New Celebration Worship and Picnic Video (Summer 2010)

Just as summer launched, our church had its annual worship and picnic at Mission Oaks Park in Camarillo.  You're invited to enjoy the fun!

To read the most recent update on the summer mission, please click this link.

Three P's - Paraguay, Pompeia and (São) Paulo

Thank you for your prayers as the summer ministry teams arrived at LAX on Tuesday night, August 10th.  I wanted to share just briefly, and mostly through photos, the last two weeks of ministry we shared in South America.  

My apologies as this belated post is due in part to the unavailability of a computer while on the field, but I want you to know that your prayers made a significant difference. The fact that I didn't break my leg in an awkward fall down a metal spiral staircase in Brazil is a testament to God's care.  You'll have to ask me about that.  

As the poster indicates, 2011 will be the two-hundredth anniversary of Paraguay's independence from Spain.  2011 will also provide opportunity for possible ministry as the local Nikkei church in Asuncion has asked for a JEMS team in July of next year.

The church continues under the leadership of Pastor Koki and Mari Nowada.  The ministry has a strong outreach to children.  2011 will be an opportunity to provide a VBS program for them in Asuncion as well as in the farming colonies of southern Paraguay.

My visit included an opportunity to speak, to engage long-time friends, to visit family and to see the ministry firsthand.

Pastor John preaching in Asuncion's Free Methodist Church

Pastor Koki Nowada leading Sunday worship.  Sadato Yoshizaki on guitar.

PJ with Eiji. We met in 1993 maybe.

A happy moment.

Really, a children's ministry!  Won't you consider serving in 2011?

Asuncion bonus:  time with my relatives (my dad's cousin and family)

Meeting friends who met the JEMS team in 2009

Upon leaving Paraguay, my next stop would be an important one on the way to Pompeia.  Six hours from the city of São Paulo is the small town of Marilia, where JEMS worker, Justine Morey is serving.

I was able to meet with Justine and with the pastor and leadership of the church to get an update on her ministry there.

Justine and Pastor Daniel Abe

Leadership of the Marilia Free Methodist Church where Justine is serving

Justine was also able to travel to Pompeia to spend time in fellowship and ministry with the JEMS basketball team.

The team enjoyed meeting Justine and vice versa.

Matt Asami working with at-risk kids in Pompeia

Garrett Nakasuji sharing his testimony at half-time

Jonathan Nitao sharing on another night in Pompeia.  Many thanks to Ivan Shiozawa for his interpretation ministry and many other expressions of care and support for the JEMS team.

The JEMS team's last night together in Pompeia.
Please pray for Justine as she continues her ministry in Marilia until December 11, 2010.

Huge appreciation to Pastor Guto Umeki for the open door and warm hearts.

Then it was back to São Paulo and a final dinner with our friends . . .



. . .  and then, good-bye at the airport

Ministry is never a solo, but a symphony.  There are many people who contribute to a ministry's effectiveness.  Much of the success of our ministry and opportunities in São Paulo was made possible by the hard work of several key leaders.  I want to thank Wellington Tsutsumida and Patricia Tokuyama for their investment of time and energy.  Prior to our arrival, they organized, coordinated, invited others to be involved in this project.  They also took a number of days off during our stay to accompany the team and to make certain that we were welcomed and well cared for.  Thank you so much!

"Ton" and "Patch" pictured with Mrs Tsutsumida.  Muito obrigado!

It was a wonderful three weeks of ministry, and its impact will continue to be seen in the lives of the people we were able to meet.  Please pray that the many seeds of the gospel shared would take root.  Pray as well for the four initial (and early) requests I received for JEMS workers in 2011.  Pray specifically if there is a place in your schedule for missions next year!