Hmm

I guess Photobucket decided to be uncooperative today. Or else I forgot how to post.

Be back later. Meeting in a few minutes.

* * * * * *

Here´s something that´s bound to make you stop and scratch your head.



Yeah, I know. Weird, huh?

The last couple of days have included productive meetings with leadership from the São Paulo Pastor´s Federation (known locally as the Renmei).



With friends and colleagues



L-R: Longtime friend, Fred Utsunomiya, whose long-term plan is to serve together with his family in Asia. PJ. Liana and Pastor Eduardo Goya. Pr Eduardo is the current president of the Evangelical Holiness Church in Brazil.

With new contacts



Breakfast meeting with the leadership of the Nikkei Christian Businessman´s Association (Adhonep). L-R: Jun Takamura, David Yu, PJ, Sr Sergio Oyama and Shin Nagumo. (These names are here for my benefit. It´s easy in this series of meetings to forget who I met and what their names were).

And sometimes God saves little surprises for us



So nice to see my friend William after many years. It was one of those moments when you look across the restaurant and see that someone is also looking at you with a glimmer of recognition. Great to see his wife, Elieth and their family as well!

As I mentioned earlier, Brazil is about relationships, new and long-term. Thank God for these friendships that enable JEMS to build bridges into the community. A few more meetings to come, but it appears that almost everyone is taking advantage of the long weekend. A few more days and I can look forward to speaking English with a bit more regularity!

Thank you for praying!

Oh, and in case you are geeky enough to wonder how I was able to post my photos, I was able to gain access to a computer. Still not sure why Photobucket has been unhelpful from my mobile.

Long day. Early morning tomorrow. This will be short.

Today was a very full day as the clock strikes midnight here in Sao Paulo. The morning started off with rain, which then turned into a series of delays as traffic was severely impacted.

Combined with a national holiday on Monday, I think that every car in Sao Paulo was out today. The holiday is called "Finados." Kind of like Dia de Los Muertos, but really a chance to get away to the beach or mountains.

I met with the Nikkei Pastor's Federation this morning, and with the president of the largest Nikkei denomination in Brazil this afternoon. Both meetings went well. Tomorrow morning early, I meet with the Nikkei chapter of the Christian Businessman's Association.

Underline early. I'm gonna stop for now and get to sleep. I'll write more at another time.

Thank you for taking the time to check back on the progress of ministry here!

Thank you for praying today!

Your prayers for a good meeting are much appreciated. My meeting with the denominational superintendent went very well. I had only met him once before at a distance and have never had an extended conversation with him. But I found our time sprinkled with grace and openness.

He felt at ease to share his perceptions of JEMS, both positive and challenging. But he also did so with much kindness and humility. This looks to be a great partnership.

My meeting with the superintendent was followed by meeting and dinner with the pastor of the Jordanopolis Church where Lee Ann Yabuki and Ken Fong (NorCal Ken) once served. I have always been blessed by my conversations with Pastor Shigueru.

When I spoke of my own journey of restoration and how I had been encouraged and supported by Pr Jairton, Shigueru said "Pastor Jairton's wife's family lives around the corner!"

What a small world! And of course, we went to visit. Unfortunately no one was home.

I still remember Pr Jairton saying to me on the day we met, "God's grace isn't for perfect people, it's for us in the times we most deeply fail." It's so true. How often as God's people have forgotten that.

I expect that as a result of our conversation tonight that we will receive a request for a JEMS worker from this church in Jordanopolis. I pray that the message of God's love and grace can be shared with this community.

Mundane? Yes, occasionally.

Sometimes a day in the life of a traveling missions pastor seems mundane.

Waiting in lines for immigration




Standing while grabbing a quick bite to eat before the next flight.



Looking out of the bus window as the countryside passes by.



Watching for signs that your city might be coming up soon.



Amidst all of this, I am very honored and blessed to serve in this capacity at JEMS. It is both a pleasure and a gifting from God that permits me to do this ministry. The moment I open my mouth and see that my words are making sense to my listener (and vice versa) is another affirmation of God´s provision.

