A Thank You From The Tsunami Victims of Japan

Encouragement!

The past month has been very encouraging. We had the pleasure of participating in two Mission’s Conferences, met some wonderful people and had more opportunities to share about the great spiritual need in Japan. The Lord also orchestrated a meeting with Japanese Pastor Shingo Katayama and his wife while they were here on a short trip in the US. Pastor Katayama greatly encouraged us and also invited us to a Japanese Bible study that meets once a month in Gastonia (about an hour from our house). We were able to attend the meeting and met some wonderful people who invited us back to be a part of their Bible study group!

We also heard from our team leader last week and we now have a place to live in Japan! One family on our team will be leaving for HMA at the end of December and another family at the end of June. Our team leader agreed that December is most likely out of the question for us, so they are planning on putting us in the other house. We were hoping to be in Japan before then, but God’s timing is perfect and we praise Him for the provision of this “furnished” home in Japan! This is an encouragement in so many ways. We don't have a lot of "stuff" to furnish a home, so we won't have to purchase and/or ship a lot of things, praise God! And it's encouraging to know that our team is making preparations for our arrival because we can get pretty discouraged sometimes feeling like we're never going to make it to Japan.

We feel very encouraged that God is preparing us in so many ways and we trust Him to bring in the additional financial need in His timing. It is tempting to worry about the money, but when we look back at how God has always provided and how He continues to provide for us and prepare us, how can we worry. Our job is to trust Him and keep moving forward in faith, not to worry. Not because our faith is great, but because of the Greatness of the One in whom we put our faith!

Prayer Request and Update Oct 5, 2011

Hello everyone,

What a wonderful privilege to write to you all and ask for prayer. We may be a little bogged down with current struggles in the US, but rest assured God's Kingdom is advancing on earth and God is definitely doing something in Japan. We have a new opportunity to share with two more presbyteries out west as we continue to ask for support and also to raise an awareness of the great need for gospel ministry in Japan. I will be flying out of Charlotte this morning for Seattle and then on Friday to Sacramento. Kim is flying out on Saturday and we will visit with churches etc over the weekend and head back to N.C. on Tuesday. Please pray that God will use this time to open doors and grow our partnership with churches and individuals out on the west coast. (Of course we are certainly not opposed to support from east coast people either in case you were wondering :-)))

More than 99% of Japan's population does not profess the Christian faith. Not only is there a great need for evangelism and church planting in Japan, but there is also a great opportunity. It is our prayer that more churches and individuals will recognize this opportunity and join the mission of reaching Japan's lost millions through partnering with us financially and prayerfully. That more folks will see this as the privilege that it is - being on mission with Christ to Japan. Let's partner together to carry the gospel to a spiritually impoverished land.

In Christ,

Triston Craven

704-441-3011

tristoncraven@gmail.com

Mission To The World

JAPAN

Living by Faith and Not by Sight

I was listening to our local christian radio station the other day and the General Manager started talking about "faith support". He reminded listeners that he was not making a plea for a handout or trying to sell a product. He was asking them to be part of sharing the Gospel with people in this community, to be a part of what God is doing through the radio station. I thought he did a very good job of explaining "faith support" and it caught my attention because we trust God to provide our finances as well.

Our job is to obey God's call and be faithful to invite others to join the team! We're not salespeople nor are we professional fund raisers. We don't have control over when or how the funds are provided, we just have to trust God to provide for what He has called us to do, and He will!

God is touching the hearts of many people to be a part of taking the Gospel to Japan, through giving and going! He loves the people of Japan and wants them to be free from the bondage of false religion.

Often we feel like Peter, stepping out of the boat, doing something that looks crazy to the "rational" mind. But if we keep our eyes on Jesus, He won't let us sink!

Come Be A Nobody For Christ (Michael Oh's most recent post on the Desiring God blog)

Many people leave college with the goal to “be somebody.” And this usually means getting a good job, making good money, buying a nice house,...

Honest Japanese Return $78 Million in Cash Found in Quake Rubble - ABC News

Honest Japanese Return $78 Million in Cash Found in Quake Rubble - ABC News

Article from INVISION: A bi-monthly e-newsletter of Mission to the World

Opening the Doors for the Gospel in Japan

Following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, MTW church-planting teams and partner churches in the Tokyo and Nagoya areas responded quickly to help the people affected by the tsunami. The teams were led by MTW missionaries Dan Iverson, Wayne Newsome, and Japanese pastors Makoto Fukuda and Seima Aoyagi. The stricken area, the Tohoku east coast, is an area of small, coastal fishing villages and small cities. Churches from the Tokyo and Nagoya areas have sent over 100 individual truckloads of relief supplies and volunteer teams, helping stabilize the area. Though government relief efforts have been relatively swift and effective, there are still many people who are homeless or living in temporary shelters. And, as a result of the deaths of approximately 25,000 people, there are now many shattered families and orphaned children. However, there seems to be a new spiritual openness among the Japanese, particularly those directly affected by the tsunami. This openness presents an unprecedented opportunity for MTW missionaries and partners to work in cities virtually untouched by the gospel. Relief efforts have noticeably changed from carrying supplies to carrying love—serving hot meals, performing concerts, playing with children, and simply listening. And as Japanese Church members and missionaries listen, they are making friends and opening doors for long-term relationships. “We have been warmly welcomed by the residents of the region and anticipate an ongoing and lengthy effort to help,” said Bob Drews, assistant team leader of the Chiba team. Only about 0.22 percent of Japanese are evangelical Christians. Most Japanese do not know a Christian and have no knowledge of the Bible, much less of a sovereign and loving God. Moreover, Tohoku is the least-churched area in all of Japan. Currently, there are no Presbyterian Church in Japan (PCJ) works in Tohoku, though MTW is actively working with evangelical churches in the area. The ministry dreams of renting a facility, or purchasing land or a building, establishing a permanent facility for church-planting teams. The facility will provide opportunities to work with children, elderly, and families. The ministry also hopes to jump-start future business ventures. “Having a physical footprint in a community is vital to a long-term relationship that can bring the gospel transformation to individuals and communities,” said Drews.

