May 2026

 

Praise the name of the Lord. Thank you for your offerings and intercessory prayers.

As the war involving Iran has dragged on, I have begun to feel personally how much prices have risen. I am praying that Iran will abandon its enriched uranium as soon as possible, and I am also praying for the Trump administration as it deals with this situation.

When my wife and I temporarily returned to Japan in March, my mother‑in‑law was hospitalized again, and I witnessed firsthand how critical her condition had become. I am grateful that my wife was able to reaffirm her mother’s faith in the cross, and about a week later, we were able to give her the bedside baptism we had been praying for. We praised the Lord. Four or five days after that, through my devotional reading—Romans 4:21, “being fully convinced that God was able to do what He had promised”—I got a strong conviction that my mother‑in‑law would surely go to heaven.

Although we returned to the United States once, my wife soon received word that her mother was in critical condition and flew back to Japan. About an hour after she left the U.S., her mother passed away, and she learned of it upon arriving in Japan. The funeral was held in the Buddhist tradition, but we are truly grateful that she has gone home to heaven, and we are praying even more earnestly for the salvation of the remaining family and relatives.

During the online service of the Tokyo Antioch Church, Pastor Akimoto shared that TLEA has entered a new phase and that its activities and work have changed significantly. He mentioned New York, Denver, and Hawaii as possible destinations for the next U.S. team, so we are strengthening our prayers as we prepare to welcome the team. Please keep this in your prayers.

April 2026

 Praise the name of the Lord. Thank you for your offerings and intercessory prayers.

I have safely returned to the United States after a very blessed temporary visit to Japan. I am still remembering the blessings I received during my stay. About a week before my return to the US, I experienced an intense toothache while eating, making it impossible to chew. Fortunately, a dentist I knew was able to schedule an appointment for the very next day. I shudder to think what the treatment would have cost if it had happened in the US. Even though it was out-of-pocket treatment in Japan, the cost was relatively low, and because it was an emergency, I am now inquiring whether my travel insurance will cover it. This, too, was a blessing from God.

Another blessing was that, although I had been feeling discouraged, deep in my heart, about my work in New York, fearing it would continue as it was, my trip to Japan gave me the faith and hope that "this is not the case. God will surely advance the church's work. It will never end in vain. Even if it takes time, wait for it. It will surely come." And, as it says, "Though the spirit is burning, the flesh is weak," I was reminded once again that I must strengthen my prayers.

One of the reasons I returned to Japan this time was to learn how to improve our SNS networking, which had been stalled. This has allowed us to prepare to further increase our website traffic, and we will now work to expand our 21st-century missionary work.

March 2026

Praise the name of the Lord. Thank you for your offerings and intercessory prayers.

On March 1st, the United States and Israel finally launched a surprise attack on Iran. Immediately afterward, amidst a war that brings the end times even closer, my wife and I had to return to Japan temporarily.

I have received the blessing and strength by participating in the worship service at Tokyo Antioch Church and the Hakuba camp. In Hakuba, I have confirmed how God's word comes into being, and I was encouraged to complete my journey of faith through God's grace. Furthermore, listening to the message of preparing for the coming of God's kingdom, I strongly felt that we, as the whole group, are moving forward to the next stage of ministry.

A little before our temporary return to Japan, my mother-in-law in Tokyo was suddenly hospitalized, and my wife and I have prayed that we could confirm her salvation as well as her healing. We visit her daily and pray for her healing. While she was in a severe, semi-conscious state, my wife sang hymns into her ear, and my mother-in-law opened her eyes and became aware. At that moment, my wife felt it was God's moment, and she was able to confirm her mother’s faith in the atoning salvation of sin on the cross by explaining it to her. Hallelujah! We are also praying in preparation for a bedside baptism for her.

Also while in Japan, there is a family I have been given a burden to intercede them in prayers. I have learned that they are currently facing difficult circumstances at work, and are also experiencing additional trials and hardships due to the soaring oil prices caused by the war with Iran. So, I visited them to offer a prayer of blessing. I was grateful for God's guidance to be able to reunite with the family in this situation.

February 2026

Praise the name of the Lord. Thank you for your offerings and intercessory prayers.

A record-breaking cold wave blanketed the central and southern United States and the East Coast, lasting for about a month. Starting late last week, temperatures finally began to rise above freezing, rising to 5°C during the day, and the frozen snow on the mountains has begun to melt. Now that we're free from the extreme cold, I am preparing to go on walks to build up my strength for our trip to Japan. As the federal government shutdown has begun again, we’re also praying about minimizing disruption to people's lives and ensuring our flights to Japan. Please pray that we may carry out God's will during our stay.

The other day, I was surprised to see that a new traffic sign had been erected in front of the American Presbyterian Church where we hold services. A "bus corridor" sign stretches a considerable distance from the edge of the church grounds, making parking impossible. What's more, a traffic camera has also been installed. Until now, we've been able to park on the street right in front of the church and load and unload equipment, so now we have a parking problem. We give thanks for this change as it will work for our good.

