Covenanter Witness Vol. 86 - Rparchives.org

Activities In JapanMissOreta EverettKobe Shi, JapanJanuary 9, 1971Dear Friends in Christ,As we enter into a new year, may the Lord's richblessing rest upon you and may His Holy Spirit be workingin and through each to enable all to go forward with Him.May His great name and Kingdom be magnified throughout1971.We thank you for the prayers of the past year andcount on your continued prayer support throughout the yearahead. You will be interested in knowing how your prayershave been answered concerning the holiday activities.The Christmas Eve program of "Christ In ThePsalms" was blessed, although the attendance wassomewhat smaller than the 100 of a year ago. The programwas recorded and this has enabled some shut-in and othersunable to attend, to be blessed with this recorded message inPsalms.The Lord gave His strength throughout the manyyear-end activities and parties, even though some of us didcatch colds which clung to us longer than we would haveliked. — The mission staff enjoyed a good time together onChristmas Day with a dinner at Orlena Lynn's home. Westayed together also until evening when we again enjoyedfellowship around the table with left-owrs, combined with aspecial celebration for Jim Pennington's birthday, whichwas on Christmas.This year there was no worship service on New Year'sDay, but in each of the three congregations, on the Lord'sDay, appropriate New Year messages were presented.On January 4, the young people of the threecongregations had a special blessed time together for study,discussion, and recreation. This was at the Keiyaku Housein Okamoto. Your prayers are appreciated for this fine groupof young people. Pray especially that from within this groupthe Lord will bring forth young men who will answer Hiscall, prepare, and come forth to be ministers. The need isgreat.Continue to pray for the Psalter Publication Committee.A goal of April has been set to publish some 70Psalms which are ready. In the near future we plan to haveafter the morning worship service, on Sabbath, a brief Psalmpractise each week to acquaint us with new tunes and Psalmsnot included in our present mimeographed Psalter.Now I must apologtee. This letter was removed frommy typewriter in order to do some other work, and itbecame out of sight, thus out of mind. Now it is the 20th ofJanuary.MARCH 3. 1971There was on January 15 a fine one-day conferencewhich had been planned and sponsored by a committee ofwomen from the three congregations. Some 45 peoplegathered at the Keiyaku congregation's place of worshipwhich is also the home of the Spear family. The Rev. Mr.Masunaga had the main address from Romans 9 and 10. Theconference text was II Timothy 2:15. A number of peoplegave their testimony. Also a helpful discussion time was anencouragement and challenge. I have always been favorablyimpressed by the Japanese Christians' willingness to participate and speak when called upon, often without advancewarning. At the close of the conference a large candle lightedbirthday cake honored three who that day were celebratingbirthdays. They were Mrs. Yasahara of the Higashi Sumacongregation, Mrs. Nakamuraof the Keiyaku congregation,and Miss Lynn.We are happy to have Mr. Pennington with us still,but sorry that his time here is all too quickly approaching thedeparture day for the U.S. Continue to support him withyour prayers, as he continues to wait upon the Lord fordirection. We know that those of you who will be able to hearhim during his deputation, shall be blessed by his ministry.After his departure from here, the preaching in Tarumi willbe continued by Mr. Spear and Mr. Masunaga. Supportthem in prayer as their duties expand. Needless to sayremember the Kasumigaoka congregation there in Tarumias one more shuffle in their history takes place.Since December, I have had a new class in myschedule. Once again I am able to teach a Bible class at theKobe Women's Pharmaceutical College where I had a classup until my furlough in '68. This class of 16 girls also haveasked me to coach their English Club's drama in preparationfor the spring festival. Upon reading the manuscript, it wasdiscovered that the play contained much profane language. Itold them I could not approve of this blamphemouslanguage, but would keep my promise to help them if theywould delete these words and phrases. After talking it over,thev decided to let me do it my way. Pray for these girls as westudy and work together, that the Holy Spirit will convictthem of their need of Christ's atonement. Three of the girlsare Christians, so pray for their strengthening and encouragementas they strive to live for the Lord Jesus Christ."Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, andto make you stand in the presence of His glory blamelesswith great joy, to the only God our Savior, through JesusChrist our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, andauthority, before all time and now and forever." •••D