Merry Christmas 2008!

*
With
o a fond
wish to you,
my friends, o
family and support
o team for a warm and
blessed Christmas and a
o New Year filled with God's
presence, joy and grace! o
o Arigato gozaimasu!
Muito obrigado!
Thank you!
!! !! !!
!! !!

***Pastoral Ministry***

(Just above) Calabasas Home Fellowship Christmas get-together hosted by the Lees

God blessed the ministry of Celebration in 2008. Our English worship service continues to grow and thrive. As a result, the church leadership has begun researching possibilities of finding a larger worship facility for our attendance needs.

Note: We have just received word (December 18) that the building owner has agreed to enlarge and remodel our current facility to accommodate seating for 100+. They have also agreed to a financial proposal that would enable us to move forward with the project. Praise the Lord!

***JEMS***

This was a year in which I was privileged to travel and minister overseas. The photo above, taken in Asunción, Paraguay, represents brothers and sisters in Christ from the countries of Brazil, Paraguay, Japan and the USA. The gospel is able to cross borders! It was possible because of your prayers and support.

Based on an article I wrote about my Paraguay trip, I was invited to be a series contributor for Discover Nikkei, a multi-lingual and multi-national site that shares the stories of Nikkei living around the world. I will be sharing my more humorous experiences working over the years in South America. Go to this link for more information.

***Family***

My daughter, Tracey and her husband Will, vacationing in Colorado (May 08).

My son, Brandon and his wife Alyssa, on a visit to Tracey and Will in Atlanta (Oct 08).

God has been faithful. I am so appreciative of your friendship in the past year.

Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

John

Paraguay with Eyes Open

PJ is published in webforum, Discover Nikkei:

September 2008 marked my first opportunity to visit the capital city of Asunción, Paraguay. I had been looking forward to my study trip, and was hoping that I hadn't lost my sense of adventure and the flexibility that would be needed for a two week stay, bookended by two twenty-four hour travel days.

Prior to embarking on my study trip to Paraguay, I dutifully read all I could find (thanks, Google!) on the history of the country. I would learn about the disastrous impact of . . .

To Continue reading: http://www.discovernikkei.org/forum/en/node/2968

*

Thank you for your prayers!

Home at last to the familiar surroundings of Tom Bradley Terminal in LAX.

As I waited for my luggage to come around the carousel, I was reminded of the many blessings and the answered prayers of this mission trip. God was indeed faithful as doors were opened and plans were made for JEMS ministry in Paraguay in 2009. I am deeply appreciative of those of you who kept these past weeks before the Lord in prayer.

Though I seem to have caught a heavy cold (a souvenir of Paraguay and cold weather in São Paulo), it is far better to be sick at home than to be sick overseas! I'm confident that your prayers sustained me to this point! It will be nice to be surrounded by familiar pillows and blankets.

After a week of rest, I will return to pastoral ministry with Celebration in Camarillo, CA. The church is committed to reaching a multi-cultural audience in the Ventura County area, with current attenders coming from as far as Santa Clarita, Carpinteria, Calabasas and Winnetka, as well as the more familiar Ventura County towns such as Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Moorpark, Simi Valley, Ventura, Oxnard and of course, Camarillo.



In my travels, I was not surprised to learn that most people had never heard of Camarillo. But we're the little engine that could - ha ha! or some such thing.

As I close this section of prayer requests related to the Paraguay mission, I leave you with a couple of thoughts:

1. Please pray with me for eight ministry workers with a desire to serve the Japanese Paraguayan community in July 2009. (Three week volunteer commitment; Japanese or Spanish language fluency is required).

2. Pray for the provision of a good team leader for this group. Someone who will be able to serve as a bridge between the JEMS team and Pastor Koki Nowada.

3. Pray for other JEMS South America Missions partnerships that are currently brewing. South American churches must have their application for JEMS workers into the JEMS office by January 30, 2009.

4. Pray for Celebration and our ministry to the (primarily) Asian American community in Ventura County!

In closing, here are some nice scenes around our little town:

The photo above is what many associate with Camarillo. It is the former Camarillo State Mental Hospital with a rather infamous and controversial history ("Hotel California," anyone?). The hospital closed in 1997. It has since re-opened in 2002 as the campus of California State University - Channel Islands.

St Mary Magdelen Catholic Church

Pretty place! You must come visit!

God bless you!
PJ

Visit the Celebration ministry link!

New frontiers?

First, lunch news.

