Dear Friends, Family, and Supporters in prayer and giving,
Our rainy season is over (what there was of it—we had to go to Hokkaido to find it) and now it is very hot and humid of a sudden—one of those muggy summers when you want to enjoy the out-of-doors but prefer the coolness of indoors. Our temperatures now are over 100 degrees and the humidity equal to it. We have one working air conditioner in this ole’missionary home, so we channel the coolness with barriers and fans to our offices and to the bedroom at night.
We are delighted to send you news as to how God is working in our lives and ministries in His timing. We just celebrated the day 32 years ago (July 18, 1985) when we arrived in Japan as a family. The more we serve the Lord, the more we realize that any significant growth—in lives or in ministries—comes only by God’s leading and grace. Most missionaries, if not all, when first reaching their field of service, have prepared and think they have insights and answers that probably no one else has thought through. However, the longer we serve Him, the more we realize it is God who brings the insights and answers and only He who can change lives—we are at the behest of the Holy Spirit, always.
The chorus of a Gaither song comes to mind that expresses this clearly:
The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows.
The more that I love Him, more love He bestows.
Each day is like heaven, my heart overflows.
The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows.
In this eUpdate we relate the news that Kansai Christian School, as of July 25, 2017, will become a recognized entity with the Japanese government. Since arriving we have always been board members: myself serving as chairman at times, and Rickie being an ex-officio member as KCS’Executive assistant. Reaching official status with the government has always been a desire. Now over these last years we have worked diligently to achieve what we had long considered impossible. Our God of the impossible, however, works in very interesting ways. In 2006 one of the KCS parents was repairing a wall in the old rented building. When he removed the paneling, he discovered scores of termites behind the paneling—and he quickly put it back! That led to our eventual move to our present property and in January 2016, through gifts and loans, the property was paid off. Actually the President of the Bible college who had been hosting us on their campus, at the opening dedication of our own campus, referred to our 40 years on their campus as our time in the wilderness J !! NEXT!! Is ACSI accreditation—as impossible as the first given until now J! God uses little things, even termites, to guide His people into His future for them!
We also announce the news of the 20th anniversary celebration of the Centurions Ministry in Mongolia with whom we have worked since 1999. We are called the “Grandpa and Grandma” of the Centurions Ministry. This ministry has grown from very small beginnings to one of the largest ministries to military in the world and an example for others. The name of Jesus had been totally forgotten in the Land of Chinggis Khaan! Today the Church is ALIVE and well in Mongolia! God uses ordinary people with extraordinary faith and commitment working together to honor His name!
The Holy Spirit is often responsible for putting ideas in people’s heads and hearts. If His people follow His leading, He can change lives. When we arrived to this house we saw the potential use of what had become a dungeon of a basement—now a whole second living area, including an apartment for guests. In 2000, we began realizing the vision the Lord gave us in using our large basement for ministry, which resulted in our monthly International Nights. (Initially, the basement served as a full facility for our now next door congregation–when Sunday Schools were popular). Hundreds of people through the years now have come to our parties—some coming only once but many returning again and again and some regularly. Some of our monthly guests have come nearly every time since the beginning. Lives have been changed; people have become followers of Him and others have grown in faith and commitment. We once had nine countries represented and it is a rare evening when everybody is a believer—it IS an outreach and discipling ministry and a model others have followed! God can give us the ideas but we must act on those ideas in faith, knowing that He will bless as we do so.
It has been exciting to watch the Lord work in Osaka Bible Seminary these past few years. Through the current ministry of Brother Kishimoto and the OBS teaching staff, the school is growing spiritually. and numerically. God works through different people in different ways and in different times to bring the light of Jesus into the world.
Let us all continue to grow in God’s grace.
Serving and growing in Him,
Paul and Rickie
P.S. If you have never heard “The Church Triumphant” written by Gloria Gaither, look it up on the Internet. One part of this song in particular is of encouragement to all:
Now listen, child of God. It’s alive!
Discouraged pastor, it’s His Church and it’s alive!
Lonely missionary, sow your seeds with confidence!
It’s alive, my broken hearted friend!
Old saint, you’re not alone and forgotten–the Church is alive!
Busy mother, cast your cares on Jesus!
It’s alive, young student. You’re not alone in serving the Lord!
Faithful father, there’s rest in the Lord! The Church is alive!
Cynical skeptic, you haven’t killed God with your noisy unbelief.
He’s Alive!
So family of God, raise your hands and praise the Lord.
For the Church, God’s Church Triumphant, is Alive and Well!