Just 4 months!

October is the goal we've set to leave for Japan!

When you think about it, 4 months really isn't very much time and we still need to raise about $3500 more per month. Or, to put it another way, we need 35 more partners to pledge $100/month (70 at $50, 140 at $25, etc.). It seems like a large amount of money, but it's a small thing to God and we're trusting that He will provide as He always does.

If you have been planning on sending in a pledge card, now would be a very good time to do it :-)

If you have been considering partnering with us, we'd be happy to answer any questions (Triston 704-441-3011, Kim 704-288-9323).

On the homefront, we just returned from a work/vacation trip to the beach. Last week was our denominations General Assembly in Virginia Beach and Triston had the opportunity to help man the MTW Booth in the Exhibit Hall. We had the opportunity to attend a Japan Partnership Meeting/Dinner where we had the privilege of meeting Pastor Makato from Grace City Church Tokyo. He shared with us about all the open doors right now, how God is using believers in Japan and the great need for more helpers because the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. MTW's Country Director for Japan, Dan Iverson, was also there and talked about the great need for theological training in Japan. On Thursday we hosted a table at the MTW Luncheon where we met some nice folks from South Carolina and Monterrey, Mexico and also got to spend some time with our former pastor (and friend:-) Patrick Womack. On Friday we drove down to the Outer Banks of North Carolina for some family time (and our 16th Anniversary:-) before heading home late Saturday night.

And now it's "moving" time! We have been living in the manse (parsonage) at our church for the past year while the church has been searching for a new pastor. Praise God, He has brought us the man of His choosing and we are so excited! This, however, means we need to move and a very nice family in our church has offered us a home on their property in Mint Hill (only about 20 minutes away from where we're living now). We are quite accustomed to moving (this will be our 9th move in the past 6 and one half years :-) and this will help us "purge" before our move to Japan. The house we are moving to is slightly smaller, so that will also help us to prepare for our quaint little Japanese home (emphasis on little!). We are starting to think about what kinds of things we need/want to take to Japan, what we currently need, what to put in storage, and what to get rid of (hopefully this will be the biggest group!).

It is challenging at times to always be living in such a transitional state, but at the same time it is a good reminder that this is not our "home". The Steven Curtis Chapman song, "Not Home Yet", sums it up well.

"I know there'll be a moment

I know there'll be a place

Where we will see our Savior

And fall in His embrace

So let us not grow weary

Or too content to stay

'Cause we are not home yet"

In Christ,

Triston & Kim Craven

June 10, 2011 - Update from MTW

THE PRESENT
Approximately 25,000 people lost their lives in Japan’s March 11 earthquake and tsunami. And even in the country that is arguably the best prepared and organized for disaster in the world, many of its citizens are still homeless, living in shelters, or houses unfit for habitation. The Tohoku East Coast, made up of small coastal fishing villages and small cities is also the least churched. Many people are leaving, except in Sendai, a city of 1.4 million and Ishinomaki with a population of 160,000.

The Presbyterian Church of Japan (PCJ) has no churches in the area, but there are a few other evangelical churches with whom they can partner. Relief efforts have changed from carrying supplies to carrying love. MTW missionaries and Japanese church members are serving hot meals, performing concerts, playing with children, giving massages, and just listening. And they are making friends and opening doors for long-term relationships.

PICTURE OF THE FUTURE?
(as stated by MTW country director Dan Iverson)
Our church-planting teams and the PCJ are all praying that God will open doors for the gospel in Japan as never before.

We are praying about renting a good facility or even purchasing land and building. Having a physical footprint in a community is vital to a long-term relationship that can bring gospel transformation to individuals and communities.

So far, we are concentrating on the area around Ishinomaki. We plan to have a full time staff member, a permanent facility, and eventually, a church-planting team there. We hope to have many short-term teams come. We have opportunities to work with children, elderly, families, and perhaps even jump-starting business ventures.

Also see Dan’s video “Should We Leave Japan?” http://vimeo.com/24201609

PRAY
In addition to the dreams mentioned by Dan, please pray for the commitment, stamina, and health of the MTW teams in Japan and for the members of the PCJ who are struggling to answer God’s call and respond to the door He has opened.

Thank you for giving and praying!

Update from our teammates in Japan

Relief Work Update

Our team will be leading a trip up to northern Japan the week of June 20-24... The amazing aspect of this trip is the group was invited as Christians to come into the public schools to speak and do crafts with the children. In Japan this was shocking to our veteran team leaders (20+ years in Japan) an amazing opening by God. Please pray for wisdom as the group prepares for this trip. Pray for this to not only continue to be an avenue for evangelism amongst those suffering in northern Japan but to also be a way for other Japanese Christians to display Christ's love to others through acts of mercy ministry. We are seeing first hand many hearts softened to the Gospel and God using this horrific event to strengthen and mobilize his church. Reaching out has been a great weakness in Japanese churches and praise God for growing his Church in this area!

Please Pray!

This is part of a recent email from an MTW missionary serving in Tokyo who has been making trips up to the tsunami affected area.

"The Holy Spirit was so obviously moving on those trips. There is no other explanation for the openness of the people and the clear healing taking place. On the other hand, there is also an obvious spiritual battle going on around the community of Tsukuda/Tsukishima. The town is literally divided over whether or not to partner with or even associate with Christians. Three separate individuals have gone to the retirement home where we have been storing supplies telling them to stop because Christians are dangerous. Our closest Japanese friends have been in long meetings every day from vocal members of the community who want them to stop working with us. Many arguments between friends. This is taking up a lot of people’s time and energy. Please pray!"

Our battle is not against flesh and blood. The people of Japan have been in bondage for centuries and Satan is not going to give up the battle without a fight. But he ultimately knows the war has already been won and he is defeated!

Please pray for these Japanese Christians who are experiencing persecution because they are proclaiming the name of Jesus and pray that they will remain steadfast in their boldness!

Update from Triston - Still in Iowa!

Hey all,

Thanks so much for your many prayers. It has been really neat to see God at work here in Iowa. Things have fallen in place in a way I could never have arranged them. The connections that I've made have been very encouraging and not just in ways of financial support, but hearts that are sincere about the Great Commission.

