Backtracking to catch you up

I wasn't able to devote much time to keeping you updated after the first few days after my arrival in Asunción.

It was a safe and yet somewhat wearying travel day. I left Camarillo by Road Runner shuttle at 2:30pm on Monday, September 29th. I arrived in Asunción on Tuesday, at 5:30pm Asunción time. You guessed it! 5:30pm Asunción time is 2:30pm Camarillo time. That meant that I had safely endured 24 hours of travel!

My first evening in Asunción was spent with my host family, Pr Koki and Mari Nowada.

Early the next morning, Pr Koki and I headed out for our first ministry contact in the Japanese farming colony of Pirapó in southern Paraguay, a six hour drive. Before arriving at our homestay, we made several visits to families in Pirapó.

Speaking briefly with the young girl in yellow above, I found that there was interest on the part of the children to learn conversational English in addition to the other programs we hope to bring to Pirapó.



We conducted a Bible study where I was given an opportunity to share.

The next morning we were up early to investigate areas around Pirapó where ministries might take place



Pr Koki conducted a Bible study and actively ministered to his flock in Pirapó. I had the opportunity to share vision about the ministries we hope to have in the colony next July.


Just before lunch, Mr Masaoka (center, below) introduced Pr Koki and me to Miss Yuuki (left, below), who is teaching English in the colony. We discovered that she had taken a bilingual Spanish-English course in Encarnación (southern Paraguay on the border of Argentina). We thought she would be an important contact for our ongoing discussions with the colony about our July JEMS program.

As we prepared to leave the colony of Pirapó, we stopped by the Japanese Association. Mr Masaoka again presented Pr Koki and I to the Association General Manager there. Those who know the Japanese culture understand the importance of these contacts and presentations.

Please pray for us that doors will be open. The colony has had a recent brush with a cult group who are very aggressive in their efforts to come into the colony. This caused some to express hesitation about the presence of JEMS' ministry. We pray that a good word in the right places, together with the work of the Holy Spirit will cause any resistance to JEMS to be diminished and removed.

"Pirapó" in Guarani

Your hot tip for the day: The "C" on the water faucet in Paraguay means "Caliente," not "Cold."


Mark 1:17 says, "Come follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."

This invitation of Jesus resonated in my mind as I listened yesterday to Mr Masaoka, one of the pioneer settlers of the Pirapó colony in Paraguay. He said, "The meaning of the colony name Pirapó, comes from the Guaraní word, 'to catch fish by hand'."

To catch fish by hand is both personal and requires your full attention. In an age of automated gadgets, radar, fish finders and so on, the one thing that cannot be automated is the task of introducing someone to faith in Christ. Every encounter is an opportunity to "fish by hand," as it were.

Later that day I sat with Pr Koki Nowada at a home in the La Paz colony as he patiently and skillfully shared the good news of Jesus Christ with three Japanese educational and social volunteers who are working a two-year stint in the colonies of La Paz and Yguazu via the auspices of JICA.

The conversation went on for over 45 minutes, but not in a tiresome way. Pastor Nowada answered their questions in such an engaging and gracious way that they continued to inquire further. You could almost see their hunger for spiritual truth.

Catching fish by hand is like that, I suspect. It requires patience, skill and grace. And catching fish by hand isn't a spectator sport. You have to get into the water and get wet.

I want to invite my JEMS readers to "catch fish by hand" by coming to Asunción and Pirapó with JEMS for two-and-a-half weeks in July 2009. Applications for team membership are being accepted with a January 2009 deadline. Paraguay team training will begin in early March. Some Spanish or Japanese language is helpful.

Thanks for continuing to pray for me as I make these various contacts. Please also pray that God would specifically touch the hearts of 8 men and women at home who would be willing to serve the Lord in the nation of Paraguay.

PJ is back in Asunción at the moment and preparing for meetings this evening and tomorrow.

Thank you so much for your prayer support.

I arrived safely in Asunción!

Hi everyone!

