Things are heating up, not just with the weather, but in our ministry too. We are busy little bees around here!
Rocky's CD project is very near completion! The recording is done! YIPPEE!!! The design for jacket cover, CD cover and all the other bells and whistles are almost done. They had a photo session yesterday and that went well. And I can hear him upstairs doing some last editing on the sound in the studio right now! They will hopefully have it all off to the printer and press in a week or so! You guys are going to LOVE LOVE LOVE this album! The music is incredible. The notes just dance and play with each other, and it just makes a grin spread across your face! Pray for the last minute details, AND get ready to order YOUR copy! We'll let you know how you can do that very soon.
This summer is gearing up to be a very busy one, as usual. One exciting aspect of the summer is the return of our favorite dance ministry CMA! Please pray for the process as they prepare from Colorado, raising support for the trip and all the ministry to be done here. And also pray for the Japan side of things as we prepare for events, sleeping arrangements, meals, travel logistics, etc. It is going to be an amazing couple weeks of ministry again. Please check out CMA's website of their ministry with us last year CMA Japan 2006! The 2006 Highlight video is awesome, we especially recommend that!
Thank you so much for all your love and support!
Blessings from Japan,
The Ayatsuka's
Monday, June 11, 2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Newsletter May 30, 2007
May has simply flown by! Where did the time go? We have been very busy and are so blessed with so many opportunities to serve God!
A couple weekends ago the Family Band did a concert in a city five hours drive from here. After that concert I had the priviledge having a long, deep conversation with a woman who is really seeking. She had lots of questions about difficult issues, like why does God allow some terrible things to happen, how can we believe creation instead of evolution, etc. I really enjoyed talking with this candid and brutally honest lady and by the end of the conversation we both agreed, we felt like we'd known each other for years. Would you please lift her up in prayer. She is so close to believing, I think all her questions are just a last ditch attempt to talk herself out of taking that one step of faith! I know she will believe, or actually I think she already does, she just hasn't realized it yet! Please lift her up in prayer.
We are still busy with chapel services and concerts and appreciate your prayers for effective messages and witness, protection from illness and while traveling, and for wisdom in using our time wisely.
Lastly, I mentioned a few weeks ago that a couple of Jehovah's Witnesses were frequenting our home. We met with them once, and they have become so curious about our faith, one lady in particular shows up often with questions FOR us! It cracks me up. Anyways, she is dilligent about visiting our place and we often don't have the time to talk with her. Please pray that we can continue to be a witness to her!!!
Blessings to all, we'd love to have you make a comment here on the blog or get a personal email from you from time to time. Thank you for praying!
A couple weekends ago the Family Band did a concert in a city five hours drive from here. After that concert I had the priviledge having a long, deep conversation with a woman who is really seeking. She had lots of questions about difficult issues, like why does God allow some terrible things to happen, how can we believe creation instead of evolution, etc. I really enjoyed talking with this candid and brutally honest lady and by the end of the conversation we both agreed, we felt like we'd known each other for years. Would you please lift her up in prayer. She is so close to believing, I think all her questions are just a last ditch attempt to talk herself out of taking that one step of faith! I know she will believe, or actually I think she already does, she just hasn't realized it yet! Please lift her up in prayer.
We are still busy with chapel services and concerts and appreciate your prayers for effective messages and witness, protection from illness and while traveling, and for wisdom in using our time wisely.
Lastly, I mentioned a few weeks ago that a couple of Jehovah's Witnesses were frequenting our home. We met with them once, and they have become so curious about our faith, one lady in particular shows up often with questions FOR us! It cracks me up. Anyways, she is dilligent about visiting our place and we often don't have the time to talk with her. Please pray that we can continue to be a witness to her!!!
Blessings to all, we'd love to have you make a comment here on the blog or get a personal email from you from time to time. Thank you for praying!
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Newsletter, May 9, 2007
Sorry it has been so long. There is so much going on here! I don't even know where to start.
First of all praise and thanksgiving for God providing us with new kitchen cabinets and stove! We REALLY needed it, especially the stove, since the old one was dangerously old and rusting. We are so thankful because the Lord provided it with perfect timing and a miraculous price! You can "see" the kitchen over on Marla's blog.
The new school year has begun and that makes us busier for some reason! We have also been asked to speak at another Christian school's English chapel on a regular basis. So now we speak twice a semester at the school I was originally employed with, and twice a month at another Christian school in town! It is such a blessing to get a chance to speak to young people and connect with them. Please pray that God provides opportunities for us to meet and interact with the students outside of chapel as well!
Rocky is nearing the completion of his newest CD project, an accoustic CD of hymns done as a duo with another very talented guitarist! You guys are going to LOVE this album. It should be out by early July, so get ready to get your copy. I get to listen to them practicing and recording all the time and let me just say, this album is powerful!!! Please pray for all the details involved in wrapping up the project, the last few recording sessions, mixing and mastering, Cd cover design and finally printing and pressing. You'll be the first to know when we have the finished album in hand!
I'll leave you with those two requests this week although there are so many things the Lord is doing around us, I'll save some for the next newsletter! We would love to hear from you if you have a chance leave a comment or send us an email!
Many blessings,
Rocky, Marla and Hana
First of all praise and thanksgiving for God providing us with new kitchen cabinets and stove! We REALLY needed it, especially the stove, since the old one was dangerously old and rusting. We are so thankful because the Lord provided it with perfect timing and a miraculous price! You can "see" the kitchen over on Marla's blog.
The new school year has begun and that makes us busier for some reason! We have also been asked to speak at another Christian school's English chapel on a regular basis. So now we speak twice a semester at the school I was originally employed with, and twice a month at another Christian school in town! It is such a blessing to get a chance to speak to young people and connect with them. Please pray that God provides opportunities for us to meet and interact with the students outside of chapel as well!
