Luis R. - April 2009 Report | Print |
Asia: Reports - Japan - Reports
Tuesday, 26 May 2009 21:34
luis preaching_2God has given us many reasons to celebrate! This past month was Easter and looking out at all those in the Sunday morning service we realized that for many with us it was the first time in their lives that they were at church on Easter Sunday hearing about the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the salvation that He alone can give. Luis shared the message of the Gospel in his preaching, and we also shared love with our Peruvian and Japanese friends as we prepared and went on Vida Nueva's family day picnic. We all went together after our morning service to a big park nearby in the city of Tachikawa. We spent the afternoon eating lunch on our picnics, playing football, competing in fun group games, and in a family easter egg hunt. The sun poured down on us and we spent a lovely time as family!

At the end of April we celebrated our second anniversary as a congregation. Nicanor and Luis painted Vida Nueva's logo on a banner and it was hung up during a concert to thank God for the past two years and for the birthdays of our friends in April for "Happy B ! " This time we all sang "Happy Birthday" to the church! Anniversaries are always a blessing since they are an opportunity to reflect on God's work in the past year. In the message at the concert on Saturday night Luis talked about how God had brought him to Japan and why he is a missionary pastor, a story that really illustrates God's desire to share about His love. It also tells of His sovereignty and how He works in our lives for His glory. The following day, after the morning service, we went together to a nearby restaurant. We had reserved it for the group to enjoy lunch together and get to be together with some new visitors.

A Snippet of a Typical Week

*Luis meets with two teenage boys, Yukio and Akira, to disciple them studying the Bible. They also jam together. As a result of these meetings, these two boys have helped put together the Cinenoche - movie nights this past month on Saturday night when there are no other events. It is a very relaxed time to be family and friends together and hangout, especially for teenagers.

*Luis and Nicola meet with mostly non-Christian Japanese ladies for a small Bible study and in order to put together music events. Luis has been teaching about family relationships from God's point of view - how He formed families and His principles for them. It seems rather timely since some ladies have talked to us about some things they have been facing in their families. It is a wonderful thing to show them God's wisdom for their situations.

*Nicola is now teaching Carla and Rocio, two Peruvian wives and mothers, about how to grow more intimate with God through Bible meditation and prayer. We finished looking at the sins of unforgiveness, pride, laziness, compromise, and the consequences of these land mines.

*Saturday afternoon is a time we all get together at church and spend the whole afternoon preparing for events, practicing music or dance, sometimes cooking or planning the services, and we always have Bible study for the ladies while the men take care of the kids. We are always serving each other in whatever way God shows.

Please pray for the pastor of KPBC, the church under which Vida Nueva uses facilities.  He has been called back to the States by his job with the US military and though it was unexpected for their family, they know that God is leading them in His will. Please pray for the church as it seeks a new pastor and all the ministry and church family in the meanwhile.  

Please pray for Alfredo and Paola. They are friends and colleagues of David and Carla, who have been visiting Vida Nueva for the past month. Please pray as Luis talks to them about their faith and direction.


All the Glory to God,


Luis, Nicola and Rohan
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