Meet the Watanabe family.
Eiji (Pronounced A.G.) lived across the street from the church, and was saved as a young man nearly 20 years ago. His passion is working with wood and growing flowers. Imagine his frustration last summer when he had a heart attack, and had to have a defribrillator installed with the strict instructions that he was no longer to use ANY power tools! Not only that, but he was told he now is legally disabled, making it impossible for him to have a full time job. He had to give up his job for a large company that grows and delivers flowers and bedding plants to nurseries. Now how to make his house payments, and support his wife and 3 1/2 small children?
Needless to say, life has been a challenge, but I wish you could meet this family in person. Their faith is strong, they are always cheerful, and they haven't given up their determination to home school - even though homeschooling is practically unheard of in Japan, and their parents are bitterly opposed to the idea.
Reiko was a nutritionist in a hospital before they were married, and is a great cook. They both have excellent voices, and are the main members of our little choir.
The boys, Yoshia, 5, (The Japanese version of Josiah), Takumi, and Tomokazu, 2, (Takkun and Tomokun) are definitely the church mascots. Yoshia loves to go out after church, and direct traffic as everyone leaves, yelling his goodbyes untill they are well out of sight. The twins are both very bright, and can already read simple words in both English and Japanese.
The pressure this family is under is enormous, especially with a new baby on the way. Please pray that no matter what the devil throws at them, they will be able to maintain their cheerful family atmosphere and strong faith.
News Flash
How exciting to see God's plan unfolding for the Watanabe family! Eiji has been burdened for people in the Hoshino area, where the church owns a small campground. Now we have recieved word that Mustard Seed Foundation, a fund for new ministries is taking interviews for new ministries - provided they are led by nationals. Some funding would take the financial burden off so they could focus on starting Bible studies in the area. There is no gospel witness in this rural area up in the hills. Please pray that God will help Eiji find favor in the eyes of the Mustard Seed representative, and that if this is His will for them, that no weapon formed against them will prosper as they seek His leading!
The camp is still very much a work in progress.