PRAY FOR US - SHORT TERM TRIP

Mark Sprague

Justin & Lauren Duke

David & Renee Murphy

Hello Friends,

Thank you for praying for us! This is an exciting trip, especially after the Sakae short term group that came over for VBS. It was great!! (See Mr.Shimizu post below)

We are traveling back with the group and staying in an apartment during this trip in Japan. The team will have to learn how to shop, do laundry, travel and live in Japan on their own as we meet new people. It will be a great experience for everyone that will stretch us all. Please pray for us as God teaches us and draws us closer to Him during this time. Also, please pray for Marcy and the kids while I'm away in Japan.

David

Pray for Travel: Thursday, 7/30 Depart Cincinnati for Japan (Cincy, Detroit, Nagoya) Friday, 7/31 Arrive Japan

It’s a big trip to Japan. Pray for smooth travel and that we would not be delayed in arriving safely in Japan Pray for Lauren - she is pregnant and feeling great. Pray for Renee for her strength and protection as she travels to the field while having some mysterious health issues.

Pray for Driving and Relationships: Saturday, 8/1 Jr & Sr High Day Camp

We will travel up in the mountains with the Jr & Sr High School students for a fun day. I will be driving the car (on the left side) for this mission trip. I have done it often in Japan, but it’s always challenging in the beginning. Renee will share her testimony and we will sing some bilingual worship songs together and have some fun. Pray for us as we build relationships and having strength during our first day in Japan.

Pray for our New Relationships: Sunday, 8/2 Sunday Service—Introductions

Pray for Sanae & Jun: Monday 8/3 Exploring Nagoya

We will explore some of Nagoya and Toyota City with Jun and Sanae. They are both exchange students that were living in Kentucky. Sinae has said she would like to become a Christian, but her family will cut her off. Pray for Sanae to come to Christ and to see her greatest treasure is Jesus.

Pray for Understanding & Relationships: Tuesday, 8/4 Cel Group / Meeting Contacts

Wednesday, 8/5 Camp—Travel & Day 1 Thursday, 8/6 Camp—Day 2 Friday, 8/7 Camp—Day 3 & Travel

We will attend and help lead some of the activities and the elementary school camp. There will be bible lessons, crafts, camp fires and time of singing and having fun. Pray that we may be understood and that we are able to serve the kids at camp.

Pray for Connections: Saturday, 8/8 Youth Worship / Praise Practice

At Youth worship, we will play some ice breaker games, worship together and teach some. This is the next generation of leaders in the church.

Pray for people to come: Sunday, 8/9 Sunday School / Special Worship Service Coffee House & BBQ

This is our last day in Japan before traveling home. We will invite everyone we meet to join us for church the coffee time and a BBQ. This will be a big day after a long week. Pray for connections to be made and that our new contacts will come to church and continue after we leave. Pray that God will have been glorified during our time.

Pray for Travel and Re-entry: Monday, 8/10 Travel Home to America

Report from Mr. Shimizu

Dear brothers and sisters in Grace Fellowship Church,

I've just got back home from Kentucky.

I cannot express my appreciation for all of your hard works and kindness in taking care of us during our stay.I am now recollecting my good memories of our stay and thanking God for wonderful times He had given us. Vacation Bible School, Biblical Counseling, Small Groups, Creation Museum, or potluck meals.... Everything was so impressive and we admire you for all of your effort in following His will.

I especially want to say thank you to the families who took care of us and our children in home stay. We all enjoyed the precious experience which we can never have in other place than Grace Fellowship Church. And I know all these were given to us because of your dedication. I am sure these will be the experience of our life time.

I believe everything is going fine in accordance with His plan and I suppose we can expect more in the relationship between Grace Fellowship Church and Sakae Bible Church.

We look forward to working with you more, especially with the team coming later in this month.

May God bless you richly.

In Christ Katsutioshi Shimizu

Here is an e-mail from Ann Hornblower to the Barnabas Team as they traveled and spent time with Sakae Bible Church.

"Steve, Don, Fumiko, and I are overwhelmed with the servant hearts of the congregation of Sakae. They have such a sweet eagerness to learn how to minister to their congregation and to reach out with small groups and biblical counseling. They all have welcomed us with open arms and warmth.

We have had the opportunity to observe their cell groups, sing with and enjoy the kids, youth, young adults, men, and women. You should have seen Don leading the youth in a game of musical chairs, we all thought it was hilarious. They are eager for us to come back next year to train them in small groups and biblical counseling. The kids will be eager for Don to teach them more goofy games.

Fumiko and I have had several opportunities to do some counseling, and to help and give hope with a messy situation with an estranged wife. Kevin and Yukiko have been such a blessing and encouragement to us in minstering to these women.

The Homestay group is counting down the days to when they arrive in Kentucky. You will love getting to know them, such a vibrant group. We are going to coordinate observation of biblical counseling, a small group, and introductory overviews of both for the women and the couple that are coming.

Thanks for all the prayers and servanthood during our 3 years as a B Team to prepare us for this mind blowing trip of God`s grace and unfolding plan. "