“My plans are not your plans, nor are my ways your way, says the LORD. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my plans than your plans.” Isaiah 55:8-9 

Although the above verses sometimes use the word “thoughts” instead of “plans”, this version of God’s Word reflects my visit to Canada in August, as well as many occasions in Japan. God’s plans for our lives are perfect and even though we plan and organize different things in our lives, plans change at the drop of a dime and it happened to me a few times in August. I’m just so grateful that after all these years and what I’ve learned through the bible and spending daily time with Jesus is that when plans change, we need to adjust accordingly without grumbling or complaining and realize that God is in control of our lives. 

After arriving in Vancouver I was greeted by a very special ‘dinosaur’ named Asher. Spending time with Trevor and his family, where I stayed most of the time, and visiting my younger son Steve in Vancouver a few times, were some of the highlights of my time in Canada. As the years are going by so quickly and after losing a few close friends in the past 2 years, I truly treasure times with friends and family more than ever. I had plans to visit many people during the few weeks I was in Abbotsford. But those plans changed considerably every week, and sometimes every day. When my computer fell and the screen cracked I was (and am) grateful that is still works. When the handle came off my carry on for no reason, I asked my friend Gord Petersen to help fix it and he did…thank you so much Gord! When a friend’s flight back to Japan was cancelled due to one of the typhoons, we adjusted and made other arrangements. I had plans to visit several of you over the last few days in Canada, however, my sister, Gloria, suddenly became very ill. I was grateful I could fly to Edmonton for a night to see her. While there I had the special blessing of baptizing Gloria in the hospital. As well, I saw my other sister, Trisha and one of my brothers, Wayne. 

So even though I had plans for my time in Abbotsford, God definitely had other plans for me! And I did what I could to adjust my schedule accordingly. When I returned to Japan, typhoon Shanshan had passed earlier in the day in Nagoya so I was able to have a safe flight without any delays. That first week back when I did chapel time at Fujigaoka, I was able to share from Isaiah 55 (verses above) and the students could understand how God does watch over us and His plans are always the best for us. Pray for the students that they will be able to remember this and apply it in their lives. 

Movie times at both churches this month went well. We had 13 attend at Komaki, with one church member and myself included, and then 14 at Fujigaoka, including a few former students. Rikako and her daughter, Nanaha, were students after I first began back in 2006. Nanaha is now 23 years old! It was so good to reconnect with them and they will come in October to movie night again. A special moment after the movie at Fujigaoka was when one of the ladies, Yoko (from the 1pm class) came up to me afterwards and said how much she enjoys the movies, but appreciates it much more when I share afterwards. She said she always feels ‘moved’ and ‘different’ when I talk about how the movies applied to me in real life This was so encouraging as 

I have been wondering what impact the movies are having on the students’ lives. Pray for Yoko san and the other students that they will truly experience Jesus in their lives. 

When there are 5 Sundays in a month, as there are in September, I am able to attend another church for worship on one of the Sundays. On Sept. 15th I went to Toyota Higashi Church (where I served for 5 years) and saw many familiar faces. It seems that my friends there never change in looks, whereas I seem to have aged…lol. Please continue to pray for all the churches in Japan as the congregational numbers are decreasing. Pray for the pastors as they try to encourage the members week to week. 

Please also pray for our weekly Prayer Time for Japan which is hosted by Anne McNaughton. Every Friday evening (Canada) and Saturday morning (Japan), several people gather on zoom to pray for Japan and the various ministries here. We pray for the cities, the government, the country and the workers (of which there are so few). If you are interested in joining us, please let me know so I can send you the link. It’s Friday evenings from 5-6 pm (BC time), 6-7 pm (Alberta & Saskatchewan time) and 9-10am Saturday (Japan time). 

Prayer requests: 

• Pray for Isherwood family in the loss of Linda Isherwood. Linda was a vibrant, young woman who will be dearly missed by so many. 
• Pray for my sister, Gloria, who after suffering a mild stroke & small aneurysm in early August is back in the hospital now. She was released for a few days but ended up in St. Albert Sturgeon. She has severe headaches and stomach pain/nausea and after another MRI and EKG the doctors still are unable to know what the cause is. She was moved to ICU on Sept. 13th due to a spike in her blood pressure and has a shunt in her neck artery. Please pray for wisdom for the doctors and for healing for her. 

Items of praise: 

• Praise the Lord for time with my family in Canada in August. Praise God I was able to baptize my sister, Gloria, in the Misericordia Hospital in Edmonton on August 25th. 
• Praise for the opportunity to share during service at Greendale MB Church on Aug. 4th and then to be prayed for before on Aug. 24th before returning to Japan. 
• Praise for the encouraging video message and prayer from the pastoral staff at CHC. I was very grateful for the timing of it as well. 

As this letter will come before Oct. 14th, I want to wish you and your families a very Happy Thanksgiving and I’m thankful for you partnering with me as I continue to serve in Japan. 

Blessings always, 

Wendy 😊