Happy New Year from PJ and the Katagi kids!

(Português em baixo)

There is a special blessing that is mine whenever I am with my children.  God has been so good to continue to heal and restore. And it is completely by his grace, undeserved and unmerited on my part.  Anyone that has tried to repair something that has been broken knows that the process is not an easy one.  The fitting together of pieces never results in perfect wholeness. But with the passing of time, with effort and much grace, we are able to share warm and special moments together.  

Brandon, Alyssa, PJ, Tracey and Will

I am very blessed to be a part of their lives and am thankful for many prayers on our behalf.  We met for our annual post-Christmas dinner last night and shared stories and laughter together.  It is a joy for me to be with my children and for the sense of being family.  

As we look to the New Year, I pray that God's grace might be yours as well.  That you may experience his presence in very real and tangible ways. That when moments become a little challenging that grace might incline us to extend a kind word, a smile, a helping hand.  That we would choose forgiveness.  For that is the expression of grace that God shows us every moment of every day.  

My prayer is that 2013 would be a year of very special blessing for you and your loved ones.  

With love,

Pr John.  Also known as dad.

Há uma bênção especial que é meu quando estou com meus filhos. Deus tem sido tão bom para continuar a curar e restaurar nosso relacionamento. E é completamente pela graça de Deus, imerecida de minha parte. Qualquer pessoa que tenha tentado consertar algo que foi quebrado sabe que o processo não é fácil. Encaixando de peças nunca resulta em uma coisa perfeita. Mas com o passar do tempo, com esforço e muita graça, somos capazes de compartilhar juntos momentos calorosos e especiais.

Eu sou muito abençoado por ser uma parte de suas vidas e sou grato por muitas orações que foi levantado por minha família.  Nós encontramos para o nosso jantar anual pós-Natal ontém a noite e compartilhamos histórias e risadas juntos. É uma alegria para mim estar com os meus filhos e para o sentido de ser família.

Ao olharmos para o Ano Novo, eu espero que a graça de Deus possa ser o seu também. Que você possa experimentar a Sua presença de forma muito real e tangível. Que quando momentos se tornam um pouco difícil que a graça poderia ser estendido e nós poderiamos dar uma palavra amável, um sorriso, uma ajuda. Que possamos escolher perdão. Porque isso é a expressão da graça que Deus nos mostra a cada momento de cada dia.

Minha oração é que 2013 será um ano de bênção muito especial para você e seus queridos.

Posts you may have missed:

• "The Nativity" Christmas message from Pastor John:  Link
• Merry Christmas PHOTO from the JEMS Headquarters Staff.  Link
• January 2013 - Pastor Rick and Pastor John to meet with Brazilian pastors and establish contact with Argentinian Nikkei churches.  Read more.
• You can still receive your 2013 South America Department commemorative calendar with a year-end gift to JEMS - Katagi fund. Learn how.
• JEMS welcomes new staff member. Meet Rianna
• Invitation video for 2013 missions - Link 

JEMS South America welcomes new staff person

JEMS and the South America Department are pleased to introduce Rianna Wong as the new part-time Coordinator for South America missions.  She will be serving as a recruiter, trainer and team leader as part of her ministry responsibilities.  

Rianna has participated in past summer missions with JEMS and served as team leader for one of our 2012 summer teams.  She assumes the ministry position vacated by Justine Morey who has transitioned to care for her mother's health.  We are very blessed by God's leading of Rianna to serve with JEMS.    

Rianna, pictured right, with PJ 

Please pray for Rianna as she is immediately tasked with the responsibility of raising her financial support.  She will also begin the recruitment process for JEMS' 2o13 summer mission program.  

If you are interested in serving as a prayer and financial partner with Rianna in her ministry, please follow the JEMS financial link.  (Note:  Rianna's link will be online after January 3, 2013.  Follow the drop down menu from South America International Ministry to direct your gift).

