Tak & Chee Newsletter! Vol.20 EN
Thank you for your prayers and encouragement!
It is getting colder and colder in Sanada, Nagano.
It looks like we will have a good harvest of Daikon radishes and carrots this year.
Aquila Church's vision is to
"produce" and "support"
a "modern Paul"
like Aquila and Priscilla.
Our Couples Retreat for Refreshment!
The couple's retreat was a refreshing experience!
The first half of the trip took us to the sea in Niigata Prefecture. Takeshi grew up by the sea, so he felt nostalgic and excited to jump into the ocean out of season.
The sunset on the Sea of Japan side of the coast is different from that of the Shonan area, as the sun sets over the water, and we were both quite taken by the beauty of the sunset.
In the second half of the retreat we reviewed our daily rhythm and prayed for God's guidance for our future ministry.
Like last year, at the beginning of the retreat we honestly shared our frustrations and stresses of not being able to communicate with each other due to our busy schedules, and it was a bit tense. This year, we completed the ritual without a hitch and were able to discuss future activities in a fun atmosphere.
In particular, we were able to review our schedule after reflecting on how our energy and time were often consumed by the large number of guests staying overnight, and how the vision we were given often shifted from priority to priority.
The retreat also showed both of us that Akura Church was entering its next season, and we made the decision to start Sunday gatherings. We decided to keep the Friday dinner gatherings, but to meet every other Sunday afternoon at a rented location. Coincidentally, Sunday Akura Church started on October 27th, the same day we had the flag raising ceremony for Akura Coffee.
Participation in farmers market organized by Ueda City
This year, Akura Coffee once again participated in the "Washiba Festival" held by the city of Ueda!
We have been very busy lately and have not been able to participate in the farmers' market, but we were very grateful to be able to participate in a large farmers' market for the first time in a long time.
It was a great opportunity to meet local people face to face, and people from local churches heard about Akura Coffee and came to visit us, making many more connections!
This time we had a friend from Yokohama who came to help us, which was really helpful!
The farm is growing little by little!
My Senpai farmer is starting to produce domestic sesame seeds without fertilizers and pesticides, which is really rare in Japan, and I was able to help him harvest them.
The Senpai couple is always encouraging me, as they are really making steady efforts in the midst of their busy schedules after the birth of their second child. They are 20 years younger than me, but they are really solid and always inspire me.
Encouraged, we have been able to try a variety of vegetables this year, including daikon radishes, carrots, and cassava. We look forward to shipping and selling as many vegetables as possible next year!
Watching the revival generation
Many young people have been coming in and out of Akrura lately, some connected through friends of my niece, others through local high school students.
Among them are many children who have committed their lives to ministry, those who want to commit their lives to ministry, or young people who have a passion to share God's love in whatever way they can, and I see them praising before me, praying for their friends, giving real testimonies and explaining the gospel. They are very passionate about sharing God's love with others.
The term "revival generation" comes to mind when I see them, and it always excites me.
From the outside, it seems as if a great swell of activity is taking place.
People like Suguru, who is a staff member of hib.a., and Takeshi, as well as J. Rio and Samuel, who are active in the field of music, have come all the way to Shinshu from various places to offer their encouragement.
I hope that Akura Church will be able to provide a place where they can use their gifts to the fullest.
I feel that the activities of Shinshu hi-b.a. are slowly but surely taking root. I hope that many people who love God and share His love will be raised up from here!
Contribution Support Needed for hi-b.a. Activities
The work of hi-b.a. proceeds through various forms of giving, including undesignated general offerings, various designated offerings, and individual support by identifying each staff member. We would appreciate your support of this ministry in the form of undesignated or designated offerings, depending on your interests and burdens. For more information on how to support the ministry, please click on the link below.
https://www.hi-ba.com/support/
Sunday Akura Church started!
Everyone is a little nervous when they start something new, and we were nervous too.
But many people encouraged me and helped me together, and we were able to start Sunday Akura Church!
