Responding to new opportunities and new challenges

The last seven weeks have been a tremendous blessing for me due in great part to your prayers and ongoing support. I was able to divide my time and efforts in Argentina, in Paraguay, in Brazil, and for the first time in Peru.

The mission began with two weeks in Argentina, when I led a team of nine Brazilians to serve in cities in and around Buenos Aires. If you haven't had a chance to see the video yet, please take a moment to watch it. This reflects a new strategy for JEMS, a strategy in which we are mobilizing Brazilians to serve in neighboring South American countries.

Video:  

Argentina

My ministries in Brazil, Paraguay and Peru brought me in contact with so many speaking and contact opportunities, as the foundations for ongoing partnership continue to be laid.

Asunción, Paraguay

Fellowship with community young adults and Pastor Koki and Mari Nowada

Luncheon with Southern Baptist mobilizers, Tim and Iracema Kunkel

Sharing devotional message at the Asunción Free Methodist Church

Working with all ages

I don't know why I attracted such a crowd

I had the opportunity to meet my relatives in Asunción

Brazil

First time meeting with the Holiness Church in Maringá

Sharing with youth in Presidente Prudente

Young people in Presidente Prudente

Post-mission debriefing training with Argentina team in São José dos Campos

Meeting with mission-minded young people in São Paulo

Fellowship with Igor Kawanishi of YWAM (Jocum)

Peru

Taking Pastor Francis to meet my friends at AELU (one of the largest Nikkei community organizations in Lima)

New community friends at AELU

Meeting with Juan Shimabukuro, national president of Youth Specialities, Peru

Meeting Pastor Daniel Toyama of the Japanese Evangelical Peruvian Church in Lima

Meeting with Tim Mitchell, working with Nikkei in Lima

Precious friends in Lima whom I'd first met in Buenos Aires

It was a great time of ministry, though I'm admittedly exhausted as I write this blog post.  That notwithstanding, God is good.  Many new doors were opened and will require additional time and prayer to seek God's leading for the deepening of our ministry partnerships, especially in Peru.  Please pray that God will provide wisdom and orientation for next steps there.

Thank you for your prayers,
John Katagi

JEMS Argentina 2014 - A video tour

Praise God for a wonderful two week Project in Argentina with an all-Brazilian team. Enjoy the vídeo just below.



Pray for Pastor John's final weeks in Brazil and in Lima, Peru.

Blessings from PJ