If you are curious about serving with JEMS in South America this summer, the mission dates are scheduled for just over three weeks from July 7 to 31, 2013.  To learn more, please take a moment to watch our ministry invitation video.  Link

Blessings to you!
Pastor John


Past posts:

• Christmas Greetings from Pastor John: Link
• January 2013 - Pastor Rick and Pastor John to meet with Brazilian pastors and hope to establish more meaningful contact with Argentinian Nikkei churches.  Read more.
• You can still receive your commemorative calendar with a 2012 Year-End gift to JEMS - Katagi fund. Learn how.

Planting seeds of grace

Click any photo on this page to enlarge

The wording beneath the painting says, "Planting seeds of grace." As 2013 is about to unfold, may this be our theme wherever God may lead us, whether in South America or in our own neighborhoods and communities.


Prayers are appreciated for Pastor Rick and me as we travel to South America to plant seeds of grace in early 2013. Our departure date is scheduled for Sunday, January 6th with Pastor Rick returning on January 16th. I will remain on the field until February 20th.




The purpose of this trip is three-fold:

1. To further solidify possible partnership with Nikkei churches in the city of Buenos Aires.

2. To confirm Brazilian church partnerships for JEMS 2013 Summer Mission program.

3. To expand pastoral and church relationships within Brazil.



Pastor Rick and I will attend a portion of the Brazil Holiness Pastors' Conference on January 8-9. 

Immediately thereafter, we will travel to Buenos Aires to meet with community and church leaders to build bridges of friendship and potential ministry. From these meetings in Argentina, Pastor Rick will return directly to the US. 

After returning from Buenos Aires to São Paulo on January 21, I will attend the Brazil Nikkei Free Methodist Pastors' Conference to further cultivate goodwill and potential ministry partnerships. 

During the last week of January and first two weeks of February, I will be traveling throughout Brazil to introduce JEMS to churches and pastors who may not have an understanding of the ministry that JEMS offers to them. Please pray for safe travels. (continues below)

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Follow us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/JEMS_SA

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In a constructive expression of faith, during our stay in Buenos Aires, Pastor Rick and I will be stretching our ministry skills. The two of us are tentatively scheduled to speak and serve at a youth and children's camp with the Iglesia Evangelica Japonés. (Actually, this may not be so foreign to Rick since he has young children yet. But I haven't worked with children in ages. Especially children who speak only Spanish!!)

The VBS style program will be held at a campground in the countryside an hour away from Buenos Aires. At this moment, we are not even sure of our roles, but we are going with the expectation to serve.


Paul writes to Timothy, "But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry." (2 Timothy 4:5).

This will be our challenge as well as we face uncertainties of travel, lodging, ministry and communication during our time in Argentina. We will make every effort to fulfill what God desires, but we will rely heavily on your prayers!

Although the travel schedule in São Paulo state during the last week of January and first week of February's still needs to be fully worked out, please click to enlarge the calendars below to see my travel itinerary (if you wish).






Thank you!

God bless you!

Pr John



Posts you may have missed: 

• Christmas Greetings from Pastor John: Link
• Merry Christmas PHOTO from JEMS Staff Link
• You can still receive your 2013 South America Department commemorative calendar with a year-end gift to JEMS - Katagi fund. Learn how. 
• JEMS welcomes new staff member. Meet Rianna
• Invitation video for 2013 missions - Link
• Invitation to serve in 2013 - Link

Christmas in the Rainbow State - cute song

I'm just going to leave this here since I don't know where else to put it. A little Hawaiian Christmas Jingle about the differences in spending Christmas in the snow, versus in Hawaii., "Christmas in the Rainbow State" by Stasia Estep. 

Link.  (It's easiest to go to the bottom of that page and work up.  It's the 15th song from the bottom).

The Nativity

The painting by Federico Barocci catches my eye in his use of light in this unusual Nativity scene.  The source of light in the image emanates from the infant Jesus.  It calls to mind the wonderfully messianic passage in Isaiah 9:1b-2: 

"in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned."  

