- 1 - Newsletter November Shiogama Bible Baptist Church. Welcome to new staff. fall brings sorrows due to the problems people face.

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1 Newsletter November Shiogama Bible Baptist Church Northwestern College Team Help with Oysters at Oginohama (Northwestern College) Local Elementary School (Crossway) Craft Class (Making origami flowers) Texas Café(Texas & German Team) Concert Event (Chofu-minami Christ Church) Canada Day (Concert and Cultural Event) Tina Rin - New Partner Missionary Concert Event (U of Illinois Team) Sendai Konan Mana no Kai (Bible Study and Hula Class) Welcome to new staff The second fall has come since the March 11, Because of the disaster, fishing and agricultural industries have been damaged by sea salt in fields as well as radiation. Instead of being happy for the harvest, fall brings sorrows due to the problems people face. Many lost their homes and cannot go back to the life before the disaster. They continue to face the realities of post-disaster life. This is a challenge for them every day. Two new full-time staff have joined Hope Miyagi. The - 1 -

2 purpose for their ministry is to love people and share the hope of Jesus Christ. Thank you for supporting Hope Miyagi. We are thankful for God s leading in this ministry. House church news Watari (Mr. and Mrs. Kougo) Thank you for your prayers and support for Watari. We held the Alpha course from June through August. Some joined for the first time, and we enjoyed our time together for the 12-week course. Mrs. A, who was baptized in May, helped prepare the snacks and tea. In July we sent postcards to ask 50 individuals about their needs in the temporary housing facilities. Five people expressed interest in the Bible and we visit them regularly; taking reading materials and some relief supplies with us. In August, Seijiro s 97-year-old mother in Chiba made a decision for Christ. That was a huge blessing for our community. Starting in September, staff from Keisen Church who live at a nearby volunteer center in Yamamoto have helped with our temporary housing events. Recently 8 new ladies began coming to events at the temporary housing and house church. We are getting to know each other more and building relationships. In October, we started further Bible studies for those who completed the Alpha course. In October, Mr. M suddenly went to be with Jesus. He served Jesus in Watari with us for many years. Because of his testimony, his sister was baptized and his neighbor, Mrs. M, started studying the Bible. Mr. M planted many seeds in people s hearts during his life. We will continue to care for these people who were connected to Mr. M. Prayer Requests Mr. and Mrs. Kougo are praying for coworkers in Watari. They survived the tsunami but lost everything. However God provided them with a house, and they started a house church several months after the disaster. God is giving them more connections with people from the temporary housing facilities. Mr. and Mrs. Kougo are in their 70s, and they are taking care of their granddaughter who is handicapped. They are praying for God to provide them with a key person who can continue their work in Watari long-term. Sendai Konan (Mr. and Mrs. Otomo) We thank God that we were able to connect 60 tsunami-affected households to Samaritan s Purse to have their homes repaired. Through these relationships, Ms. A and Ms. C who are displaced from Iwate, were baptized in July. We have since started a weekly Bible study at Ms. A s house with Ms. C and 3 other non-christians. We also launched Gospel-Hula Ministry recently. This group is looking forward to participating in a Christmas event at Shiogama Bible Baptist Church. We continue to have monthly meetings at temporary housing facilities. In September, Ms. D and Mr. E (who passed away right after he was saved), came to Christ. We also participated in a food bank project (a program from Taiwan) and Operation Christmas Child (through Samaritan s Purse) to encourage the tsunami-affected people to bless others. Please continue to pray for our house church. We bought new land for our house and the site is being prepared for construction. Please pray for peaceful and close relationships with our new neighbors and financial provision for our building. Request of Support for the Otomos Mr. Tsuneo Otomo has bought new land (about sq.ft), which is only a 