JEMS Brazil Team to Argentina

This group represents JEMS' first all-Brazilian team to serve in Argentina (and our third team overall).

We are grateful that God is calling and that young people are responding to the opportunity for cross-cultural service to their neighboring nation.

January 2014 JEMS Brazil Team to Argentina

The first four to respond:  Elias, Cibele, baby Kevin and Isaías

Four more say yes:  Carol, Milca, Rubem and William

Rounding out the team of ten with Pastor Maki and Pastor John

We pray that God would allow JEMS to continue mobilizing Brazilian Nikkei (and non-Nikkei) people for service in other South American countries.  We hope that the bridges of relationship and partnership that have been constructed would bear fruit for the furtherance of the gospel of Jesus Christ! 

Dios te bendiga!

Argentina: January 2014

I've come to the conclusion that no matter how intelligent you might think you are in one or two languages, there is always a third that will make you feel like a bumpkin.  For me, Spanish is that language.  

It is a lesson in humility.  And dependence.  It serves to remind us that all that we do, we do through the empowering grace of God.

The mission project in Argentina was one such lesson as God continues to keep doors open for JEMS.  I was privileged to lead an all-Brazilian team this month to serve in four different cities over two weeks.  

The team, comprised mostly of young people from the city of São José dos Campos (one hour north of the city of São Paulo), brought amazing talents and a huge willingness to serve.  

We began our project with three days of training and teambuilding before our departure to Buenos Aires. We got acquainted, learned ministry principles, learned our crafts and songs.  

Also pictured just below, the church in São José dos Campos invited me to preach for their Sunday evening service.

(Click on any photo to enlarge. Para ver uma foto maior, pode fazer um clique em qualquer foto)

Then on Monday, January 13 (coincidentally my birthday), we were off to Buenos Aires, Argentina.  

Our ministry began at Camp Nozomi-En in the city of Moreno.  JEMS' partnership with Pastor Ruben Uesu of the Kyokai LaFuente (Iglesia Evangélica Japonesa) enabled us to serve together with a national leadership team.  Muchas gracias, Pastor Ruben!!

This photo represents the participation of KLF, YWAM and JEMS in partnership

Campers and staff at Nozomi-En (Not pictured: Daycamp children)

Sunday worship at Kyokai La Fuente

One of my personal priorities is to maintain and cultivate our relationship with the Nikkei community leadership in Buenos Aires.  We were able to meet one evening with some of the staff members of Centro Nikkei Argentino, an influential community group in BsAs.

I am so grateful to Paty who was my only contact in Buenos Aires on my first visit in July 2012.  It was through her efforts that I was introduced to not only the Nikkei community, but to the two main Nikkei churches in BsAs.  

From our brief respite in Buenos Aires, we traveled to our next ministry in the city of Berisso, about an hour drive.  There we partnered with a Brazilian mission team based permanently in Argentina.  It was so nice to speak Portuguese with them!

Pastor Paulo Ferreira, director of Misión Puente in Berisso

Pastor Paulo offering orientation to the JEMS team

Ministry doesn't happen effectively without partnership.

We got to dress up for our time with the children.

Craft time in Berisso

It took us almost an hour to complete this paper craft.  Oh my!

From Berisso, we made a five and a half hour bus trip to our next ministry city:  Colón, in the province of Buenos Aires.  The bus looks comfortable, but I refer you to the footnote at the bottom of the page . . . We arrived at our destination at about 1am.

In Colón, our ministry was divided into three areas:  children's ministry, leadership training and evening worship.  While I was sidelined with stomach problems for the first afternoon on Thursday, God was faithful to restore me for the two other ministries.  I provided a 2-1/2 hour leadership workshop and preached for the evening service on Friday.  

I have to give props to the team for their labor of love on Thursday afternoon as temperatures reached 116 degrees F, with no water or electricity at the church in which they served.  

We were blessed to meet with and pray for the pastor of the Colón church, Pastor Rodriguez.

On our return to Buenos Aires, we had a day free to hang out and (for some) to go shopping.

