In a place where privacy is harder to come by than a Panera, I’ve found my “happy place” by myself underneath a mosquito net each night. By the time the sun sets each night, Erin and I have set up our mats outside the house, hung big white mosquito nets over them, and crawled inside. Although we sometimes get the occasional curious old woman or happy child visitor, I can pretty much guarantee that when my sweaty head hits the pillow at night, I will have until sunrise to spend with my thoughts and the Lord. It’s at those times, staring up at the stars and listening to neighboring donkeys, that my heart overflows with an odd mixture of love and pain for the people of this village.

Imagine never even hearing the name of Yesu before in your life. Imagine living your entire life being told one thing about the Son of God, never to be told otherwise. How can you know and believe unless you hear? I have seen this firsthand, and my heart is broken for the people of this lost village. When I ask the people if they know who Yesu is, they think I’m asking them about next year- yeesi! Many have never even heard of His name! As I attempt to strangle out some Zarma words to explain the reason why we have come to their village, they wait with eager ears. I love these sweet and welcoming people so, so much… and yet my weakness limits me from sharing to the fullest with a people who have never even heard His name!

The good news is that I am not here to display my strength of language to a lost and dying people. I am not in this village to proclaim good things about myself or to prove my own abilities. I am here to proclaim good things about Yesu, and to share it with a people group who may never have had an opportunity to hear of it. I am simply a loudspeaker for a God who, in His mighty strength and sovereignty, has already been working on their hearts for years and years! Who might have softened hearts, ready and willing to accept if they could only hear? I love these people, and I long for them to hear truth. How can they hear without someone preaching to them?

In those special times under the stars & a mosquito net, I pray diligently for the people in my village. The prayers we are offering up are not void- they are producing results! Erin & I are learning to thrive in the village, and we have found it to be almost like home. We are being led to groups of women who seem to be interested in hearing more about the Gospel, and people are being introduced to Jesus! Celebrate that with us, and continue to pray fervently for their hearts to desire Yesu, the promised Messiah. We are thankful for all that He has done so far, and we can’t wait to spend one more month with the people!

Our week in review

The end of the school year has come. Today is Calderglen’s last day of school, and therefore our last day in the schools. This week we have tried to branch out more in the classes we attend in order to try and meet even more kids, and thus make more connections that will hopefully carry over into the summer. On Monday we had an assembly and all got to share a bit of our testimonies about how we came to Christ, and why we are in Scotland this summer. Thursday was the school’s official fun day; there were inflatables and karaoke, and it was fun to get to talk to the kids outside of their classes for longer bits of time. Today of course is the last day, and we watched some of the students in a student vs. teacher football (soccer) match, and then went to a local bakery and got lunch and just hung out with the kids. Pray that the relationships we have forged these past three weeks will continue to form and grow now that school is out and we might not see them as much, and pray for us as we help lead a couple of events at Calderwood Baptist this coming week.

Taylor:

Hello! We are still here! It’s just that we’ve been really quite busy this past week with school and such. But enough of that… This week has been a bit of a blur–having seemed to breeze right by. Sunday was church in the morning and evening at Calderwood Baptist Church (CBC). Monday through this morning/afternoon was the last week of school for the kids. That said, this week has been rather entertaining for me. Last week, I began just hoping into classes instead of taking breaks–curiosity compelled me to sit in on other year groups and subjects. For this week, I continued the trend–finding myself in classes ranging from second to sixth year students. Monday was my PE day this week. I played rounders–kind of like softball–with all three PE classes that day. In all three cases, the classes were quite good fun. Tuesday and Wednesday, I was in my RMPS class for second years where we completed the section in the class that focuses on Christianity and the character and teachings of Jesus. Yesterday, I managed to get into an advanced maths class for some of the upper-classmen. That class was really quite fun. Kareoke and inflatables followed for the rest of the day. Yes, AJ and I got up and rocked some Achey Breaky Heart in front of the high schoolers…Epic! That’s pretty much it for this week from me…

I really must say though that: being in Calderglen HS has been a real treat for me (and I would wager all of us) in the sense that I have been able to share with so many students the reason for our being in Scotland–that reason being: to get to know the high schoolers, to inform them of our internship with CBC, to invite them to the church, and–should they allow us to do so–to share our faiths–our personal relationships with Jesus Christ–with them. Paraphrasing George Whitfield, far be it from me to deny my God His glory by holding my toungue silent on matters of the Kingdom from anyone to whom I am near for any longer than 15 minutes.