Rocky is nearing the completion of his newest CD project, an accoustic CD of hymns done as a duo with another very talented guitarist! You guys are going to LOVE this album. It should be out by early July, so get ready to get your copy. I get to listen to them practicing and recording all the time and let me just say, this album is powerful!!! Please pray for all the details involved in wrapping up the project, the last few recording sessions, mixing and mastering, Cd cover design and finally printing and pressing. You'll be the first to know when we have the finished album in hand!
I'll leave you with those two requests this week although there are so many things the Lord is doing around us, I'll save some for the next newsletter! We would love to hear from you if you have a chance leave a comment or send us an email!
Many blessings,
Rocky, Marla and Hana
Monday, March 26, 2007
Newsletter March 26, 2007
Wow, what an awesome weekend we had!!!
Our good buddies Takako-san and Gen-san were married!!!!!!!!!!! YEA!!!! We are always so excited when God creates another Christian home. Not only that but the ceremony and reception were powerful witnesses to all in attendance. Jesus was so glorified on their wedding day before many friends AND family members who do not yet know the Lord. Pray with us for the many seeds that were planted this weekend through these guys. Especially pray they can continue to be a witness through their marriage, to their families!!! We are so excited for you Auntie Tako (and you don't know it yet, but Gen-san, you are now Uncle Gen, Welcome to the family!!!)
The next item of business is the exciting thing happening through Afureru! March's Afureru! was on Sunday evening and it was awesome. I was most excited to hear a testimony from one of the participating pastors. Today he baptized a young man in his church. During the young man's testimony he shared that it was at an Afureru! meeting he confirmed his faith in Christ! We often don't know when these things happen, and it is always such a pleasure to hear that God is using the things we do in this way. PRAISE GOD!!! Please keep praying for this ministry as God works through it in so many ways!
Blessings and Love from Japan,
The Ayatsuka's
Our good buddies Takako-san and Gen-san were married!!!!!!!!!!! YEA!!!! We are always so excited when God creates another Christian home. Not only that but the ceremony and reception were powerful witnesses to all in attendance. Jesus was so glorified on their wedding day before many friends AND family members who do not yet know the Lord. Pray with us for the many seeds that were planted this weekend through these guys. Especially pray they can continue to be a witness through their marriage, to their families!!! We are so excited for you Auntie Tako (and you don't know it yet, but Gen-san, you are now Uncle Gen, Welcome to the family!!!)
The next item of business is the exciting thing happening through Afureru! March's Afureru! was on Sunday evening and it was awesome. I was most excited to hear a testimony from one of the participating pastors. Today he baptized a young man in his church. During the young man's testimony he shared that it was at an Afureru! meeting he confirmed his faith in Christ! We often don't know when these things happen, and it is always such a pleasure to hear that God is using the things we do in this way. PRAISE GOD!!! Please keep praying for this ministry as God works through it in so many ways!
Blessings and Love from Japan,
The Ayatsuka's
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Newsletter March 3, 2007
I can not believe it is already March! It is already started to warm up in Japan after an unusually mild winter and we are doing great!
We are continuing to work on the Purity ministry that I mentioned in our previous newsletter. Please continue to pray as we meet monthly and work on how best to get started. God must work to make it all happen and to draw the people in to the seminars, so please pray that He will guide us and make the way.
March in Japan is when the school year ends and there are a few weeks of vacation before the new school year begins in April. Our work at the two kindergartens where I teach English and Bible, will warp up in these next few weeks. Pray for the students and Mom's of students that we will lose contact with as they move on to elementary school and outside the realm of our ministry. Pray that the things of God that they have learned will stay with them and they will continue to seek Him, mother and child alike!
Since we moved to this area we have had Jehovah's Witnesses visit often. They ALWAYS seem to come at a time that we can not talk to them, because we are too busy or on our way out the door, etc. My heart goes out to these ladies that so diligently go door to door to share what they believe. They are so bogged down in the law and works of that religion's teachings. This last week, I finally just made an appointment for them to come back when I can sit down and talk with them. Rocky has agreed to be here and help me out too. It is sort of comical, because they think they are coming to "evangelize" me, but it is really the other way around. Would you pray for us, as they come this Thursday morning to talk with us. Pray that our peace and joy, our faith and assurance in Christ will shine through as we relate to them.
May God bless you all!
Rocky, Marla and Hana
We are continuing to work on the Purity ministry that I mentioned in our previous newsletter. Please continue to pray as we meet monthly and work on how best to get started. God must work to make it all happen and to draw the people in to the seminars, so please pray that He will guide us and make the way.
March in Japan is when the school year ends and there are a few weeks of vacation before the new school year begins in April. Our work at the two kindergartens where I teach English and Bible, will warp up in these next few weeks. Pray for the students and Mom's of students that we will lose contact with as they move on to elementary school and outside the realm of our ministry. Pray that the things of God that they have learned will stay with them and they will continue to seek Him, mother and child alike!
Since we moved to this area we have had Jehovah's Witnesses visit often. They ALWAYS seem to come at a time that we can not talk to them, because we are too busy or on our way out the door, etc. My heart goes out to these ladies that so diligently go door to door to share what they believe. They are so bogged down in the law and works of that religion's teachings. This last week, I finally just made an appointment for them to come back when I can sit down and talk with them. Rocky has agreed to be here and help me out too. It is sort of comical, because they think they are coming to "evangelize" me, but it is really the other way around. Would you pray for us, as they come this Thursday morning to talk with us. Pray that our peace and joy, our faith and assurance in Christ will shine through as we relate to them.
May God bless you all!
Rocky, Marla and Hana
Friday, February 16, 2007
Newsletter Feb. 16, 2007
Happy belated Valentine's Day everyone!
