For a slight change of pace . . .

I wrote an article that was recently published on the Discover Nikkei website. Woven within my various ministries in South America came an opportunity to track down a mystery about my own family and the country of Paraguay.

The notation on the margin of the bookmarked page of my father’s world atlas was distinct but baffling: km 41, Colonia Yguazu, Paraguay.

This and a name were the only information my father had as to the whereabouts of a relative who had traveled from Japan to South America. He got this information when Makoto-san stopped in Los Angeles on his one-way journey to Paraguay from Japan. 

My father met the ship and extended a warm welcome to this relative during his brief stopover. They exchanged information. They took a photo together at Disneyland. The date on the back of the photograph showed the month and year to be May 1968.

To continue reading, click the link to the Discover Nikkei article. LINK.

© 2013 John Katagi
Copyright © 2005-2013 Japanese American National Museum

Does Brazil still need missionaries? Absolutely!

I would like to thank those of you who have been faithfully supporting my ministry with JEMS.  Your partnership is an encouragement to me as I continue to seek God's direction for next steps in working with others (churches, denominations, pastors, individuals) to reach the Nikkei in South America for Christ. 

In case you haven't yet made a decision about supporting my ministry, I invite you to consider partnering with me prayerfully and financially.  

Through the generous giving of approximately forty-five donors, I am receiving about one-half of my monthly support needs.   It's a great blessing to have this support team.  At the same time, being short of my financial support goal requires me to work a shorter week (30 hours/week) and to pay for my health insurance out-of-pocket. 

Understanding that you have many good choices about the gifts you set aside for missions, I hope that you (and your family) might consider contributing to my work at JEMS.    Based on the current fund income, I estimate the need for another forty or so donors.  That seems like a lot, but God is a wonderful provider.  If God should move your heart, I hope that you will respond.  

While at home in the US during these months, I am continuing to cast mission vision in the churches and small groups I visit.  April and May are the months we set aside to train our summer teams.  As the end of June rolls around, I will return to South America where I will coordinate our teams and also work with national churches to more effectively reach their communities for Christ.  

My plan -God willing- is to leave for South America on June 24th, traveling through Brazil, to Argentina and Paraguay and return home on September 21st.

Please prayerfully consider supporting the Pr John fund at JEMS.  


O Zion Haste Thy Mission High Fulfilling

Send heralds forth to bear the message glorious;
Give of thy wealth to speed them on their way;
Pour out thy soul for them in prayer victorious
Till God shall bring his kingdom's joyful day.

Publish glad tidings, tidings of peace
Tidings of Jesus, redemption and release. 


James Walch, Mary Ann Faulkner Thomson
Public Domain