November News

Confession: we put Christmas decorations up already - there is a chance it happened before American Thanksgiving but I won't confirm that. Even our neighbor boys told me it was too early, but when they left to go home in the dark, they agreed that the lights were beautiful. Japan doesn't do daylight savings; as the days get darker earlier, it feels right to get out all the lights. 

CAJ update: thank you for your prayers for this incredible school. We're thankful for the conversations in and out of class that Ryan is able to have with students. Next weekend is a concert of Nine Lessons and Carols. This is a very popular community event! We pray that those who attend will be blessed by the scripture and incredible truths in the words of the carols. CAJ high school is also facing a change of leadership. Please join us on our knees for the next person to fill this very important position. Did you know CAJ has a facebook page? Take a look!

Community update: Christmas is a great outreach season! Every group we know of has some kind of Christmas party. We're grateful for the many kids and moms who will come to our English Christmas party. Our prayer is that they experience welcoming Grace and Joy despite circumstances. This is something every tired mom needs!! Events (with different groups) are December 3, 4, 15, 18. Thanks so much for thinking of us on these days! 

KBF update: As regular readers know, our local church has lost nearly every individual in a position of leadership in the past three years. Despite the fumbling void this created, we know that God is present and continues to love this family; new people continue to come and programs are full! This month, the congregation invited an interim children's ministry pastor and an interim teaching pastor and we are so grateful for the ministry of these two! Please pray for them as they lead this extremely diverse and lively family. 

Family update: We wrestle with what it means to raise our family in this setting on a daily basis. We see our kids becoming TCKs before our eyes, which is poignantly bittersweet. We know, even at their young ages, they experience the tug and pull of their hearts stretched all over the world. Recently, our four year old talks about bridges all the time: Jesus is a bridge, we are a bridge. Our six year old is processing how to be kind to classmates who don't understand why its mean to say "English speaking people can't play with us right now." Our baby is adjusting to his new leg. Every kid is different and this little guy is definitely on his own path! Right now his challenge is controlling his prosthetic knee and learning to balance upright on his one prosthetic foot and one foot with only one toe. Each heart stretches to meet the daily challenges; sometimes we wear thin with all the pulling.