We are so blessed to be living in Japan sharing the one TRUE LOVE with the people of this nation. Thank you for praying for the first meeting regarding our new purity ministry with Afureru! The meeting went REALLY well, and we look forward to preparing the materials for this ministry. As we have talked with other leaders and ministers in the past weeks about this ministry, everyone is so excited to hear that we are taking on this topic and can't wait to get their hands on the materials we develop OR have the team come and do a purity seminar for them. This ministry really has the potential to make a huge impact, please keep praying!
As I have done research over the past couple of weeks, I have been painfully reminded of the devastating consequences of not following God's guidelines for sexual purity. It has hit really close to home for us this week, as we recently found out that a friend is in a very difficult situation regarding this very topic. I can not give the details in order to protect this person's privacy, but would you pray! PLEASE PRAY for this person and the difficult decisions that have to be made.
I want to end there this week and thank you for your prayers and constant love and support of our work here in Japan!
Blessings from Japan,
The Ayatsuka's
We are so blessed to be living in Japan sharing the one TRUE LOVE with the people of this nation. Thank you for praying for the first meeting regarding our new purity ministry with Afureru! The meeting went REALLY well, and we look forward to preparing the materials for this ministry. As we have talked with other leaders and ministers in the past weeks about this ministry, everyone is so excited to hear that we are taking on this topic and can't wait to get their hands on the materials we develop OR have the team come and do a purity seminar for them. This ministry really has the potential to make a huge impact, please keep praying!
As I have done research over the past couple of weeks, I have been painfully reminded of the devastating consequences of not following God's guidelines for sexual purity. It has hit really close to home for us this week, as we recently found out that a friend is in a very difficult situation regarding this very topic. I can not give the details in order to protect this person's privacy, but would you pray! PLEASE PRAY for this person and the difficult decisions that have to be made.
I want to end there this week and thank you for your prayers and constant love and support of our work here in Japan!
Blessings from Japan,
The Ayatsuka's
Friday, February 02, 2007
Newsletter Feb. 1, 2006
Time just flies by, I'm so sorry it has been an entire month since I posted a newsletter. Just when I thought things were slowing down, we have stayed steadily busy!
Just a couple of prayer requests for you to keep in mind...
The monthly worship meeting called Afureru! that we lead is really being blessed. The leadership team especially is becoming a solid group with strong bonds and unity in our passion for ministering for the Lord. The girls have decided to embark on a new ministry... purity! Last summer when the ballet team from Colorado was here, they lead a couple of purity seminars and we all saw what an incredible need there is for this type of ministry in Japan. The Afureru! leadership team girls will be meeting tomorrow evening to begin to lay the ground work for this ministry. Please pray, we are starting from scratch and need to develop materials, decide HOW to get the word out about the program, when and where to hold seminars, etc.
I have been having a small weekly English preschool group with Hana's friend Corkey and some of his Mom's friends. We are restructuring the preschool meeting to twice a month on Saturdays so that children starting preschool this Spring can still attend English preschool. We are also planning to introduce more intense Bible story teaching, prayer time and some Bible time for the Mom's too. Please pray that the changes will be positive and that all of the currently established group will continue to attend. And of course pray that more exposure to the Bible will reach the children's hearts and especially the heart's of the Mothers. Pray as Yukie, Corkey's Mom, and I, try to evangelize these Mom's!!!
Blessings everyone, we hope to hear from you also!
Just a couple of prayer requests for you to keep in mind...
The monthly worship meeting called Afureru! that we lead is really being blessed. The leadership team especially is becoming a solid group with strong bonds and unity in our passion for ministering for the Lord. The girls have decided to embark on a new ministry... purity! Last summer when the ballet team from Colorado was here, they lead a couple of purity seminars and we all saw what an incredible need there is for this type of ministry in Japan. The Afureru! leadership team girls will be meeting tomorrow evening to begin to lay the ground work for this ministry. Please pray, we are starting from scratch and need to develop materials, decide HOW to get the word out about the program, when and where to hold seminars, etc.
I have been having a small weekly English preschool group with Hana's friend Corkey and some of his Mom's friends. We are restructuring the preschool meeting to twice a month on Saturdays so that children starting preschool this Spring can still attend English preschool. We are also planning to introduce more intense Bible story teaching, prayer time and some Bible time for the Mom's too. Please pray that the changes will be positive and that all of the currently established group will continue to attend. And of course pray that more exposure to the Bible will reach the children's hearts and especially the heart's of the Mothers. Pray as Yukie, Corkey's Mom, and I, try to evangelize these Mom's!!!
Blessings everyone, we hope to hear from you also!
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Newsletter January 4, 2007
WOW, what a CRAZY month December was. Oh, by the way, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
We had a pretty full concert schedule for the Christmas season, not to mention kindergarten activities a the two schools where we teach Bible and English, our own church's activities, and more. At each event God was working in powerful ways, and we trust He will continue that work.
It didn't all end with Christmas day either, we had a three day retreat just before New Years and THAT was awesome too! The worship was amazing and we connected with some other believers from all over the country including some awesome people also in ministry.
While at the retreat the television station that did a show about us 2 1/2 years ago called and wanted to come do a follow up, THE NEXT DAY! So we returned home from camp to a house full of cameras and television crew. They stuck with us for three days and the show will be on next week. Pray that God uses this show to speak to many Japanese about FAMILY and Christianity, plus ADOPTION! Many Japanese know nothing about adoption and have never seen a family like ours, a house full of love with God as the center. I can't wait to see how the program turns out. We'll update you on the response.
I was especially excited about how much we got to share with the camera crew. Seeing our lives up close really spoke to them. I had a great conversation with the director who confessed that she felt nervous coming to film us since Hana is adopted, she didn't know how to act or what to expect. She said that it was so refreshing to see that we were such a normal family and Hana is obviously loved and cherished. The host comedian who shared a couple meals with us an interviewed our family asked lots of questions about Christianity and cried when she saw Hana's adoption video. She seemed really touched and affected by getting to know our family! Please pray God continues to work in the hearts of the crew!
