Dave and Donna .ca

Dave and Donna’s Digest

Dear Praying Partners;

Donna and I arrived home in Victoria on Thursday afternoon (March 23rd) flying against the sun, and arriving 5 hours before we left (Japan is across the international date line). Four days into our war with jet-lag we have won the major battle and are quickly settling into routines.

In our last prayer letter we asked for prayer as Dave went to Japan for 5 days ahead of this scheduled trip. One of our American partners was in court following a traffic accident. All of us were stunned at the outcome. While we consider him innocent, the court found him guilty. The 6 month sentence was suspended with 3 years of probation. The decision is being appealed but, under Japanese law as we understand it, there is little chance of it succeeding. Of primary concern is the potential affect on his visa. We are praying for an outcome that will glorify the Lord and direct the steps of this effective missionary family.

The conference at Fuji-Hakone for our Japan Baptist Fellowship (Conservative Baptist missionaries and FEBI missionaries) was rich and memorable. We met the Chasses (Guillaume and Julie) who are newly appointed teachers on a two year assignment to a Christian School in Okinawa. As a couple they are working very long hours and while we are concerned about their physical exhaustion they are doing well in their setting.

While snow gently fell on the conference grounds we joined our mission families in teaching, laughter and games as they worshipped, did business and developed relationships as a mission community. The three days passed quickly.
Donna and I spent a few days centered in the north of Tokyo and living out of the Tatami Room in Matsakawa place. By Japanese standards the room is spacious and features a floor plan with 8 mats (2×6), storage and shower closet and off the room a toilet and kitchenette. It served our needs well.

The Willson five are happily established at the Christian Academy of Japan, a school that works primarily with missionary children. Jackie is teaching and Steve is the head of the maintenance department. They work with various groups and individuals from the community in addition to serving at the school.
After our time in Higashi-Kurume, Donna and I traveled to Hitachi-Naka to be with Rob and Kathryn Fleming and their 3 children. This family is starting a new Church plant (their second) now that they have settled back into Japan after a Canadian home assignment. One of the large decisions ahead of them is the high school education for their teenage daughter Tess. A strong possibility is a boarding school in the Philippines.

We traveled a bit south to Tsukuba where the Sadler five are settled into their Church plant. While optimistic, Paul and Jennifer have found this a challenging year as they evaluate the results of their efforts, there is a fledgling church established in this university town. The Sadlers have integrated effectively into the Japanese community.

Donna and I worked with 6 other families in JBF serving under World Venture (formerly Conservative Baptist Mission from the US). Our visits with each of these American families in their various settings rounded out our trip to Japan. I was offered the opportunity to preach in Denon Grace Chapel, a church plant in Yokohama (southeast Tokyo) which was another highlight for me.
As we visited, taught, and prayed, Donna and I frequently shared with each other our sense of privilege to be working with FEBInternational in this role. We also spoke often to each other of our privilege of doing this work because your prayers and gifts which enable us.

Thank you for being part of our team!

P.S. As we announced in our last email, Donna is leading an HIV/AIDS short-term ministry team to South Africa June 22nd to July 7th. There is room for a few more to join the team which we plan to limit to 10. Quite a number have expressed interest and filled out the short-term application at our website. Secure your place by contacting Wendy at our Fellowship office. wendy@fellowship.ca if you have questions contact Donna at donna@daveanddonna.ca

Prayer and Praise:

1. Give thanks for effective ministry in Japan among our missionaries and their partners.
2. Pray for the legal appeal for our American partner.
3. Pray towards our membercare trip to Kenya, Zambia and South Africa June 19th to July 7th
4. Pray for Dave as he prepares and speaks at our FEBInternational conference for our missionaries at Muskoka Baptist Conference July 10-14.
5. Give thanks for the continued financial support that makes this ministry possible.

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