And so, I would ask continued prayer for these high schoolers that we have been meeting–for the continued openness of their hearts and minds. Also, please pray for strength for the team as we continue our missions into East Kilbride. Thank you for your prayers!

Be praying for Pastor Jason as he brings God’s word this Sunday.  Also, be in prayer for the France team as they adjust back to Central Time.

Things are going extremely well in here in Fargo. Sojourn is as normal meeting on a weekly basis for church. This is a great time of fellowship with other believers as well as a time to praise and worship our Lord and Savior! Since my last trip up, there has been another addition to the regular attendees at Sojourn. A couple weeks ago, John, Abby, Julia, and I were outside just relaxing and gardening (which is not my idea of relaxing! lol). But our neighbors were outside. We ended talking and hanging out with them. They are not Christians. Dinner time approached and we just decided to order pizza together! So we spent the rest of the night on the neighbors porch hanging and eating pizza. I tell you all this because I really got to know Kai. She is one of the daughters of Heather the neighbor. Kai, Abby and I had such a good conversations that Kai decided she would come to church the next day!!!!! And, she actually came!! We were all super excited! I was supposed to work in children’s church that morning, but Abby asked me to stay in the service that way Kai knew at least one person. But wait, the story gets even better! So each week we take time to do communion at the end of each service. This week was no different. When everyone began getting up to pray and then go take communion Kai was a little confused. So she turned to me and asked me why everybody was doing what they were doing. And, while some were singing, some were praying, some were taking communion, I was sitting down sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with this young girl!!!!! I simply told her why it was such an important thing for us to remember Christ’s death. I told her how we all make mistakes and because of that we are separated from God. I explained how God didn’t want it to be that way so he offered His perfect son to be crucified for our sins! Kai seemed to really understand and she asked a few questions then we sat there while everyone finished up. Kai has promised to come back again, and Abby was talking to Heather the other day. She said that if Kai was going to go she might as well go too! So please pray for this family. Pray that God will continue to pull them into His loving Grace!!!!!
Wow! Now onto other things! Well, Leslee has started volunteering on Tuesdays and Thursdays at a place called Charism. They provide services to under privileged children in the Fargo area. She is currently helping out with a day camp. She says she is really loving getting to spend time pouring into these children. She is also getting to know the paid staff there. Who are asking questions about why she would be willing to come volunteer here time at this camp! She also is attending weekly Mary-Kay meetings and getting to know the women there. I would ask that you would continue to pray for these relationships that she is building at Charism and Mary-Kay.
Now onto me. Well, I ended up working 39 1/2 hours this week at Target alone!! So needless to say add that to Sojourn and I am a little tired. However, I have today off to recoup before I go back to Target tomorrow! But I actually am really enjoying getting to work this much because I have been able to really get to know a couple of my co-workers. And, I actually am going to have a Mary-Kay party with Leslee as the consultant in order to get to know my co-workers outside of work. In particular, please pray for Jodi, Erika, Nicole, Lacy and Amanda. These five women I have worked with everyday. I pray that God will just use me to point these women to Him. I also have continued hanging out with Kelsey and Briana. These two girls have been my friends for years. And, I want more than anything for them to both come to know Christ as their Savior and Lord.
As for our work work with Sojourn, that is going really well. John has given us a couple of big projects that we are on our way to getting done. First, we are helping create a curriculum for the Children’s church. Leslee and I get together on Monday and Wednesday nights to work on this together. John is also getting ready to start a second church, Sojourn Moorhead. He hasn’t decided on a name yet so that is what we are calling it. He has had meetings with the DBC and next month has a meeting with the Minnesota/Wisconsin Baptist Convention. From what they have told us thus far, they are really excited about John want to start this church in Moorhead and they really want to be a part of it. So Leslee and I are helping John re-create a lot of his support pamphlets to send out to churches. This is keeping us super busy! We also are throwing a street cook-out next Saturday! So we are keeping busy with all the details of that! So please pray for that event and the people who we will be witnessing to as they come to our backyard for some free food!
And, lastly, we are all getting excited about the birth of Esther Ann-Marie Fisher! Leslee and I decided to surprise John and Abby last night by putting their stroller together for them! We can’t wait to meet this newish addition to the Fisher family. And, we are both excited that we get to be here in Fargo for her birth even if it means half-way through the summer I have to move homes! Thanks so much for all your prayers. We will keep the updates coming!!!!