If you are receiving this newsletter in Japan and would like to watch the show, it will be on at 7 pm Jan. 9th, the station is TeleV Tokyo. It will NOT show in Kyushu unfortunately, but will air all over the rest of the country.
We had a pretty full concert schedule for the Christmas season, not to mention kindergarten activities a the two schools where we teach Bible and English, our own church's activities, and more. At each event God was working in powerful ways, and we trust He will continue that work.
It didn't all end with Christmas day either, we had a three day retreat just before New Years and THAT was awesome too! The worship was amazing and we connected with some other believers from all over the country including some awesome people also in ministry.
While at the retreat the television station that did a show about us 2 1/2 years ago called and wanted to come do a follow up, THE NEXT DAY! So we returned home from camp to a house full of cameras and television crew. They stuck with us for three days and the show will be on next week. Pray that God uses this show to speak to many Japanese about FAMILY and Christianity, plus ADOPTION! Many Japanese know nothing about adoption and have never seen a family like ours, a house full of love with God as the center. I can't wait to see how the program turns out. We'll update you on the response.
I was especially excited about how much we got to share with the camera crew. Seeing our lives up close really spoke to them. I had a great conversation with the director who confessed that she felt nervous coming to film us since Hana is adopted, she didn't know how to act or what to expect. She said that it was so refreshing to see that we were such a normal family and Hana is obviously loved and cherished. The host comedian who shared a couple meals with us an interviewed our family asked lots of questions about Christianity and cried when she saw Hana's adoption video. She seemed really touched and affected by getting to know our family! Please pray God continues to work in the hearts of the crew!
If you are receiving this newsletter in Japan and would like to watch the show, it will be on at 7 pm Jan. 9th, the station is TeleV Tokyo. It will NOT show in Kyushu unfortunately, but will air all over the rest of the country.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Newsletter November 25, 2006
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!!! We are so thankful for each of you and your prayer support!
Many of you know about our monthly bilingual worship meeting called Afureru! It has been such a blessing to watch it grow and be used by God! We have always known it would be used to encourage Christian to grow in their faith and share the Gospel with non-believers. We recently have been excited to watch God use it to build a network of churches in our city, allowing pastors and church bodies to worship together. But this week, God showed us He can use it in another big way too!
Recnetly one young girl, who is the daughter of the leaders of one church in the Afureru! network, has been deeply affected by watching the leadership of Afureru!. She watched this summer as the CMA team worked hard along with our staff to put on so many ministry events. She has been attending Afureru! worship and witnessing how the praise team and other staff so enthusiastically give their time and talents to be used by God. She now wants to use her time and talents for the Lord as well. She has decided, upon graduating for High School, she wants to attend a 6 month ministry leadership training school in Hawaii and prayer about the direction she wants to go with her life from there. She is so excited and her parents are excited for her too.
I know God uses Afureru! in big ways, and now He is using it to call others into ministry! Pray that God continues to work in big ways through all that we do!
Many of you know about our monthly bilingual worship meeting called Afureru! It has been such a blessing to watch it grow and be used by God! We have always known it would be used to encourage Christian to grow in their faith and share the Gospel with non-believers. We recently have been excited to watch God use it to build a network of churches in our city, allowing pastors and church bodies to worship together. But this week, God showed us He can use it in another big way too!
Recnetly one young girl, who is the daughter of the leaders of one church in the Afureru! network, has been deeply affected by watching the leadership of Afureru!. She watched this summer as the CMA team worked hard along with our staff to put on so many ministry events. She has been attending Afureru! worship and witnessing how the praise team and other staff so enthusiastically give their time and talents to be used by God. She now wants to use her time and talents for the Lord as well. She has decided, upon graduating for High School, she wants to attend a 6 month ministry leadership training school in Hawaii and prayer about the direction she wants to go with her life from there. She is so excited and her parents are excited for her too.
I know God uses Afureru! in big ways, and now He is using it to call others into ministry! Pray that God continues to work in big ways through all that we do!
Monday, November 13, 2006
Newsletter November 13, 2006
God provides for us in some of the most interesting ways sometimes!
Rocky is always building on the equipment he has in his studio. There are always new things becoming available and he tries hard to get only what he needs at reasonable prices. His next project looks like it will likely be an acoustic album of hymns and maybe some praise songs. He will play with another very talented guitarist and close friend of ours, Shuhei. In order to do this kind of recording they needed a portable recording system. Rocky was looking at a specific mixer that has all the "stuff" he needs, and we were about to make that purchase. Then this morning he was talking on the phone with a friend in our neighboring city. This guy has a lot of studio equipment. Rocky just jokingly mentioned, "If you have something laying around that you don't need, loan it to me and I will use it." And the guys says that he just so happens to have a mixer that he isn't using, it is brand new and really good. He starts describing it to Rocky and it is the exact mixer that Rocky was wanting. We are going to do a concert in that city tomorrow and the guy is going to bring it to him and basically indefinitely loan this to us for FREE!!! TOMORROW!!!!!! God is so awesome!
I told Rocky that he has to get to work NOW on this CD then, cause I want to hear it myself as soon as possible. You all are going to love it too, it will be totally accoustic, so no language barriers there! Please pray for this project, that God will bless it and bless Rocky and Shuhei as they practice and prepare. They are meeting weekly to practice because they want to record each song together, live so that it sounds as natural and live as you can get!
Praise GOD!!!!!!!!!
