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Four years ago when I was in Japan for the first time with Apex, we held a big Fourth of July party that a lot of students came to. We had hotdogs, hamburgers, and set off sparklers later that night. It's always interesting celebrating American holidays abroad, but it's also a good ministry opportunity!
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July Ministry Update 2020
Hi Friends!
When Covid-19 started to become more serious back in March I'd hope that it would be over and that I'd be much farther along in my support by summertime. Well, almost four months later Covid-19 is still here and I'm not much closer to being fully funded so I can return to Japan. It's a hard reality to face and I know I'm not alone in having unmet expectations like this.
It's caused me to run through the full gamut of emotions from being simply annoyed by the current situation, to being mad at the coronavirus for ruining my plans, to being being mad at myself for not doing more, to being depressed about the way things have gone, to desperation and exasperation about wanting to go back to Japan, but thankfully, also after all of that, finally to hope.
And that hope came from realizing that ultimately, God is still at work, and His command to make disciples of all nations doesn't change no matter what is happening in the world. There are moments of discouragement, and maybe there have been more recently because of current events, but I have to keep moving forward towards what God has called me to do.
In Japan, my team is still faithfully meeting with their churches each week over Zoom and they've even seen new people join. Through virtual platforms discipleship, evangelism, and fellowship is still happening. Though the ministry might be different than before, it can't be stopped. God can't be stopped.
If that's true, and God is going to continue his work in Japan, then as someone who's called to come alongside His work in Japan, what am I to do? It seems that the only appropriate response is to pursue my calling like people's lives depend on it, because they do. 99% of the Japanese population still don't know Christ. I need to do whatever I can to return and begin the work He has prepared for me.
With the recent surge of cases across the US, and the uncertainty of what Covid-19 will do this winter, there might only be a short window of time where I can get into Japan before things get worse. So I'm holding fast to the goal of returning to Japan by October 22nd. That gives me about three and a half months to raise the final 60% of my monthly support.
You are partners with me in this calling and ministry and I can't do this without you. Help me get back to Japan when I still can. I much rather be quarantined in Japan and be able to do some ministry than be stuck in the states away from the people I've been called to serve.
If you've only been getting my updates or are new and are interested in joining my financial partnership team, or if you already support me and are thinking of increasing your support, now is the time! Even if you can't start giving now but want to commit to giving once I'm on the field, that helps as well! Don't worry about how much you can or can't give as well. Any amount helps!
If you aren't in a position to give financially, then another important way to help would be to connect me with individuals, small groups, or churches. Referrals from my partners have already helped me connect with new individuals and churches, but I need more. Alone I only have so many contacts but together we have a much greater reach!
I'm always available to talk more about my ministry or about partnership with anyone over social media or email at adam.bailey@efca.org. You can also check out my website at adamintokyo.com and feel free to share it with others as well.
Let's join God in His work together. I'm excited to see where He can lead us!
Blessings,
Adam
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The Challenge conference that was supposed to be held this year and which my team was going to be a part of was canceled due to Covid-19. Instead they are hosting a virtual one night event. Last Sunday I got to share more about the virtual event with the BEFC Youth Group. If you want more info you can go to www.challengeconference.org.
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Prayer Requests:
- Pray for God's provision: I don't know God's timing, but until he tells me otherwise, I'm going to continue to push for my October 22nd goal. Pray that God would provide the necessary partners and support before then so that I can return to Japan and that all of the details of returning would be figured out!
- Pray for the church in Tokyo: The churches continue to meet through Zoom, but things have been getting better in Japan and they might be able to meet together in person soon. Be praying for the new people who have been able to join virtually over the last few months; most of them are not believers, so pray that they could come to Christ and that they would continue to come to church even after they start meeting in person. Pray for all the details of meeting together in person again as well and that they can continue to reach out to their communities during this time.
- Pray for more partners: I've been reaching out to more churches throughout New England recently to reach more people and build up my partnership team. Please pray that I would hear back from them and that the churches and the people in them would be willing to come on board with the ministry in Japan. I'd ask for prayer as well for me that I can have peace about the current situation and not be anxious.
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If you'd like to give a one time or recurring gift, click on the link below!
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