Paraguayan partnerships

Today marks the final day of Paraguayan ministry and residence for Pastor Koki and Mari Nowada, missionaries serving the Nikkei community in Asunción, Paraguay.  

JEMS has been privileged to serve in Paraguay since January 1992 with PJ's first exploratory visit to the city of Pedro Juan Caballero (above).  

Our first JEMS worker, Anna (above), served with Mari for six weeks in Pedro Juan during the summer of 1992.  The Free Methodist Church in that city has received more JEMS teams over the years than any other location in South America.  

In 2008, JEMS received the invitation, a "Macedonian call," from Pastor Koki to consider partnership in the Paraguayan capital of Asunción.  They had traveled eight hours by car to meet Rev. Sam, Matt and myself (above) at a small town on the border of Brazil and Paraguay.

La Paz colony, Paraguay

Pirapó colony, Paraguay

Pastor Koki and Mari's ministry in Paraguay mimicked the old circuit rider ministries of the early Methodist church, with the two of them traveling to three or four Japanese colonies in Paraguay (above) every month, requiring three or four days of travel.  

They also provided the basis of relationships with young adults in the city of Asunción.  Many of my relationships were cultivated through the connections they were able to facilitate.   

In 2009, JEMS sent a mission team (above: Koh, Rachel, Ted and Joanna) to serve with the Nowadas.

In 2010, Pastor Rick Chuman (above) and PJ traveled to Asunción to meet with Pr Koki and Mari to renew our commitment to partner with them in ministy.  

We are blessed to have been able to witness the outstanding ministry of Pastor Koki and Mari in Asunción.  We pray for God's blessing and direction as they pursue next steps upon their return to Japan.  We also pray that their influence and the message of God's grace may continue among those whom they served.

God bless you both!  We love you guys!