This is typical comida mineira or food from the state of Minas Gerais. It is food that was created to sustain the hard life of those who worked in the mines back in the 18th century. Much of the gold and precious stones that we associate with Brazil came from the state of Minas Gerais (which in English means "general mines") It is a heavy, stick-to-the-ribs kind of food that you wouldn't eat before swimming lest you sink to the bottom of the pool! =)

And yes, that's deep-fried pork rinds sitting on top of a blend of rice, beef, linguiça and couve (mustard greens). With two fried bananas circling the top. And yes, I passed on those rinds!

I'm pictured here with Fred from a Nikkei church in São Bernardo do Campo on the outskirts of São Paulo city. As I think about the contacts I made on my first trip to Brazil in 1990, Fred has been another colleague with whom I have maintained friendship and ministry partnership. It was Fred who, in a February 2008 meeting with Rev Sam and Dr Matt in São Paulo, spoke of the possibility of ministry in Macau.

Some exciting changes are in store for Fred as he shared today his intention to go for his PhD at the prestigious University of São Paulo (USP), and in three to four years, move with his entire family to serve the Lord in Macau.

In the meantime, this coming Sunday, he and his family will formally begin a new church association with a Taiwanese church in São Paulo. His intention is to learn the Cantonese language in anticipation of their future move. That will be very exciting for him.

What does that mean?

It means that Fred may be able to provide us with a future partnership with the Taiwanese church in São Paulo. He has indicated that he will investigate over the next six months their openness to this idea.

It also means that the opportunities for ministry in Macau are looking very bright as we will have a strong contact in place in just a few years. JEMS also has (or rather, I have) a good Nikkei friend who is currently serving as a missionary in Macau. The family has been officially sanctioned by a Nikkei Christian denomination here in Brazil, therefore providing JEMS with access to collaboration with them.

In the near future, we trust and pray that God will open doors allowing us to send a survey/study team to Macau to determine how JEMS can best serve the community there.

So yes, lunch meetings can be very productive! Please also remember to pray for Fred and his family as they face new challenges ahead!

The Little Rose

"Psst. Doesn't that guy look like Robert DeNiro?"

This comment by a JEMS worker has been a running joke between my friend Edison and me for many years. Nicknamed "Rosinha" or "Little Rose," he serves as auxiliary pastor at a Nikkei church in the city of São José dos Campos. We had a chance to meet yesterday evening for four hours of thoughtful and enlightening conversation.

He was one of the first five people I met when I made my initial visit to São Paulo in 1990. He became one of those whom I called "The Conspirators of English." That is to say that the first five people I met in São Paulo all spoke English very well, thus leading me to believe -- wait for it -- that everyone in São Paulo spoke English!

As you sit at home reading this, you might be convinced to imagine that PJ wasn't taking his brain vitamins back then. But the truth is, when one is surrounded and inundated by the differences and foreignness of another culture, one looks for cues that lead to some sort of connection and common ground.

Crossing cultures can be a huge challenge for many people. Some simply cannot and will not do it. Yet for others, it's as automatic as waking up in the morning. On a superficial level, many of us make cultural adjustments every day: forks to chopsticks, chicken pot pie to chile verde burritos, Mandarin at home to English at work, Mountain Dew with our soon dubu jigae.

Most of us who live bi-culturally do it without even thinking about it. The ease and flexibility required to move back and forth from one culture into another is more than something we grew up with. It's a gift. And it's a gift that may enable you to make the transition into yet another third culture.

Consider how God created you as a person of culture and how that cultural flexibility can be used to share the grace and love of Jesus in another country. I invite you to read further and pray about opportunities in Paraguay and in Brazil.

JEMS' target dates for ministry are summer 2009! However, applications to serve in these countries are due at the end of January 2009, with training beginning in mid-to-late March.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Old friends. Fine wine.

Seems like there should be a quote like that. "Old friends are like fine wine. They get better with age." Since I don't know that much about wine, fine or otherwise, that might not be a good quote to take to heart.

But I did have the chance today to have lunch with Ullisses, my oldest and dearest friend in Brazil. We first met at Mount Hermon of all places, back in 1990, when he was a university student.

Not the greatest photo I've ever taken of myself, but I wanted to have you meet Ullisses. He has been the iron for me as in Proverbs 27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." He has instructed me in the nature of Brazil ministry, having served for many years in leadership. He provides what I call plausible creativity and vision for ministry.

Plausible creativity is that kind of imaginative thinking that isn't just the stuff of dreams, but it brings possibilities into concrete focus with practical ideas and constructive next steps. Anyone can throw ideas around. It´s a rare person who can help bring those ideas to reality.

Two projects on the table for Brazil are in large part due to some brainstorming Ullisses and I were able to do together in São Paulo this past February over a churrasco dinner. The first was his idea to "bring Mount Hermon to Brazil." Having attended our JEMS Summer Conference, he sees the potential of this type of conference having a significant impact on professionals and young families in Brazil.