In addition, these conversations are the basis of open doors for JEMS´ ministry in South America. Brazil is a very relational culture. The face-to-face communication over a cup of coffee or a shared laugh over a warm memory, all work to build trust and friendship. It is one of the things that makes ministry here possible. This was affirmed this morning as I shared breakfast with Pr Guto Umeki in the city of Pompeia. The impact of JEMS has rested with the efforts and gifting of its mission volunteers and the friendships that have been developed over the years.

So thank you so much for entrusting me with this ministry. Thank you for your financial support and prayers. Though many have read that Brazil is one of the most evangelical (and evangelized) nations in the world, it is still a great challenge to reach the Nikkei community here. There is much work to be done.

Please pray as I leave Londrina tonight and head into Sao Paulo for a weeklong whirlwind of meetings. I´m again grateful that a number of pastors have agreed to meet with me to discuss vision, partnership and planning for 2010 and beyond.

Back to Brazil

I'm leaving Asuncion in a few hours (I have to be at the Silvio Pettirossi International airport 2 hours ahead of my 5am departure time).

It was a wonderful weekend of ministry and relationship building that included a meeting with Paraguayan Nikkei relatives, who are related through my late father. "Yoku niteru" (looks alike) was a common expression during that emotional time.

It is a blessing to know that connections were made that will perhaps enable my relatives to come to know the Lord through the ministry of the Asuncion Nikkei church. I am not ashamed to admit that I needed a walk in the garden of the family home in order to wipe tears away. God is not only concerned to reach nameless (to us) people in South America, he also has a heart to reach my unsaved family members as well!

Please pray as I head to Sao Paulo this early Monday morning to catch a connecting flight to Londrina. I will take a bus from Londrina on Tuesday to the city of Pompeia to begin discussions about a basketball team ministry to Brazil next July. I return to Londrina on Wednesday to catch another flight to Sao Paulo on Wednesday early evening.

Plane bus car in the next two days. Please pray for safe travel.

Thank you!

Something a little different

Breakfast this morning was at God's Pan, a local neighborhood bakery. Interesting name for a bakery, yes?



Say it with me: Desayuno paraguayo (dehz ah zhoo noh pah rah gwah zhoh) Translation: Paraguayan breakfast. (the y´s are pronounced as j´s)

Also had the chance to do laundry today. Old school.



In addition to ministry with the church, Mari sensei works with children from the community, teaching origami.







Now they are getting prepared for choir practice. Koki and Mari are a very dedicated couple, serving the Lord in Asuncion.

Tereguahe poraite

"Tereguahe poraite" is the indigenous Guarani word for Welcome!

Thank you for praying for this day of travel which began at 6am in Manaus, connected in Sao Paulo and ended at 6pm in Asuncion, Paraguay. Whew! It was a long day!




With my arrival in Asuncion, Paraguay, I am happy to be fellowshipping with Pr Koki and Mari Nowada for the next several days.



We will continue to evaluate the just-completed 2009 Paraguay Project and discuss possible plans for a 2010 ministry.

The Paraguay Project team will be happy to hear that I had dinner with Paty, Victor, Yoko, Sadato, Michie, Yosoke, Lumi and Etsuko. Also attending were Nobu, Aya and the children.

These families and individuals were very happy to have received the JEMS team this past July. We pray that seeds planted will continue to be nourished and grow!

Friday - traveling north to south; then east to west

Please pray as I zig-zag South America on Friday. I leave Manaus at 6am, fly to Sao Paulo (5 hrs), catch a connecting flight from SP to Asuncion, Paraguay. I arrive close to 6pm Asuncion time.

Prayer request is for a full night's sleep one of these days. These early and daylong flights are tiring in their own right.

Thanks to God for good contacts and communication in Portuguese here in Manaus. Now I go to a ministry that is conducted in Japanese or Spanish (I speak neither). Thank God for Pr Koki and his wife, Mari who speak English and will help me immensely. Evaluation of past July ministry and possible planning for 2010 will take place.

