Returning to Tokyo

Good morning! Today I get to lead a team of my own family members to Tokyo, Japan. This trip is the answer to many prayers from within my own heart that God would use my family to make Himself famous in other nations. He has been so faithful. The team consists of my parents (Rick and Ruth), one of my brothers (Andrew), his wife (Becca), and a dear family friend (Amy).

This will be a mission trip with two layers. The first layer will be a mission trip in the more common sense of the term: crossing cultural barriers in order to share the news of Jesus' salvation to Japanese people. We will do extensive prayer walking, encourage Japanese believers, and be a brief but significant part in helping missionaries make disciples within Tokyo. Our leaders are consist of families who have planted their lives and raised their children in Japan in order to serve in Christian ministry positions.

This will also be a leadership-training trip. Each member of the team wants to be involved in international missions for the rest of their lives, whether long-term or in short-term seasons. So, I am going to work at providing each team member various opportunities to learn about being an overseas "mission leader."

If you are committed to pray for this trip, here are some specific points to pray for:

*Pray that the words of each of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts will be pleasing to God.
*Pray for God to bring us to meet Japanese people who are searching for truth.
*Pray for family dynamics within the team to be focused and unified on glorifying God.
*Pray that we will have boldness and love in telling others about Jesus.
*Pray for my sister-in-law, Becca's, health and stamina. She is four months pregnant.
*Pray for the team to deeply benefit from the missionaries' wisdom.
*Pray for the protection and pursual our individual time in the Word throughout the trip.
*Pray for the missionaries and Japanese believers to be encouraged in their ministry.

Thank you, friends. Love y'all.