In a meeting I had yesterday with two members of the Brazil Holiness Church Education committee, they lamented the fact that they are losing young people at a key transition point: from just after university and as they enter the professional rank and file. Ullisses suggests that a Mount Hermon type of conference model/design would be very attractive to this age group/demographic and may encourage many to consider re-establishing their walk with the Lord.

The second project he suggested has the interest and approval of Holiness Church denominational leadership. It is the idea of developing a JEMS Coordinating Council in São Paulo which would work with the LA office in helping to identify churches willing to partner with JEMS, as well as providing support and infrastructure for JEMS summer teams and long-term missionaries coming into the country. We spoke at length this afternoon about possible candidates for that Council.

Yeah, I know. I'm supposed to be on vacation. But at least we met over lunch! =).

* * * * *

I didn't want to create a separate post for this, but it´s COLD here!! Weather dot com says that it´s 53 degrees at the moment. But the humidity is 82%. Do you know what that feels like?

Think of San Francisco over by the zoo in winter. You know, the humid cold that goes to the bones. Brazilian homes have the added bonus of no central heating. I sorta packed for 80 degree Paraguay weather.

But me, complain? Nah!! I'm just the remote weather dot com guy. ha ha!

Finding common ground

Partnership. Collaboration. Finding common ground.

These are the fundamental principles by which JEMS South America operates. We cannot be effective or successful without these attitudes.

I've come to this conclusion after many years of service in Brazil. One of the families who made this partnership possible was the Yuasa family. Pr Key (pronounced "kay") provided JEMS with the introductions and open doors that made much of the ministry in the 1990's possible.

Tuesday evening, I had the joy of having dinner with Pr Key's daughter, Gabriela (Gaby for short). Three and a half months ago, Gaby and her husband Marcos welcomed twin boys to their family. I got to meet one of them - he happened to wake up early for a midnight feeding.

I've known Gaby since 1990 when I made my first visit to Brazil. We were quickly friends due to her ability to speak English and her very gracious spirit. We later worked together in team collaborations to create new ministry models such as English camp and other programs. Most JEMS alums who worked in São Paulo in the early 1990´s would have met or worked with her.

Partnership, collaboration and common ground are sometimes also accompanied by good friendship. When that happens, you can consider yourself really blessed.

Thoughts as I take leave of Paraguay

This is probably my last entry from Paraguay as I plan to catch the Tuesday, 5am flight out of Asunción in a couple of hours. I head to São Paulo for several missions-related meetings and some time for rest.

I'm pleased with this Asunción mission because it revealed some new realities for me regarding the criteria for ministry in Paraguay. I am also pleased to have reconnected with many of the children and students to whom JEMS has ministered to in Paraguay over the years.

Among them are Tomoe, Eiji and Yuri. They participated in Bible studies that I held in Pedro Juan Caballero in the early to mid-1990s. Though they are not walking with the Lord right now, my prayer is that their hearts may be turned back to Jesus.

Tomoe

Eiji and Yuri

I was also able to meet a distant relative. Let's see if I can explain this. This woman's father is the son of my father's mother's cousin. I think that's right.

The boys are this woman's sons. And as these boys walked up to us, Pr Koki gasped and said, "Yoku niteru!" Meaning that he saw the family resemblance. I know that we are distant relatives at best, but resemblance? Do you see it? (No comments about the tummy!)

Sometimes we forget that we as the church are related. Our common connection is in our relationship with Jesus Christ. It's in this way that we share a common spiritual heritage with the Christian family in Paraguay. It would be wonderful to hold a "family" reunion in Paraguay next year. To share our common and unique identity together in Jesus Christ!

Party (fiesta) Paraguayan Nikkei Style

Rule 1: Those invited to the fiesta are not required to arrive on time.

Rule 2: Refer to Rule 1.

I kid. We had a wonderful home fellowship at the Nowada's on Sunday night as we celebrated Pr Koki's birthday and the Asunción group gave me a welcome party.

Now about this, I'm not kidding! The week had been filled with so much travel (me) and other commitments (them), there wasn't the chance to have a welcome earlier than two days before I was leaving. I mentioned to Pr Koki whether it wouldn't be better to call it a "farewell" party, but he wouldn't have it. There can be no farewells without a genuinely warm Paraguayan welcome. I'm completely okay with that.

Not a ministry night per se, but there were approximately eight people who came to the event who are new to the fellowship of the group. It is a good opportunity to cultivate friendships.


Pastor Koki is a man of many talents. Including churrasco!

It's not obvious, but these folks are standing by the bbq waiting for the first steaks to be cut up and served. Meat off the grill is the most delicious. And I have to say that Paraguayan beef is pretty primo!