Amber Shacklette

Also, be in prayer as the France team returns

WOW.  What a last night!!! This was for the Claremont Baptist Church.  The energy of the night was high.  The people were involved with the worship.  Non-believers were there hearing about Christ. The Spirit was moving.  I was amazed at how many French people were saying they were moved by “something”…we know it as the Spirit…but it was amazing for me, just the same, to think that many of these people have no idea what we are singing about…but they are moved.  It has been such a blessing seeing the Spirit work.

If you ask the missionary, they will say we have done a great feat.  The Gospel has been shared and the Spirit was moving.  We didn’t see any conversions, but we saw many seeds planted and many brothers and sisters were encouraged.  Praise the Lord for a great church that allows us to participate in missions.  Praise the Lord for the Spirit going before us.  Praise the Lord for changing lives!!!

I will not post again for this trip due to travel.  Please pray for traveling mercies as we start our trek home. Pray for our brothers and sisters here as they continue the work.

We had another great day in France.  As usual, we started our day off at 11:30 am.  Mainly because we are all sleeping.  We drove to different city where we had lunch with a house church family.  They provided us with a five course meal.  The French enjoy their eating experience.

We had a concert 45 minutes down the road in a catholic church.  The church was beautiful.  It was on peninsula surrounded by water.  We has some trouble setting up.  There was  a film crew filming a movie in the facility that surrounded the church and we had to wait a little and when we could set-up we had to be quiet.

The concert went well.  Some people came from the first city we played at.  I am amazed at how God is making an impact through the music.  One would think that since they don’t understand the words…the wouldn’t understand the message.  But the Spirit is working in a powerful way.  The team has given powerful testimonies through translators.  What a great night.  The team has really bonded well.  Today, I think we laughed through half of it.

Please pray that tomorrow we will have strength and that the Spirit will continue to move in the lives of the French.  Please pray for John Perkins, the missionary, as he shares the plan of salvation at the end of our concert on Thursday.

Yesterday was another great day.  We were on the streets from 11:30am till past 12:00pm.  This day was the national day of music.  Anyone can play music on the streets without a license.  Therefore, we had to get to our spot early…1pm and reserve it.  We set up and were going to do some sound checks on the streets and as we were playing a large group of people formed around us.  It was absolutely amazing.  A sound check turned into a performance:)  We played four 40 minute shows.  So many people came through our area.  The missionary was trying to keep a head count.  He feels like 1,000 people heard us today.

Now for the God part, from what I understand the French are very reserved about going up and asking for something or sharing about their spiritual beliefs.  The Claremont Baptist Church was partnering with us this night.  They were passing out material for their church and giving information out about our big show on Thursday night.  The missionary said usually the person with the flyers would have to go to the person to ask if they wanted one…but people were swarming the church members for this information.  The Claremont Christians had many spiritual conversations with the people in the audience.  I praise the Lord for that.

We were really excited tonight.  The crowd was great.  The environment was good for a show.  Comments were made that out of all the groups they had heard, which were many, they thought we had the best sound.

We have gotten some more feedback from the concert the night before and the Lord continues to bless.  The house church that meets in that community was so encouraged.  The Catholic priest had a conversation with them today and told them how much the Spirit moved through the music.  So many doors are opening up for our evangelical brothers and sisters here to work in the lives of the French.

The team feels so blessed to be apart of this work.  They cannot understand the words we sing, but seeds are being planted and lives are being changed.  Thank you Living Hope for sending us.

Please be in prayer that we will have energy.  We have been to bed every night somewhere between 2 and 3 am.  We meet every day around 11:30am to go to our next performance.  Our voices are strained. We have jet lag.  And we are exhausted.  Pray that we continue to be open to sharing God’s Word through music and have the energy to complete the task with excellence.  We have two more concerts this week.  Start praying now for the big evangelist concert on Thursday.

Hello Everyone!

Thanks to all your prayers and support I’ve been here in Japan for 2 weeks!  I’m writing to you to update you on the work I’ve been doing here with IMB.