Yesterday I met with a pastor that knows a Japanese man who has been coming to the US once a year for the past 25 years on business. When he comes he stays with them and as a result has been converted to the Christian faith. He is now expressing an interest in seminary. I have the privilege of introducing him to some of our team in Japan and hopefully making some positive connections that will bring about fruit in Japan. This is exciting as this is what we want to see in Japan. Japanese men being called into the ministry for the sake of evangelism throughout Japan. Very few Japanese men are even Christian.

I have met many Christians here in Iowa that are serious about the advancement of God's Kingdom among the nations and that is encouraging!

What better desire to have in our hearts than to see Christ exalted among the peoples of the world where there are no Christians or where the Church is so small, so frail, and so non-missional that it is unrecognizable. May we long to see the supremacy of Christ in ALL things to the joy of ALL peoples - okay I've been listening to a lot of Piper on this trip :-)

It has been good and I appreciate your prayers and support. Also thank you for keeping Kim and the girls in your prayers. I'm off to Holland now (Holland, Iowa that is).

In Christ,

Triston

58%

Praising God for new partners bringing us to 58%!!!

Here is the latest update from MTW:

May 9, 2011 - Help Japan Update from MTW

Would you be surprised to know that more than 30,000 Japanese commit suicide every year? That is double the number of Japanese who have been confirmed dead, so far, in the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. Japan has one of the highest per capita rates of suicides in the industrialized world, and some experts believe the numbers are much higher than previously thought. The number of suicides is rising every year, with depression given as the most common cause. While many factors contribute to this deadly toll, it is clear that Japan is in spiritual crisis.

The tsunami has come and gone, leaving devastation in its wake. Even though the shock and immediacy has passed, the larger crisis will not be over for a long time, and our teams in Japan are still working to minister to the survivors. The earthquake did terrible damage, especially to the east coast nuclear reactors, and believers are braving the dangers to reach out those who live within the reactors’ shadows. They are traveling to the tsunami area and cooking hot meals. They are coaxing out personal stories, weeping with those who weep, sharing the hope of Christ, and praying for fruit. And they are seeking God as they develop a long-term strategy in response to the recent events. But none of the damage that stretches for miles and miles is as severe as the increasingly chronic loss of hope by many of the Japanese people. And fewer than .5 percent know the true hope for the world—the hope found only in Christ and the gospel.

Rebuilding homes, businesses, and lives is important, but the single most critical need is to build the Church of Christ in Japan.

Would you continue to pray for the believers as they reach out with the gospel in word and in deed? And would you pray that this would truly be that longed-for day of opportunity in which God will open the hearts of many Japanese people.

Thank you for caring for Japan!

Midwest Trip

It has really been exciting to see the way the Lord has been working things out for this trip, in ways that only He can!

Jesus reminds us in His Word to " ask, seek, and knock..." and so we have been doing just that and He has been opening the doors! Once the door opened for us to speak to a Christian school in Iowa, we asked for more opportunities in Iowa and He answered! We asked for provision for the trip and He has provided in a much better way than what we had originally thought or imagined.!

Please pray for this trip. Pray that God will be glorified, first and foremost. Pray that Triston will be able to make the "real need" clear to those with whom he speaks, Japan needs the gospel! American Christians must know about the serious spiritual need in Japan and the opportunity that God is giving the Church to reach Japan with the gospel. 127 million people with less than .5 percent Christian. The harvest field is plentiful in Japan and the workers are so, so, few. Jesus said "pray to the Lord of the harvest that workers may be sent... "

Pray also for safety on the roads for this round trip of over 2600 miles in Kim's dad's Honda Civic through some areas that have recently experienced flooding.

Thank you so much for your prayers!

Trip Schedule:

Wednesday 11th - Triston leave for Iowa

Thursday 12th - Drive remainder of trip to Orange City, Iowa and spend weekend with a family from the Christian school

Friday 13th - Presentation at Orange City Christian School

Sunday 15th - Presentation at PCA church in Orange City, Iowa

Monday 16th thru Friday 20th - Triston will be driving from Orange City, Iowa to Chicago, Illinois meeting with PCA churches along the way

(Monday-PCA church in Hospers, Iowa / Tuesday-PCA church in Holland, Iowa / Wednesday-? / Thursday-PCA church in North Liberty, Iowa / Friday-?)

Friday 20th - Kim will be flying from Charlotte to Chicago to meet Triston and spend the weekend with the Coverts (our former Assistant Pastor and his family)

Sunday 22nd Worship with the Coverts, then drive to Indianapolis, Indiana to meet with family/friends and spend night with Kim's aunt

Monday 23rd - Possibly meet with a church and/or partners in Indiana then head home to NC

An Everyday Burden for Japan's Everyday Tragedy (Michael Oh)

An Everyday Burden for Japan's Everyday Tragedy

Latest MTW Update

April 26, 2011 - Help Japan Update from MTW

Thank you for your interest in the progress of our Help Japan efforts—and for your prayers.

MTW sent an Advance Needs Assessment Team (ANAT) to Japan at the end of March to see how our Disaster Response Ministry could best assist our teams in Japan. Dan Jenny, Dennis Hamilton, and Michael Behmer spent several days worshiping with the Chiba church, attending team planning meetings and conducting interviews, traveling with team members to observe their ministry in Iwaki and Sendai, and considering future opportunities. They remain available able to advise and assist remotely, as needed.

At the time of their visit, primary ministry activities involved distributing relief supplies to needy areas. It was anticipated that conditions would improve rapidly and although this has proven true overall, our teams have continued to look for overlooked segments of the population still in need of resources, building new relationships as they go from place to place. The “ministry of presence” has become as important as the initial more urgent need of supplies. MTW missionaries have been leading teams to shelters, not only with needed supplies, but hosting concerts and events that provide a glimpse of normalcy in lives that have little of their former normalcy. Many in the shelters have wept tears of gratitude. One missionary said he said he saw the atmosphere change from one that felt like a concentration camp to a celebration. It is important to feed the soul and spirit as well as the body.

