5 years. With gratitude in our hearts we give witness to the tremendous privilege that our Sovereign God - King has given us in partnering together with Rev. & Mrs. Okita and Midorino Chapel. We do have struggles and stresses. We do fall spiritually. We are living as forgiven sinners, citizens of Christ's Kingdom. But we declare this truth, God our Lord and Savior, does not fail, His incomparable love keeps us secure. We have passed through September. Life has calmed back down to our previous regular schedule. We would ask though for your special prayers as we make preparation for our up coming Home Assignment. Much to be done... much we could worry about... * PRAY that we trust God for all the details and all the unseen. * PRAY that we are faithful in the our preparation and responsibilities. Thank you for your ever faithful prayers. We praise God for you! Your Compatriots in Christ's Kingdom, The Hills: Abigail, Jeffrey, Cheryl & Leon