I’m staying in the IMB building in Shibuya Tokyo, and it is like living in the eye of the storm.  If you haven’t heard of it, you’ve probably seen videos or pictures of the huge scramble crossing in Hachiko square.  Every day thousands of people pass through that crosswalk shopping, going to work, going to school.  The feeling as you walk through this crosswalk is one I didn’t experience last summer, never having been to Shibuya.  The feeling is like being on a battlefield as others are pushing through trying to force their way through the crowded walk, all going in different directions.  And while you navigate the rush of human traffic, huge screens and projections high up on the buildings around you run advertisements for snacks, ice cream, cell phones and new music releases.  On the street beside you walk the most fashionable girls and the most wealthy businessmen in Japan.  In Shibuya more than any other part of Tokyo you feel like a number, you’re bombarded my images that tell you what you should look light, what you should buy, and what you should eat.  And around you everyone seems to be fighting for their value afraid of being drowned in the waves of countless faces rushing towards something that they must consider very important based on their tense movement and set expression.

Most of the Japanese I talk to say they don’t like Shibuya.  “Too many people” they say.  But there’s more to that statement.  There’s something about that place that challenges your value, and your sense of individuality.  This is where the IMB building is based, not 10 minutes walk from Hachiko Square.  Here you can feel the palpable need of the Japanese to find what it is that they can put their faith in, find their value in.  And it’s mostly here that Keri, my partner, and I will work to share God’s love with the Japanese.

We’ve been working to meet and cultivate friendships with Japanese in the area through various activities, such as free English practice and playing in Yoyogi park, where most people spend their Saturdays off.  We’ve made several friends that we are meeting with to talk to and spend time with in the hopes that we can share God’s love with them.

We are also going to Yoyogi park every week to help feed the homeless living there.  It’s remarkable that a mere 20 minutes walk from one of the wealthiest living areas on Japan is a park full of people living under bridges and on benches with nothing but tarps to protect them and their few possessions from the elements.  Every Saturday morning we wake up early with hundreds of rolls, muffins and other kind of bread to pack up and hand out to the homeless gathered there.  There are many new homeless now, as the economy continues to worsen and businesses go down.  The Tsunami and earthquake is also having a ripple effect that is only just now working it’s way through the Japanese society.  Alongside those who’ve lived in these conditions for years there are formerly successful businessmen forced by hardship to live a life they’ve never known.  Some are staying in capsule hotels for around 20 dollars a night finding a new kind of community with the other homeless forced to live in unusual conditions.  But even last weekend we saw how God can change people’s circumstances.

A couple who were formerly homeless decided to believe in Christ during one of the homeless ministry services in the park.  They later were able to find work and are now able to volunteer with the ministry that once fed them.  They now feed their friends still living in Yoyogi park.

In addition to the homeless ministry I’m also actually volunteering to help some business students in Yokohama National University practice English.  Keri and I meet with them twice a week.  The remarkable thing is that many of them are actually not Japanese but Chinese.  So in the course of our conversations together they have shown a remarkable interest to talk about spiritual things, because they were prohibited from those subjects while living in China.  As we discuss all kinds of subjects from television, to international student experiences to Religion and faith in America the group is beginning to get closer and become a sort of international family.  Please pray that the students will become more and more open and that we can share Christ’s love with these students.

This week we will also have a special opportunity to minister to those in the Tokyo area who are suffering from the earthquakes.  In Chiba the earthquake was particularly bad as there was much reclaimed ground in the area that sank several feet.  The sewage and water systems were severely damaged and many people in these areas are living in near third world conditions.  Only recently have they even been able to flush the toilet.  But as the adults are working on rebuilding and cleaning up, the children are suffering.  They’re simple heart needs are often overlooked as all the energy is focused on the reconstruction.  So we’re going to be doing some children’s programs this weekend.  There will be music and games and fun.  But most of all we’ll be focusing on the children and making ourselves available to them.  We call it “Kokoro no CARE” or “Heart Care.”   Please pray for these children who’ve been traumatized by the earthquake, and pray that we can bring some light and joy to them as we love on them, this weekend.

In fact Kokoro no Care is the best way to explain much of what we’re doing here.  Japan is in a transitional state.  Things have only just gotten back to a state of normalcy here in Shibuya, but the effect of the disaster can still be seen inside people.  I’m praying that God will show me how best to serve the people God is putting in my life here from the homeless to the college students.  I’m praying that the bruised hearts of the Japanese here will be open to God’s healing and that this tragedy will make room for God to come into the lives of the Japanese and show them that even when all else is washed away, God will always be there, and his strength is more powerful than any tsunami or earthquake.

