About us
Contact us
Staff
| Sunday : | 9:30 AM |
Letter from our Missionary Jay Haworth in Japan
Missions
Covenant Missions in Japan Jay & Ellen Haworth Vol.16 No. 1 February 28, 2008 The Apostle Paul often began letters to churches with deep appreciation for their partnership in the Gospel and a pledge to remember them in prayer. Ellen and I came to understand this deep bond in a new way during our home assignment in 2007. We felt embraced by loving congregations, anointed by prayer and encouraged by a deep love and commitment that truly filled us with thankfulness and joy. We returned to the U.S. very tired and needy, but many of you stepped in and became God’s arms of healing and encouragement. We have just returned to Japan and feel fresh, well equipped, and ready to join our churches here in Japan in the wonderful task of introducing the Japanese to our Lord Jesus. Thank you for sharing your hearts, lives, prayer and support so that we might be able to serve here in Japan. Like Paul, we thank the Lord for your partnership and are so grateful for you. Our home assignment began on January 1, 2007 and continued for a full year. During that time we lived in Kingsburg, CA and became deeply involved in the Evangelical Covenant Church in that small rural community. The Kingsburg church became a source of spiritual nurture as well as wonderful fellowship during our stay in California. Both Ellen and I dealt with medical and dental issues, so being home for an entire year was not only helpful, but necessary. Praise the Lord for health care professionals who guided us through frightening procedures and followed up with support. In my case, prostate concerns were addressed and fortunately, at least to date, there seems to be no evidence of cancer. Our future, of course, is in the Lord’s hands, but it is encouraging when good news follows a biopsy. Both Ellen and I had adjustments to maintenance medications that are serving us well, so home assignment really gave us an opportunity to reassess our health and respond to concerns in a timely manner. Amy completed her senior year at Kingsburg High School and graduated in June. She was accepted at Fresno Pacific University in Fresno, California and is now half way through her second semester. The transition was daunting for her, but spending her final semester at Kingsburg High School really helped her acclimate to life in the U.S. We were also home for her first semester of college, and that helped give her confidence to be on her own. She is doing very well and looking forward to returning to Japan for summer vacation. Thank you for praying for Amy’s transition. It has gone very well. Another home assignment priority was touching base with our supporting churches. This time we gave special attention to supporting churches that we had never had an opportunity to visit, as well as churches that we had not seen for a number of years. Working out the logistics of visiting several of our churches in more remote regions of the country was challenging, but tremendously fruitful. We are especially thankful to our home office for working so hard to make these visits possible. We hope and pray that our visits were as meaningful to our churches as they were to us. Sharing our story is always reciprocated by listening to stories of God’s faithfulness in the local church. These missionary visits are never one sided. We report and learn with each visit. Thank you for welcoming us this past year. Just prior to our return to Japan we received rather discouraging news that our church leaders in Kuki had not been able to find a suitable house for us to rent. With only a few weeks remaining before our return we decided to have them put the house search on hold until after our return. We planned on staying with Jeff and our granddaughters until we found a place. Within a few days, however, we received a call from Akemi san, the young woman Ellen had been working with prior to our return on home assignment. She had gone out and found a wonderful house for us and laid the foundation for our rental agreement. In a culture where many land lords are suspicious of foreigners, our land lord was eager to rent to us. We found out later that Jay had taught her daughters English in Kindergarten so she was pleased to rent to someone she knew. Step by step the Lord opened the door for our residence in Kuki. It is convenient, close to the train station and has room for small meetings, as well as spacious parking. Thank you for bring this prayer need before the Lord. His answer was swift and perfectly suited to our needs. We are now settled in and busy with our ministry in two churches: Kuki Grace Church and International Bible Fellowship in Chiba prefecture. As we begin ministry once again please pray for an assortment of special needs: -Clear program direction for Kuki Grace Church. We are especially interested in putting together an “Alpha” type program for outreach among couples in our area. -We would love to enhance our music ministry in church and are praying for someone with skill in keyboard or piano to help us with this need. -We are even considering a short term missionary who would like to use music as an outreach tool for ministry. We are currently talking about this possibility, so pray with us about the possibility of a Short Term Missionary to come and work with us in the area of music. -There are several individuals who have been part of the church, but for various reasons have withdrawn. We are beginning to reach out to these families and pray that the Lord will bring them back to Him and to our church family. -I have resumed the treasurer’s work for our mission committee here in Japan, so pray that the Lord will help me manage the mission finances well and yet have quality time for ministry outreach and pastoring. -On a personal note please pray for Jeff and his girls as they begin to prepare for their return to the U.S. in May. Jeff hopes to return to college and finish his degree as well as enroll his three girls in school there in the U.S. -Finally, continue to remember Amy as she completes her first year of college. This first year is a tough one, but the Lord has been faithful in meeting all of her needs. Here is our new contact information: Jay and Ellen Haworth Telephone: 011-480-21-4191 Email: jhaworth@wta.att.ne.jp (Jay) Thanks again for your faithfulness in prayer and financial support. The Lord has been so faithful in providing for our needs and equipping us for ministry. We are truly excited about all He has in store for us here in Kuki. Blessings in our Lord’s Name, Jay and Ellen Haworth |