LET FAITH BEGIN AT HOME

Japanese men might find Christ through their Filipina wives, as Filipino churches continue to flourish throughout the country. Largely Pentecostal, churches mushrooming in downtown Tokyo are a reflection of the thriving Filipino community here. "Most Filipinos come to Japan for economic reasons," said Emerita Sakai, who leads OM’s work with her husband Nobuya. She added that Filipina ‘mail order brides’ often face crippling language and adjustment difficulties during their first two years of marriage and are most likely to turn to the Lord then. An estimated 300,000 Filipinas are married to Japanese men, and a long-term plan to establish churches amongst them is underway. "These women enjoy Bible studies and some find it easy to develop a personal relationship with Jesus," said Emerita, who resides and leads a Bible group in Kanazawa, 360 km west of Tokyo.

Pray for:

1. Wisdom for Filipino churches in evangelistic ministry.
2. A full-time staff in OM Japan - preferably Japanese with OM experience - to help visit 8,000 churches in 47 prefectures (administrative districts). It will take Nobuya and Emerita four years to meet with all the churches if they visit one prefecture a month!
3. Active members to be appointed to the OM Board of Directors.
4. A smooth transition for four recruits in Rhyl (UK) learning English, three in the Global Action programme, and three others heading to other fields.
5. More long-term workers to join OM, with support from their churches.