10-minute drive from the place he used to live before tsunami. Most of the new neighbors seem to be old tenants, and he will become a new face in the middle of an old, settled community. He is challenged by God to start local ministries there such as sharing his land with affected farmers, parenting or English classes, and a house church. Now there is a great financial need to build all the facilities to start those ministries. If you are interested in supporting Mr. Otomo s ministry, please send your gift to Hope Miyagi with a note designating it for the Konan house church project. Baptism Testimony I accepted Christ and was baptized four months after - 2 -

3 the earthquake, in July. I was in Iwate prefecture, having been directly impacted by the earthquake and was crying for fear of the uncertain future and family relationships, and it was a Christian volunteer from Tokyo who came alongside me to talk with me. Before the earthquake, I had built a new home but had many worries and uncertainties in my life, and my relationship with my family was not very good. It was during that time that the earthquake happened, and I lost my sister, friends and relatives, a total of 20 people. A tenth of the people in my town also passed away as a result of the earthquake and the tsunami. I spent each day filled with sadness and emptiness. It was about 3 months after the earthquake, around June, that a Christian woman, Hiromi talked to me and I had the opportunity to eat and fellowship with other Christian volunteers. There were people from many countries, but they were all Christians. At first I didn t understand who Jesus was so I listened half-believing without understanding what it really meant, but one day I was told to give it all up to Jesus and be relieved of your burdens. As I listened to the miraculous stories each Christian had and as they asked me, do you believe in Jesus? I had no real reason to deny Him, so even though I didn t fully understand, I said, yes, I ll believe in Jesus. I was perplexed at the time at how joyful everyone was to hear of my decision, and I remember that moment still vividly. I then decided to move to Sendai near my brother in law s family, who had been taking care of my child ever since the earthquake. Even then, Hiromi helped find a church and pastor nearby where I was moving. She also connected me to Shiogama Bible Baptist Church house leader Mr. and Mrs. Otomo, and set up everything for me so I can get connected to the church. However, I may have resisted going to church at first. It was only after 3 months had passed, on December 25th, that I first went to SBBC with Mr. and Mrs. Otomo. When I went, I could feel the tears welling up and it brought back so many I then started to study the Bible with Mr. and Mrs. Otomo. A few months later, new members joined, and together we continued to study the Bible to this day. It was a very fulfilling few months and I know my heart has been changed dramatically. Even though at the time it was half-hearted, I m very thankful I decided to accept Christ when I did. The worry I had before is now replaced with the calm assurance that I am protected by God and by Jesus. When I see my friends who are still in sorrow, I hope in my heart that they too will know Jesus and accept him and be freed. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (Matthew 5:4) -C ( baptized at SBBC) Regional reports Sakuragi neighborhood (Tagajo city) Since last summer, many volunteers from Japan and abroad have continued to be a part of a ministry called Sakuragi Smile at a park in a local tsunami affected area. Some families from Sakuragi Smile and English ministry at the neighboring Buddhist Kindergarten have begun to participate in events at the church. A choir from the Sakuragi English class will sing a Christmas carol at our Church Family Christmas. Please pray that the families from Sakuragi would hear the true meaning of Christmas since the Buddhist kindergarten doesn t celebrate Christmas. Shichigahama town One of the temporary housing facilities we ve been visiting will close soon. Its property will be used for houses in a development project. Some people from the facility have not found places to live yet, some are apprehensive about leaving the community they have built after the tsunami, and some worry that they may not be able to get the support they need after moving out. Please pray that we can continue our friendship with them. We are also thankful that Mr. S will start studying the Bible; he is the first one from this area! things I was trying to suppress deep inside

