(Nov. 16, 2003) Sometimes we are blessed to see how God uses all of us and the many situations to perform His perfect work in lives. Missionaries in Japan are caring for the needs of our people who have returned to Japan. One missionary recently helped counsel and is helping restore one of our Japanese friend's marriage. Why did God allow Sharyn to be so sick and require us to return to the United States when our desire was to remain in Japan? He had a plan for sending Japanese to us where we would play a role in helping them to find Jesus as their Savior and return to Japan to be used to build the church there. We are thankful indeed for God's plan for us.

We recently stopped pastoring our Yuai church plant. The people have joined another Japanese congregation with a Japanese pastor. The people are growing under a Japanese pastor, and the remaining youth group has now flourished and is growing. We are now once again church planters, not the pastor of a Japanese congregation waiting for a Japanese pastor. The youth group is healthy. Parents, families and friends are open and attending various events. Midweek tutoring and outreaches are attracting more each week. God pruned, transplanted and multiplied two ministries from one.

Phil has become friend and counselor to two Japanese pastors. College ministry is opening up, relationships from our Yuai church are still in tact, and there are many people our lives are touching. How will God use all the people in our lives? We do not know, but we do know He has a master plan for good and salvation for Japanese here in the United States and in Japan. Thank you for your faithful prayer and support for us as we strive to do and be what God desires.