Loss of a dear ministry partner: Pr Amakawa

JEMS is deeply saddened to hear the news from São Paulo about the passing of our very good friend and ministry partner, Pastor Amakawa. 
Com grande tristeza, JEMS recebeu notícias do falecimento do nosso amigo e parceiro em ministério, Pastor Amakawa.

I considered him a great supporter of JEMS as he cared for our teams by providing encouragement to our summer volunteers.
Ele deu muito apoio para JEMS, cuidando de nossas equipes, providenciando encorajamento para nossos voluntários.

Much of what I learned over the years about ministry in Brazil, I learned from him. We spent many days traveling together and many hours talking together over a dining table. 
Eu aprendi muito durante os anos, conversando sobre o ministério brasileiro. Nós passámos muitos dias viajando junto e muitas horas falando juntos durante várias refeições. 

He was the one in 1992 who first suggested that I visit the city of Pedro Juan Caballero in Paraguay. And he took me to visit the home Bible studies in the province of Misiones in Argentina in 1993. He would open many doors for me by creating ministry partnerships. 
Ele foi o primeiro que sugeriu que eu faço uma visita para a cidade de Pedro Juan Caballero em Paraguay.  Foi em 1992.  Em 1993, ele e Rosa também me levaram para conhecer os estudos bíblicos em casas (katei shukai) na província de Misiones em Argentina. 

My deepest condolences to his wife and to the many who were blessed to have known and served with him. 
Minhas profundas condolências para tia Rosa, sua família e todos que conheceram e serviram junto com este grande homem de Deus. Que Deus vos console, sustente e vos guarde em Suas mãos durante estes dias.

Pastor Kiyohiko was one of the first pastors to receive a JEMS worker. In the photo below, taken in 1989, the pastor and his wife, Rosa, received JEMS Missions Director, Rev Roy Y and JEMS volunteer, Dan H.
Pastor Kiyohiko foi um dos primeiros pastores que recebeu um obreiro da JEMS. Neste foto de 1989, ele e tia Rosa receberam o diretor da Missões da JEMS, Rev Roy Y e o voluntário da JEMS, Dan H.

After my return to ministry with JEMS in January 2008, he was one of the first to welcome me back to service in South America. Here he is pictured at the Free Methodist Church in São José dos Campos with leaders of the church. And also together with his wife, Rosa.
Depois de minha volta para ministério com JEMS em janeiro de 2008, ele foi um dos primeiros líderes para estender boas vindas. Abaixo ele está com os líderes da Igreja Metodista Livre de São José dos Campos. E também junto com sua esposa, Rosa.

Through the years, Pastor Kiyohiko has shown his care for me and for the ministry in the most practical ways, including providing transportation to and from the airport for our workers (and a homestay for me).
Durante os anos, Pastor Kiyohiko tem mostrado seu cuidado por mim e pelo ministério da JEMS numa maneira tão prática, inclusive providenciando carona ao/do aeroporto de Guarulhos por nossos voluntários (e uma casa para mim).

As a matter of fact, my first driving experiences happened when Pastor Amakawa encouraged me to take the wheel. I think that I must have driven half of the miles from São Paulo to Argentina and back!
Uma das primeiras experiências de dirigir no Brasil aconteceu por causa de encorajamento do Pr Amakawa. Eu acho que dirigi uma metade do caminho entre São Paulo e Argentina e também na volta!

Most recently, he assumed the presidency of the São Paulo Nikkei Pastors' Federation (Renmei). He shared his vision to seek revival among Nikkei pastors and churches.
Mais recentemente, ele foi eleito para servir como o presidente da Federação Evangélica Nikkei (Renmei). O objetivo dele era de buscar avivamento entre os pastores e igrejas nikkei.

The church has lost a great servant leader in Pastor Amakawa. Our prayers are with the family and the churches in which he served.
A igreja tem perdido um grande servo de Deus e lider em Pastor Amakawa. Nossas orações estão com tia Rosa, a família e as igrejas onde o pastor serviu.

Posts you may have missed:

NEW!! Missions: Not called to go? Then are you called to stay?
Traveling to the extremities of Brazil
The highs of travel in São Paulo state!

A look at worship in Buenos Aires

It was a special privilege to serve in the three Nikkei churches in Buenos Aires.  On this particular Sunday (January 20), JEMS worker Erika and I were invited to share at the Iglesia Evangélica Japonés.  We were hosted by Pastor Ruben and his family.  

The worship team led a very anointed time of worship.  Here's a bit of it:



This was followed by testimony and preaching by Erika and me, respectively. 

     

Pastor Ruben

My interpreter, Karina

It was also a blessing to meet members of the church.  They were very welcoming and I hope will provide a foundation for joint ministry with JEMS in the future.

Posts you may have missed:

NEW!! Missions: Not called to go? Then are you called to stay?
Traveling to the extremities of Brazil
The highs of travel in São Paulo state!

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Missions: Not called to go? Then are you called to stay?

We sometimes use words and phrases that give off the feel of spirituality.

"I'm not called to go."

But really, we need to think of the flip side of that statement: Are we called to stay?

