PJ on LA Talk Radio

Jimi Yamagishi and I were invited recently to appear on LA Talk Radio.  

The host, Guy Towe, whom I knew as part of my church in Camarillo, invited me to share about the ministry in South America.  Being on the public airways and being careful not to antagonize any governmental authorities, our ministry is referred to as a volunteer program. I'm not hiding our light under a bushel.  Just being clear.

The radio program was recorded and can be heard online here.  LINK

A brief report of PJ's ministry from June to September 2013

Thank you for your prayer support that made these three months of ministry possible.  In order to sustain the ongoing work of JEMS South America mission program, please pray that God will provide additional financial partners to meet my support requirements.

The video provides a look at the opportunities and open doors that God has provided for JEMS in South America.  It is also an invitation to consider investing yourself in the ministry.  We have volunteer programs, (minimum two to three weeks in length), which offer a firsthand look and  hands-on experience in service and cross-cultural ministry.  
Begin praying today about setting aside some time in January or July 2014 to see what God can do through your life!  

The song I selected to accompany the video is entitled, "Oceans" (Where Feet May Fail) by Hillsong United.  The lyrics express the challenge of moving out of the shallow end of the Christian life and to trust God in the deep water.

You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now

So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

This song was our JEMS Argentina Team theme song as we moved into unknown areas:  new cities, new people, a different language, uncertain expectations.  We came to embrace this song and the God who led us moment by moment.  

It's an exciting place to be.  Terrifying for some people, I'm sure.  But it's a place where one learns to depend even more completely on a God who is trustworthy and unfailing.  

Do you have that experience in your Christian life?  Do you long to have the heart-pounding, not-sure-what's-gonna-happen-next dependency upon God?  I invite you to step out in faith and walk with God on the mission field.  Any mission field.  

Make an appointment today to speak with your pastor and discover what opportunities await.

The video is available in HD.  Please take a moment to adjust the setting to 1080 in the lower right hand corner of the Youtube frame.  

For a change of pace today . . .

A recent JEMS traveler who skipped the obligatory JEMS training sessions was asked by a Brazilian young adult: "Do you know the name of our country's capital?"  The JEMS traveler answered, "Rio de Janeiro?"  

He was incorrect.  

JEMS provides a minimum of two days of training and assigned reading for all of its volunteers.  We don't want our teams to travel to other countries and be the ignorant and ugly Americans.

Test your Brazil IQ by taking the CS Monitor Quiz "How well do you know Brazil?"

Whether you're a travel veteran or are unfamiliar with anything south of Orange County, here is a chance to learn a bit more about one of the most exciting places on the planet!  

Start the quiz here

By the way, shame on you, CNN.

Back in the 626

Thank you very much for your prayers on my behalf.  I'm sitting in the JEMS Office after a week of recuperation to express my appreciation to God for his sustaining grace during these past three months.  

After three months away, I was able this morning to go to my auto mechanic to fix a problem with my car.  Just prior to my departure for South America in June, while running errands, I got into my car, and leaned across to open my glove compartment.  That resulted in several coins falling out of my pants pocket and onto the car seat.  A dime rolled off the seat and made a perfect entry into to the slot of my seat belt buckle.   

Not realizing that the dime had fallen into the slot, I tried to secure my seat belt, only to find that the tongue (that's what it's called) would not latch.  The coin was blocking the way. Not realizing what had happened, I tried to force the seat belt to latch, but only succeeded in wedging the coin in further.  

After several failed attempts to remove the coin, I gave up as I didn't have time to fix the situation before leaving.  To avoid a possible ticket, I simply buckled my seat belt into the passenger seat buckle whenever I had to drive.  

Why did I tell you this story?  

Much of my ministry involves working to build connections with people from other cultures and languages.  Sort of like buckling a seat belt, as it were.  Because we are not always familiar with customs and language, small things like gestures, a facial expression, an unpleasant attitude or the choice of vocabulary can obstruct our efforts to make those connections.  When we try to force things, the obstruction simply becomes wedged in even deeper.

Cross-cultural ministry requires wisdom, finesse and an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit to keep obstructions at a distance.  We prayerfully depend on the Lord to provide us with a sense of timing, wording and open doors.   

The caption on the bridge-building photo just above says, "Seek to encourage, to connect, to strategize, and to share a vision with those who will come after."  

I am grateful that God has provided many open doors for JEMS in South America through years of relationship and bridge building.  People like Rev Ray and Ryoko Narusawa, Rev. Roy and Nana Yamamoto and Rev. Sam Tonomura are still remembered in Brazil with fondness.  Our JEMS summer volunteers throughout the years have, for the most part, left positive impressions that enable JEMS to continue their ministry of service and servanthood.  

God has also blessed my time in South America.  My ability to speak Portuguese is a gift of God.  It creates just enough curiosity that through the blend of  teaching God's word, a unique talent for cross-cultural relationship-building, a good sense of humor and flexibility, doors continue to remain open or are now opening.  

    

Please pray as JEMS South America Department launches its newest missions strategy in Brazil.  We are inviting Brazilian Nikkei to serve with JEMS cross-culturally in Argentina.  Lord willing, I will be leading a team of Brazilians to serve this January in three cities:  Buenos Aires, La Plata and Colón. 

Please pray for this January project:

1.  That the Brazilians who have indicated their interest will follow through.  Four have already dropped out.

2.  That my back pain will be resolved.  (I was just diagnosed on Friday with arthritis in my lumbar vertebra.  This is causing pain in my back as well as pain and weakness in my legs when I am walking.)

3.   Pray overall that others may be led to join my prayer and financial support team. I am unable to serve full-time with JEMS as my support requirements have not yet been reached.

Thank you so much!  It's good to be home.  Make sure to see my tongue-in-cheek post called, "Top Ten Reasons I'm Happy to be Home!"

Blessings from Pastor John!