2018 March Prayer Letter

David & Sue Verwey

Dear Praying Friend,

Japan continues to be one of the least evangelized countries in the world. The vast majority of people have never heard the Gospel. There are very few Christian workers and churches to reach out to the 126 million people. Many towns and cities have no church. There is one missionary for every 64,000 people. Sadly, Japan seems to be a forgotten mission field. There are 34% fewer missionaries serving in Japan as compared to 20 years ago. There is one church for every 16,000 people. There are about 7,900 Christian churches in Japan, as compared to the 81,000 Shinto shrines that dot the country.

Japan is in need of tens of thousands of visitors who would share Christ with the masses. If you plan to visit Japan for the 2019 World Cup Rugby or the 2020 Olympics, please contact us and we would be glad to supply you with free evangelistic tracts — wherever you may be visiting in Japan. For those who are unable to visit, please pray that this influx of foreigners over the next two years would mean something for God’s Kingdom.

Coupled with the uncertainties of earthquakes and tsunamis, Japan has also had to deal with the added threat of missiles being launched over its territory by North Korea. Pray that many would find the Lord, as they seek after something more certain to assure them of a lasting peace and hope.

OUTREACH TO NORTH KOREA
Although the primary focus of Japan Mission (JM) is to evangelize the Japanese people, the Lord has also led us to meet the critical needs of other nations in East Asia. One project we have been involved in is the printing and distribution of Bibles to China and other parts of the World.

Another vital ministry the Lord recently led JM to get involved in is to help the destitute people of North Korea. This secretive and heavily controlled society has been ranked as the most oppressive place in the world for Christians. Those caught practicing their faith are arrested, tortured and imprisoned.

We were recently in contact with a number of N. Korean defectors and deeply moved to hear their testimonies. They shared much about the on-going situation in N. Korea. The Lord has led us to regularly sponsor Christian workers who are involved in this outreach. One exciting project that they are involved in, is the Manna Project, operating as follows:
Every few months balloons are launched into N. Korea at night carrying food, medical supplies, tracts, CDs and USBs containing portions of the Bible. Careful calculation of the wind direction and the number of small holes made to deflate the balloons allow them to target various areas. Pray that many would be impacted by the Word of God as they find these balloons.

Please read more about this ministry to N. Korea in the next news bulletin. It will also contain a moving testimony of one of the defectors.

SALVATION OF EVANGELIST’S YOUNGER BROTHER
We were recently encouraged to see how the Lord answered the prayers of many over the years, for Mr. Kodama’s younger brother, Toshi. Mr. Hiroyuki Kodama has worked with JM as an evangelist and writer for many decades. He made a decision to accept the Lord as Savior 55 years ago, while in hospital as a TB patient. After he was released, he shared the Gospel with his family. Over time, all came to Christ, except his younger brother, Toshi. No matter how much he witnessed to him, Toshi would not accept the Lord, because he loved to gamble and drink. He eventually amassed debts of 8 million yen from loan sharks. He was finally divorced and the bank foreclosed on his house. He did not have a steady job and would often beg Mr. Kodama for money. He would give Toshi small amounts for food, for fear that he may resort to crime if he did not have any money.

Three years ago, doctors discovered that Toshi had cancer. After a number of operations, the doctors told him during Sept. 2017 that they could no longer help him. They released him so that he could be cared for at home. He went home in a wheel chair, because he was weak and struggled to walk.

Two days later he came to his senses and stood up. There was one last place he had to go to. He used the last of his strength to hurriedly run out the door.

As he was facing certain death, he suddenly realized that there was an important Truth that he had been ignoring for far too long. People are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment (Heb. 9:27). Toshi realized that his time to face judgement was near and that he had delayed the decision to accept Jesus’ offer of salvation and eternal life for far too long.

He found a local church and there he gave his heart to the Lord. A few hours later, he returned home and drew his last breath.

Mr. Kodama is now comforted by the assurance that all of his family members have given their hearts to our precious Lord. What a blessed assurance!

It is through the persistent prayers of the faithful, that the Lord continues to answer prayer and empower us to point many to Jesus. Pray for us, that God will open up to us a door for the Word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ (Col. 4:3).

Thank you for your faithful prayers and the way you partner with us to reach the lost for Christ.

David and Sue Verwey
(On behalf of all the Verweys and the Japan Mission staff)