Distributing supplies was labor intensive. So soon after the assessment team departed, a large number of former missionaries to Japan and their grown children, who speak the language and understand the culture, arrived to assist in the ministry and have been a great asset.

In many disaster situations that MTW responds to, we often send follow-up teams of disaster response trained personnel after the ANAT returns. Would you like to be trained and ready for future disaster situations? Disaster Response Training is a week-long course comprised of classroom time and “in the field” hands-on learning. Volunteers are trained to work safely and effectively in unstable environments and to serve those suffering from shock, pain, trauma, illness, and dislocation from their homes. If you are interested in information about MTW’s next Disaster Response training this fall, please email: Response@mtw.org

What about the future? As we mentioned last week, MTW-Japan is beginning to work out a long-term strategy which will include church planting in the area affected by the tsunami, and God seems to be opening doors as never before. Please continue to pray that God would raise up new missionaries to serve in Japan. And pray that the Lord will quickly bring in the remaining funds for approved Japan missionaries who are raising support. They are urgently needed! Jeremy and Gina Sink are long-term missionaries itinerating for Japan. Short-term and intern missionaries include Haley Lebo, Jake & Anna Claire Gee, Triston & Kim Craven, Kendrick Johnson, Jonathan & Alanna Walker, Todd & Michiyo Buckwalter, Ellie Honea, and Richie Lisenby.

Let us continue to pray together that God will keep open this day of opportunity for the gospel and that we will be enabled to respond quickly and appropriately.

Free Download of Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die (John Piper)

Free Download of emFifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die/em

Josh Harmsworth Japan re-cap

Why God Created the Universe—For Good Friday (John Piper)

Why God Created the Universe—For Good Friday

Maundy Thursday Meditation by John Piper

Maundy Thursday Meditation

Praising God for New Partners!

We are very thankful for several new individuals who have committed to partner with us recently! We have a little more than 51% of our needed monthly support pledged, but we need 100% before we can leave.

Would you please pray about partnering with us? Would you be willing to advocate for us by telling other people/churches about our need?

We are happy to travel anywhere to share with individuals, churches and/or groups about the spiritual need in Japan. Every time we share with a group of people they are amazed at the statistics about Japan (less than 0.2% are evangelical Christians out of 127 million people and 90-100 people a day commit suicide). They say they had no idea.

Japan has been in the world spotlight because of recent events, but the media quickly moves on to the next big event. The small Japanese church has responded to this disaster with love and compassion for their hurting countrymen. It will take years to recover and heal, and the Japanese church will be there every step of the way, but they are few in number.

Now is the time for the American church (the wealthiest church in the world, by far) to partner with our Japanese brothers and sisters. We have the best opportunity to reach the lost millions of Japan for Christ since WWII.

Maybe God is calling you to GO? If not, is He calling you to GIVE and PRAY?

Japan Relief Team video

The young man speaking at the end of this video is Dan Iverson's son. Dan is MTW's country director for Japan and also the Chiba team leader. (click here for video)

What is Needed Now: Empathy and Availability

PCA elder and renowned artist, Makoto Fujimura, is interviewed in byFaith Magazine (the web magazine of the PCA). Click here to see the article.

Update from team in Nagoya

April 14, 2011 - Update from Peter Bakelaar, MTW missionary to Japan

Dear Friends,

Up to this point, the Nagoya Team has made eight trips up to the quake-affected areas. These trips brought much needed supplies to the earthquake areas. The work is now shifting toward work teams and volunteers to come alongside those in need and offer further assistance in whatever way we can. Long term efforts will continue helping in clean-up, as well as offering emotional support and caring for the spiritual needs of the people. Recently we traveled to Kamaishi to help a local church there. Kamaishi is one of the towns that was hardest hit by the Tsunami. Our daughter Rita, as well as a nurse, another volunteer and myself traveled by van. We joined with others from our team who were already there helping with volunteers. The nurse and Rita had planned to care for the older women in an evacuation center. Plans changed and they joined us all in shoveling mud and debri to clear the front of the church. They also helped in preparing food for all the workers. It was very moving to listen to residents of Kamaishi speak of their experiences and for us to be a small part of their lives at this time. The response of the Church has really shown the ministry of the Body of Christ as each part works together and responds in love.

We appreciate your prayers and support. It truly is a team effort.

Peter

Link to Bethany Wakes Celebration Service

Below is the email from Bethany's family with the link for Bethany's Celebration Service. Please continue to pray for this dear family.

Dear loving and loyal friends,

Sometime during this week a year ago we were in the hospital chapel wondering what was wrong with Bethy and praying for her healing. At that point, she had lost half her vision, could no longer walk, but could still use her hand and move her leg slightly. Lyn has been going back through her journals a year later and this is what she wrote. ‘Beth astounded us all today. We had a special prayer time with the Hunts and Geoff in the hospital chapel and were asking God for revelation into this mysterious illness and obviously asking him to heal Beth. Bethy raised her hands and prayed; “Lord Jesus, I give you my whole life. Please use it for YOUR glory. I surrender EVERYTHING to you, Amen.” She didn’t ask for healing – only that he would use her. We were and still are amazed.’

It is encouraging to look back and see that even from this early point, Bethy set the tone. She was full of peace right from the start and while she did desire physical healing in this life, it was never her first priority. We believe he did and is still honoring that simple prayer.

Bethy’s ‘birthday party’ was a wonderful time together with those who cared for Bethy in her sickness and with many of her friends. We had a sharing time and lots of people talked about what Bethy meant to them and some of the funny things she did. It was hard but a lovely time too. We put out many of Bethy’s special things so that those who wanted to could take something of Beth’s for a keepsake. It has been hard going through her clothes and possessions. So many wonderful memories.

I am pleased to let you know we have the celebration service on the internet now. Although there is a shortened version, it was very difficult to know what to cut as there are so many special things. So if you are interested to watch it, I would go the long version and watch it in stages if you can.