Rocky is always building on the equipment he has in his studio. There are always new things becoming available and he tries hard to get only what he needs at reasonable prices. His next project looks like it will likely be an acoustic album of hymns and maybe some praise songs. He will play with another very talented guitarist and close friend of ours, Shuhei. In order to do this kind of recording they needed a portable recording system. Rocky was looking at a specific mixer that has all the "stuff" he needs, and we were about to make that purchase. Then this morning he was talking on the phone with a friend in our neighboring city. This guy has a lot of studio equipment. Rocky just jokingly mentioned, "If you have something laying around that you don't need, loan it to me and I will use it." And the guys says that he just so happens to have a mixer that he isn't using, it is brand new and really good. He starts describing it to Rocky and it is the exact mixer that Rocky was wanting. We are going to do a concert in that city tomorrow and the guy is going to bring it to him and basically indefinitely loan this to us for FREE!!! TOMORROW!!!!!! God is so awesome!
I told Rocky that he has to get to work NOW on this CD then, cause I want to hear it myself as soon as possible. You all are going to love it too, it will be totally accoustic, so no language barriers there! Please pray for this project, that God will bless it and bless Rocky and Shuhei as they practice and prepare. They are meeting weekly to practice because they want to record each song together, live so that it sounds as natural and live as you can get!
Praise GOD!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
November 1, 2006
It is ALREADY November! WOW!!!
Thanks so much for all your prayers and support. God continues to be at work here all around us.
We are so excited about the growth in our church! One more person is preparing for Baptism. One long time attender is finally moving his membership to our church after he was recently able to tell his parents of his faith in God (this is sometimes a difficult thing for believers in Japan and this was a very big step for this young man). Now, this week, a college student who has been attending for some time has expressed she wants to be baptized. Please pray for leaders as they determine where her heart is in her belief in Jesus!
Pray for Rocky's CD recording projects. He has been asked to do so many things and we also want to get to recording our own next album. Please pray for decision making, timing and all the details involved with CD production!
Thanks for your prayers!
With Love from Japan
The Ayatsuka's
Thanks so much for all your prayers and support. God continues to be at work here all around us.
We are so excited about the growth in our church! One more person is preparing for Baptism. One long time attender is finally moving his membership to our church after he was recently able to tell his parents of his faith in God (this is sometimes a difficult thing for believers in Japan and this was a very big step for this young man). Now, this week, a college student who has been attending for some time has expressed she wants to be baptized. Please pray for leaders as they determine where her heart is in her belief in Jesus!
Pray for Rocky's CD recording projects. He has been asked to do so many things and we also want to get to recording our own next album. Please pray for decision making, timing and all the details involved with CD production!
Thanks for your prayers!
With Love from Japan
The Ayatsuka's
Monday, October 23, 2006
Newletter October 23, 2006
I can't believe it has been so long since I posted a newsletter. I thought I had just missed one week, time is really flying by!
I had my second mother's Bible study. This time, because of another kindergarten event that was underway, I only had two in attendance. But two ladies who missed it want to meet some other time to go over the material they missed!
There are a TON of other things going on. I believe however, the one I want to ask you to pray for is both personal and ministry related. It is about schooling children.
For many reason, Rocky and I have been praying about and considering homeschooling our children for some time. We feel strongly led NOT to educate our children in the public or private school system in Japan. We have been pleased to find there are a few others in our network of friends who also wish for an alternative. One couple in particular is very serious about "group homeschooling" OR even forming a "church school" where we educate our children together in a church setting on weekdays and welcome other children to the school. These church schools are becoming more and more popular in Japan.
Today we visited a church school in our neighboring city. We spent a couple hours asking a ton of questions and listening to our friend, the founder and director's reasons for starting the school for her children. We were very inspired and also overwhelmed! There is so much to consider, but this could be a HUGE thing for the lives of our children and possibly others whose faith, family relationships and more may otherwise be destroyed by "traditional" schooling.
We have SO MUCH to pray about and to consider. We want to do this, IF and ONLY IF it is God's will. Would you pray for us as we begin to pray and seek God's direction! This of course is many years down the road, but we agree to begin now seeking God's guidance. Thank you for praying!
Blessings!
Rocky, Marla and Hana
I had my second mother's Bible study. This time, because of another kindergarten event that was underway, I only had two in attendance. But two ladies who missed it want to meet some other time to go over the material they missed!
There are a TON of other things going on. I believe however, the one I want to ask you to pray for is both personal and ministry related. It is about schooling children.
For many reason, Rocky and I have been praying about and considering homeschooling our children for some time. We feel strongly led NOT to educate our children in the public or private school system in Japan. We have been pleased to find there are a few others in our network of friends who also wish for an alternative. One couple in particular is very serious about "group homeschooling" OR even forming a "church school" where we educate our children together in a church setting on weekdays and welcome other children to the school. These church schools are becoming more and more popular in Japan.
Today we visited a church school in our neighboring city. We spent a couple hours asking a ton of questions and listening to our friend, the founder and director's reasons for starting the school for her children. We were very inspired and also overwhelmed! There is so much to consider, but this could be a HUGE thing for the lives of our children and possibly others whose faith, family relationships and more may otherwise be destroyed by "traditional" schooling.
We have SO MUCH to pray about and to consider. We want to do this, IF and ONLY IF it is God's will. Would you pray for us as we begin to pray and seek God's direction! This of course is many years down the road, but we agree to begin now seeking God's guidance. Thank you for praying!
Blessings!
Rocky, Marla and Hana
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Newsletter September 16, 2006
As we sit here waiting for a typhoon to hit, I am reflecting on an awesome week we've had. God is really at work in so many ways. The last two weeks you've heard about the men, well this week God was working in the women.
I, Marla, teach a mother's Bible study at a private kindergarten I've been connected with for years. I also teach English to the kids there. Until now the Bible study has been infrequent and inconsistent in its members. But the last two meetings have been the same group of women really interested in the Bible, and they really love the study. They are full of questions and can't wait until our next meeting. The kindergarten has also decided to have the Bible study every month instead of 4 or 5 times a year. I am so excited about the opportunity to meet with and teach these women more often.