Just a quick note to let you know that after 24 hours of travel, I made it safely into Asunción International Airport. Pr Koki Nowada was kind enough to meet me and together with his wife took me to my first meal here in Paraguay.

I'm writing quickly as I will be leaving in an hour or so to head to the Japanese colony of Pirapó. It will be a six-hour trip by car. Pr Koki will be introducing me to the community leaders there (and tomorrow in La Paz) to provide this opening for JEMS.

It is raining this morning. Please pray for a safe drive.

Thanks.
PJ

On the road again: Asunción

I'll be flying into Asunción at the end of September. I've never been to that city, but am excited about the opportunity to do some field work there. JEMS is planning to send a team to Asunción in July 2009, and never having been there, Rev Sam and I agreed that it would be important to become acquainted with the city and the ministry.

The city is a blending of the old and new. (The Spanish were there in the early sixteenth century).



In addition to Asunción, I'm very excited to go back to a town that I visited once before: Pirapó, Paraguay. Pirapó is unique in that it started as a Japanese farming colony. Evidence of the Japanese influence on the town is seen in the signage . . .

. . . as well as in the presence of the Japanese Cultural Center there:

Though much later than the US and Brazil, Japanese immigration to Paraguay began over seventy years ago, with 130 families arriving as agricultural laborers in 1936.



Some of Pirapó still looks pretty rural!





In addition to Pirapó, I will be visiting another Japanese farming colony in La Paz Paraguay.



Can you find Pirapó and La Paz on this map? It will mean a lot of travel (by car) in the southeast portion of the country. Please pray for open doors, open hearts and safe travel.

I will arrive in Paraguay on September 30th and leave on October 7th. From October 7th to 11th, I will be making JEMS-related contacts in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Lord willing, I will be back in LA on the 11th.

Summer 2008 - JEMS

I continue to marvel at God's wonderful provision in my life. The end of June provided an opportunity to re-connect with many dear friends and supporters at the JEMS Mount Hermon Conference in the Santa Cruz mountains.

The week served as a reminder of God's grace and the kindness of God's people. It was a special blessing to also meet with JEMS missionaries, Michael and Chris Mason, Kevin and Nozomi West, David Mills and Yoshihiro "Bambi" Kishi. It is my honor to work alongside these men and women of faith and action.

I was also reminded that it's been awhile since my prayer4pj site has been updated. Please find several links to various hardcopy publications:

JEMS Journal (May 2008)
Pastor John's Article - Link

Pastor John's South America Prayer Letter
Though you may have received this in the mail, you might appreciate the accompanying links which show the photos in color!

Page 1 - Link
Page 2 - Link
Page 3 - Link
Page 4 - Link

Celebration - June 2008

Click to see enlarged brochure

The English department leadership in Camarillo has affirmed the need to create a church identity that is inviting to the community-at-large and which reflects the changing demographic patterns of the Japanese American community.

We recognize the growing reality of blended families and the need for the church to be inclusive of cultures and groups beyond the JA community. Beyond our immediate community is an understanding that our society is increasingly multi-cultural and multi-ethnic. The name “Japanese American” was not seen as welcoming or inclusive of those outside of that community. The English Department leadership determined that in order to grow, the name and strategy of the church would have to become more inclusive.

In January 2008 at the annual congregational meeting of the church, the membership voted to permit the English department to rename the English-speaking ministry to reflect a more inclusive outreach strategy. The English department also voted to name the ministry, “Celebration.” The ensuing months have seen the development of this transition in the branding of the ministry.

The design and plan of Celebration revolves around the following statement:

Celebration is a family of believers in Jesus Christ. At the same time, we also recognize that there are unique cultural characteristics that we bring to our faith and spiritual journey.

Celebration is grounded in biblical values and priorities while acknowledging how our background and experiences can influence our growth in Jesus Christ.

Those Americans who come from Asian backgrounds know the challenge of growing up in shame– and performance-based cultures. Often, these values and attitudes can impact our understanding of God’s grace and provision for us. Those of us who come from blended, inter-cultural families have received mixed messages of love, affirmation and acceptance.