In addition to family members who traveled over 2 hours to be there, others took the time to come from Niigata and Yokohama, making the first Sunday of Akura Church a gathering of about 20 people.
We were very thankful to have rented a beautiful place, Shinshu International Music Village!
Takeshi has been preparing a message series that shares the vision and core values of Akura Church based on the Bible, and in this message, Takeshi was so excited that he spoke for quite a long time! (lol)
Please pray for wisdom and guidance for the future of Sunday Akura Church, as it is often more difficult and important to continue than to begin.
Title of domestic missionary
The Evangelical Band for Christ, a denomination to which Takeshi personally belongs, gave Takeshi the title of "Domestic Missionary" and the denomination has decided to support us! We are grateful!
The Evangelical Band for Christ is a small denomination with the faith stream of the Japanese revivalist "Tsuge Fujito," the denomination in which Takeshi grew up.（https://dendoutai.org/）
When he was appointed as a home missionary this time, Takeshi had an interview and was allowed to attend their conference. Takeshi was so happy to be able to meet in person with childhood friends, teachers who cared for Takeshi since he was a child, and teachers who cared for him in seminary.
Even though it is a small denomination, everyone was really warm and I (Takeshi) was almost in tears just meeting them this time.
I (Takeshi) found myself remembering how much time they spent with me, and how deeply it stayed with me, and how just seeing them strangely brought joy to my heart.
Anyway, it's kind of a cool title now, "Domestic Missionary of The Evangelical Band for Christ"!
Special guests are coming!
The family of the senior pastor of Sozo Church, a partner church of the church, and the family of Justin Ito, who has led our mission team twice, will be in Ueda City from November 21-30!
Pastor Joel, their senior pastor, will be preaching on Sunday the 24th!
They are a truly wonderful couple and pastors full of love and wisdom, and we hope to introduce them to as many people as possible!
If you cannot come on Sunday, but would like to meet them during this time, please do not hesitate to contact us!
Prayer requests
・The revival generation to be supported financially and spiritually and to be able to work freely.
・We can build like-minded teams that can stand firmly.
・To be given a large meeting place that will be able to accommodate a coffee shop.
List of "Needed" and "Likely Needed" items
Different things are needed as we move forward. Please pray that these specific needs will be given to us. Also, if anyone is willing to give any of the items on the list or sell them at a discount, please let us know.
3 pin microphones - for message recording, creating content for podcasts and online distributions.
A meeting room that can also be used as a café
Aquila Coffee fundraise
Thank you so much for supporting our ministry by purchasing our coffee beans! If you are interested in purchasing Aquila coffee, please feel free to contact us via DM on Instagram, LINE or Email.
Brazil 200g 1300円 100g 700円
Guatemala 200g 1300円 100g 700円
Ethiopian 200g 1500円 100g 800円
Fundraising Report
Calculating the increase/decrease of those who joined and ended their support, we now have 25 monthly supporters! Thanks to all of you!
September
Monthly Support Amount Total 142,000 yen and $250
Monthly Supporters Total 23perosn
October
Monthly Support Amount Total 87,000 yen and $480
Monthly Supporters Total 25perosn
September 1st - October 30th 2024
One-Time Donation Support Amount Total 67,000 yen
Thank you all so much for your prayers and support!
We are happy to see more and more people supporting us!
Thank you so much for being part of our church pioneering and gospel sharing!
Support partners for Aquila Church
Aquila Church's vision is to "produce" and "support" a "modern Paul," just like Aquila and Priscilla did.
Monthly support target of $2500
We are looking for financial support partners to help us move toward the mission and vision given to the church.
50$ x 50 persons = 2500$
50$/month for 50 support partners to continue to operate the church.
Credit card transfers can be made at the following URL
Starting from 10$/month, you can specify the amount and one-time support is available.
We would appreciate your prayerful consideration.
https://achurchjapan.wixsite.com/aquilachurchjapan/support-1
You can get to know us quickly via SNS
Instagram: @aquila_church_japan
Web: https://achurchjapan.wixsite.com/achurch
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