Although the Celebration Service is available online, if you are unable to view it or would just like a physical copy on DVD, please forward your details on to Jacob at media@millparkbaptistchurch.org.au. He will be in touch with details on how you can receive a copy of the DVD. It will probably be AU$10 plus postage. After costs, whatever money is over from the DVD’s will go towards Bethy’s Legacy with CBM.

If you would like a DVD we would also like to send you an ‘order of service’ and a pack of tissues that we handed out at the time of the service. Another option is the inclusion of 2 booklets that were available at the service; ‘If God is Good Why Do We Hurt?’ which discusses the questions we all have about pain in this life in light of God’s character. The other booklet is entitled ‘Heaven’ and offers rich insights into our eternal destiny in Christ. Both are written by pastor Randy Alcorn from Eternal Perspective Ministries which he kindly donated to us to bless our family and friends. We have a limited number of booklets left over so let Jacob know if you would like one for yourself or to hand one on to someone you have been journeying with about Bethy’s story. The DVD’s we send out will be the long version and will be done in chapters so it will be easy to move around.

Please pass this email on to anyone who has been following our journey.

It's all uploaded now. Here are the internet links:

Full Length

http://vimeo.com/21872024

Shortened Version:

http://vimeo.com/21703417

Update on the family.

James and Melissa both feel as though they have finally caught up to the other students at Uni due to everything that has been going on in regards to Bethy. It has been a rough start to Uni life but both of them have shown real maturity in the way they have handled it all. They both need to get their wisdom teeth surgically removed very soon. Rach is going well at school and started her orthodontic treatment that was put off all last year. She also just got the lead role of Alice in the school play Alice in Wonderland. That will keep her very busy for the next few months. Nicole is struggling to go to school at the moment. We talked to her about this and she feels like Bethy was like a really fun mummy to her, always looking out for her and she misses her terribly. Sadness comes on her often.

Next week, together with the extended family, we are going to participate in the annual Royal Children’s Hospital fund raiser ‘Run for The Kids’. We have ordered some tee-shirts with Bethy’s photo and a message thanking the hospital for all they did for us. Lyn and I are held up by your prayers.

Love to you all,

Dave and Lyn

Matt Chandler: Suffering

Watch this!

30 Ways to Awaken Your Congregation for the Cause of Global Engagement

30 Ways to Awaken Your Congregation for the Cause of Global Engagement

Japan updates

Click here for the latest information from MTW missionaries in Japan and about how you can help.

Focus on the Family 2 part Interview with Dr. Timothy Keller

Examining Our Faith: Christianity in the 21st Century (part 1)

Examining Our Faith: Christianity in the 21st Century (part 2)

(Dr. Timothy Keller, senior pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NY, NY)

Coming together for the survivors | The Japan Times Online

Coming together for the survivors | The Japan Times Online

Japan: Earthquakes, Tsunamis, and Suicide

Japan: Earthquakes, Tsunamis, and Suicide

MTW Nagoya Team - Relief Work

April 1, 2011 Update from MTW:

With the exception of the ongoing nuclear crisis, you have probably noticed that news from Japan has slowed to a trickle. There are fewer and fewer news stories; the world has moved on.

But we are grateful that God’s people are not moving on. Thank you for your continued interest and your prayers!

The following is a note written by Japan Country Director, Dan Iverson, on March 26. It has long been his practice to journal his walk with the Lord every day, but this entry was the first time he had written since the earthquake on March 11.

What a two weeks! How I need the Lord’s strength, wisdom, power, for what lies ahead. How much I need day off [on] Monday. On bullet train to Nagoya [for the graduation ceremony of one of his church members from seminary at Christ Bible Institute. Cried a little on the train as I read notes from donors for minuteman fund…

Two family members who are helping with communications also added: Please know, friends, prayer partners, and supporters that your encouragement does not go unread or unappreciated. Of course, there is no time to respond at present, but please know that the Lord is using you all to encourage a nation wrought with devastation, fear, and darkness, and through you, He brings light. Thank you so much.

Be encouraged that God is using your prayers, gifts, and love in the lives of MTW missionaries, the Japanese Church, and especially on behalf of the people of Japan.

The reality of the immense loss and change in their lives is just beginning to set in for many Japanese people who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihood. At the same time, the work is gradually moving from relief and disaster response to recovery, and there is new reconnaissance and fact finding as well as much prayer for next steps. Thank you for continuing to stand with us in prayer—you can see how much it means to our missionaries.

Dan’s requests:
• Please pray for God’s intervention in this awful reactor situation.
• Pray that God clearly leads us to the places we are to serve long-term. We have no Presbyterian churches in that part (the tsunami-affected east coast), but [there are] other solid evangelicals we can partner with to help the region. And, Lord willing, [we want] to plant new churches.
• Continue to pray for a spiritual tsunami in the lives of the Japanese people, that God will open hearts, and many will come to confess Christ.

Our missionaries do not take you for granted. We at MTW do not take you for granted. Thank you!

Update from our teammates Michael & Cathalain Carter who just arrived in Japan on Wednesday!

One of the trucks from the Nisshin Church in Nagoya returned this morning at 5:30am this morning from Kamaishi-Iwate. This city had massive damage from tsunami.

Our team is partnering with New Life Kamaishi Church. This church has only 15 members. How can 15 members possibly reach this city? The Lord knew. The church is the ONLY place in the damaged area of the city with running water. Many many people from the damaged area have descended upon the church for help. With help from agencies including the Nisshin church in Nagoya deliveries are being made, residents being helped, and construction/clean up projects started.

This morning members of five local Nagoya Churches (inter-denominational) met at the Nisshin Church to load the seventh truck sent up north. (The second truck to Kamaishi-Iwate.) Please pray as the truck is traveling and for the members who will be gone for the next five days. Please also pray as the Nagoya team as they work to potentially create a long to partnership with this church!

The Lord is moving throughout Japan. It is amazing the amount of people coming to the churches helping and in need. Many many open doors for the Gospel!

