Lily Suzuki's Prayer and Newsletter

February 2005

Dear Prayer Partners, Supporters and Friends for the mission work for our Lord Jesus in Japan:

February is almost over and Spring is about to come to Omochanomachi, Tochigi ken, Japan. Winter here was much colder than Tokyo, but praise God Spring is just around the corner. I kept warm by having these “heat pads” that you can stick on your back. I think we are spoiled back home with warm insulated homes and central heating. However, our hearts are warm with the power of God the Holy Spirit, especially when we are sharing the “Good News” of Jesus Christ.

Thank you for your faithful prayers and support.

Just last Sunday morning around 8:30 am, after our first Sunday Service, I got word an old lady was sitting on the ground near the railroad track. (It turned out that she was younger than me.) Our pastor and staff ran out without coats and found a lady too tired to stay standing as she waited for her ride to the hospital. I was able to ask her if I can pray for her and to my surprise she said, “Yes”! So I did. She had tears in her eyes and told us that she lived alone. Her two doctor sons lived far away and were too busy to visit or care for her. She told us she used to go to a Catholic church long ago so we invited her to our Church only a few steps from where she was sitting.

I know where she lives and would like to visit her, but people here just don’t go to visit people unless they are invited 2 or 3 times. Please pray for an opportunity to open before I leave.

The English students, Noriko, Reiko and Yoshiko who got baptized at Christmas time are growing in their faith and are attending Bible and Christian training classes. They also enjoy visiting the Church during the week. Noriko and I study the Book of Genesis; and Yoko asked if she could join even if she couldn’t understand everything said in English. I was so please to have a non-Christian study with us for I think she is searching. Please pray for the unsaved and saved students.

Exciting news everyone! As you recall from the last newsletter…God’s guiding hand, His many confirmations, and with much prayers we are crossing the Jordan River, as in Joshua in the Old Testament, into Amakusa in mid-March, LORD willing. My faith has strengthened and with a heart of thanksgiving and a learning spirit, I feel His presence and peace. God is moving straight ahead with full speed into Amakusa and “Shinsetsu” Ministry. My ministry partner, Sue Abe, and I have asked you to please pray for a missionary to replace my ministry here at Omochanomachi Church. Well, God is sending not just one but a couple, Eleanor and David Shimahara. They have graciously committed 2 years of ministry here. Praise God! Eleanor and David are ready to leave. And as soon as the Japanese Government grants them Visas, which may be at any day now, they will come. I will teach along side them for a week and then finish my Ministry at Omochanomachi. I came here last March 16th. It will be exactly one year.

This Church has adopted me into their church family and I have made many friends. Pastor Nakamura has trained me in many ways with good examples to follow, especially the way she loves her flock. Yoko sensei and the 3 of us ate together almost every meal. It is always sad to leave, however, for Christians it is never a good-bye. We will pray for each other’s ministry and many have promised to visit Amakusa.

A small vision and burden God has given to me 4 years ago is really becoming a reality. I would especially like to thank Rev. Sam, our JEMS Director, for guiding us and making Amakusa Ministry a reality. Thank you for your partnership in prayer and sponsorship. The Churches we will be helping out are very small so they won’t be able to help us financially; but we will trust God that He will provide our living and ministry expenses just as He always has. God provided me with a ministry partner, Sue Abe, a retired teacher of many years in Special Education and in English as a Second Language and also a grandmother. Both of us have husband’s waiting for us in Heaven. We have so much in common. We know this ministry isn’t going to be easy. But God has given us the desire to reach out to those around us and to serve them by caring and sharing the love and truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Another miracle. Rev. Sam asked me to update my International driver’s license. My International License will expire on the 14th of March. I have been praying as to what I shall do since I can’t go back to Canada to get another one. I was told by the Automobile Association that it will take at least 4 to 5 visit to the Motor Vehicle plus a driving test...I haven’t driven here and they drive on the left side. Well, I went to the Police and Motor Vehicle yesterday and after a long interview (and without a written or driving test) they actually gave me a Japanese Driver’s License. Can you believe this? I called the Church to let Pastor Nakamura know and she said they prayed for me at the prayer meeting that morning. What testimony! The student who took me isn’t a Christian yet. But when I told her God gave me this license, she said she believed it…no one gets a license this fast and on the 1st visit. I know in faith God wants me to drive; and He will provide Sue and I with a car since we now have a driver’s license and a ministry that is waiting for us. Praise God!

Well, so many miracles big and small have happened. Joshua 3:5 says “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.” Joshua 1: 9 says “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” And with all your prayers, I am at peace. I always remember you in my prayers. Eph. 3:20.

Love in Jesus,
His Ambassador in Japan,

Lily Suzuki

Prayer requests:

1. Vibrant relationship with the LORD each day for me.
2. The Japanese Government will issue Visas for Eleanor and David.
3. Good transition with the English Class and more students.
4. God’s guidance, wisdom and protection as Sue and I move to Amakusa.
5. Receiving of my Canadian Citizenship will be in God’s timing.
6. Please pray God will bring to more people’s hearts the burden of financial support for the Amakusa Shinsetsu Ministry.
7. For Sue and my health and for our families back home.
8. Please continue to pray for revival at New-Life Church Omochanomachi, Pastor Nakamura and the Staff’s health.
9. Health for my daughter-in-law, Wilmy.
10. God’s wisdom for the Amakusa Advisory Council on March 7th.
11. The JEMS Staff and especially for traveling mercy when Rev. Sam travels to Japan on the 4th to 9th of March.
12. Japan’s revival. And especially for the people in Amakusa.
13. That God will provide a living and working place for our ministry in Amakusa.
14. Prayer for BSF around the world, especially for Richmond, CA.
15. Prayer for the health of my prayer partners Deanna and husband TJ.

Thank you!