Now when Jesus was in Bethany, at the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to Hime with an alabaster vial of very expensive perfume, and she poured it on His head as He was reclining at the table (Matthew 26:6-7)

This one is worth writing home about!

That’s what I said to Masami when I heard good news about the young man that Joshua and I prayed for last time we were in Okinawa. At that time, we had unintentionally got involved in a prayer session that was happening in the church building where we were sleeping. A worship team practice had turned into a prayer session when this young man started exhibiting strange spiritual symptoms. Afterwards Joshua called this a “failed exorcism” because (after praying for him for a long time) the young man had suddenly gotten up off the floor and exited the building angrily. We heard how the church had been faithfully caring for and praying for him even though there had been some violent incidents. Evidently he had been a satanist for years, then converted to Islam, and now he is fully delivered through Jesus and wants to get baptized! Hallelujah!

Although there have been many hard times and apparent setbacks, we choose to celebrate these victories! In fact, we will celebrate even “in the presence of our enemies”. When our shepherd prepares a feast for us in the presence of our enemies, this includes eating, laughing, singing and dancing! We have continued to face difficulties in evangelism and discipleship such as betrayal, infighting, sexual sin, backsliding, addiction, mental illness, “conflicts on the outside, fears within”… “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us reveals the fragrance of the knowledge of Him in every place.” (2 Corinthians 2:14)

Let’s pray for N&N from the park church who got married two years ago and are both facing major mental health challenges. Name is at home while his wife is in the mental hospital and they are both at the end of their rope. “We do not know how to pray as we should but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words.”

Let’s pray for E-chan who is the cute baby girl that we were fostering recently. Her family has been torn apart so let’s pray that Jesus would stitch them back together and make them whole with his Shalom. Her and her siblings are currently living in various orphanages in the area.

Let’s pray for K-chan, a two year old boy who we are currently working towards fostering this year. He is currently in a baby orphanage since his parents have not been able to raise him due to their on issues. we pray that God will use us as oil to make things go smoothly for this family in the future.

Recently I have been meditating on how we are in Japan, not for our own sake, not for our name or reputation – but for the sake of the people of Japan – that they would be pleasing sacrifice to the Lord. We are like salt on the offering, or like a drink poured out, so that the nation of Japan would be a pleasing fragrance to God.

May your prayers and lifestyle also be for the sake of others – that they may know Jesus. Together, that the world may know Jesus!

Thank you for praying,

Cory and Masami