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Jim & Amy, Philip, Emily, and Daniel
Thank you for visiting our website! We have now been at Wakaba Bible Baptist Church for almost three years! Thank you to all of you who faithfully pray for us and/or support us. May God bless you for your faithfulness to Him! Please, read our latest newsletter below. We are planning a furlough this year. Unfortunately, we will not be able to visit everyone this time around. However, if we miss you this time, we will be sure to visit during our next furlough. Thank you for your understanding.
The Chopstick Charter January 5th, 2012
Dear Pastors, Friends, and Family,
In Saitama, Japan, we are beginning to feel the chill of winter even though this winter has been uncharacteristically warmer than usual. Nonetheless, the warmth of the Christmas Season has been felt at Wakaba Bible Baptist Church. We praise God for His increase!
Christmas Blessings
The Christmas outreach efforts of Wakaba BBC resulted in a season of unprecedented attendance. At the Children`s Christmas Party on December 17th, there were thirty-seven children and five parents. At Wakaba`s Candlelight Service on December 24th, thirty-six people in all attended including eight visitors. At Wakaba`s Christmas Family Worship Service on Sunday morning, December 25th, thirty-eight people were in attendance. That afternoon, twenty-six people attended the church’s year-end fellowship. We played games, ate a gingerbread house, and shared testimonies of God's blessings throughout 2011. It was wonderful to hear the testimonies of three young ladies, Mia (11 years old), Ayaka (9 years old), and our own daughter Emily (9 years old). We praise the Lord for the wonderful results and thank each of you for your faithfulness in praying for us. As Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 3:8, “… God gives the increase.” He certainly did!
Praises/Prayer Requests
•Praise God for sending His Son Jesus Christ!
•Praise the Lord for Christmas attendance blessings.
•Praise the Lord for Mrs. Yamakawa’s growth. She met with me recently and indicated that she wants to continue attending services. She has not yet said that she is a believer in Christ, but this was a positive, spiritual step.
•Praise God for the good health of Joshua and Kurea, Wakaba’s two newborns, and their mothers. Please, continue to pray for Mrs. Kubota (Kurea’s mother); she is still receiving treatment for delivery-related issues.
•Praise the Lord for your generous Christmas gifts. It truly helped make our Christmas special. Also, thank you for your sacrificial giving toward our new used vehicle purchase. We have received all but $800.00 for this important purchase. We are praying for God’s direction.
•Pray for the continued spiritual work among the Tohoku disaster victims.
•Pray for the salvation of many visitors.
•Pray for our first anniversary as an independent, Baptist church on February 12th. Former Wakaba interim pastor Rev. Yuu Tokoro will preach.
•Pray for our furlough plans. I will head back to the States solo on February 15th; Amy and the kids will join me in June. Pastor Nakahata will lead Wakaba’s activities during furlough.
•Thank you for remembering Philip, Emily, and Daniel in your prayers. During their
recent karate tournament, all three did well. During their recent karate test, Emily advanced to yellow belt. Also, two karate club friends attended the children’s Christmas party.
Thank you for your prayers, your support and your love for the Lord!
Yours in Christ,
Jim & Amy Smith
Mr. & Mrs. Nakahata and Jim(upper right)
at Shiogama BBC in Tohoku
Note: We have been informed of an internet scam whereby requests to pastors/individuals for financial assistance are being made in the name of foreign missionaries via email. Please contact either your missionary or the BBFI directly if you receive such solicitations.
Personal Contact Info:
Jim & Amy Smith
1-17-5 Chiyoda
Sakado-shi, Saitama-ken
350-0214 Japan
E-mail: gateway2japan@hotmail.com
Sending Church: Calvary Baptist Church, Fruitland Park, FL 34731
Rev. Robert Mullis
