Status on the move to Japan

We continue to wait on the Lord as He unfolds His plans for us in regard to Japan. We have found a language school that we like that is not too far away from my parents, and we have a couple options as far as jobs go. I have been looking into a possible part-time job at CAJ, but also have some English teaching opportunities opening up as well. It is important that we find some sort of job for two reasons. First, we have both felt led by God to be only partially supported missionaries. The reasons for this are the following

* We want to use English Teaching as a means of getting to know people and families.
* We want to serve people in areas that they have needs (speaking English is a skill that many Japanese desire to have).
* We want people to see us as "normal" people (as normal as foreigners can be) who have a legitimate job.
* We want to be seen as "normal" people who are crazy about this "Jesus" and whose lives and words attract people to want to know more.
* We also want to set an example for believers in the churches that the Lord will grant us to start. An example that one does not need to be a seminary graduate or to be fully supported by others to serve God and do His work. (In no way do we condemn workers who are fully supported. They do a wonderful work for God and it is Biblically supported. Rather we have been drawn to this by God for how WE should go about serving Him.)

The second reason that is is important that I find a job is that it will be much easier for Amy to get longer term visa status with it. I have permanent residence in Japan (Praise the Lord!) and by working at a legitimate job, the Japanese government would be much more willing to grant Amy a permanent visa down the road.

Another big step that we are taking is that we are not going to be moving to Japan under a mission board. We would have been going with CMML (a Plymouth Brethren mission) had we stayed with Great Adventure Church (CMML only accepts people who are commended from Brethren assemblies of which Great Adventure is one). However, with God leading us to Grandview Heights Baptist Church, and not leading us to join the Southern Baptist Mission or any other mission board, we will be going without one. We know that it is very important that we have good accountability (one of the best things that a mission board provides) so we have sought out another way to have good accountability. First, we are planning to be sent out from our Grandview chruch (and they want to send us too =D). We want them to be our accountability and to be actively involved in our missionary work. We are also asking that each of you, who pray for us would hold us accountable. We greatly appreciate your prayers and your encouragement to us and we long to continue to receive your prayers, knowing that as you pray, God will do wonders. Our work in Japan will be a waste of time without God's guidance, power and presence with us. And your prayers greatly increase these!

We also want to offer to you an opportunity to be further involved in our work; that is financially. The Bible teaches that those who pray for and give to those in the ministry, are partners with the workers. As partners, they share in the burden (both the burden of intercessory prayer and the burden of finances), but they also share in the rewards. What a great God we serve! I know that many of you cannot afford to give of your money, or are already giving to God in other areas. Praise the Lord! Please keep on doing so! However, if you feel God leading you to partner with us in giving, praise the Lord as well! Most of all, and we want to make this clear, we desire your faithful prayers. Thank you so much for that, it is the best gift that we can receive from you!