4 Oginohama neighborhood (Ishinomaki city) Oginohama is on the coastline in Miyagi prefecture. Transportation is difficult in this region; thus only a limited number of people have visited the temporary housing facilities there. Reconstruction is a real need, too. We have been building a good relationship with T who works as an oyster farmer. Our friendship has been cultivated through helping out with his farm. We hope and pray that we can visit and hold an event at temporary housings in this area. We also pray that the people of Oginohama and Watanoha Christ Church, which is close to Oginohama neighborhood, will be strongly connected. We would like to support and encourage them. Yoriisohama neighborhood (Ishinomaki city) It is still difficult to get to Yoriisohama just like Oginohama. We support Kaiyushientai, a volunteer group from Ishinomaki, who distributes heating oil to every household in this neighborhood (100 households). Oasis Life Care (another relief organization from a nearby church) is in charge this time. Our prayer is that Oasis Life Care will deepen their relationship with local people. Dinner Night and Mommy s English Class Nineteen college students from Minnesota visited Hope Miyagi for volunteer work. They helped out oyster farming, community cleaning projects, Sakuragi Smile kids ministry, cultural exchange Dinner Night, and more. Dinner Night was a very successful event. The families from Shiogama Bible Baptist Church s English classes invited a few college students for dinner, practiced English, and experienced each others cultures. Most of the families are not believers. Both Japanese families and the American students appreciated this event, and Hope Miyagi was able to improve our relations with non-believer families. Moms who were involved with this event have continued to meet at Mr. and Mrs. Barkmans house. Their house is called Sakuragi House. This house is in a tsunami affected region. A new connection is being built through Mommies English Class at Sakuragi House. Praise the Lord! Current projects Christmas ornament project This is a project started in partnership with New Hope Diamond Head (Hawaii) to provide economic assistance to people who lost their homes in the tsunami. Women living in the temporary housing facilities are using glass balls and knots used by fisherman to make Christmas ornaments. These ornaments (about 100) will then be sold in Hawaii. Please pray that this project will help the people making the ornaments and help to form good relationships. Scripture calendar Just as last year calendar containing world heritage sites and scripture is being distributed to people in contact with Hope Miyagi. Pray that this would be a chance for people who are resistant to the gospel to be exposed to scripture in a gentle way. Christmas schedule The Christmas event schedule is written below. This season is a time when many people s hearts are open and is a chance for them to hear about Jesus birth. Please pray for the events at each of these important places. 12/6 Temporary housing event 12/11 Temporary housing event 12/13 Temporary housing event 12/18 Temporary housing event 12/20 Lyre (Watari) 12/20 Music Concert (Konan) 12/21 Lyre Concert (TBD) 12/21 Family Christmas (Church) 12/22 Sakuragi Smile Christmas Fukushima At the JEA forum on October 29th and 30th the current condition of the church in Fukushima was reported. The report said that people in Fukushima were in a restless situation with the radiation problem

5 Hope Miyagi as a neighbor of Fukushima, would like to support them with your prayer and cooperation in tangible ways. In November Hope Miyagi staffs participated in Makoto Iwabuchi s Concert held at a temporary housing facility and community center to better support and understand the current condition in Fukushima. Weekend retreat project The Hope House (Volunteer Center) has two 10 person rooms for people to stay. Hope Miyagi is not only using this facility for volunteers, but is also offering it for a place for families affected by the radiation problem in Fukushima. Hope Miyagi provides transportation costs and meals during the duration of the visitors stay. Please inquire if you know anyone, not only people