 I participated in the 26 Japanese Martyrs Memorial Gathering online, and was able to join Part 1 & Part 2 live. I received special messages at each gathering. Seven Christians including the Franciscan Catholic priest and Protestant pastor from the Czech Republic spoke specifically about reconciliation between Catholics and Protestants, and this year's Martyrs Commemorative Gathering was even more blessed, for which I am grateful.

Please continue to pray for the next American team and for the preparations we should make to receive them.

 

January 2026

 

Praise the name of the Lord. Thank you for your offerings and intercessory prayers.

Since the beginning of the year, the United States has surprised the world with the Trump administration's military intervention in Venezuela, and has been at odds with Europe over the possibility of military intervention in Greenland. Domestically, clashes have occurred with residents due to the crackdown on illegal immigrants. Amidst what appears to be the collapse of the previously established world order under the Trump administration and the emergence of a new international order, the European team that has been sent at the end of January was a great encouragement to us, especially as we saw Its praise team being used powerfully in God’s work.

I thought we would have little snow again this year, but to my surprise, a major cold wave overlapped with a moisture‑filled front from the north, bringing our first heavy snowfall of the season. Around our home, the snow piled up to more than 40 centimeters.

Due to the heavy snow, the Sunday service in New York on the last Sunday of January was switched to an online service from home. I am grateful that it was the right decision to hold the service at home, as the snow continued to fall all day.

Also, the communion tray we had been using was too small. As we repented of our lack of faith while praying for 12 core members, we decided that beginning this Sunday, we will use a larger tray that can hold more than 12 cups. We have also completed the procedures to obtain church insurance in case of any incidents. This is part of our preparation to receive the next American team. We continue to prepare and pray for the team.

The American team’s possible schedule in February and March was postponed, and we were led to return to Japan temporarily. We will be joining the Hakuba Snergoi Camp. We look forward to what the Lord will do. Please keep us in your prayers.

<Prayer Requests>

1. For the foundation of prayer and our obedience to God

2. For the ministry through Internet, short films, and praise bands

3. To deliver a message according to God’s will and the online services

4. For the gathering and strengthening of core church members

5. For the next U.S. team

6. For the operation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and for the works of salvation and healing

7. For cooperative relationships according to God's will, specifically with the Jewish community in New York, and for open doors to minister in the U.S., Middle and South America, and Europe

8. For protection over our health and finances, and for safety protection from danger, accidents, crimes and terrorism

9. For our English communication skills to grow 

December 2025

 

Praise the name of the Lord. Thank you for your offerings and intercessory prayers for us.

Today (12/28/25), although a heavy snow warning had been issued the day before, the snowfall stopped at around 10 cm, and we were able to safely hold the worship service in Manhattan. The temperature has continued to stay below freezing.

At the end of November, a family visiting from Florida came in near the beginning of the service. My wife interpreted for them, and they partook in Communion. Usually, visitors often leave partway through after the praise time, but this family stayed until the very end, and it truly brought us joy. The family came forward to us after the service and told us that during the final ministry time, through a word of wisdom and knowledge, their son’s lower back pain was healed. Hallelujah! We rejoiced together.

I also received a message from Chuck, a former coworker and friend, and was shocked to learn that he had been diagnosed with cancer. Since he lives in Manhattan, I went to see him after the service. We were happy to see each other again for the first time in five years, and as I was leaving, I was able to lay hands on him and pray for healing. He is Jewish and does not know about Jesus Christ, but I was able to leave him an evangelistic book to read. I am praying for his salvation.

I confirmed with the mission office that there will be no U.S. team in February or March. While sending a Christmas message to Pastor Stanley of the Japan–U.S. Church, I also asked whether he would be willing to hold a joint praise concert when the team comes in 2026. Thankfully, he replied, “Absolutely! I’ll schedule it.” I am praying that the team in God’s will will be sent. Please pray with us.

November 2025

 

Praise the name of the Lord. Thank you for your precious prayers and donations.

I applied to join the Israel team two years ago, but the trip was canceled due to Hamas attacks on Israel. I received my El Al ticket back as a voucher, and the team was canceled again the following year, so I was able to participate two years later. Amid a temporary ceasefire due to President Trump's peace negotiations, I saw many tourists arriving at Tel Aviv Airport, but I was able to feel the struggle and hardships of the local people in many different ways.

We held a New Year's worship service on the shores of the Sea of ​​Galilee.  We renewed our faith of being sent from Israel, prayed on the Mount of Olives, ministered at a Russian Jewish church, held a time of praise and worship at Mount Arbel and held evening holy meetings. I am grateful to have received so many blessings and messages, while staying safe.

During my time with the team, I was shocked to hear the news that a Muslim had been elected as a new mayor of New York City --following London's current mayor. While preparing for the first service in NYC after I returned from Israel, a man sneaked in and stole the church supervisor's jacket. The new mayor is apparently trying a new approach in which social workers will respond to minor incidents and hardships in daily life, while the police focus on serious cases.  I pray that crime in New York will not increase and that people come to know Christ.

There is a possibility that a team will be sent to the U.S. in February or March, so I am praying for God's will for the specific schedule. If they come to New York, I hope we may be able to hold a joint worship concert. This will require different preparations than before. Please pray for the next team and for our preparations.