On Sunday, we were invited to serve in the Centro Cristiano Megumi, pastored by Luis and Marisa Yonamine.  I am grateful for their willingness to partner with JEMS.  

Megumi congregation

Pastor Luis and Marisa Yonamine

This was the third JEMS international team to serve in Argentina.  It was the first all-Brazilian team to accompany me.  This was one of the best teams I've served with.  In the closing photo, we are standing in front of the Presidential Palace in Buenos Aires, called the Casa Rosada (Pink House).  Normally, the Casa Rosada is all lit up.  This night it was not.  

It causes me to reflect on the fact that this team served through many different challenges.  Not with fanfare or spotlights or with applause, but quietly and with dedication, serving the people of Argentina and our Lord Jesus Christ.  Thank you very much Maki, Carolina, Isaías, William, Milca, Cibele, Kevin, Elias and Rubem!  May God continue to bless you and teach you more about his heart for the world!

*    *     *    *     *     *     *     *

Footnote:  Now, about that bus.

Credit:  So Many Places

Happy New Year from PJ and family (New Year Photo)

Happy New Year!  With every good wish for a blessed and joyous year to come!

(L-R: PJ with daughter, Tracey, son-in-law, Will, daughter-in-law, Alyssa, granddaughter, Kaya and son, Brandon)

On January 4th, my granddaughter turned eight months old! 

(Click on photos to enlarge)

PJ in 4 South American countries this January and February!

Please pray for my January travel schedule.  
January 6 - Depart LAX
January 7 - Arrive in São Paulo, Brazil
January 9 - 12 – Conduct missions team training in São José dos Campos
January 13 - 26 - Lead Brazilian missions team to Argentina
January 26 – Return to São Paulo, Brazil
January 29 - February 3 - Mission trip to Asuncion, Paraguay
February 3 - Return to São Paulo
February 5 - 8  Visit Maringá, Brazil
February 10 - 15 Visit Presidente Prudente, Brazil
February 19 - Leave São Paulo for Lima, Peru
February 19 - 24 - Conduct exploratory missions trip in Lima
February 25 - Return to Los Angeles

Argentina Team

In January 2014, Pastor John will be leading a third international JEMS team to serve the Lord in Argentina.  Pastor John has recruited a group from a Brazilian Nikkei church to serve with him in and around the Argentinian city of Buenos Aires from January 13 to 26.  There we will work with two Nikkei churches, with a Brazilian mission group serving the underprivileged, and at a campground for children living in a nearby low-income area.  

Our team as confirmed on Sunday, December 8th.
L-R:  Isaías, Milca, Carol, William, baby Kevin, Pr Elias and Cibele
Click photo to enlarge

Since this team photo was taken, another two people have volunteered to accompany the Argentina missions team, Rubem (also from SJC) and Pastor Maki (from Holiness Church, Santo André. pictured with PJ):

     

Please pray for us as we train and build teamwork together from January 9 to 12.  Ask God to protect us as we work and serve together for the following two weeks in Argentina.  

Overcoming doubts and fears
Most people do not know what happens on the mission field.  And this uncertainty keeps them from taking a step of faith to test God's provision and faithfulness in missions.  

I'm grateful for this Brazilian group which has responded to God's Great Commission.  One of the tools we used to encourage them to pray and participate in this Argentina cross-cultural ministry was the following video.  This video used the experiences of the July 2013 JEMS USA team:

 

JEMS South America missions department has shifted its strategy, inviting Brazilian and Brazilian Nikkei believers to respond to the Great Commission by serving their South American neighbors.  

Through contacts made by Pastor John in Paraguay and in Argentina, JEMS is creating partnerships and bridges of contact where Brazilian young (and older) people can experience what it means to serve in another culture, sharing God's love with another people.  

US Recruiting for Summer Mission 2014 has begun!
Recruitment for US participants in JEMS South America summer mission program begins immediately.  Mission dates are flexibly tailored for a minimum three week period (recommended) during the months of June, July or August.

A JEMS invitation video for potential mission volunteers is available for viewing at Youtube:  Watch it here!

For more information, please contact our JEMS Missions Coordinator, Rianna Wong, via the JEMS office.