in Fukushima, who was affected by the radiation problem (especially families with small children). Ministry report in America In September a representative of Hope Miyagi gave a report on the progress of the ministry in Chicago and Seattle. This served to communicate the current condition of disaster-affected areas to many people who still desire to support the recovery. Hope Miyagi feels strongly about the need to continue to share what God is Nozomi Maeda (Missionary, full-time staff) She is sent from Eiko Church in Seattle Washington as a missionary. Following the disaster she served as a volunteer with a Christian organization. She is a certified teacher and is helping out with Sakuragi Smile, English Classes, and other activities. How to sign up to stay in the Hope House If you desire to stay at the Hope House, please let us know at least one month in advance by phone, fax, or , with the following information: 1 Name (all volunteers) 2 Number of people (Men/Women) 3 Dates 4 Use of Hope House or not 5 Type of volunteer work desired (physical labor, music, crafts, etc.) 6 Contact info *There is a check-in/check-out time at the Hope House. Also, we will not be accepting volunteers on Sunday and Monday. If you wish to start volunteering at the beginning of the week, please make sure to be check in on Saturday. End of the year announcement The Hope Miyagi office will be closed for the dates doing through this ministry. Thank you to partners listed below. Thank you for your understanding that no around the world for continuing to remember and support this ministry. New Staff Hiromi Takahashi (Volunteer Coordinator) Previously she was working with her family at a Christian camp in Fukushima Prefecture. teams will be received during this period. Further, please inquire before sending any supplies during this period. 12/17/2012(Monday) ~ 1/7/2013 (Monday) A request for relief goods All relief supplies received are given out directly to the affected by the staff and volunteers of Hope Miyagi. They are distributed at different events and meetings to Following the disaster she felt a encourage the people. Below is a list of what is strong desire to serve in relief ministry. She is focusing on receiving teams and planning events. appreciated by the people right now: - Rice (5kg and smaller bags) - Soy sauce, sugar, miso and other spices and seasoning - Rice cake and other seasonal foods - 5 -

6 Information about Hope Miyagi Photos and testimonies of our ministry will be uploaded to the Hope Miyagi page soon. You can also easily check upcoming events and call for volunteers there. Please come visit the site! Facebook community for Hope Miyagi: You can also check for volunteer requests, information, reports or our daily activities, and other news! Please join us. A request The Hope Miyagi newsletter is published in 2 languages and can be sent to you via . Please contact us if you or anyone you know would like to receive this newsletter. Prayer request 1. That peoples hearts would be filled with hope and the kingdom of God would expand in areas affected by the disaster. 2. That we will be able to meet victims changing needs. 3. For all of the needs of Tsuneo Otomo s House Church Project to be met. 4. For the two new full time staff to quickly get used to their job. 5. That the staff would have good team work. Contact [ HOPE MIYAGI ] (Shiogama Bible Baptist Church Disaster Relief Project) Representative Yukimasa Otomo (Shiogama Bible Baptist Church Associate Pastor) Address & Where to send relief supplies : Kasagami, Tagajo, Miyagi , Japan. TEL: FAX: Contact : Yukimasa Otomo contact@hopemiyagi.org Web Site : To Make Financial Contributions : Contact Madoka Hata donation@hopemiyagi.org Financial Gifts will be used for : Purchase relief supplies, equipment for relief work, financial assistance to the survivors, food, kids ministry, stipend for the relief staff, volunteer center management costs, transportation costs, etc. If you need a receipt, we can provide one. 6. For the ministry of the 6 missionaries sent to Shiogama Church following the disaster. (Adair, Barkman, Rin, Inoue) to be blessed. 7. That new churches would be planted in affected areas. (Specifically pray for potential church plants in the Shichigahama and Shinden areas) - 6 -