The painting illustrates that there is a curiosity about this infant. Faces peer around the doorway to look upon this child.  They are drawn to the spectacle.  But light can be easily obscured.  Obscured by the many distractions of our age, the busyness of our time.  How many now have the curiosity to look more closely at the birth of a tiny child? 

Unlike many Nativity scenes where the infant Jesus is front and center, this image shows him off to the side.  Not especially the focal point of the painting.  It's the light that brings our eye back to the child.  In our present day, Jesus is often a side theme of the holiday.  We need the light of God's word to bring Jesus back into focus.   

The dawning of light in Isaiah 9 refers to the coming of a Savior.  And yet there are many in our world, in our communities and perhaps in our own families, who still walk in darkness.  Without hope and without joy. 

The figure behind Mary directs our eyes toward the child through the artistic device of pointing the finger.  In the same way, God entrusts us with the privilege of pointing the way to the Savior.  

And it is important for us as followers of Jesus Christ to make the message of Jesus Christ known to our friends and family who are walking in darkness, to those who are living in the shadow of death.  May this Christmas and the year to come be an opportunity for us to shine the light of Jesus into the dark corners of our world and to point the way to God's provision of salvation.  

May God bless you this season.

My warmest wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Blessed New Year!

Pastor John


Past Posts
JEMS South America introduces new staff. Link
Merry Christmas from JEMS staff.  Link.
January mission trip for Pastor Rick and Pastor John.  Link.

Feliz Natal 2012

A pintura por Federico Barocci me chama a atenção em seu uso de luz nesta cena da natividade incomum. A fonte de luz na imagem emana do Jesus infantil. Ele chama a atenção para a passagem maravilhosamente messiânica em Isaías 9:1b-2:

"No futuro honrará a Galiléia dos gentios, o caminho do mar, junto ao Jordão. O povo que caminhava em trevas viu uma grande luz; sobre os que viviam na terra da sombra da morte raiou uma luz."



A pintura ilustra que há uma curiosidade sobre essa criança. Faces pares em torno da entrada de olhar para essa criança. Eles são atraídos para o espetáculo. Mas a luz pode ser facilmente obscurecidos. Obscurecido pelas muitas distrações da nossa idade, a ocupação do nosso tempo. Como muitos têm agora a curiosidade de olhar mais de perto o nascimento de uma criança pequena?

Ao contrário de muitos cenas da natividade onde o menino Jesus é frente e no centro, esta imagem mostra-o para o lado. Não especialmente o ponto focal da pintura. É a luz que traz de volta o nosso olhar para a criança. Em nossos dias, Jesus é muitas vezes um tema lateral do feriado. Precisamos da luz da palavra de Deus para trazer Jesus de volta ao foco.

O amanhecer de luz em Isaías 9 refere-se a vinda de um Salvador. E ainda há muitos em nosso mundo, em nossas comunidades e, talvez, em nossas próprias famílias, que ainda andam em trevas. Sem esperança e sem alegria.

A figura por trás de Maria dirige nossos olhos para a criança através da estratagema artística de apontar o dedo. Da mesma forma, Deus nos confia o privilégio de apontar o caminho para o Salvador.

E é importante para nós, como seguidores de Jesus Cristo para levar a mensagem de Jesus Cristo aos nossos amigos e familiares que estão andando em trevas, para aqueles que estão vivendo na sombra da morte. Que este Natal eo ano que vem será uma oportunidade para nós para brilhar a luz de Jesus para os cantos escuros de nosso mundo e apontar o caminho para a provisão de Deus para a salvação.

Que Deus te abençoe. Os meus sinceros votos de um Feliz Natal e um Ano Novo feliz e abençoado!

Pastor John

Past Posts

• Feliz Natal da Equipe Principal da JEMS. Link
• JEMS South America apresenta um novo membro da equipe. Link
• Viagem missionária do Pastor Rick e Pastor John em janeiro. Link.