Update from an MTW missionary in Tokyo

Dear Friends,

Just got off the subway this morning. Ghostly in appearance: Lights half off, vending machines unplugged, escalators not moving, paper signs and police tape…it is NOT “business as usual” in Tokyo…

In the first days after the earthquake, many were too afraid to leave their apartments. While I was driving a truck of food and water to hard hit areas with Seima Aoyagi (Grace City Assistant Pastor) and Matt Chase (Mission to the World missionary), Abi called a few other mothers in the morning inviting them to come to our apartment for lunch and bring donations of food, clothing, etc. for the next truck going north. Soon all witnessed the power of women’s cell phones at work! We all still joke about it. After texting their entire network of contacts, our house was packed with donations by lunch time. After receiving permission to use the community room downstairs, that too soon filled above head height. At first, people left their apartments to bring stuff to the community room and quickly returned home. More and more people began to stay and help organize and pack, loving the vision and the community. Children drew pictures on the boxes and made origami to tape on the boxes. High school students and husbands helped load trucks even if the announcement (by cell phone) to “Load NOW!” came at midnight or 5 AM. Shop owners donated groceries, a transport company owner donated a truck, etc, etc. Our neighbors shared how they feel Grace City Church has made the neighborhood of Tsukishima strong, perhaps one of the closest and strongest communities in Tokyo. It is exactly what a church is supposed to be and do!

The earthquake has been the catalyst for many firsts for Grace City: mercy ministry, college ministry, missions trip, counseling, strong church partnerships, collaboration with non-profit organizations, intensive community development, strong connections with local leaders, and others we have not thought of yet. Despite all the heartache, through all the heartache, God is moving.

Prayer requests:

1. Pray for my family. We are energized by seeing God work so mightily through this time and passionate about the task set before us (this is why we are in Japan and when we are needed the most!), but we are also physically and emotionally tired. In fact, we were tired when the earthquake hit and were looking forward to our anniversary dinner (day of the earthquake) and then a 5 day trip without the kids. Instead we have spent the whole time apart with most conversations being business related. The stories of many in the shelters is also vivid in my mind…especially the couple who lost all three of their children in the tsunami...ages 8, 10, and 13) Pray for all the missionaries, church staff, and church members. Vehicles have made the round trip 33 times since the quake by Grace City Church Tokyo and Mission to the World missionaries and friends.

2. Pray that God would continue to move mightily in our community of Tsukishima and show himself through the hands and feet of His church. So many are getting involved in Grace City Church relief efforts and NONE of them are Christians. One man is letting us borrow his truck, a restaurant owner plans to travel north with us to cook meals, a dentist gave us toothbrushes, a doctor is negotiating the complicated system for bringing in American medical teams, a hundred housewives are collecting supplies, packing boxes, posting blogs, making rice balls, etc.

3. Pray for our health amidst the radiation. We are told tap water is too dangerous for our children but okay for adults so Abi and I are drinking it. Not possible for all of us to drink bottled water, since there is no bottled water within miles of here. Milk and other beverages are hard to get. Pray the situation will not get worse.

Thank you for supporting us and praying for us.

Roger

SYJ Update, Iwaki City

A Church Planting Journey in Japan: The shifting need

A Church Planting Journey in Japan: The shifting need: "This is Mr. Hasegawa, the angel in disguise, in Sendai helping to organize and distribute donations. We are so new at this, we have know i..."

Universalism: What do you believe?

Click here to watch David Platt's response to universalism. David Platt is the author of Radical: Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream (click here to learn more about the book).

A Church Planting Journey in Japan: Scenes from a trip to Iwaki, Fukushima

A Church Planting Journey in Japan: Scenes from a trip to Iwaki, Fukushima: " This is the Taira Fukuin Christ Church--cracks in a ll the walls, but still standing and being used as a warehouse from which the chur..."

For Such A Time As This

We have many people asking if the recent events in Japan have changed our plans.

The answer is, YES, we'd love to be there even sooner!

Christians in Japan and around the world have been praying for years for a spiritual breakthrough in this spiritually dark country. The time is NOW!

We have been raising support for the past year and we are just over 50% of our monthly quota.

If 100 new partners would pledge $40/month, we would be at 100%! Would you consider being one of those 100?

Yes, Japan is an expensive place to live. But God is not limited in His resources and He loves the people of Japan. He will accomplish His plan with or without "the Cravens", but we have a desire to be a part of what He's doing in Japan and believe with all our hearts that He is the one who gave us this desire.

Even before the tsunami hit, 90-100 people a day were taking their own lives. Almost 3000 suicides a month! Buddha, Shinto traditions and materialism are not meeting the heart need of the Japanese people. They need Jesus!

Please pray for the people of Japan and please pray about whether God is calling you to partner with us in bringing the hope of Jesus Christ to the Japanese!

Update from Japan: How You Can Pray from The Gospel Coalition Blog

Update from Japan: How You Can Pray

MTW prayer update for Japan

Prayer Updates

General requests:

• Containment of the nuclear crisis
  
• Wisdom for MTW staff and relief workers to know where help is needed most, and for safety and endurance as they minister to overwhelming needs.
  
• For grieving families to know the love and comfort of Christians
  
• That those trying to find each other get reconnected soon
  
• Safety from aftershocks, which are still quite strong
  
• Shelter for those whose homes are destroyed
  
• Restoration of power and communications
  

Pray for the spiritual needs of this region:

• The areas affected by the earthquake and tsunamis of Miyagi, Fukushima, and Ibaraki are some of the most spiritually needy places in Japan, with over 4.9 million people yet only about 9,000 active Christians (about 0.15%). Fukushima has the lowest average worship attendance with only 19 per church. There is one city and 44 towns still with no church. Pray God changes the spiritual situation. (Sources: CIS News 12/2012, JEMA Directory 2010)
  
• May the Japanese people come to thirst spiritually and seek Living Water (Isa. 55:1-2; John 4).
  
• May they flee to higher ground . . . to The High Rock (Ps. 61:2).
  
• May a tsunami of grace, wave after wave, flood Japan (Ezek. 47; John 1:16)
  

Pray for our ministry to the people there:

• That God will provide funds to purchase supplies and the trucks and gasoline necessary to deliver them (renting trucks in March is next to impossible because it is when most people move before the new school year begins in April)
  
• That church groups quickly obtain permission to access the expressway and get through to areas that desperately need these supplies
  
• For protection and stamina for these Christians who are caring for the people
  
• That we will have the opportunity to proclaim Jesus' name as we carry out mercy ministry--that God will fill the hearts of these laborers with His love, so it overflows to others, and that He will be glorified through this.
  