We sometimes equate the lack of a specific calling as evidence that missions service is outside of God's plan for us. But have we become confused by the idea of some pre-packaged blueprint that we imagine God has outlined for us without the larger understanding of God's overriding purpose for our lives? Someone wiser than me once said, "God doesn't have a plan for your life, he has a purpose for it."

When we begin to think of God's purpose for our lives, we understand that his purpose is to draw us ever nearer to himself and to enable others to do the same.

There was a time certainly when missions was a calling. It meant the dedication of one's life and career to serving God in some far flung country and saying good-bye to family and friends. A short term missions trip of three to four weeks is not the same thing, and we should really rethink short term missions, not in terms of whether it is God's plan for us, but whether it might be included in God's purpose for us.

On the mission field, even in small doses, one learns much about one's own character and perhaps as important, about the character of God.

If God's purpose is to create men and women of character, integrity, compassion and unselfishness, what better place to learn than in a ministry context where we are stretched to discover that we are far from where we could be in our walk with God.

How humbling to work with children who are excited to receive pencils as gifts when we grumble about not having the latest smartphone. What a test of our servant's heart when we are handed a mop and bucket with twenty bathroom stalls to be cleaned. How blessed are we with whole and healthy bodies when kneeling next to a child whose legs were vaporized by an undetected mine or a mother who is slowly dying of AIDS.

When we stay relatively isolated in our day-to-day cocoons, it's possible that we can miss the aching heart of God who yearns to see many others come to himself. 

• He wants us to learn something about his character. 
• To learn that he is present in the remotest of locations and humblest of circumstances. 
• That he has the power and authority to bring forgiveness and cleansing to lives and hearts scarred by abuse and sin. 
• That his grace can restore broken people. 

How did YOU spend your summer vacation? 

"I hung out at the beach, went to lots of parties, did some shopping." 

Is this the purpose-filled, abundant life that we've all read about? I don't think so.

Remember: We are God's plan. There is no plan B.

Support Pr John's ministry with JEMS.  Link

Posts you may have missed:

NEW!! Missions: Not called to go? Then are you called to stay?
Traveling to the extremities of Brazil
The highs of travel in São Paulo state!

Traveling to the extremities of Brazil

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Greetings from a weary traveler!

The last leg of my ministry of contact and preparation has been perhaps the most schedule-intensive as I traveled to three state capitals in just over a week.  My trip took me to the relative cool of the southern Brazilian city of Curitiba, to the warmth of Brazil's central west in Campo Grande and finally to the humid and hot north Amazon basin in Belém do Pará.  It is a journey of almost 4500 miles for which I am thankful for the advent of air travel.

Curitiba

It was my first visit to Curitiba since 2008 when I traveled with Rev Sam and Matt L.  At that time, we were unable to have any substantive contact with the church family as they were on retreat. However, this visit was much more valuable as I was able to meet with pastors and some leaders to discuss the possibility of JEMS' ministry in July or in the coming years.  

(All photos should be expandable by clicking on the photo)

As in much of Brazil ministry, key moments of discussion and conversation are often held around a meal.  Many Facebook friends have asked why Pastor John is always pictured while eating.  This is part of the ministry and relational reality of South America.  Bonds of friendship and fellowship are formed around a supper table or with the passing of the chimarrão (bowl of gaucho tea).

Curitiba also provided insights into the ongoing challenges of ministry to the Japanese speaking community as I met with Pastor and Mrs Shingai of the Holiness Church (below).

Being in Curitiba on a Sunday afforded me the opportunity to preach twice. The morning service was conducted in Curitiba itself, while the afternoon service was held at a preaching point some 90 minutes away in the city of Paranaguá.  

I am blessed and grateful for the warm reception of Pastor Orlando and Pastora Silvia (pictured below) during my stay in Curitiba.

Campo Grande

From the southern city of Curitiba, I traveled to the central west city of Campo Grande.  I was a bit troubled by published reports that dengue fever had significantly impacted that city with over 18,000 confirmed cases in the first five weeks of 2013.  I was assured by my homestay family that appropriate care could be taken to minimize the risk.  Needless to say, I was careful to apply repellent daily.  Teams which go to Campo Grande in July face minimal risk as it is both winter and dry season during that month.

As in Curitiba, it was my purpose in Campo Grande to share about ministry partnerships with JEMS.  Meetings with Pastor Vagner and others were very helpful to get a sense of the church's interest and receptivity.

Pastor Vagner and family (center left), Coushi and Toshie, host family

Campo Grande Youth at Itiki home and pastel supper

It was also a joy for me to see Pastor and Mrs Yamamoto (below), who hosted JEMS teams as early as 1994 in the city of Cuiabá.  A number of our JEMS alumni were blessed by their ministry and care.

Belém do Pará (pronounced, "bay-layng"

Despite seriously messing up my itinerary by missing a connecting flight, I was able to arrive  at my next city, in Belém do Pará, the old stomping grounds of the Yamadas and Iwanagas.  

In all honesty, this city has not been on my agenda because I remembered the very challenging climate of the Amazon region.  But I am so happy to have overcome my reticence and included the Igreja Cristã Evangélica do Amazônas on my schedule.  What a blessing to see Pastor Josué, Suzana and the ICEA church family again!  

