Wendy Eros, October 2024 THE JAPANADIAN
“You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that – and shudder.” James 2:19
As I write this newsletter on a rainy morning, we have just finished praying for God’s love to rain down over Japan. Every Saturday morning 9am Japan time/Friday afternoon or evening Canadian time, a small group of people gather on zoom to pray for Japan: for the country, the people, the ministries and many other things that God brings to mind. Prayer is so vital and if you would like to join us in praying online, please let me know so I can send you the link.
It was a sad beginning to the month when one of my friends, and a member of the ESC senior’s class, Ken Teramoto passed away on Oct. 3rd. I was so grateful that I could visit him in the hospice less than 2 weeks before his passing. Thank you so much for praying for his wife and 2 adult children. He will be missed by so many people. Please also pray for Yoko and Masa san, two other ESC members, who are battling cancer. Pray for remission and complete healing!
On October 6th at Komaki Hope Chapel, one of the new couples attending were baptized. There is no baptism tank at the church so we use an inflatable outdoor pool for baptisms. It was so beautiful to watch Kenji and Reiko declare their love for Jesus through baptism. Singing afterwards outside was amazing…and I pray the neighbours felt encouraged and will come to ask what the baptism was all about.
October was filled with many activities, like baking for Halloween classes (some ghosts & bats this year). We celebrated by doing crossword puzzles, playing Bingo and “Go Fish” as well as eating cookies & snacks. In Japan, most people do not celebrate Halloween, but there have been some instances of trouble in the past couple of years, so cities have taken to actually closing down many shops in the more popular areas to discourage any type of mischief. During chapel time, it gave me the opportunity to share about the origin of Halloween and that Nov. 1st is a Roman Catholic holiday called All Hallows Day or All Saints Day. Using verses James 2:19 and Luke 10:17 I told the students that there are in fact demons, but that Jesus is more powerful and the demons are afraid of Him. We had some further discussions about how the traditions have come from North America to Japan and what effect they’ve been having over the past 2-3 years in places like Tokyo, Osaka and even Nagoya.
On October 18th, I had the pleasure of travelling to Yatsushiro in Kumamoto with Naho Kimura from Komaki Hope Chapel (top right). We went to watch the most amazing fireworks/drone shows I have ever seen, which lasted over 2 hours. While we were there for 2 days, I enjoyed seeing her parents & sister once again, and meeting her cousins and aunt for the first time (bottom right). We had a wonderful time together and on Sunday attended Naho’s home church.
Our OneVoice gospel choir groups are practicing hard for 2 upcoming concerts. On Nov. 3rd, our advanced group will sing 4 songs at the local Aeon Mall in Nagakute to celebrate International Women’s Day. Please pray for good weather and that our small group of about 25 will have an impact on those who come to watch and listen. Please pray for the words of the songs to be understood clearly and the joy of Jesus to fill the mall and surrounding area outside where we will perform. Then on Nov. 24th, members from 4 cities will join together, along with the OneVoice Kids Rainbow team, for a 2 ½ hour concert. Pray that the 600 seats in the auditorium will sell out and that the Holy Spirit will fill the hall. Please pray for all members to remain in good health and have strong voices to share the glory of God with each person who comes! Pray for me too, as I will have a solo part in “He Reigns” by the Newsboys. I’m very nervous, but excited, to be able to sing one of my favourite songs with so many people!
Please pray:
- For Ken Teramoto’s family as they still mourn his loss. Pray for the ESC members who will miss Ken very much and those who are battling various illnesses.
- For the ESL students during November & December as we read the story of Jesus’ birth and discuss what His coming to Earth means for each one of us.
- For the movie nights in November & December. We will watch ‘It’s a Wonderful Life”. Although it’s not an actual ‘Christmas’ movie, it shows how angels watch over us and how, with God’s help, we can overcome even the most difficult times in our lives.
- For my sister, Gloria, who had more surgery in October and had a shunt put in for her circulation. Pray for her continued recovery, which has been very slow and has had many setbacks. Pray for her son, Kelly, as he meets with a team on Nov. 20th to have Gloria assessed for future care.
Praise for:
- The OneVoice gospel concerts in November and the opportunities we will have to reach out to hundreds of people through music and songs.
- Praise for continued good health for me and please pray that I will have lots of energy for preparing for Christmas with the ESL, choir, ESC and TECC classes. 😊
- Praise the Lord for the blessing of being able to serve Him here in Japan. Every day is an amazing adventure with Jesus!
On November 11th, please remember the sacrifice so many made to keep our countries safe and free.
Blessings always,
Wendy 😊
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Contact info: Multiply, 300-32040 Downes Rd, Abbotsford, BC V4X 1X5