At the same time, the kindergarten has a once a week morning preschool for 2 & 3 year olds. Three of the mothers in my Bible class have children in the preschool class, and they were begging Hana and I to join. I could see these women on a weekly basis, not just once a month at the Bible study.
I am really feeling called to minister to these ladies. Pray for their hearts as they search for God! Pray for me as I try to convey His truths to them IN Japanese! This could be the beginning of a really amazing ministry to mothers!!!
I, Marla, teach a mother's Bible study at a private kindergarten I've been connected with for years. I also teach English to the kids there. Until now the Bible study has been infrequent and inconsistent in its members. But the last two meetings have been the same group of women really interested in the Bible, and they really love the study. They are full of questions and can't wait until our next meeting. The kindergarten has also decided to have the Bible study every month instead of 4 or 5 times a year. I am so excited about the opportunity to meet with and teach these women more often.
At the same time, the kindergarten has a once a week morning preschool for 2 & 3 year olds. Three of the mothers in my Bible class have children in the preschool class, and they were begging Hana and I to join. I could see these women on a weekly basis, not just once a month at the Bible study.
I am really feeling called to minister to these ladies. Pray for their hearts as they search for God! Pray for me as I try to convey His truths to them IN Japanese! This could be the beginning of a really amazing ministry to mothers!!!
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Newsletter September 10, 2006
I am seeing God at work in so many ways around us. You all must really be praying for the men, because it was another Sunday of great stuff regarding some men.
First of all thanks for praying for Mr. Koga and for your many responses to the newsletter. He will be hospitalized this week, and please pray for preparations for his surgery, as they map the brain, and the tumor, etc.
This evening we had a neat family over for dinner. One new church member, baptized this last Spring is Naomi. She and her Dad, her older sister, and older sister's fiance all came over for dinner tonight. We had such a great time of conversation. God gave Rocky and I many, MANY opportunities to talk about our faith, the journey God has brought us on, and our walk with the Lord. I was especially struck by the father. You might recall that I noticed at Naomi's baptism that he cried through her testimony and baptism and seemed so genuinely happy for her. Well this evening he was such a blessing to get to know, he seemed so open and attentive to all the was said about our faith. And the most striking of all, Hana crawled right up in his lap and sat with him for a while. She loved him, and she is a great judge of character, she always knows a sweetheart right away. Please continue to pray for chances to minister to this family. They want to have us over to their home in return. I look forward to really getting to know them more.
We also had a couple visiting in church this morning for the second time. The husband was bold enough to share with the group during family time, that he is extremely shy and usually not good in groups but he wants to know more about the Bible and about God and wants to come to church as much as possible! I was amazed at such candid honesty from a Japanese man. Please pray for he and his wife to continue to be faithful in attending and to believe!
Keep praying for Japanese men! Our prayers are being answered.
Blessings,
Marla, Rocky and Hana
First of all thanks for praying for Mr. Koga and for your many responses to the newsletter. He will be hospitalized this week, and please pray for preparations for his surgery, as they map the brain, and the tumor, etc.
This evening we had a neat family over for dinner. One new church member, baptized this last Spring is Naomi. She and her Dad, her older sister, and older sister's fiance all came over for dinner tonight. We had such a great time of conversation. God gave Rocky and I many, MANY opportunities to talk about our faith, the journey God has brought us on, and our walk with the Lord. I was especially struck by the father. You might recall that I noticed at Naomi's baptism that he cried through her testimony and baptism and seemed so genuinely happy for her. Well this evening he was such a blessing to get to know, he seemed so open and attentive to all the was said about our faith. And the most striking of all, Hana crawled right up in his lap and sat with him for a while. She loved him, and she is a great judge of character, she always knows a sweetheart right away. Please continue to pray for chances to minister to this family. They want to have us over to their home in return. I look forward to really getting to know them more.
We also had a couple visiting in church this morning for the second time. The husband was bold enough to share with the group during family time, that he is extremely shy and usually not good in groups but he wants to know more about the Bible and about God and wants to come to church as much as possible! I was amazed at such candid honesty from a Japanese man. Please pray for he and his wife to continue to be faithful in attending and to believe!
Keep praying for Japanese men! Our prayers are being answered.
Blessings,
Marla, Rocky and Hana
Monday, September 04, 2006
Newsletter September 4, 2006
What an incredible Sunday we had yesterday. It was AMAZING! This newsletter is going to be long, but you won't want to miss a word of it! God is powerful and working many miracles.
Many of you have been following our newsletter for years and know our heart for Japanese men to respond to the Gospel. You may especially remember our asking on occasion for you to pray for the husbands of our church members. We were overjoyed at the baptism of the husband of a church member this last spring, and it seems that was just the beginning of what God is doing.
This Sunday morning there was a baptism, one that we didn't know we would be having until late this last week. It was the baptism of Mr. Koga, the husband one of the first members of our church. For more than 10 years he has been attending church as well. Even when his wife can not come, he is in attendance. All of us have wondered over the years where his heart is and what he believes, but no one could seem to get an answer from him though several have tried. He has got to be the quietest person I have ever seen and I wondered if he would ever find the courage to make a profession of faith.
Well Mr. Koga found the courage last week, when he was diagnosed with a serious brain tumor. In his testimony before baptism he told the church that he believed in his heart something like 12 years ago but could never find it in himself to make a profession of faith. He was afraid to lose himself, if he became a Christian. When he was told he had this brain tumor he decided he had nothing left to lose. He could do nothing else but give himself to God and let God take over! There wasn't a dry eye in the house.
