Happy New Year!

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (Jn 1:14, NIV)

The Biblical teaching that Jesus Christ is God the Father's saving revelation of grace and truth is not just a Christmas message. It resonates throughout the calendar year. In 2012 we intend to compassionately proclaim this gospel message in Japan. May you too know the joy of Jesus dwelling with you throughout the new year.

Back to Japan

The Lord has provided adequate finances for us to return to Japan! We leave for Tokyo on January 1. Our financial status will be evalutated once again in July 2012. We are grateful for our many ministry partners who have extended us hospitality during our home assignment over the past 16 months. We truly appreciate our multiple "homes" in Canada, USA, and Japan.

For most of 2012 we will focus on tsunami recovery ministry at temporary housing centers in greater Sendai. Accessing the over $50,000 that has been donated for our EFC of Canada Mission tsunami recovery ministry, we have purchased and shipped sewing machines to Japan for Ann's quilting classes among tsunami displaced people. And using personal funds we are negotiating the purchase of a used 4WD vehicle for our ministry in northern Japan.

Then in December 2012 we plan to launch our next church planting project: Tokyo Multicultural Church (TMCC). We continue to seek partner churches that will join us in this exciting church planting project in the world's most populace megapolitan area. Our fund for launching TMCC has surpassed $9000.

Christmas in Maine

Due to lower than required donor income, we were unable to return to Japan as scheduled in September 2011. That's the bad news. The good news is that this delay has allowed us to be with our children in Maine over the Christmas holiday. They flew from California and Texas, where the three of them are in university.

We thank the Lord for...

• sufficient donor income allowing us to return to Japan in January.
• contributions to our special financial projects.
• a wonderful Christmas with our three children and Ann's family in Maine.

Please pray...

• for open hearts and doors at temporary housing units in the greater Sendai area so that we will be able to minister to emotional needs and share the hope of the gospel with tsunami displaced people.
• for our adjustment as we leave behind our three children as well as ailing parents. (And pray for them too!)
• that we will be able to find an apartment to rent in the Sendai area.
• for more church partners to help us launch Tokyo Multicultural Church in December 2012.
• that the Lord will continue to supply our financial needs for ongoing ministry in Japan. (The Japanese yen has been relentlessly strengthening against the US and Canadian dollars for the past three years.)

Thank you for praying!
--dale and ann