Merry Christmas from JEMS Headquarters Staff

Wishing our friends and supporters all the joy and blessings of the Christmas season!

JEMS South America 2013 Calendar

As we come to the end of 2012, I am grateful for so many who have supported my ministry through their prayers and financial support in this past year.  As an expression of thanks, I will be sending a 2013 calendar representing JEMS South America ministry to those who have contributed $100 or more to the Katagi support fund during the past 12 months. 

Click to enlarge

The color calendars include photos of Brazil, of JEMS' ministry and of people for whom you may be praying.  Each month will include a special prayer request.

If you would like to receive this simple calendar as my "thank you," you still have time send your gift as the year draws to a close.  Please indicate your support gift to JEMS:  Katagi support. (Click to connect to JEMS Giving Page)

Thank you again so much!

Blessings to you!
PJ

Past articles:
Invitation video for 2013 missions - Link 
Invitation to serve in 2013 - Link
Open doors and open hearts - Link
Justine transition - Link

What? Is it THAT time already? (VIDEO)

The challenge of serving in a missions organization is having to depend daily, moment-by-moment upon the Lord, while at the same time,  thinking a minimum of six months ahead.  

It feels like our teams have just returned from serving this past summer in Brazil.  My thoughts of Argentina and Paraguay remain clear and freshly warm.  We are getting our first cold weather of the fall here in southern California and I just used my heater for the first time a few nights ago.  How can we be possibly thinking of summer missions already??

One major reason for our early start in publicizing next summer's program is due to JEMS' plan to participate at the Urbana Student Missions Conference at the end of December this year.  The conference, hosted by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, will be held in St Louis, Missouri.  Four or five members of JEMS staff will be in attendance. 

The JEMS booth at Urbana will be available to field questions about missions opportunities in Japan.  (While we are open to the same opportunities for South America, my department is not quite mobilized for a national training program.  That being said, please pray for God's provision of a missions coordinator for my department!)


As we prepare for next year's ministry in South America, I have prepared an invitation video, encouraging folks to prayerfully consider an opportunity to serve the Lord there.  The dates will be from July 7 to 31.  


We are hoping to send six teams to twelve churches during 3-1/2 weeks of ministry.

If you have any friends who may be thinking about serving this summer with JEMS South America, please feel free to pass them the link for this blog or to Youtube.  

Application deadline is February 28, 2013.

Enjoy the video!  (for best results, please feel free to dial up the resolution using the settings icon at the bottom of the video).




Other November links:
Open doors and open hearts - Link
Justine transition - Link
PJ Health - Link 

Praying for open doors and open hearts!

Passport. Check!

Visa. Check!

Tickets. Check!

Prayer. Please!!!

Prayers are requested for JEMS Executive Director, Pastor Rick and me as we prepare for our January 2013 ministry in Brazil and Argentina. Rick and I will be attending the annual Brazil Holiness Pastors' Conference (located about 10 hours by bus from the city of São Paulo). We see this as a strategic opportunity to meet with close to 100 pastors and leaders from the largest Nikkei denomination in Brazil. We will meet to hear their vision to reach their community for Jesus Christ and hope to affirm our continued partnership in ministry with them.

After a brief stay of two days at the Pastors' Conference, we will return to São Paulo to meet with pastors in that city before flying to Buenos Aires, Argentina on January 11th. I am so pleased to have received a welcoming letter from one of the Nikkei pastors I met this past August.

The pastor writes:

En relación a su propuesta con mucho gusto los estaremos recibiendo, lugar para el hospedaje disponen en Nozomi-En y también probablemente en la Iglesia Metodista Libre Nikkei.

En cuanto a las actividades a realizarse pensamos en un campamento de niños en Nozomi-En con niños de los barrios de alrededor y que son en su mayoría Nikkei, nuestra preocupación es el idioma para la necesaria comunicación con niños y también por ser un tiempo de vacaciones no contar con suficientes ayudantes de nuestra iglesia. Como segunda alternativa estamos consultando con los jóvenes de nuestra iglesia y otros para un campamento juvenil.