7 支援 協力を受けたみなさま (2012 年 5 月 -9 月まで ) Thank you for your support! (2012May-September) 個人名 ( 日本国内 )JAPAN Sugumu Kojiyama/Will Thompson/ 岩瀬礼 / 上島明子 / 大鍔正枝 / 大宮香織 / 葛葉美奈子 / 小林高徳 / 佐藤哲男 / 鈴木雅也 愛香 / ジェイソン スタンリッジ / 高石しのぶ / 田中牧子 / 玉井美穂 / 戸井海斗 / 畑島邦子 / 原尾多津枝 / ジョン ヒューレット / 広山国臣 / マット マートン / 前島常郎 / 蒔田栄 / 水野道子 / 宮脇星児 栄子 / 虫明恵 / 森ラリー / 山口俊郎 / 匿名 団体名 ( 日本国内 )JAPAN DRCnet/Jesus Life House Sendai/United Japan/ アジアンアクセス / 味工房 / アドラム宣教会 / インマヌエル仙台キリスト教会 / オアシスライフケア / 大平聖書バプテスト教会 / 小山バプテスト教会 / 海友支援隊 / 亀有教会 / 亀有教会エステル会 / 萱島キリスト教会 / クラッシュジャパン / グレースミッション東北 ( 東北ヘルプ )/ クロスロードチャペル / ゴスペルファミリー / 災害援助グレイス / サマリタンズパース / シオンの群れ教会 / 昭和町キリスト教会有志 / 白い家教会 / 新生宣教団 / 仙台福音キリスト教会 / センド国際宣教団 / 全日本リバイバルミッション / 善隣バプテスト伝道所 / 高砂教会 / 高田ファミリーチャペル / 滝山聖書バプテスト教会 / 調布南キリスト教会 / 東京バプテスト神学校音楽チーム / トモノテ / 日本国際飢餓対策機構 / 日本福音同盟 / ハンズオン東京 / 東仙台教会 / 光キリスト教会 / ビリーグラハム伝道協会アジア / 福音バプテスト宣教団 ( 石井義一 ) チーム / 富士宮キリスト教会 / ヘルプ東北 / ベルモント比謝教会 / ホープジャパン / 北信カルバリー教会 / 保守バプテスト同盟 / 保守バプテスト津田沼教会 / 保守バプテスト日本宣教団 / 武蔵台キリスト教会 / ヨハン仙台教会 / リスクライド / 利府キリスト教会 / レインボーチャペル港北 / 六本松キリスト福音教会 海外 OVERSEAS Asian Access/Amy Cervone/Christ United Methodist Church/Crossway Community Church/David Kennedy/Evangelical Bible Church/Evergreen Church/First Love Church/Jesus Love Church/Lakeview Church/Leah Van Nuys/Masami Cobley/ Mitsuru Okubo/Morgan Hill Bible Church/New Hope Diamondhead/Samaritan s Purse/SEND/Sung Soo Lee/ Tim & Sumiyo Griner/Peter Dyrstra/Westminster Japanese Church/Willingdon Church/World Venture/ 大嶋愛三 / 久米のぞみ / シアトル栄光キリスト教会 / シカゴ ミッション日本人教会 / 篠原基章 / 日本婦人クリスチャンランチョン / ランカスター婦人の会 ( 敬称略 ) ご支援 ご協力ありがとうございました We appreciate your support very much. Thank you card to Crossway Team (see pic on page 1) from local elementary school students

8 Miyagi Mission Network News: See more details at "Hallelujah Summer Festival 2012" Saturday, August 25 10:00-16:00 at Okada Community Center (Sendai) Churches in the Sendai area organized "Hallelujah Summer Festival" together. Pastors and Christian leaders from Miyagi Mission Network B block suggested having this Christian festival as an alternative to a Shrine-focused festival. We wanted to encourage tsunami-affected people, share the gospel, and create a space for Christians and non-christians to have fun together. With the help of Samaritan's Purse, CRASH Japan, and Hope Miyagi, local churches held this event. People enjoyed shaved ice and hot dogs. They also enjoyed concerts from Makoto Iwabuchi and Mai Mizuki, a magic show, and a bingo game. A special guest was Bethany Hamilton whose life inspired the movie "Soul Surfer." Though she was busy with her surfing competitions, she came to this event and shared her accident's experience and how she overcame it. It was a bold testimony of Jesus Christ s work in her life. People were also eagerly listening to the gospel message by pastor Yukikazu Otomo. We collected 108 surveys and think more than 300 people came to the event. The community center where the event was held stands in a tsunami-affected area, which used to be surrounded by many rice fields and houses. Some people have come back and are trying to live in the area again, but it will take several years for the land rehabilitated. This community had never had a Christian festival like this with the message of the gospel. We are hoping to have this again next year. Yasutake Oikawa (Associate Pastor, Shiogama Bible Baptist Church) "Gathering to Encourage People from Affected Areas." Tuesday, October 23 10:00-15:00 at Hotel Soukan in Matsushima This event was held at a hotel in Matsushima and targeted people who received the support of Christians since the earthquake. 45 out of 106 attendants there had became Christians or seekers after the disaster. In the morning session, 5 people from various places of Miyagi prefecture (Kesennuma, Onagawa, Ishinomaki, Oshika, Sendai) shared their stories of faith. Between the testimonies, some ladies from a local church who teach hula lessons at temporary housing facilities performed a hula dance. It was great to hear stories of how God reached each person differently. We praised His greatness together as we listened to their testimonies. This was the second time to have an event like this, but this time was more focused on presenting the gospel. People gathered together from all over Miyagi prefecture, and it was a great encouragement for each of them to meet people who had similar experiences. People seemed to be very encouraged and open to the gospel. Yukikazu Otomo (Miyagi Mission Network representative/ Sr. Pastor Shiogama Bible Baptist Church) - 8 -