*** *** *** *** *** 2003 February 20 Thursday - Praise & Pray from the Hills of Japan PRAISE Last year on October 27th our daughter Abigail (12 years old) was baptized and became a member of Midorino Chapel. Below is a translation of the testimony she prepared and presented at that time. I was born into a Christian home and have been going to church since that time. I have been hearing the stories of Jesus since I was very young. In October of 1994 while in the USA, when I was 4 years old I prayed together with my mother. I told Jesus, "I believe in you." Jesus is my Savior. Jesus has forgiven me for teasing others, telling lies, not obeying my parents, and for doing other bad things. Jesus is a wonderful God. He can do anything. When I was sick with a cold and wanted to be healed quickly, I prayed to Jesus and I was healed. I always pray whenever I have problems or when I am afraid. When there was a typhoon and the wind was very strong I was afraid. So, I prayed that the typhoon would be over. But then I thought again, and I prayed that God would take my fear away. And my fear went away, because I knew Jesus was with me. Last year while we were in the USA I went to a variety of churches. Because the messages were in English I was able to better understand and worship services became more interesting. I came to want to know even more about Jesus. Also, I came to want to get baptized. While doing the preparation study here in Japan for baptism, God's word from I John 1:9 stayed in my heart. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Now I want to tell other people about Jesus even more. ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS 1) Otake Family: I visited with Mr. Otake again on this past Monday. We continue to read the gospel of John together and I take his hands and pray for him. Please PRAY together with me for Mr. O's health and also that he will continue to consider God's Word and confess Christ Jesus as Savior. PRAY for Miss Tomoko Otake his Christian daughter studying & fellowshipping in Albuquerque. 2) Nozaki Family. We have been close friends with the Nozakis for many years. Many of you have been praying for them on a regular basis. Ryunosuke, their #2 son has been in the USA for several years now, both as a student and employee. All these years God has kept him near Christians. I received the following from Phil Waters (a CB Missionary doing Church Planting among the Japanese in Los Angeles): "Ryunosuke continues to question. He is at another crossroad looking for a job (his fourth in the past 3 years). He can't understand why this keeps happening to him. We smile and tell him that he is seeking and wants to know the Truth, and God is giving him all of these opportunities to turn to Him. The great news is that he is reading and studying the Bible again now with more seriousness." Please pray together with us and the Waters that Ryunosuke will release himself into the arms of Jesus and join his mother in God's Family. ** In the case of both Mr. Otake & Mr. Nozaki, I need some kind of special leading. Both need Jesus Christ's powerful and confrontive love in their lives just now, but I cannot see how to break through.!!!! 3) Travel plans. Postponed to August by request. Pray for "Karl" there. 4) Short Term Ministry Trip to Guatemala with Japanese/American team. 5) Young Couples Cell group: Mr. & Mrs. Yi, Mr. & Mrs. Osawa, Mr. & Mrs. Ban, and ourselves (young at heart). We have approached Yamaguchi's about joining the cell. It sounds like they will start with us this coming Sunday. Continue to pray for them. 6) Church Planting Strategy Development & Fine Tuning. UP COMING SCHEDULE: Thursday 20th: Office Time Friday 21st: Meet with Pastor Okita for Prayer and Planning. In house date with Cheryl. Saturday 22nd: Awanas (church kid's program) in the afternoon. Victory Prayer meeting in the evening. Sunday 23rd: AM: Worship & Translation at Midorino Chapel. PM: Young Couples group meeting at the Yi's home. Guatemala Summer Mission Team Meeting. Monday 24th: Spend some time with Mr. Otake in the morning. Family time. Tuesday 25th: Joint Leaders (CB Pastor's board & Missionaries Board) Meeting in northern Japan. Wednesday 26th: Office time. Cheryl & Abigail to prayer meeting. OFFICE FOCUS (Pray I get time...) 1) Sunday March 30th, I preach 2) We have begun orientation sessions for the Guatemala Short Term Ministry team. Pray for me as I plan and lead that. We still have 2 positions open of 5. Pray that God will lead His choice to us, or lead us in not choosing any others. 3) Plans for Pastor Okita and I to travel. Trip Postponed to August... 4) Preparation for summer team coming in July. My brother George Hill from First Baptist Church in Salida, CO will bring this team. Thank you for your prayers. Together With You For Christ & His Kingdom, Abigail, Jeffrey, Cheryl & Leon Email: