"For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth."  Acts 13:47

Dear Praying Friends and Family:

Greeting again from the Japanese North country!!  Thank you for your faithful prayers for us.  The Lord is tremendously good, and is always worthy of all of our praise!  We are grateful to be here and honored that you folks pray for and care for us.

Snow - The winter months continue to speed along with the hope of Spring around the corner.  The Lord amazes us with the beauty of the snow, and the boys have enjoyed playing in/on/through the piles that have been shoveled, blown, or plowed.  Our dumping mountain behind our house is easily fifty plus feet high and growing with each tri-axle load dumped up there.  It’s great for sledding on when there aren’t any trucks coming.   We are constantly reminded with each layer (over 4 feet deep on the ground now), of God’s promise to wash us and clean us even whiter than the snow when we repent of our wicked ways and cast our hope onto the resurrected Saviour.  Days are generally warming past the freezing mark and the snow melts some, but the nights drop below freezing and bring more snow.  It was snowing this morning and to think that April is a week away!

Nayoro has an international snow carving competition every year.  Individual teams have two days to carve a design out a 10’ by 10’block of snow for judging, as well as various other events and activities throughout the festival.  Our boys certainly enjoyed the oversized slide, dog sled rides, snow mobile rides, and tubing courses that were set up.  A team from Colorado came, carved, and conquered the Citizen’s choice award (this is the one that the normal people choose as opposed to the ridiculous, new-age, and flat out ugly thing that took the grand prize).  We were able to talk with them for a time and left them with some Gospel tracts, as well as an invitation for a hot home-cooked meal if they come back again next year.  Please pray for these men.

Saito san – I had a great challenge laid before me a few weeks ago.  I had Bro. Randy ask an older (but rather spry) fellow named Mr. Tomii (pronounced: TOE – mee) if he would consider doing some language work with me once a week or so.  Mr. Tomii said he was too busy (ski and tennis instructor and father to a baby girl– oh, and he is 70 years old !!), and recommended another friend of his, Mr. Saito.  (pronounced: SIGH – toh) Mr. Saito (also 70) helps teach the ski lessons on the weekends but is single and has more time during the week.  Mr. Saito agreed, and we began working together on Thursdays.  During our first few meetings, Mr. Saito asked many questions about us and why we are here learning Japanese.  He bought a book that is supposed to “explain” Christianity to children.  After looking at it and comparing it to the Scriptures, we realized it was a Catholic book and full of myths and Catholic ideas of what the Bible should say (ie. Leaving out the 2nd commandment, et al.)  He finally asked me how I would explain Christianity in a simple way to Japanese children.  I had to tell him that I did not know.  My language skills simply are not at that level.  

I offered several times for us to do a six week course called “Christianity explained” with Brother Smith.  It would explain what it means to be a Christian and gives a clear Gospel presentation.  From the beginning we have been praying for Mr. Saito’s salvation and looking for opportunities to present Him with the Gospel and the Word of God, so I was hoping this was our answer.  His response, however, was not what I expected.  After more questions and skimming through dictionaries for the right words, I offered once more to have Brother Smith go through the course with the both of us.  Mr. Saito finally looked at me and said “ I don’t want Mr. Smith to tell me.  I want you to tell me in Japanese . . . so maybe in a year you will be able to.”  My heart ached anew with the frustration of not being able to fully communicate; even more so with someone who wants to hear.  So we press on!

Supplies – With spring on the horizon, the farmers are beginning to blow the snow out of their greenhouses and melt the snow on the rice fields.  We have used up the last of our garden vegetables from last year’s harvest with the exception of a few packs of pumpkin and a good deal of carrots still.  Our venison supply is dwindling but should last a couple more weeks, and we still have some salmon.  We look forward to renting a garden plot this year that will be big enough to help supply for all of next year.  It should give plenty of added opportunities to interact with the local farmers as this “gaijin” (foreigner) tries to do things the Japanese way. Please pray for the opportunities that the Lord will give.
 
Shiokare Toge –  One hundred years ago a Japanese Christian man named Nagano Masao was travelling by train from here in Nayoro down to Asahikawa.  He was a railroad employee but was travelling as a passenger.  While the train was travelling up a mountain, the passenger car broke away from the train and began rolling backwards down the mountain.  As the car picked up speed, and a bend in the track would certainly cause a derailment, Nagano sacrificed his life and used his body to stop the wheels of the train car.  The car was stopped and all aboard were saved.  

This past month, there was a celebration of his life and sacrifice at a museum commemorating his sacrifice at the Shiokare Toge (the name of the mountain pass).  Even his blood stained Bible was on display.  It is the story of his life and death that many say softened the hearts of the Japanese toward Christianity.   Sadly, many folks that came out for the special ceremonies, came to worship the “spirit” of this man.  The very demonism that Nagano shunned as he turned to life in Christ, was practiced in his “honor”.  One biographer even claimed to have eaten one of Nagano’s cremated bones in order to feel more “connected” to him!  Oh, how these people need Christ!  They blindly follow the doctrines of devils, not knowing who it is they truly worship.  Pray that God would open the eyes of the blind that they may see the truth and repent of their sins!!

Sayonara – This is the time of year that many Japanese move, as the work force here commonly moves people around every three years or so.  This is especially hard on missionaries trying to build relationships with people.  One young lady who recently got saved, Mitsuyo, is moving to Tokyo at the end of the month.  Another lady, Mrs. Yoshida, had been visiting with her two children, is moving about six hours away.  A doctor that the Smiths have been witnessing to for several years is leaving as well.  Pray that the Gospel will not return void, but will spring up unto fruition for those that have heard, but have not yet received.  

Sickness – Chiropractic appointments, influenza B, colds, sinus infections, intestinal problems . . . all in a few months time.  The good news is that we all share and share alike.  I assumed that with moving to a new land, we would be prime candidates for any diseases that would be native, and I was right.  The Lord has given grace through it all, and we are all ready for the freshness of spring.  

We certainly did not want to focus on all of our ills, so we have made three people special prayer projects for our family: Esther Joy Travis (6 y/o MK to India battling cancer), Stellan (little boy Noah’s age with heart trouble), and Ayumi (young lady needing the Lord – knows it – and is holding back for some reason.)  

Prayer Requests

• *Continuing  grace as we learn Japanese.
• *A DVD project being put together to distribute to the city – 5000 copies to be ordered.
• *The souls of all we come in contact with.
• *Emmanuel Bible Baptist Church and the Smith family as we work with them here in Nayoro.
• *Continuing adjustments to Japan – there still are MANY
• *Protection from the prince of the power of the air as he seeks to devour those that have escaped his grasp.
• *God’s wisdom and provision for our home.