Spring in Japan
Hi family and friends,
It is finally spring in Hokkaido! We are so grateful to be able to easily play outside with our kids and go to parks again. Liz and I hope you had a wonderful Easter Sunday celebrating Jesus with church, friends and family. Our church held a baptism on Easter, which was our first time seeing a Japanese person get baptized. Praise God for the work He is doing in Japan!
In the past few months, Liz and I finished book 1 of our language course. At the end of book 1, we are required to write and give a ~5 minute speech in Japanese! Here are videos of Liz and I giving our speeches if you are interested to see some of our language progress.
Looking ahead, we will be continuing to focus on learning Japanese while participating in our local church and missionary community. Liz and I are exploring ways to get involved in sports / clubs as a way to both practice Japanese as well as build relationships with Japanese folks.
Liam and Laurel started the new school year in April. Schools in Japan go from April-March with 3 week breaks spaced throughout the year. They are both now at a Japanese kindergarten and we are so very proud of them. They are slowly learning Japanese as they hear it and play with other Japanese kids at school. One of their favorite activities is making all sorts of things out of paper and cardboard!
Recently, Liz’s brother and his wife had a baby girl, Frankie. Frankie has been having seizures so she is at Children’s Hospital being cared for right now.
Please pray for:
God to heal baby Frankie and give the medical staff wisdom in their decision making
Continued progress in language learning
Japan to repent and put their faith in Jesus
We are so thankful to all of you for your prayers and support. Please reply to this email to let us know how you are doing and/or to ask for prayer.
God bless,
Jake and Liz