• The areas hit by the quake are the least evangelized areas in Japan. May the light of His love shine through!

A Church Planting Journey in Japan: Nagoya Relief Effort

A Church Planting Journey in Japan: Nagoya Relief Effort: "These are the scenes from yesterday...hundreds of donations, both money and things, dozens of people working, a beautiful picture of ..."

Heavenly Father, comfort these people

(Bits and pieces from an Associated Press article http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/03/13/japan-regions-scarce-water-power-food/.)

In Rikusentakata, a port city of over 20,000 virtually wiped out by the tsunami, Etsuko Koyama escaped the water rushing through the third flood of her home but lost her grip on her daughter's hand and has not found her. "I haven't given up hope yet," Koyama told public broadcaster NHK, wiping tears from her eyes. "I saved myself, but I couldn't save my daughter."

In a rare piece of good news, the Defense Ministry said a military vessel on Sunday rescued a 60-year-old man floating off the coast of Fukushima on the roof of his house after he and his wife were swept away in the tsunami. He was in good condition. His wife did not survive.

A young man described what ran through his mind before he escaped in a separate rescue. "I thought to myself, ah, this is how I will die," Tatsuro Ishikawa, his face bruised and cut, told NHK as he sat in striped hospital pajamas.

In the small town of Tagajo, also near Sendai, dazed residents roamed streets cluttered with smashed cars, broken homes and twisted metal.

24-year-old Ayumi Osuga, dug through the remains of her house, her white mittens covered by dark mud. Osuga said she had been practicing origami, the Japanese art of folding paper into figures, with her three children when the quake stuck. She recalled her husband's shouted warning from outside: "'GET OUT OF THERE NOW!"' She gathered her children -- aged 2 to 6 -- and fled in her car to higher ground with her husband. They spent the night in a hilltop home belonging to her husband's family about 12 miles (20 kilometers) away. "My family, my children. We are lucky to be alive," she said. "I have come to realize what is important in life," Osuga said, nervously flicking ashes from a cigarette onto the rubble at her feet as a giant column of black smoke billowed in the distance.

Pray for Japan!

Pray for comfort. Pray for healing. Pray for all of the physical needs of the people of Japan right now, but please don't forget to pray for their spiritual need! Less than 0.2% of Japanese people have the hope of eternal life found in Christ and the peace that can only come from knowing that God is in control of everything. We have a huge opportunity to pray for many to find comfort in the only true Comforter and for many to find peace in the Prince of Peace!

The Testimony of Eriko Suzuki

Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate

Convicting book by Jerry Bridges (The Navigators collegiate ministry).

Link to CBD description of Respectable Sins.


“Everyone should have the conviction that they’re doing what God wants them to do. God is the God of our everyday lives as well as the God of eternity.” Jerry Bridges

Japan Missionaries are Decreasing

This is a note that recently went out from Dan Iverson - the MTW country director for Japan. I'll pass it along here in its entirety.

(FYI - JEMA stands for "Japan Evangelical Missionary Association")

"JAPAN MISSIONARIES DECREASING: Jema annual meeting book says Jema missionary membership has decreased from about 1280 in 2003 to 980 in 2010, about a 24% decrease! “First aid: Stop the bleeding! Start the breathing!” If Japan church was strong, with a growing force of pastors and church planters, that would be a welcome thing for missionary numbers to decrease, as our national partners increase. But that is NOT the case. There are NOT enough pastors to replace the once retiring and dying. Japan is still the second largest unreached people group in the world after main people group of Bangladesh.

“Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest, to Japan!” Praise God that JPM / MTW is growing in number of missionaries in Japan. May we humbly give thanks, and seek to be an influence for raising more missionary and Japanese Kingdom workers in Japan."

Jesus Lover of My Soul

God's Amazing Grace

Reflecting on Michael Oh's blog about God's intervention in his life that subsequently led to God's intervention in Caleb's life has me in awe, once again, of God's Amazing Grace. I am reminded of the people and things God used in my life to call me to Himself when I was His enemy and living completely for myself. And the people and things He continues to use in my life because I still want things to go "my way" most of the time. I am so thankful for family members who kept praying for me (and Triston) when they saw no results. For the people who took the time to disciple us. For our home church that became like our second family. For God's patience with me, because He's not finished with me yet :-) The closer I get to Him, the more I realize what a "wretch" I am. Not was, am. But the good news is God loves me anyways! Not because of anything about me. It's all about Jesus and I am so grateful.

Despite Us, God Works (a blog post by Michael Oh)

Spring Break 1990 in Daytona Beach, Florida

I was a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania.

If it had been one year earlier I would have been at Daytona Beach to join in the partying. As it was, God had intervened mercifully in my life...

Aaron Keyes - Psalm 62

We're at about 50%!!!

We've been very encouraged by the Lord providing several new monthly partners recently! We are praying to get over that 50% hump and start moving towards 100%, but we need more partners. We are really hoping to be in Japan by late this summer (Lord willing). We have completed our training and now the only thing left is finances. MTW requires (as most mission organizations do) that we receive pledges for 100% of our needed monthly support, along with the needed money for one time expenses like airfare, etc., before we can be cleared to leave.

If you have been prayerfully considering partnering with us monthly and the Lord has confirmed an amount, you can send your pledge card in to MTW and it will help us get one step closer. What MTW needs to see is 100% pledged monthly. (If you need a pledge card, please let us know and we will be very happy to send you one:-)

If you haven't been considering partnering with us, would you? Japan is one of the most expensive places to live in the world and at times it is very tempting to just give up and say, "we can't do this". But thankfully, that's right where God wants us to be. We can't do it!! If He doesn't do it, it isn't going to happen. He's not going to give up on the people of Japan though and I'm certainly glad He didn't give up on me, so I'm not going to give up on Him.

