15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
I am grateful every day for your prayers on my behalf and on behalf of the ministry at JEMS in South America. In 2006 I was diagnosed with kidney disease. The great blessing is that eight years later, while my prognosis hasn't changed, the grace of God has enabled me to stave off the accelerated deterioration of my kidney function.
Much gratitude fills my heart for God's precious gifts that are permitting me to serve as I do. Language acquisition, partnering relationships, strategic vision, a gifting to impart God's word, have all been key components of my ministry overseas. Would I be burying my talent in the ground if I neglected to use these gifts which God has uniquely suited to cross-cultural service?
Since my return to JEMS in 2008, God has been faithful to your prayers on my behalf. If you've followed along with my prayer letters (this blog), you will know that ministries and network relationships have been re-established in Brazil, new partnerships have been cultivated in Argentina, Paraguay and Peru. God continues to permit inroads for the gospel to reach the unchurched and for the discipling of believers in South America.
I have been able since 2008 to travel to and serve in South America at least twice a year, staying each time an average of two months. While that may not seem like a lot of time, these contacts are strategic as JEMS works to actively encourage and support local national churches.
At the present moment, I am working to organize a missions team made up of Nikkei (and other) Brazilians from São Paulo to spend two weeks with me in Buenos Aires, Argentina in January 2016. JEMS has been invited to serve at a youth camp through the auspices of the Japanese Evangelical Church of La Fuente. (Iglesia Evangélica Japonesa en la Argentina, La Fuente pertains to the address of the church on Av. LaFuente 441 (C.A.B.A.)
Just as JEMS gives North Americans the opportunity to serve cross-culturally in South America, we have created a program that offers a chance for Brazilians to do the same in their neighboring countries and communities. Please pray as I meet with my kidney specialist next month to determine my travel-ability in January.
So what about my back?
Most folks are aware that I am also struggling with back issues (spinal stenosis). The current state of affairs is that surgery remains a long-shot option as much concern has been expressed in my consultations for the possibility of paralysis as a consequence of surgery. So given the option of pain or paralysis, I am currently opting to deal with the pain.
Some fixes have been easy to implement. Better shoes (orthopedic old man shoes) and a back brace to lessen the stress on my back. The other fix is taking a bit more time (losing weight).
Thinking about it this morning, I am grateful that the pain is not as bad as it could be. I take a couple of Tylenol in the morning and go about my day. (NSAIDs are not an option due to my kidney issues). On occasion when the pain level gets too high, I have to resort to a prescribed medication that is a bit stronger, but thankfully, that isn't very often. I am still limited in how much walking I am able to do. I am appreciative of friends and pastors in South America who understand my situation and have provided me with almost door-to-door car service. Negotiating the large international airports has been less tiring and stressful as I am able to request wheelchair service.
When people ask about my back, my answer is "About the same." But that in itself is an answer to prayer as my answer is not, "It's gotten worse." I will take "about the same" over worse any day.
Financial Support Update
This is a new section of my prayer blog as I have not made the question of my financial support needs known. I have been serving with JEMS on a 3/4 time basis as I have waited for my support to come in. But it would be good for you to know what my specific needs are if I am to be able to transition to full time.
As you can see, I am still in need of approximately $960/month in contributions in order to transition to full-time ministry with JEMS.
For your clarification, the cost of ministry (travel, housing and meals while on the field) come from a separate South America missions account. Those funds are specific to the cost of doing business. The annual expenses for South America missions (overseas and at home) have been kept to a reasonable amount of $70,000 yearly. Those funds are strictly for missions expenditures and are not available to subsidize my salary.
Please consider your financial partnership in this ministry which God has continued to bless and expand. To make a one-time gift or to set up monthly support, please follow this link to the JEMS donation page.
With much gratitude for your prayers and for your generous participation in partnership with making Jesus known in South America.
Pastor John
The original causes of the kidney damage are no longer in play. Some have suggested that the demands of my work schedule are contributing to the kidney issue. But at this point, my kidney degeneration is related more to aging, which means that whether I'm sitting at home or whether I'm on the field, time will take its toll. Given the option of staying home or serving overseas, I choose the latter.
Much gratitude fills my heart for God's precious gifts that are permitting me to serve as I do. Language acquisition, partnering relationships, strategic vision, a gifting to impart God's word, have all been key components of my ministry overseas. Would I be burying my talent in the ground if I neglected to use these gifts which God has uniquely suited to cross-cultural service?
I have been able since 2008 to travel to and serve in South America at least twice a year, staying each time an average of two months. While that may not seem like a lot of time, these contacts are strategic as JEMS works to actively encourage and support local national churches.
At the present moment, I am working to organize a missions team made up of Nikkei (and other) Brazilians from São Paulo to spend two weeks with me in Buenos Aires, Argentina in January 2016. JEMS has been invited to serve at a youth camp through the auspices of the Japanese Evangelical Church of La Fuente. (Iglesia Evangélica Japonesa en la Argentina, La Fuente pertains to the address of the church on Av. LaFuente 441 (C.A.B.A.)
Just as JEMS gives North Americans the opportunity to serve cross-culturally in South America, we have created a program that offers a chance for Brazilians to do the same in their neighboring countries and communities. Please pray as I meet with my kidney specialist next month to determine my travel-ability in January.
So what about my back?
Some fixes have been easy to implement. Better shoes (orthopedic old man shoes) and a back brace to lessen the stress on my back. The other fix is taking a bit more time (losing weight).
Thinking about it this morning, I am grateful that the pain is not as bad as it could be. I take a couple of Tylenol in the morning and go about my day. (NSAIDs are not an option due to my kidney issues). On occasion when the pain level gets too high, I have to resort to a prescribed medication that is a bit stronger, but thankfully, that isn't very often. I am still limited in how much walking I am able to do. I am appreciative of friends and pastors in South America who understand my situation and have provided me with almost door-to-door car service. Negotiating the large international airports has been less tiring and stressful as I am able to request wheelchair service.
When people ask about my back, my answer is "About the same." But that in itself is an answer to prayer as my answer is not, "It's gotten worse." I will take "about the same" over worse any day.
Financial Support Update
For your clarification, the cost of ministry (travel, housing and meals while on the field) come from a separate South America missions account. Those funds are specific to the cost of doing business. The annual expenses for South America missions (overseas and at home) have been kept to a reasonable amount of $70,000 yearly. Those funds are strictly for missions expenditures and are not available to subsidize my salary.
Please consider your financial partnership in this ministry which God has continued to bless and expand. To make a one-time gift or to set up monthly support, please follow this link to the JEMS donation page.
With much gratitude for your prayers and for your generous participation in partnership with making Jesus known in South America.
Pastor John
No comments:
Post a Comment