No interesaría conocer es mas en detalle lo que estarían realizando en la escuela bíblica y las otras actividades.


Oramos y estamos a disposición de Uds.


Dios les bendiga
(Translation)
In relation to your proposal we will receive you with pleasure, a place for lodging can be made available in (Camp) Nozomi-En and also probably in the Nikkei Free Methodist Church.

As for the activities being suggested, we are thinking about having a children's camp in (Camp) Nozomi-En with children from the surrounding neighborhoods who are mostly Nikkei. Our concern is the required language for communication with children and also being vacation time, we may not have sufficient summer vacation helpers from our own church. As a second alternative we are consulting with the youth of our church and others for a youth camp.

It would be interesting to know more in detail what would be done in the Vacation Bible school and other activities.

We pray and we are available to you

God bless you!

The campground that he mentioned is one hour west of Buenos Aires, in a small town called Moreno. The camp is an extension of the Iglesia Evangélica Japonés and looks pretty rustic, based on my August visit (click on photos to enlarge):








Please also pray as plans are still in progress and uncertain with two months remaining. It appears that the pastors are not accustomed to corresponding by email.

In an exciting development, JEMS has informally created a missions opportunity for Brazilian young people to serve together in summer ministry this January in Argentina. Two young people are confirmed to accompany Pastor Rick and me, with a possibility of an additional three young adults from the Brazil Free Methodist and Brazil Holiness Churches.

As mentioned above, depending on the number of team members, the JEMS - Brazil hybrid team will offer a two-to-three-day VBS type program to the Nikkei churches in Buenos Aires. Additionally, the team would like to do some relationship building with the members of the Centro Nikkei Argentino, a key Nikkei community organization.

And yes, you can definitely pray for my non-existent Spanish ability. Thank the Lord that Pastor Rick speaks Japanese and some Spanish. I hope that his Japanese will be helpful among the 3rd and 4th generation Argentine Nikkei.

Pastor Rick will spend three days in Buenos Aires before returning to LA. I will be in Buenos Aires for the full week and then return to São Paulo for another month and a half of ministry with national churches.

Please pray for our preparations and for our international planning to be finalized in good time.


Thank you,

Pastor John


Other links:

• Justine transition - Link
• PJ Health - Link
• Secure Financial Support Link

For the most current update of Pastor John's ministry, please click to return to the main page.

Opportunities to share about South America in October 2012

It's been great to visit with churches and interested groups in order to share about JEMS' ministry in South America.  I'm grateful for open doors and invitations extended over the past month.

October was a busy month as I had the chance to share in various churches:

South Bay Presbyterian Church (Torrance) on Sunday, October 14th.  Pictured here at lunch with the SBPC Missions Committee:

South Bay Presbyterian Church Missions Night, October 20th
Pictured with JEMS South America alum, Karen L and Pastor Wayland W

Santa Clara Valley Small Group at the home of Walt and Elsie, October 26th

I also got to see our JEMS 1992 and 1994 Brazil Summer Worker, Ken:


Many thanks for their organization of this get-together, Walt and Elsie:

On Saturday, October 27th, I was blessed to meet with three long-time friends, Pastor Curt, Rob and Lani.  Pastor Curt and Rob went with me to Brazil in 1994 and 1995 respectively.


On Sunday, October 28th, I was given the opportunity to share briefly at the San Lorenzo JCC.  Always good to see my old Talbot classmate, Pastor Rod.


On November 4th, I had the opportunity to guest speak at the LA Holiness Church.  Thanks to Pastor Seigo for the invitation.  

I am working very hard to raise awareness of opportunities in South America and to solicit prayer and financial partners in this ministry. If there is a chance for me to share at your church, please let me know.  

Also, please remember Justine as she transitions from the JEMS South America staff position.  READ more here.

For the most current update of Pastor John's ministry, please click to return to the main page.