Growing up in the US (especially in the south, "the Bible Belt"), it's hard to imagine not hearing about Jesus or being invited to a VBS or seeing a church on just about every corner. We take those things for granted. In Japan there are Buddhist temples everywhere instead of churches and shinto "traditions" instead of a real "relationship" with the One true God of the Universe. I think it's very hard for us, as Americans, to imagine. It's easy for us to think that because the Japanese "appear" to be doing OK, we don't need to be interfering with "their way of life". (I know I never really thought about the Japanese people as "needy" until the Lord laid it on my heart, but they have the greatest "need" of all!)

Everything is not OK in Japan. About 90 people a day commit suicide. Marriages and family relationships are in need of desperate help. Their gods of prosperity and luck can't comfort them when a loved one dies or give them strength to endure when they are diagnosed with a terminal illness. Buddha didn't die in their place to take away their sins so they could have eternal life. They need Jesus!

We are anxious to go and share our lives with the Japanese people whom God loves and created in His own image. We'd love for you to be a part of our team!

The Glory of God’s Plan B (Part 3): Like Living Through a Korean Drama

The Glory of God’s Plan B (Part 3): Like Living Through a Korean Drama

The Glory of God’s Plan B (Part 2): God Prepares and Provides

The Glory of God’s Plan B (Part 2): God Prepares and Provides

The Glory of God’s Plan B (Part 1): Seeking a Safe Place in Japan

The Glory of God’s Plan B (Part 1): Seeking a Safe Place in Japan

Women Worship in Osaka

Video from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

Happy New Year!

2010 Year in Review from the Cravens

The past year brought a lot of transition (typical for a missionary family). At the end of 2009, after much prayer, we resigned from Wycliffe Bible Translators, not knowing yet if we would be invited to be a part of the church planting mission, Mission to the World (MTW). It was a huge leap of faith, but one that we had great peace about, although mixed with great sadness concerning not returning to PNG.

In February we received an invitation to be part of the church planting team in Nagoya, Japan! In March we attended MTW’s Interview and Orientation where we met two other couples (one couple from Asheboro, where Kim grew up, talk about a small world!) who are also raising support to minister in Nagoya. On March 30^th Mackenzie turned 10 and in April Kim turned 40 and made her parents feel very old! We also received the very sad news that our pastor and his family would be leaving. They have been very instrumental in our growth in the Lord and we were very sad to hear that the Lord was calling them to another place of ministry, but we totally understood their need to be obedient to the Lord’s calling.

July 6^th – 16^th Triston and Kim attended church planting training in New York City. We had many wonderful friends and family members who helped out with our kids while we were away (the longest time Kim has ever been away from the kids, almost two weeks total!). When we returned we started packing because our church offered to let us live in the manse (the house our pastor’s family had been living in for the past 13 years). So we moved about 5 miles down the road, just in time for Corrie to have a sleepover for her 7^th birthday on August 1^st!

In August, Katie (9^th grade) started running Cross-Country and did wonderful. She is homeschooled along with Kristi (8^th grade) and Mackenzie (5^th grade). Corrie attends 1^st grade at our church’s Christian school. Kristi loves playing her guitar and is very gifted (if I do say so myself!) and Mackenzie & Corrie love to play with their friends whenever they can and also love playing with their kitty cats (Jack, Indy, Bobo and Little Bobo).

We also made a trip up to Indiana in August to see family and friends, which we always love to do because we don’t get to see them as often as our North Carolina family and friends. It was, however, a bittersweet time because Kim’s uncle had just passed away a few weeks prior to our trip, but it was great to be able to spend some time with Kim’s aunt and cousins and another aunt who was visiting from Texas.

In September Katie turned 15 and in October Kristi turned 14. Katie would love to take Driver’s Ed, but we haven’t ventured down that road yet. Boy does that make us feel old! In mid-October we attended our last MTW training event, Living In Grace. A wonderful week in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina focusing on God’s immeasurable grace in our lives and how to extend that grace to others. It was amazing! Once again, friends and family helped out with the kids because they had school. We have such wonderful friends and family members!

The first weekend in November was MTW’s biannual Global Mission’s Conference in Chattanooga, TN. We are so thankful that we were able to attend this event because we were able to attend our first official team meeting! Our team leaders in Nagoya, the Newsome’s, were able to fly in from Japan to be a part of the conference. The three other couples who are also currently raising support were also attending, along with the couple who started the work in Nagoya, the Young’s, 20+ years ago. It was a very encouraging time to be together as a team, getting to know each other a little bit and just seeing this group the Lord has brought together, with all our different backgrounds, all for His glory!

Our main ministry at our home church has been as Community Group leaders. We love getting together with our small group whenever we can, but it can be challenging with so many busy schedules. Triston has had many opportunities to teach Sunday School, Wednesday night classes and Chapel at the Christian School along with speaking at some Mission’s Conferences and Mission’s Committee meetings at other churches. He is still working on his Bible degree through Moody’s Distance Education program and is close to completing the Bible Certificate! Triston has also been able to work some with a friend who has an electrical contracting business, which has been a huge blessing. Kim stays pretty busy with the family and homeschooling, but also subs at the church Preschool occasionally and helps with Mackenzie’s 5^th grade Wednesday night class at church. We are also currently raising support for our assignment to Japan.

We would love to be in Japan by this coming summer, but we must have 100% of our support quota pledged before we will be OK’d to leave. Therefore we are always looking for new financial and prayer partners. Many of you are already partnering with us or have in the past, and we are very thankful! Would you consider advocating for us? Would you ask your church/small group/Sunday School Class/business/etc. if they might be interested in hearing more about reaching the lost millions of Japan for Christ? We would be happy to send you some more information about MTW’s ministry in Nagoya and/or about our family to share, just let us know! If you’re not currently partnering with us, would you prayerfully consider becoming a part of our team?

We are so blessed! Thanks for walking down memory lane with us. It is so good to recall God’s blessings in our lives and to share those blessings with dear friends. You are one of those blessings. Happy New Year!!

Love in Christ,

Triston, Kim, Katie, Kristi, Mackenzie & Corrie

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6