JEMS 2011 Summer Ministries Set

JEMS invites you to be in prayer for our teams as they prepare for ministries in Brazil this summer.  We will have three teams representing JEMS in six ministry locations.

Please pray for the Okada family (Mark, Pam, Luke, Lindsey, Leighton and Lilly - Lauren is not participating this year) traveling from Dallas, Texas and serving at Camp Shalom outside of the city of São Paulo.  They will be on the field from July 14-25.

Prayers are appreciated for JEMS' Tri-Church Team:  The team includes Greg Oda (team leader), Rosie Yokomizo, Darryl and Helena Wong.  They will be serving in three churches over a period of three consecutive weeks.  Pray for their ministries at the Diadema Free Methodist Church (July 11-17), Jordanopolis Free Methodist Church (July 18-24) and Sorocaba Free Methodist Church (July 25-31).

Our third team (PO-LO team), led by Justine Morey, will be serving in two Brazilian cities in two neighboring Brazilian states.  The team members are Shawn Arata, Deborah Hino, Brittany Morey, Cory Morinishi and Rianna Wong.  They will be serving in the cities of Pompeia (SP) from July 11-17 and Londrina (Parana) from July 18-24. 

PO-LO - did you get it?

 

Pastor John will be accompanying the teams as well as meeting with local church and denominational leaders throughout the southern region.  

Please pray for visa acquisition (which can sometimes be political), for travel safety, for health and adaptation, and for effective ministries and bridge building among the various age groups with whom we will be working.

Thank you!
PJ

Recruitment, Training, Ministry

I'm very grateful to God for the wonderful team that has been assembled for ministry with JEMS in South America this summer.

A total of sixteen will be traveling to serve in five different ministry locations in Brazil.  Two teams come from the LA area and will serve between two and three weeks.

The southern California team is pictured below.  On the left side of the photo are team leaders Justine Morey and Greg Oda:

An additional family of five will be traveling from the Dallas area.

At the end of March, we transitioned from the recruitment phase to the training cycle of our program as we prepare our volunteers for ministry.  As always, our training focuses on prayer support development, culture and language training, and ministry preparation.  

Now as we are well into May, the administrative side of the ministry goes into full swing as travel, insurance, documentation must all be arranged.  We are stunned by the cost of travel this year.  Fuel surcharges and general airfare costs have pushed fares quite high.  I overheard the Japan department mention that flights from LA to Tokyo are running around $2000.

LA to São Paulo are not quite that bad, but running easily over $1200.  We could definitely use your prayers for our team members who will all be raising their financial support.

Within the last month,, the JEMS South America department has been blessed by the addition of a new staff member.  Justine Morey has come on-board as a part-time missions coordinator with JEMS.  She will begin raising her financial support in order to begin her service with JEMS.  She is currently volunteering her hours and providing leadership and assistance.

Justine recently returned from six months of service in Marília, Brazil as a JEMS short-termer.  Her love for Brazil continues to have a expression as she will serve as a training leader and team leader, taking a group of five to Brazil this July.  Please pray for Justine as she raises her financial support for this staff position.

My own financial support could use your consideration as I will need to raise $4000 for the summer ministry in July.  My duties will involve the field coordination and oversight of the teams while in-country.  I will also meet with denominational and local church leadership to continue to cultivate JEMS partnerships in South America.

If you are led to or able to support my ministry, please follow this LINK to the JEMS donation page.  Once on the page, you can find my account by selecting "South America International Ministry," then the sub-category, "Rev. John Katagi, Director."  Thanks so much in advance.  It's really appreciated!

Wishing you a wonderful spring!

PJ