We were very delighted to have a new set of missionaries come last month. Rob and Chris Wright arrived and they are also joining another new missionary Ian Smith who arrived last year. However, it was sad to see Tom and Mary Lou Ellison retire in August after 30 years in Japan. Over 50 people showed up at the airport to bid them farewell. We were appointed with the Ellisons together in 1984 and now they are retired from Japan. Pray for them as they do some deputation and then move into the next phase of their ministry.
In July, the Higashi Kurume missionary house was torn down. Last month, we had a groundbreaking for the new missionary residence and our first mission guesthouse. The entire mission in Japan was present on September 19 as John presided over the groundbreaking ceremony. We are looking forward for the guesthouse to be used by many short-term missionaries serving in Japan. Also we were glad to have Lydia Troe, a short-term worker, arrive from Minnesota who is staying for three months with us in Machida. Why don’t you come join us with all the new ministry going on in Japan today?