Thank you again for being a part of this ministry, there have been a few bumps along the way.  Keri, my partner didn’t get here for several days due to weather conditions in America.  One day that our apartment was open while they were doing work on our air conditioning, 30000 yen went missing from my things.  That’s over 350 dollars.  But I don’t want you to worry, God is providing for my needs amply.  At this point I don’t feel any financial strain in spite of the loss.  Rather God showed me that I was leaning to much on my financial security here.  Please continue to pray for the work we’re doing here.  I’m praying that I can simply be open and of use in whatever way is necessary while here.  I know this is a VERY long update.  If you managed to get this far kudos.  ^_^  In any event  I’ll try to keep you posted.  Thank you for your support!

Hannah Weakly

Picking up from the rushed email pertaining to getting to the airport…our team left the hotel to rush to the airport.  Jon and Blake dropped us off and went to return the rental cars.  It took longer than expected and we had to wait to check-in as a team until they got back.  While we were waiting, per advice from the Delta agent, Ceann and Kent went to the baggage office to talk about our unknown luggage.  The lady there was great.  She went through the system and inputed every destination onto our luggage.

Luggage accounted for..check.  Jon and Blake back..check. Here comes the stress.  Most things are automated…supervised by an employee.  We started to check in…and for some reason the system wouldn’t accept Judy or Ceann…grrrr.  The lady did it 20 plus times and no luck.  Every time I would would say…”why don’t you go take it to your supervisor.”  But she would respond…”no, one more time.” She did it so many times.  Well it got down to one hour before take off and she took it to her supervisor.  The rest of the team left to get to the plane while Ceann, Judy, and myself waited.  Fifteen minutes later…it got done.  As Ceann and Judy were walking to work through security…Jon came back saying they won’t let me through.  He didn’t have a destination on his ticket…which is a nogo for TSA.  I looked down and saw I didn’t either.  NOOOOOO.  So, we gave our tickets to the agent.  She worked and worked and no luck.  T-minus 30 minutes until the plane took off or we were in NYC again.  I looked up and saw the agent running to us with around 20 tickets???  She said lets go and off we ran to security.  She walked us through.  By the time Jon and I got there it was finishing up boarding.  We got on. WOW.Praise the Lord.

All the other flights were great.  We went through Copenhagen, Denmark…then Paris…then Lyon.  Getting luggage at Lyon and BOOM…we were missing two pieces.  One of which was Jon’s which had all our direct boxes and cables in it:(  They filled out the paperwork and the airline said it would be sent to our hotel.  We got on the van and started traveling.  After a great warm meal…and lots of driving…we got in bed around 3:30am. We decided we were going to meet the missionaries at 11:45am to go get lunch.

OK. no alarms worked.  Debby came to Jon and I’s room and had to wake us up at 11:38am.  Wow. crazy trip, but we got it all together and went and had some lunch.  Then half the team went to the airport to pick-up luggage…which wasn’t there…and the other half went to the church to pick up equipment.

After an hour and a half drive…we got to the church, unloaded all the gear, and had a quick run through.  We had a great meal at a members house and saw some unbelievable French country side.  Then back to the church for the concert.  From what I understand, church is not a very popular thing in France.  That being said, I was expecting about 10 people there.  I would guess there were close to 200.  The place was packed.  The concert went great. We had two encores.

After the concert a French person committed, “There is something different in the way that they sing.  You can tell it came from their hearts.  It is clear they believe what they sing.”  Wow.  We were all humbled by that comment.  25 New Testaments were taken that had contact with the missionaries in them.  We were so excited.  So after refreshments with the church staff, we loaded everything up had a very spirited ride back to the hotel.  It is 2:00 am now and I am wired.

Please be praying for sleep and energy as we go out again tomorrow.

Exciting news from Japan.  Hannah Weakley, one of our interns working with the International Mission Board, has reported that two girls are anxious about becoming apart of a Bible study.  This is so exciting!!!! Please be in prayer for the ministry that Hannah is doing.  Pray that the Lord grant her strength to communicate the Gospel boldly.  Also, pray for these two young ladies, that want to know more about our loving Savior, that they will make a decision to follow Christ.