In addition to meetings with the pastor, I was able to share with the men at a Friday night "old guys" futsal (indoor soccer) game, to visit another mission organization, to visit the Palavra da Vida (Word of Life) seminary and campground, take a brief tour of the city and to preach on Sunday morning.  

With missionaries, Lynne and Bete

Staff of mission team working in Benevides

Some faculty and staff of Palavra da Vida Norte

President of Palavra da Vida Norte, Gary P

The famed Ver-o-Peso Market in Belém

Panoramic view of the Amazon River 

Youth at futsal

Special family in Belém

Youth in Belém

Thank you so much for your prayers. I am confident that God is working to open doors of partnership so that the message of Jesus can be shared in these cities and communities.  Please pray that these three specific churches will be able to respond in a timely way so as to receive JEMS teams in July of this year. 

Won't you consider an investment in ministry this year?  Please pray for God's direction as to service in South America this summer.  

Posts you may have missed:

• The Highs of Travel in São Paulo State -  Link
• In Country - End of January 2013 Prayer Update - Link
• Pastor John´s January and February ministry schedule. Please pray!! - Link
• Happy New Year photo from Pastor John and his kids!! - Link 

The highs of travel in São Paulo state!

The title of this post, "The Highs of Travel in São Paulo state" references the high temperatures during the past two weeks:  there were no lows.  With temperatures averaging between the mid-to-high-eighties, I was occasionally tempted to think of cooler winters in southern California! 

I have just returned from extended travels through the interior of São Paulo state.  It is a region in which almost 50% of the 1.5 million Nikkei population of Brazil are living.  Other Nikkei populations can be found in Parana state, south of São Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul state, west of São Paulo.  The remaining population is scattered in various cities and states in this sprawling nation.  Thus São Paulo state is a strategic location for ministry and outreach for JEMS.

My first stop was a visit to the city of Bastos, the egg capital of Brazil.  Bastos has a population of only 21,000, but is 11% Nikkei.  It was a bit strange to walk downtown and have every third or fourth face being Japanese.  I don't think even Torrance is like that!  ha ha!

Through the arrangement of the Bastos Holiness pastor, I met the local judo instructor, Umakakeba sensei, 8th Dan.  His former students have gone on to represent Brazil in the Olympics.  He invited me to share an evangelistic lesson with his judo class. It was a blessing to share my testimony with these young men and women. 

Later that evening, Pastor Joel of the Bastos Holiness Church, invited me to give a message to the Wednesday night prayer group.  It was a blessing to see so many come out for worship, the Word and prayer. 

The next city I was able to visit was the city of Adamantina.  JEMS has sent workers here previously in the 1990's.  Adamantina reflects a change in demography that is being seen in other Nikkei churches here in Brazil.

Adamantina is also the mother church of a congregation over an hour away in the town of Dracena.  In Dracena, I was able to meet the small group that meets faithfully week after week.  They were very receptive to the message and were eager to learn more.

A big part of ministry in the interior is home visitation.  Like physician's house calls, home visitation is almost a thing of the past in the US.  Not so in Brazil's interior.  One day with Pastor Castilho in Adamantina had me in several homes, including one in the neighboring town of Osvaldo Cruz.

The third city in the São Paulo state mission visit was the city of Tupã.  This was my second visit in about fifteen years.  The church continues to serve the Nikkei community in a town that was the zero point for hostilities within the community after the second World War.  The unfortunate and divisive role of the Shindo Renmei (still hush-hush after all these years) was featured in an historical book and a recent Brazilian film by the same name, called "Coraçoes Sujos."

As my schedule had me in Tupã on a Sunday, I was able to speak in both the morning and evening services.  The morning service, more traditional, had a mostly Japanese language group, while the larger evening service was a bit more contemporary.  The group was very welcoming!

My final city visit was in Pompéia, city that has received a number of JEMS teams over the past several years.  It was an opportunity for me to meet with Pastor Guto, who serves as the coordinator for the Missions Commission of the Holiness Church of Brazil.  

As JEMS considers the next step in our ministry, we understand the importance of keeping our partners and stakeholders involved in the conversation.  Pastor Guto has been a friend of mine since 1990!  We have been blessed to be able to serve together over the years.  We are praying that JEMS' dreams in South America can soon become a reality.

Pr Guto pictured with Pr Marcos (tall guy) of Esquadrão da Vida, a drug rehabilitation center in Pompéia.

Some special friends in Pompéia are pictured:

I managed to return in one piece to São Paulo city yesterday afternoon.  Thank you again for your prayers and support.  


As you read this update and think about the ministry here, won't you also take a moment to prayerfully consider supporting my ministry.  It only takes a few moments to write a check and send it in to JEMS.  Even less time to go online to donate via credit card HERE.  Your support is not only appreciated, it is especially needed as the new year begins.  Please pray and give!  Thank you!



Posts you may have missed:

•  In Country - End of January 2013 Prayer Update Link
•  Pastor John´s January and February ministry schedule.  Please pray!!  Link
•  Happy New Year photo from Pastor John and his kids!!  Link