Yoshizaki brothers, Noriyuki and Sadato.

Yuki, Masayuki, Aya and Nobu.

Pray for these three who have yet to make a decision.

All moms freak out on the count of 3.

Pastor Koki's wife, Mari and her brother, Sadato

Celebrating with Pr Koki

Japanese language school volunteer teachers. Please pray for their salvation as well. But please thank God that Pr Koki and Mari have contact with them.

A fun night was had by one and all! Praise God for this group who are the foundation of the Asunción Nikkei church's future.

Come on. Walk with me. Drive with me

Feel the experience of driving (or riding) down a small side street in Asunción. Buckle up!

An opportunity to dream with the Asunción church

Truth be known, the Paraguay Project comes not from me, but from the vision of Pastor Nowada. The idea of inviting a JEMS team to minister in Asunción and Pirapó began long before Rev Tonomura and I met with him in March 2008. But the vision for the ministry began to be realized with this current mission trip.

A part of the work of ministry is preparing or equipping God's people to do God's work. Pr Nowada asked me to share on Sunday to explain the vision of JEMS in Paraguay with his congregation.

Thanks so much to Pr Koki for his patience with me as I worked to learn more about the reality of life and ministry in Paraguay. I spent a number of hours of study in preparation for being in the country, but there is no substitute for being here. The situation with the Nikkei in Asunción and especially in the colonies, is completely unique. There is nothing like this in terms of experience in the USA.

Having said that, this mission will require much wisdom, flexibility and a sense of adventure as you face challenges of culture(s), language(s) and people groups. At the same time I believe that by being here, you will be in a position to bless an entire community!

Your consideration of the JEMS July 2009 Paraguay Mission is appreciated.

Kids and church: a great combination

Sunday morning is a blast in Asunción!

Link to larger photo.

More to come later. We're getting ready for Sunday Night Fellowship. Whew! This ministry rocks!

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Okay, I'm back.

Our morning's ministry included a very animated children's ministry time, led by Aya on the right, who also happens to be seven months pregnant with her fourth child.

Watch the video!

Missions isn't just about serving

As I sat in on the Asunción church's choir rehearsal tonight, I was blessed to see the way that God is using Pastor Koki and Mari in this city. God has given him wonderful music ministry gifts that make a non-musical guy like me just sit in awe with my two left thumbs. He doesn't just play, he PLAYS! It's great to see.

I thought about the July Paraguay Project and how we might tend to see the ministry as an expression of our service and sacrifice to the Lord. But then I realized that in the few days that I have been with Pr Koki that I have learned and grown so much in my understanding of ministry, people and the Lord because of his example.

And there it is! If you make the decision to come with JEMS to Paraguay, I'm convinced that you will be taking a giant step forward in your spiritual growth and development! Serving in Asunción and Pirapó will include the special privilege to serve side-by-side with someone with a wonderful heart for God and people.

Perhaps that's just what you're looking for at this point in your life? To take that next step of faith and growth in your walk with the Lord?

God bless you as you consider the possibilities of doing this in Paraguay in July 2009.

Please check back later as I try and figure out how to upload a video of the rehearsal to youtube. The internet is finicky in this country.

PJ

Asunción and the Japanese language

Saturday morning.

I hear thunder and see lightning through the wooden slats of my window shutters. Rain is pouring out of the sky!

Today will include a visit to the Asunción Japanese language school and the offices of the Japanese Federation.

Paraguayan scholar and social scientist, Emi Kasamatsu writes: "Young and adult Nikkei in Paraguay are considered to be among the most accomplished speakers of Japanese on the continent, and to live in such a way that most closely represents their ancestors' lifestyle and customs."

One of the principal reasons for this linguistic accomplishment is the Paraguayan Japanese language schools. This is where I went this morning.



Classes include kindergarten to high school. Peeking through the classroom windows.

Look! There's Mari sensei teaching her kindergarten class!

Pr Koki and I also sat in on this teacher's (Yoko's) class. She's serving a two-year volunteer term as a teacher in this Japanese school and doing a great job!

The morning included a nice reunion with my friend, Mana, whom we met during our mission earlier this year in February and March. Mana has also worked for the past year as a teaching volunteer in the Asunción Japanese Language school. She returns to Japan at the end of the year.

According to Kasamatsu, for the Nikkei who live in Asunción or other large cities, integration into the larger society commonly occurs, and later generations have substantially modified their sense of the importance of using the Japanese language. This is the great challenge facing Paraguayan Nikkei today.

This reality may also mean a bellweather change for the community as it seeks its next step toward the future. One thought is the question of where English language studies will ultimately fit in. And will JEMS have a place in filling that need?