Thank you!
Pr John

Transitions for So. America staffer, Justine

Justine pictured (second from right) with JEMS South America alumni
during May 2012 summer worker training 

Prayers are appreciated for JEMS staffer, Justine, who experienced significant personal challenges as her mother was diagnosed with leukemia.  The call for donors to screen for a potential bone marrow match on her mother's behalf went out in late spring.  

While Justine actively served in the training and preparation of the 2012 summer team, it was clear that her priorities and heart were with her mother.  To that end, she remained stateside and chose not to serve as a team coordinator in Brazil this summer.  

We praise God that a compatible bone marrow transplant donor was found and we wait to hear the results of the transplant which took place in early October.  At this writing, there are still medical challenges ahead.  

Given the uncertain nature of her mother's condition, Justine returned to the bay area.   She has written to JEMS requesting to transition from her paid position to a volunteer status.  This also means that she will suspend support raising until such time that her family situation becomes clearer.  The impact of this transition means that we will no longer have her presence and ministry support in the JEMS office.  

Please pray for Justine and her family during these days.

I also ask that you pray for the JEMS South America department as we begin a search for a part time staff person to serve administrative functions in the LA office.  

This position will require English and some Portuguese or Spanish language ability, as well as experience in the Brazilian Nikkei church environment.  This ministry staff person will be responsible to raise support for their salary, ministry and overhead expenses through donations made to JEMS and designated for their position.  

For additional information, please contact the JEMS office and ask to speak with Pr John.  Contact information may be found on the JEMS website.  

For the most current update of Pastor John's ministry, please click to return to the main page.

PJ and kidney concerns

I have a specific prayer request related to my health.  Since 2006, my doctor has had some concerns about my kidney function.  I was sent to a specialist and have been monitoring this very closely. 

The specific causes of the reduced kidney function may go back decades to a time when I had undiagnosed  high blood pressure.  The high blood pressure damaged my kidneys, and although my BP is now under control, kidneys don't self-regenerate. 

At the same time, while the underlying causes of the kidney problems are gone, I'm left with the damage.  Two years ago, I underwent surgery to create an AV fistula in my arm to prepare a shunt for the possibility of beginning hemodialysis.  My kidneys haven't degenerated to that point yet, but should I need to begin dialysis, it would change significantly the nature of my ministry.  

As God has blessed and gifted me for this work in South America, I ask for your prayers that God will either bring complete healing or will not allow my condition to worsen.  Will you join in praying for my health and that God would provide good results as I undergo testing over the next two months.

Thank you,

Pastor John

**For the most current update of Pastor John's ministry, please click to return to the main page.

A page view of PJ's latest prayer letter

The following is a page view of Pastor John's October 2012 Prayer Letter.  The prayer letter has not been published in its entirety online to maintain the integrity of relationships that are currently being constructed within the national community.  For more detailed information, please contact Pr John for a print version of this Prayer Letter.  Thanks!

To enlarge the page view below, please click on the photo.

Pastor John is aiming to go fully digital with his next prayer letter.  If you are not currently on PJ's email distribution list and would like to be added, please let me know by dropping me a note.  

A limited number of print copies will be made for those supporters who do not have email, but by-and-large, the prayer letter medium will be changing to an online electronic version.  This is being done to reduce printing and mailing costs which can run anywhere between $200 and $300 per issue.  

You may contribute toward Pastor John's ministry via JEMS secure weblink.  LINK  

Your prayer and financial support is very much appreciated!

For the most current prayer update, please return to the main page.

Remembering the 2012 Summer Mission

This video was created to use as a tool as I travel to various churches and small groups this fall and winter to share about God's goodness this past summer.  

If you are interested in scheduling a meeting with me so that your church or small group can learn more about the ministry, please email me by clicking on this LINK.


Please enjoy the low resolution version of the video:




For the most current update of Pastor John's ministry, please click to return to the main page.