Manaus - Day 2

Note: Please check the main blog at: http://prayer4pj.blogspot.com/ for the most recent updates! (just click Prayer4PJ above the pink line)

Day 2 began with a meeting with Pr Suzuki of the Portuguese department of the Manaus Holiness Church. I'll admit to being taken aback when he said, "Pastor John, you got old!" Ah yes, the open frankness of the Brazilian culture. Just what I need! haha

Discussions included possible participation in a weeklong Japanese language camp next July. I was able to spend some time with the pastor and his family, though he was just getting over the flu.



Before much time passed, I was asked to go downstairs to the church's pre-school program and teach them a song in English. What to do? Well, I taught them "head and shoulders knees and toes" as well as the ever popular "eyes and ears, mouth and nose." Not sure they were impressed.


After my meeting with Pr Suzuki concluded, I went back to the Josephina de Mello school, carved out of the jungle. I met with some students and their English teacher



As I was detected nodding off this afternoon, the pastor insisted that I rest. It's easily 100 today with full-on Amazonian humidity. Speaking of the Amazon, the pastor took me by the river for a view.



Now for a few moments to rest before tonight's activities and meetings.

Manaus - Day 1

Wednesday, October 21

Sorry, I can't control photo size!


Thank you for praying. Arrived in Manaus and cleared immigration and customs by 1.30pm.

Stepped outside to 100 degree heat. I'm trying to smile but unsuccessfully.



After a quick lunch, I met with the administrators of the private school (grades K to 8th) run by Pr Miura. It was a quick switch to speaking completely in Portuguese, but God is faithful. They are interested in children and youth ministry team for July and August

Met also with Pr Seung Yeol An who is also wishing a team. Pretty good response for the first day. My hosts have been kind enough to allow me rest a bit before meetings on Thursday.

Thanks for praying. In case you're wondering how I'm able to email, I'm logged into the wifi at the hotel so there are no 3g data charges. There's actually no 3g signal here in Manaus.

Blessings,
Pr John

Pray for PJ in South America: October 2009

Poster from 1925 inviting Japanese to immigrate to Brazil
Museu Histórico da Imigração Japonesa T. A. Queiroz, Editora Ltda.

Please keep updated on the latest news as this blog is updated daily during my study trip.  Click on this link to go to the main page.

Please pray for me as I leave on October 20th for South America. Plans are underway to firm up volunteer programs for our July 2010 program. You can see the color, electronic version of my prayer letter by clicking the red links below. The black and white print version is making its way into homes, hopefully by my departure date.

Note: All links below are expandable once clicked!

North, West, Southeast (Amazon, Paraguay, central Brazil and São Paulo - Page 1

God finished a great story! - Page 2

Pastor John travel and meeting schedule - Page 3

Address page and family photo - Page 4

Day-to-day ministry calendar (in process): Click

Please specifically pray for my feet.

Yes, my feet!

My feet are becoming gradually more arthritic which makes it difficult for me to walk for more than 1/4 mile. I will probably be doing a lot of walking in São Paulo but hope that people will provide help with transportation!

* * * * *

If you would like to support my ministry online, please read the following:

For online donations – Go to the JEMS website at www.jems.org

Click on “Support JEMS” (along the green tab)

Under Credit Card / Debit Card, click the link marked, “Give Now”

When pop-up window opens, click “Give Now” again

Under “Categories and Funds” choose “South America International Ministry” (click "ADD" if Subcategory does not appear)

Under “Subcategory” choose Rev John Katagi .

Construction re-starts in Camarillo

After a much UNanticipated delay of five months - the same amount of time we thought we would use for actual construction - our building permit finally came through. Many thanks to the church family for their patience in waiting. We are still meeting in a small room with seating for about fifty. We look forward to our move into the larger addition which promises to have seating for about 120.

Our construction schedule is aiming for a pre-Christmas move-in! Please pray for this!

Here are some photos of the construction progress taken this morning:


A combination of wonderful volunteers from the host church and our own group.


Our capable general contractor on the scaffolding.



The new "front" of the worship area.





Build out from the existing garage. Garage area will be refurbished and hopefully not look like a garage anymore.



October 6th Updates (3 photos): Roof truss placement







Please plan to visit us either during the holidays or early in 2010! Come rejoice with us!