Some of you may have missed this presentation a few weeks back by Juan Enriquez speaking during an episode of TED. The crux of his talk, once you get beyond some of the humor and his discussion about the economy, is really a not-so-distance prognostication of the underlying events detailed in the Book of Revelation. Of course, given his clearly humanist worldview, Juan would not likely admit nor understand my correlation, nevertheless, we are quickly approaching that point where we humans will ultimately remove suffering from our vocabulary and in doing so, remove the need to recognize the existence of Creator God altogether. This is the reality we're facing - like it or not.

Labels: economy, Japan, prayer

"A study in Japan finds that social networks are an important predictor of mortality risk for middle-aged and elderly Japanese men and women. Lack of social participation for men, and being single and lack of meeting close relatives for women, were described as independent risk factors for mortality. Mortality rates showed a dose-response pattern: women with small social networks showing more than twice the death rate. Simply being single was associated with a higher risk of mortality, a prospective cohort study of 94,000 Japanese people found, and it concluded that merely being unmarried constitutes a potentially adverse health effect."

What will this mean to our evangelism efforts?
[source:Biologist PDF]

Labels: Japan, outreach, webtech

We were honored to share our mission presentation with the good folks of First Christian Church of Seminole just West of Tampa. Steve Bolin invited us to bring our vision for Japan to their mission committee and they in turn shared their vision of global missions. They just completed their faith promise for the year, so please join with us in prayer as they consider supporting our efforts in the near future. Shouts to Cole, Kumcha, Robert and Ramona, Steve, and Sadee. May God continue to richly reward your faithful stewardship and thank you for your desire to see the Gospel shared around the globe.

Labels: outreach, prayer

Hiroyuki Suzuki probably wouldn't be your first pick in putting together a team of people to share the Gospel in Japan. Missing the tip from each pinky finger, and branded with permanent tattoos from time spent as a Yakuza member, Suzuki-san nowadays serves our Heavenly Father at Siloam Christ Church in Chiba prefecture. 1 Corinthians 1:27 says, "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong." This is clearly visible in the transformative power of the Holy Spirit at work in Suzuki-san's lie and ministry. Pray that His light would shine bright in Chiba and beyond.
[read more]

Labels: outreach, prayer

Promoting foster parenting has not been easy in Japan, a country where blood ties and traditional family structures are paramount. But in recent years, a home setting has begun to trump institutional care in officials' views of what's best for children who face abuse or abandonment. And now, the government is revamping its foster-care system to increase the number of caseworkers and better promote the option for families. The number of children in Japan, a nation of 127 million people, is still very small. In 2007, 35,925 children were placed in institutional foster care, a 12 percent increase from 2000. During the same period, the number of children who live with foster parents grew 68 percent to 3,633.
[source:CSMonitor]

Labels: family, Japan, prayer

With only 15 speakers left, the Ainu language is "critically endangered" while seven other languages in Japan are also at risk of disappearing, according to a UNESCO report. The seven other endangered languages in Japan are Yaeyama, Yonaguni, Okinawa, Kunigami, Miyako in Okinawa Prefecture, Amami in Kagoshima Prefecture, and Hachijo in Tokyo. The first six languages are spoken on the Nansei island chain, which stretches from north of Taiwan and south of Kyushu, and Hachijo in Tokyo's Hachijojima island and nearby islets. "People tend to think that one language is spoken in Japan. But I want people to know there is quite a diversity," says Osamu Sakiyama, professor emeritus of linguistics at the National Museum of Ethnology.
[source:Asahi.com]

Labels: culture, Japan

We are flat excited about the prospects of working closely with First Christian Church of Margate. Not only do they already have a diverse group of young and mature Christians with a passion for the things of God, but they have an amazingly talented church leader in Jesse Kegg who recently took the helm. We want to be a part of where they are heading for the Kingdom and were honored to have their leaders lay hands on us and pray for our ministry in Japan. And what could be better than following service with a pig roast? Shouts to Ro and Phil, Tess, David, John, all the folks we visited with during lunch and who enlisted as prayer warriors. Special thanks to Jesse and Hope who opened up their home to us Saturday night. The entire trip was truly a blessing.

Labels: outreach, praises

Of all of my senses, my sense of smell is my bionic super power. Even today, the faintest of smells can trigger a walk down memory lane as a recall places I've been that smell the same. It comes as no surprise that in cross-cultural ministry, missionaries should be aware of things that can hinder their message (clothing, speech, and facial expression). But did you know there is research that suggests even smells can indirectly affect people's opinion of us? Just like you don't like waitresses that have too much perfume on while serving your meal, subtle smells, unconsciously registered by most, can leave a lasting impression. Japanese people say we Westerners smell like beef. Is that good or bad? Depends on whether they like beef I guess. There's even a Japanese web site where you can locate certain stinks on a map of Tokyo and beyond.
[source: nioibu.com via ABC News]

Labels: Japan, outreach

Come to Japan and join the team. You'll make a difference in one of the most difficult mission fields in the world. Make contact and sign up today! Please be in prayer for the workers and participants of this amazing conference. For many, it is the only chance during the year that they get to unwind and share with other harvest workers in God's fields.

