We apologize that it has been so long since our last update. After a rather long, cold, and damp winter here in Japan (lingering into April), we are thankful that the weather finally seems to have turned a corner in becoming more spring like (warmer and sunnier) over the last week or so. Here is an update on our recent happenings.
- We enjoyed having a dear Japanese sister in Christ, staying with us over the past few days visiting from Shikoku (southwestern Japan), whom we got to know in Minnesota while she was studying there several years back. She came to know the Lord while in the U.S. and was part of our Japanese fellowship at our home church in Minneapolis. We have been encouraged to see how she has grown in her walk with the Lord and that she is plugged into a local church in her area since returning to Japan.
- We are thankful that we have gradually been able to plug into ministry in our internship locales of Shonan Grace Chapel & Denen Grace Chapel and that we've been able to develop relationships with people at both locations. Greg was invited to join the worship team at Shonan on a periodic basis, and last week (Sun. 4/25), he played the guitar during the service as part of the team. Greg also had a chance to lead a men's discussion group at Denen in March which turned out to be an instructive experience for Greg in understanding the perspectives of the participating members. Also, Greg has been privileged to continue to meet with Mr. O. of Shonan periodically (usually on a Friday morning) at a coffee shop for fellowship, to encourage one another in the Word, and to pray for each other. We are also planning to host another fellowship dinner for the people of Shonan on Saturday evening, May 15.
- We were encouraged by helpful meetings with several leaders concerning our current internship and our future assignment upon the completion of our internship next spring (2011).
- We were so grateful for a wonderful time of refreshment, renewal and recreation at our mission's annual field retreat at a beautiful resort on the Pacific coast last month (April 17-19), which the whole family enjoyed. We were blessed by the messages on heaven given by a pastor from Victoria, BC who has been serving our mission in Japan over the past ten years or so by coming with his wife to these annual retreats to pastor the missionaries in this way.
- The kids have continued to enjoy their involvement in the kids' program at Shonan. In addition to all the kids participating in the Sunday afternoon program (on the Sundays we are at Shonan), Micah & Jonah also attend the programs Shonan has on Tuesday & Friday afternoons (after school's out). Moreover, Micah has begun attending a group started for middle schoolers last month (April is the start of the school year in Japan), also on Fridays. This not only gives our children a chance to rub shoulders with other kids, but it also is helping them improve their Japanese.
- Home schooling has taken a lion's share of Asa's time and energy, but things have settled in to a reasonable rhythm since the first of the year and the kids have been making progress in their studies. We recently received the results of achievement test that Micah & Jonah took on March 31st, and we were very encouraged with how they did. We are planning to attend a home schooling convention in Tokyo later this month. We are still considering the possibility of other education options in the near future, but we decided it would be best to finish out the current (Sept. - June) school year before making a change.
- Asa has resumed playing the koto (Japanese harp) recently. She started taking lessons from the same lady who taught her beginning in 1st grade through high school. The koto teacher is 80 years old and is only now thinking about retiring from teaching!
- It was a blessing to attend part of the All Nations Returnee Conference March 19-20 focusing on ministering to and equipping Japanese who became Christians while living abroad. We were thankful that the minor injury Micah sustained on his eyebrow when he fell in the hotel lobby as we were about to leave the ANRC was not worse than it was and that the wound healed well.
- Jonah had a great time at soccer camp in late March (Micah did not go due to his injury). He is now very interested attending the summer Bible camp they announced at the camp.
PRAY:
- For clear direction and vision concerning our future assignment after our internship ends next spring, including location, type of ministry, the kind of partnership with the Domei (the Japanese church association affiliated with our mission), and family issues to be considered (children's education, etc.).
- That we would have a good time of fellowship with missionary friends who will be visiting us for a few days next week on their way from Thailand back to the U.S.
For the fellowship dinner we plan to host on May 15 for the people of Shonan, that it will be a time of mutual edification and encouragement. - For Greg's participation in a joint Teamwork meeting (between JBF missionaries and Domei pastors) May 17-19 in northern Japan as he is scheduled to give a devotional testimony Tuesday morning (5/18).
- For wisdom and direction in considering educational options for our children. Presently, we are thinking about the possibility of sending the boys to a church based school which uses an English curriculum while continuing to home school Karin.
- That Greg will be able to successfully obtain his Japanese driver's license soon. Presently, he is able to drive with the international license he was issued before coming to Japan last fall, but that is only good for one year. There are a number of requirements that have to be met.
- That we will be able to cultivate meaningful, redemptive relationships with those among whom we live and serve.
Your partners for the Gospel in Japan
Greg & Asa Swenson
Mk from Thailand and Mk from Japan, what they have common? They love each other`s company:) Their mom and dad have been long time Friend, now they belong to some church in the states, both of them are serving as missionaries in Asia. They are all home schooled in English, so if there is a chance to spend time together, that is the best thing you can imagine.