29 JAN 2001- PRAISE & PRAY from the HILLS of JAPAN I know that we have just recently sent but we have two issues that need focused and intense prayer. #1 - Tomoko Otake's visa: Just to update you on the details. We will be going as a family on February 1st to the USA Embassy for our 3rd attempt. The interview is scheduled for 8:30AM. That would be about 5:30PM Wednesday Central Standard Time USA. See the "26 JAN 2001 - PRAISE & PRAY..." for more details. #2 - Takashi Nakaminami in the USA. I mentioned Takashi in the past couple of months. He is now in Ogden, UT with our friends at Washington Heights Baptist. Church who have ministered so faithfully and lovingly to many of my Japanese university age friends. Takashi and I had a communication breakdown regarding the funds needed. (The buck stops here. I miscalculated and gave him inadequate information.) Adjustments have been made, yet Takashi has been and continues to be disappointed (and perhaps a bit angry) that things have not worked the way he expected. As I communicated before, Takashi is not a Christian. He does not have the resource of faith to take him through such trials. His mother and brother are believers and have had great hopes for this trip as Takashi encountered the Christians there. Takashi leaves the USA on February 24th. This is war! This is the spiritual battle! Jesus Christ is the victor! PRAY that the Holy Spirit will grip Takashi's heart and cause him to experience God's love in a way unexpected and amazing. PRAY that Takashi will know that Jesus is never victimized by circumstances. PRAY that God will turn this around into an experience of joy, love and salvation for Takashi. Men make mistakes and apologize for them. God is always the magnificent Lord of All and never surprised, nor out of control. Perhaps the special prayer warriors can give special ministry to these requests this next few weeks. Thank you for your ever faithful prayers. We praise God for you! Your Compatriots in Christ's Kingdom, The Hills: Abigail, Jeffrey, Cheryl & Leon