Last few days in São Paulo - September 2012

It's with mixed feelings that I bring this mission to a close.  There is so much yet to do, and doors have been opened for JEMS and for the sharing of the good news of Jesus.  

By way of update, I was able to welcome our last JEMS summer mission worker, Loren, to Guarulhos International Airport in São Paulo on Saturday morning.  He arrived with an eager heart and a willingness to serve in whatever way he could.  His enthusiasm will mean blessings for the churches in which he will serve.

Please pray for Loren as he serves in three churches during his stay here.  He will work with children's social service agencies in the cities of Suzano and Itaquera.  He will also share and serve at a church retreat this coming weekend and minister to youth of the church in São Bernardo do Campo, a city which is a part of greater São Paulo.

On a broader note, looking ahead for South America missions, please also pray about possible participation in ministries in 2013.  A tangible result of my ministry this July and August has been the opening of many new doors in new cities and possibly new countries.  

Specifically, I am looking to put together a study team to travel with me to Buenos Aires in the second half of January to confirm a ministry project for next July.  The team will be composed of four to six members and should be fluent in Spanish.  Please pray with me about this.  I still need to talk with the JEMS executive team about this open door. 

Thank you for your prayers for my health.  There has been some concern about the state of my kidneys in the last year or so. But God has been faithful to sustain me during this trip.  Please pray for good results as I return to the US for further testing in the fall.

Normally, I wouldn't do this, but I want to especially thank God for friends in São Paulo who really assisted me both materially and in their emotional support of my ministry.  Sometimes I forget that I'm not such a young guy anymore.  But these folks have done much to help me keep a youthful outlook.  A very special thank you to these dear friends:

    

    

And for their incredible assistance in Argentina, major thanks to Paty and Sebastian!

More to come after I return to the USA on Tuesday, September 4th.

Blessings to you and thank you for your prayers and financial support!
Pr John

For the most current update of Pastor John's ministry, please click to return to the main page.

Midsummer in US is midwinter in South America

Greetings from São Paulo!

I just returned from a weeklong study trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina and Asunción, Paraguay.  Thank you for your prayers for my travel and for the contacts that I was hoping to make there.

The summer mission has gone by quickly with two teams already having returned to the US, one team still here in-country and another one-person team still due to arrive in São Paulo at the end of the month.

(All photos below can be clicked to enlarge.  Please note that full names of JEMS volunteers and South American friends are intentionally omitted).

SJC - Pompeia team

Belém team

JEMS is grateful for those who supported the prior teams and are praying for their re-entry and evaluation of their time here in Brazil.  Please remember to pray for the SoCal team which is currently serving in São José dos Campos.

Our final SoCal team will be serving in three churches over a two-week period.   Loren will be serving in the cities and churches of São Bernardo do Campo, Suzano and Itaquera.  Please keep him in prayer.  

I am grateful for the collaboration of my good friend, Patrizia, who was recently married and moved from Paraguay to join her husband in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  Paty provided significant assistance in arranging meetings for me with the president of Centro Nikkei Argentino, an organization serving the needs of the Nikkei community in Buenos Aires.  She also arranged for my contact with the pastors of the Iglesia Evangelica Japonesa and the Megumi Kyokai.

I was also able to enjoy a good time of fellowship and ministry with missionaries Koki and Mari in the city of Asunción, Paraguay.  

Please pray as I continue serving for another month in Brazil.  I will preach this Sunday at the Igreja Evangélica Cristã de Aclimação in Cambuci, a new independent church contact.  Next week, I will begin a two-week trip through the state of São Paulo visiting six partnering churches.  The trip will end in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, in the city of Campo Grande, a total of 800 miles one-way.

See Pr John's travel itinerary here

It will be an exhausting trip based on just the schedule and distance, but please pray for good contacts, new opportunities for service and to share the good news of Jesus.  I will be sharing in various churches for worship services and Bible studies.  Pray that the Portuguese language would flow easily and with clarity.

Thank you so much!

John

For the most current update of Pastor John's ministry, please click to return to the main page.