Mr. Koga's prognosis is very serious and yet on Sunday morning I sat before a man filled with genuine joy and peace. He said he can not explain the peace he is feeling except for it comes from God. And during family time at worship later yesterday morning he said, "I plan to be very open about my condition and what is happening to me. Please stick around and watch and see God be glorified!"
Earlier this week Mr. Koga picked up a Bible and the verse that he stumbled onto was Luke 12:22-31 , which was read at his baptism...
Will you continue to pray. Mr. Koga will be having surgery on the 19th. The tumor is in his cerebellum, and is already having an effect on his speech, thought process and motor skills. His condition is deteriorating daily. Removing the tumor could leave him with disabilities, and surgery of such a serious nature is always risky. Also please pray for his 3 children, and his parents, that God would work in their lives through all of this! And also lift up Mrs. Koga, who is of course overjoyed with us at the long awaited salvation of her husband, but must be filled with so many emotions facing such uncertainty in the future.
We can not wait to see what miracles God has in store, and we will keep you posted.
Glory to God,
The Ayatsuka's
Many of you have been following our newsletter for years and know our heart for Japanese men to respond to the Gospel. You may especially remember our asking on occasion for you to pray for the husbands of our church members. We were overjoyed at the baptism of the husband of a church member this last spring, and it seems that was just the beginning of what God is doing.
This Sunday morning there was a baptism, one that we didn't know we would be having until late this last week. It was the baptism of Mr. Koga, the husband one of the first members of our church. For more than 10 years he has been attending church as well. Even when his wife can not come, he is in attendance. All of us have wondered over the years where his heart is and what he believes, but no one could seem to get an answer from him though several have tried. He has got to be the quietest person I have ever seen and I wondered if he would ever find the courage to make a profession of faith.
Well Mr. Koga found the courage last week, when he was diagnosed with a serious brain tumor. In his testimony before baptism he told the church that he believed in his heart something like 12 years ago but could never find it in himself to make a profession of faith. He was afraid to lose himself, if he became a Christian. When he was told he had this brain tumor he decided he had nothing left to lose. He could do nothing else but give himself to God and let God take over! There wasn't a dry eye in the house.
Mr. Koga's prognosis is very serious and yet on Sunday morning I sat before a man filled with genuine joy and peace. He said he can not explain the peace he is feeling except for it comes from God. And during family time at worship later yesterday morning he said, "I plan to be very open about my condition and what is happening to me. Please stick around and watch and see God be glorified!"
Earlier this week Mr. Koga picked up a Bible and the verse that he stumbled onto was Luke 12:22-31 , which was read at his baptism...
22Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry aboutI was humbled and filled with praise! Mr. Koga's conversion is powerful and will be far reaching in its impact. It already has been. Yesterday at his baptism, many miracles happened, there were people there who haven't been to church in years. THREE unsaved husbands attended the baptism. There were also people in the room who haven't spoken to each other in years as well. And Mr. Koga's son, sat in the back quietly crying through his father's testimony and baptism. What must God be doing in his heart?!
your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23Life is
more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24Consider the ravens: They do
not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how
much more valuable you are than birds! 25Who of you by worrying can add a single
hour to his life[b]?
26Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
27"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell
you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28If
that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and
tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of
little faith! 29And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not
worry about it. 30For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your
Father knows that you need them. 31But seek his kingdom, and these things will
be given to you as well.
Will you continue to pray. Mr. Koga will be having surgery on the 19th. The tumor is in his cerebellum, and is already having an effect on his speech, thought process and motor skills. His condition is deteriorating daily. Removing the tumor could leave him with disabilities, and surgery of such a serious nature is always risky. Also please pray for his 3 children, and his parents, that God would work in their lives through all of this! And also lift up Mrs. Koga, who is of course overjoyed with us at the long awaited salvation of her husband, but must be filled with so many emotions facing such uncertainty in the future.
We can not wait to see what miracles God has in store, and we will keep you posted.
Glory to God,
The Ayatsuka's
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Newsletter July 30, 2006
We are sooooooooooo crazy busy! We've been back for almost two weeks but those have been cram packed. We returned, had one day to recover, went for 3 days at a Jr. High/High School Bible camp, next day had church and Afureru!, the next day the CMA dance team arrived and it has been full speed ahead since then!!! In the meantime we've had a couple concerts also (with me having larengitis, NOT FUN)
So we would appreciate your prayers! CMA has already had a two day dance workshop and yesterday had a full concert in the evening. Tonight they will have a purity seminar for girls. They will also do a 3 day Vacation Bible School, another purity seminar and perform on Sunday morning at 3 different churches over this next week. They are doing awesome! You can see tons of pics here... www.afureru.org/blog
More pics and news to come, but God is blessing this ministry and we are so amazed.
By the way, our trip to the states was AWESOME and God provided some major new funds for our ministry! Thank you, and please continue to pray about whether God might lead you to support Aroma Ministries on a monthly basis. We are still in need of monthly support and in need of giving for a special fund for Rocky's recording studio!!!
I'll give a more detailed report later, for now I have to run! OH and I almost forgot, Robynn is here too, serving and helping in a HUGE way, send a big prayer of thanks for her also!!!!!
With love from Japan,
Marla, Rocky and Hana
So we would appreciate your prayers! CMA has already had a two day dance workshop and yesterday had a full concert in the evening. Tonight they will have a purity seminar for girls. They will also do a 3 day Vacation Bible School, another purity seminar and perform on Sunday morning at 3 different churches over this next week. They are doing awesome! You can see tons of pics here... www.afureru.org/blogMore pics and news to come, but God is blessing this ministry and we are so amazed.
By the way, our trip to the states was AWESOME and God provided some major new funds for our ministry! Thank you, and please continue to pray about whether God might lead you to support Aroma Ministries on a monthly basis. We are still in need of monthly support and in need of giving for a special fund for Rocky's recording studio!!!