Labels: CPI, prayer

Bart and Judy Johnson hosted a get together of folks who're connected to Japan for ministry. Most of us had attended at least one CPI (Church Planting Institute) event in the past, so it was great to reconnect. There were also a number of other missionaries there to share stories with. The guest speaker was Dan Iverson, 22-year veteran church planter serving in Chiba with MTW. He shared many stories of recent baptisms of folks who've been a part of their ministry for a long time and talked about the spiritual climate of Japan. Pictured here is Weiling and Garry with Goldie-sama (yes, that Goldie), Taylor and Sara Ward, Weiling with Meghan in the middle, Aaron sneaking more treats, Mike and Jen Costanzo, and Laura, Ellissa, and us with the honorable Dan Iverson.

Labels: CPI, praises

Labels: culture, Japan

Anyone with a cursory knowledge of Japan's history may be aware that Francis Xavier was among the first missionaries to the island nation back in 1549. What you may not know is that he has a blood-relative still living there. Saturday night’s episode of Sekai Ichi Uketai Jyugyou introduced him to television viewers in a short trivia segment. Fortunately, you don't even have to speak the language to know what's going on.[more:JapanProbe]

Labels: history, Japan

With his camera, Michael John Grist captures the overgrowth of a shrine that has fallen into disrepair. Buddhists have temples, Shinto believers practice their rites in Shrines. This is an intriguing look into the Ashiodozan ghost town in the Tochigi region of Japan.

Labels: history, Japan, photos

The dire effects of large scale financial mismanagement are being felt around the world, and Japan is no exception. After a decade of trying to dig their way out of their own housing meltdown of the late 80s, Japan's fragile economy has been dealt a severe blow by the current, global mess. One factor that we Americans should study with great interest is that they tried a "stimulus" scheme involving make-work projects and lavish government spending, but it only yielded dependency and a massive debt which may never be paid off. The second half of this article touches on the problem of the very low birthrate and its negative effects on the country's prosperity.

Labels: economy, Japan

Nothing says "different" like having a robotic clone of yourself to greet your wedding guests. I use the politically correct term different because weird has been stricken from our mission vocabulary. Speaking of robots, this chart below shows the total number of robotic units in these countries.

[source: IEEE Spectrum]

Labels: Japan

What if the concrete labyrinth of streets in downtown Tokyo was replaced with grass? Well the digital artists at Green Island Project have endeavored to start seeing green. Interesting concept that I'm sure would present some equally interesting challenges. Look for robotic grass in the next few years.

Labels: Japan

Yuko Obuchi, minister in charge of tackling declining childbirths, said Sunday she is pregnant with her second child. According to the Cabinet Office, it is the first time an incumbent Japanese Cabinet member has become pregnant.
"My son will have a younger brother or sister," the 35-year-old minister, the second daughter of the late former Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, said in a gathering of her supporters in Tomioka, Gunma Prefecture, who clapped at the announcement.
She also said the baby is due at the end of September. "Irrespective of myself being a minister or prospects of an election, I'd like to give birth to a healthy child," Obuchi said. [source:breitbart.com]

Labels: family, Japan, praises

Buddhism is one of Japan's major religions, but its continual association with funeral rites has earned it a dubious nickname and endangered its own survival in the modern community.

[source: International Herald Tribune]

Labels: culture, Japan

Shared Hope International (SHI) awarded subgrants in each of the locations examined in the DEMAND. project totaling $124,000. Subgrants funded projects for public awareness and outreach to at-risk and exploited women and children and for direct care and shelter to victims. Subgrants were funded by the U.S. Department of State, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. The market in Japan continues unabated, even in spite of economic upheaval. Now you can help put an end to it.

Labels: Japan, prayer

Feb 4th marked First Christian's mission emphasis kickoff. Weiling and Garry Kline were ordained as church-planting missionaries. Their family will be moving to Tokyo, Japan later this year to join two other Team Expansion mission families sharing life and faith. Their philosophy of church planting models the Book of Acts and their goal is to share their relationship with Jesus Christ with all who are seeking greater purpose. Thanks to everyone who came on our behalf, including the good folks from Brooksville Christian Church and The Bridge, both of whom received the national flag of Japan to display. Extra special thanks to Kathy Roberts for coordinating the desserts, Samuel Hellegers for coordinating the videos and photos, Norm Darling and the church elders for coordinating the event, and Gary Bordelon for coordinating us!

Labels: praises

The February edition of our monthly missions newsletter is now available for download. Please share it with your Bible study and church.