The message of the gospel is one that must be understood through the lens of our familial and cultural upbringing. The message of God’s Word is one that speaks to authentic living in the grace of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Celebration welcomes everyone who wants to experience God’s provision, presence and grace. While the church has its roots historically in ministry to the Japanese American and Japanese national community in Ventura County, all are invited to join with us in worship, fellowship and service to the Lord Jesus Christ.

With a renewed vision for the future of the ministry, 2008 becomes a year of planning, prayer and anticipation. The English Board of Elders intentionally increased the number of elders by two, thus under-girding the re-branding and evangelistic direction of the church. New ministry start-ups have included the Home Fellowship and the Celebration Senior Adult Ministry. Both are designed to broaden our contacts with friends, neighbors and others in the community.

Our Stewardship Ministry has also launched a Building Committee which will begin looking at expansion needs for the congregation. We discussed the important role of the pastor and leadership in casting vision for the rest of the congregation. That vision and faith come from the leadership. There is a need for the leadership of the church to dream big. To believe that we have a God who can provide for our needs. That God can provide land or a building and financial resources beyond what we can imagine.

February Brazil Trip

Please contact me for more specific information about my travel plans for February. I will be part of a team that includes Sam T and Matt. There are certain limitations to what I can share or describe online.

Below, Matt (second from right) and I are pictured with friends Yuji and Najara, visiting from Brazil on January 1, 2008. What a wonderful visit and an opportunity for Matt to learn firsthand about what's going on in that country.

Our Brazil itinerary will be as follows:
February 20 (Wed): Depart Los Angeles

Feb 21 (Thu): Arrive São Paulo (Guarulhos) for a week of meetings with local leadership contacts. We are hoping to meet with both Portuguese speaking and Japanese speaking church and community leaders in the greater São Paulo region. This pattern of interaction will be repeated in the various cities we visit:

Feb 27 (Wed): Depart Sao Paulo; Arrive Londrina.

Feb 28 (Thu): Depart Londrina; Arrive Curitiba.

Mar 1 (Sat): Depart Curitiba; Arrive Campo Grande.

Mar 3 (Mon): Depart Campo Grande; Arrive Manaus.

Mar 5 (Wed): Depart Manaus and return to USA

Mar 6 (Thu): Arrive LAX

Please be in prayer for the team:

• Challenges of climate, language, culture and AGE!
• Financial support for PJ and Matt.
• Open doors and welcome in Brazilian groups and agencies.
• Safety and good health in every aspect of the trip.

Fall 2007

Since we last met here, a number of good things have happened at JACC in Camarillo:

Worship
English Department worship service attendance at the church recently peaked at 51. That same Sunday, the Japanese Department had 30 in their services for a combined attendance of over 80. Yes, as a matter of fact, food WAS involved!

We are intentionally combining our quarterly all-church potlucks with an evangelistic outreach. The messages on those Sundays are designed to include a clear message of the good news of Jesus Christ. Our congregation is encouraged in the weeks prior to the event to pray for and invite family members and friends. English speaking worship service attendance has been averaging around 4o.

With growth comes the challenge of how to stretch the boundaries of the living room in which we are currently meeting. Please pray as we negotiate with our landlord about possible remodeling of our worship space. We recognize that attendance still is too low to generate what is needed to get us into a larger facility elsewhere. We hope that remodeling efforts in place will give us what we need to go on to that next step of a seeking another larger facility.

Pray for Fernando Castilho (pictured above) who was recently approved by our board to serve as the chair of the English speaking evangelism ministry. Fernando and I will be meeting over the next two months to outline a plan for 2008. Additionally, Dr Matt Lee has been nominated to serve on the Board of Elders beginning in February 2008.

The JACC board also approved the collaboration between JEMS and the local church. Pray for Matt and me as we will participate in a two-week trip to Brazil in 2008. Matt currently serves in a volunteer capacity as our youth worker. He works as a scientist at Amgen.