I'll give a more detailed report later, for now I have to run! OH and I almost forgot, Robynn is here too, serving and helping in a HUGE way, send a big prayer of thanks for her also!!!!!
With love from Japan,
Marla, Rocky and Hana
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Newsletter June 26, 2006
Time flies when you are having fun! We've been stateside for two weeks now (has it only been two weeks) and life has been crazy. We've been all over the place, seen tons of friends and family and been in several churches! Not to mention we have been very blessed!
We are in Granbury, Texas right now just outside of Ft. Worth staying with my brother and his family. Saturday and Sunday we were so blessed to sing and speak at a Japanese church in Dallas! It was so interesting to me to be IN Dallas, but surrounded by Japanese people and speaking Japanese. It has been two weeks since we spoke Japanese, Rocky and I both felt strange and a little rusty! It was an awesome time of fellowship with that church and we met many college students also. God does great things in the lives of Japanese people when they come to America (or go abroad).
Later this week and next week we will be in churches in and around Lubbock, Texas. Then we are on to Oregon on July 10th. We look forward to seeing many of you soon. Please continue to pray for safety, health and blessings on our fundraising.
I will be updating some photos on Hana's blog today too if you want to see what she has been up to!
Love from Texas,
Marla
We are in Granbury, Texas right now just outside of Ft. Worth staying with my brother and his family. Saturday and Sunday we were so blessed to sing and speak at a Japanese church in Dallas! It was so interesting to me to be IN Dallas, but surrounded by Japanese people and speaking Japanese. It has been two weeks since we spoke Japanese, Rocky and I both felt strange and a little rusty! It was an awesome time of fellowship with that church and we met many college students also. God does great things in the lives of Japanese people when they come to America (or go abroad).
Later this week and next week we will be in churches in and around Lubbock, Texas. Then we are on to Oregon on July 10th. We look forward to seeing many of you soon. Please continue to pray for safety, health and blessings on our fundraising.
I will be updating some photos on Hana's blog today too if you want to see what she has been up to!
Love from Texas,
Marla
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Newsletter June 8, 2006
Summer and rainy season in Japan are here. We are happy that we'll soon be getting away from it all for a while!
Rocky is almost finished with the mixing and mastering of Ai's CD! It sounds GREAT. Now it is up to her to finish the cover and get it ready for printing. Rocky will be immediately back in the studio with another project as soon as we get back from the States. He's such a busy guy!
Please pray for our trip to the States. Some specifics would be...
Rocky is almost finished with the mixing and mastering of Ai's CD! It sounds GREAT. Now it is up to her to finish the cover and get it ready for printing. Rocky will be immediately back in the studio with another project as soon as we get back from the States. He's such a busy guy!
Please pray for our trip to the States. Some specifics would be...
- Safe and uneventful travel. We seem to always have something crazy happen to us in airports, AND now we are traveling with a 21-month old too.
- New churches and individuals that want to support Aroma Ministries! We are BELOW our monthly budget needs in support and would like to bring the amount of consistent monthly giving back up to at least meet our monthly budget needs.
- That God would use us to minister to those who are needing it now.
- For quality time with family and friends.
- For Hana to cope well with all the changes and adjust easily. Oh and that she won't get too spoiled by all the "pampering" she will get when she is there :) (Must be nice to be the youngest in the family and spoiled rotten - oh, I almost forgot, I should know! hehehe)
- For the last minute preparation before we leave.
Our schedule is as follows (so far)... some items are still pending, check back for specifics later
June 12 leave Japan, arrive in Lubbock around 7pm
June 18 lead worship at FollowThru Fellowship, Littlefield, TX
June 23-24 Georgetown, TX
June 25 Possibly singing in a Japanese Church in Dallas
June 26-27 Granbury, TX
June 28 DeLeon, TX
June 29 back to Littlefield
***
Littlefield FBC, Littlefield Temple of Adoration, Littlefield FollowThru Fellowship, Lubbock Chuch at the Barn, and possibly Springlake Baptist Church, etc. will be having us in their worship in these days, contact us for specific dates.
***
July 10 Portland, OR
July 17 back to Japan
We hope to see you if we are going to somewhere near you! PLEASE email us so we can get together.
We have daily activities right up until we leave. On Sunday we have TWO concerts out of town, and then we leave Monday morning! Pray for these ministry activities to be filled with God's work and blessing also.
While we are in the states, I will be updating this blog regularly. Check back often! We appreciate your prayers, especially that God would send new supporters!
Blessings,
Rocky, Marla and Hana
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Newsletter May 26, 2006
We are so crazy, crazy busy! We had a guest here for three days doing concerts, Hiroshi Yoneda. It was great, pray for God to work in the hearts of those who attended concerts and those who took home CD's and will continue to be ministered to through his music. Here is a GREAT shot of Yoneda-san and Rocky playing at our church's cafe on Friday night.
Tomorrow (Sunday in Japan) we have an a.m. concert and then Afureru! worship in the afternoon. It will prove to be yet another hectic day. But we know God will work, thank you for your prayers. Please pray for Hana, this busy schedule is starting to take its toll on her, she needs some more sleep and some time with Mommy and Daddy! That is coming on Monday, but pray for her to handle tomorrow OK.
We are planning a trip back to the States June 12 - July 17. We will be in Texas (for about 3 weeks) and Oregon (for the last 6 days). I am still working on the schedule, this trip has kind of snuck up on me and we are waiting on family members to finalize plans and so forth too. I will post our schedule as soon as I get it worked out. If you are interested in having us at your church, please drop us an email!!!
Pray for Rocky, he is finishing up Ai's CD, and trying to get a million other things done before we leave in two weeks!
Thanks soooooooooo much for your prayers and love and we can't wait to see many of you VERY soon!
Love from Japan,
Rocky, Marla and Hana
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