For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes... (Rom. 1:6)

The Sunset workshop was this week. I was built up and challenged by what I heard. The more I learn, the more I see that we're all called to be missionaries...and we're always in the midst of a mission-field. We need to stop delegating and professionalizing mission work and start training, equipping, and discipling all of our brothers and sisters. It's only then that God's church will begin growing in the way that it is intended to grow. We need to stop settling and expecting additions to the church and start expecting and planning for multiplication.

If you're not helping people, teaching people, or getting to know people outside of church, then please start. One challenge I heard this week was: get together with a group of believers once a week or month and figure out how to help someone outside of the church that week/month together. Keep doing this for the rest of your life. How can we make disciples unless we get into other peoples' lives.

Why are we afraid to tell people good news? We must stop listening to Satan's lies. Jesus has already won the victory. He's already conquered sin, death, and hell. We must get over our selfishness and fears and tell others what He's done for us all.

I gave my first sermon this week. (in the U.S. ...[I gave one in Japan]) (I'll send it or post it if anyone's interested.) It is a great responsibility to be God's messenger. I pray that I glorify God with every word and deed.

-Jeff

I'll tell you more about what's going on with us later.

All is well on the Western Front

We are all well! Both kids got a good report from the Doctor. :)

And, our dinner went well. We played some of our new games afterwards and everyone seemed to have a good time.

We're looking forward to this next term, and the relationships that will be developed here.

We wish you all well in this new year.

-Jeff

Term 3

Here we go again... We start our third term on Monday, and it promises to be a challenging one from what I hear. I am planning to pick up my books tomorrow. We're having the new students (students who start mid-year are called "tweeners") over for dinner along with the other class officers tomorrow night. We're trying to help them feel welcomed and connected before they become overwhelmed with work.

Juliana and Noah both have check-ups with the doctor tomorrow. Juliana is getting her next round of shots which were delayed due to her hospitalization.

The weather was really nice today and Noah and I got to play outside in the yard. We played tee-ball and had a good time. We enjoyed getting to see everyone over the Christmas break. We needed that time with friends and family to recharge our batteries.

Thank you to all of you who pray for us, who support us financially, and who write and call us. We love you, and we appreciate you.

-Jeff