Summer 2007 - What's First?

Not “What Now?” The Question is “What’s First?”

The story is told of an eminent scholar named Huxley who had just finished a lecture series in London. After his last engagement, he was in a hurry to catch a train that would take him to his next speaking commitment. He left the hotel and jumped into a hansom cab.

Assuming that the driver had been told his destination by the hotel doorman, Huxley shouted, “Hurry . . . I’m almost late . . . Drive fast!” Then, tired from his day's labors, he settled back and closed his eyes for a few moments of rest.

The horse-drawn hansom rushed through the streets of the city. Before long, Huxley glanced out of the window and frowned as he realized that they were going west along the Thames River, away from the train station. Leaning forward, Huxley shouted up to the driver, “Do you know where you are going?”

Without looking back, the driver yelled, “No sir, I do not know where I am going. But I am going very, very fast!”

* * * * *

This account from the 1800’s could easily describe today’s fast-paced culture. We are often in a rush to get busy without first determining where we are going.

The graphic of the blueprint reminds us that before we undertake anything of importance, we must first establish a set of priorities, values and plans. Without this first step, our work can lose its way.

I invite you to learn about the blueprint for ministry development with JEMS. Please pray that God would have his hand on the reins of our ministry. That we might go where he wants us to go.
Please follow the links at the bottom of this entry. The following pages include pictures of my daughter's graduation and wedding!

– Pastor John

Click - Summer 2007 "Personally Speaking" (Family events)

Click - Summer 2007 - An opportunity to respond
.

Summer 2007 - Setting goals together

If I were to prioritize my goals and challenges for the next six months, I would list them in the following order:

1. Meeting JEMS goals for financial support.
I am not able to begin my ministry until 80% of my monthly support is raised. JEMS has set the bar at $2500-3000/month. As of this writing, my pledged support is at 46%.

Additional one-time gifts have also been received and are included in the above percentage. In the future, these gifts may be applied toward projected travel and field ministry expenses.

2. Re-establishing contact with JEMS-affiliated churches in South America.
The baton has been passed. As the years have gone by, leadership transitions have occurred. Some within local church and denominational leadership have retired. Others have shifted responsibilities to the younger pastors and laypeople. There are new names and new faces with which bridges of collaboration must be developed.

I am in conversation with Rev. Sam Tonomura about the possibilities of a Brazil visit which will serve to reintroduce JEMS and myself to the principals there. Pray that support and schedule permitting, that I might be able to travel in September 2007.

3. What’s the plan?
Just as every coach needs a playbook to win the game, so JEMS needs a vision and plan to work together with the churches and ministries in the US, South America and Japan. Pastors and other leaders have already been in contact with me to ask the question: What are my plans?

That question can only be answered after extensive conversations are held with national churches and leaders.

JEMS will not presume to know what is best for overseas ministries. We will need patience to listen and to craft strategies together with our local and other national leadership.

We will work jointly to see what works best to meet the needs and requirements of local churches. The days in which US churches acted like the benevolent big brother are long past. We understand that our role is one of support and service to our brothers and sisters in Christ in South America and Japan.

4. Who will go?
Perhaps the biggest challenge is the same one that existed in Jesus’ day. He wrote in the book of Matthew 9:37-38 – “Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

The harvest is still plentiful today and the workers are still few. A part of my role at JEMS will be to encourage men and women to hear and respond to the invitation of Jesus to seize unique opportunities to serve him.

I hope that there will be those who recognize that our intersection with ministry comes when we take a risk to step beyond what we might consider safe and secure.

5. And along with the invitation, the need for training
Culture and ministry are always in flux. For that reason, we need to re-examine our approach to ministry. Much of my time in the next few months (while waiting for support to come in) will be to update our training program for missions ministry.

I’m hoping to seek out other leaders in the area of missions development. Pray for those contacts and conversations to be both beneficial and productive.