Jim & Amy, Philip, Emily, and Daniel

         Thank you for visiting our website!  Above is a photo from the summer of 2009.  Also, we have now been at Wakaba Bible Baptist Church for a year and a half!  Thank you to all of you who faithfully pray for us and/or support us.  May God bless you for your faithfulness to Him!  Please, read our latest newsletter below.

The Chopstick Charter                                           September-October, 2010

November 15th, 2010

Dear Pastors, Friends, and Family,

     On October 10th, we held our annual evangelistic outreach day, “Friends’ Day.”  The primary purpose of Friends’ Day is to reach out and share the Gospel message especially with those who have a connection to Wakaba Church.  In addition to focusing on these relationships, we passed out 8,000 flyers.  The people of the church prayed and planned.  Also, the Mission Rangers, a missions support group from Chofu Baptist Temple, came and helped with the flyers.  God abundantly blessed our efforts.

                      The Mission Rangers Hard at Work

     We were thrilled to have four newcomers; moreover, all are still attending.

                        FRIENDS' DAY, October 10, 2010

     Mr. Hosokawa is a man in his 50s that works with handicapped children.  He says that Buddhism offers no concrete answers to life’s questions and is searching for the truth at Wakaba Church.  He is hungry for God’s Word.

     Mr. Goto is a man in his 80s who has been attending various churches for the last 20 years.  He has not yet trusted in Jesus Christ as his personal Savior.  Recently, he has even begun bringing his wife to church with him.

     Mr. Yajima was not able to come to Friends’ Day but came the next week with his flyer in hand.  He has been attending various kinds of churches for many years.

     Mrs. Chikada is a lady in her late 40s whose daughter went to the United States to study for a year.  While in the U.S. she stayed with Tim and Janelle McCown, a couple from one of our supporting churches, Grace Baptist Church in St. Charles, MO, led by Rev. Kevin Kolb.  Through the McCowns we met Mrs. Chikada and invited her to Friends’ Day.  She works on Sunday, but is now attending our monthly Saturday English Bible study.

     Mr. Kubota, husband of one of the ladies attending Wakaba BBC, couldn’t wait and began coming to church the week before Friends’ Day and has not missed a Sunday since.

     We thank you for your prayers and we praise God for what He is doing at Wakaba BBC.  Obviously, there are many challenges ahead.  Please, pray for each of these ones to be saved and to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

     Wakaba BBC is planning to officially organize as a church on February 11, 2011.  Wakaba has been a preaching station for almost 15 years.  This will be a major step of faith for the members of Wakaba Church.  Please, pray for God to lead and guide us as we plan for this new beginning.  Once again, we thank you for your faithful support, your prayers and your burden for the Japanese people.  We pray for each of you to have a wonderful Thanksgiving, a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.

Your Co-Laborers in Christ,

Jim & Amy Smith

Note:  We have been informed of an internet scam whereby requests to pastors/individuals for financial assistance are being made in the name of foreign missionaries via email.  Please contact either your missionary or the BBFI directly if you receive such solicitations.

Prayer Requests and Personal Updates:

1.  Jim - Thank you so much for the recent cards for Amy, Philip, and Daniel’s birthdays.  We are blessed by your personal email cards and notes.  Also, our intern Mr. Nakahata and his wife Minori were married on November 3rd.  They will work at Wakaba Church for the next year and then plan to study abroad.  Please, pray for God’s leadership.

                   Mr. & Mrs. Motoi Nakahata

2.  Amy - Please pray for Amy as she prepares the Christmas program.  The church members are excited and we are anticipating maximum participation.

3.  Philip recently invited a friend to Sunday school.  Please, pray for our children to be God’s little representatives in Japan.  Also, he is continuing karate class; he will test for the next level this coming Saturday.

4.  Emily had to stop swimming class due to repeated sinus problems.  She was a little disappointed but also relieved to be feeling better.

5.  Daniel participated in the Nakahata’s wedding ceremony as the ring-boy.  There were no major “slip-ups.”  However, just before he was supposed to walk down the aisle, Amy looked at the ring pillow and one was missing.  After a flurry of searching, Amy found the ring just in time and ushered him down the aisle - priceless!

Personal Contact Info:

Jim & Amy Smith
1-17-5 Chiyoda
Sakado-shi, Saitama-ken
350-0214 Japan

E-mail:  gateway2japan@hotmail.com

Sending Church:  Calvary Baptist Church, Fruitland Park, FL 34731
Rev. Robert Mullis