Dear Praying Family & Friends

Merry Christmas from this side of the big ocean! We are grateful for another year in which we have been sustained by your prayer and generous support. Thank you! Here are a few updates and prayer needs.

 As always, you can read our latest newsletter and follow other prayer/praise items at: http://www.lavermansinjapan.org/readnews.html

GOSPEL CHRISTMAS CONCERT
First, the big concert (photo) that had been a long time in planning and praying, went very well for our church plant. Nearly 200 formed the mass choir from 11 regional choirs including our own "Voices of Grace."  A 1-day Gospel Music Workshop on the day of the concert drew more than 60 people. The concert itself brought in over 400. Along with the choir, there were nearly 600 in attendance. A clear gospel presentation was given by well-known evangelist Arthur Hollands. We are still trying to assess spiritual decisions made that night. Many evangelistic books and material was also sold or given away, including our church newsletter. From the 200+ response cards that were collected, several indicated a desire to be involved in our church activities or Bible study. Many good contacts were made, and the church presence as a whole was raised in the neighborhood. We also raised over $1000 for Japan Food for the Hungry through the concert.

PRAY NOW AS we follow up on some of these individuals in the weeks to come. PRAY THAT many will act on the decisions they made and join our fellowship at Denen Grace Chapel.

LOOK! I have posted many photos from the concert at http://www.lavermansinjapan.org/photoalbum.html 

HEALING
Many of you responded to my last email regarding a number of members in the church that required extra care and time, and a lot of our emotional energy right up to the concert day. We knew that Satan was working overtime to discourage us on the brink of some significant spiritual events for our church. After being diagnosed with Hepatitis B, Kaori is doing well, though easily tired on occasion. PLEASE continue to pray for the ability for her body to develop its own immunity. Please continue to pray for Mrs. Sasaki who continues to be hospitalized with cancer, and for the Harada and Nagai families who each have a difficult family situation. God is working to bring healing and resolution for these families, but there are still many hurts that need to be cared for. PRAY as we do some marriage counseling for the son and daughter-in-law-to-be of one of our core families this week.

BAPTISM
Miss Kumiko Kawamoto was baptized in our home on December 19th. She made a decision for Christ this past fall. Kumiko (photo below, center front next to Justen) is growing in the Lord and exhibits a real positive attitude that is an encouragement to this missionary. We celebrated Christmas with her in our home on the 25th. PRAY as she returns this New Year and shares her new faith with her family.

CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
We had nearly 50 for our December 19th Christmas Candlelight service. Greg and Asa Swenson, who grew up in Japan, were here from the States on a vision trip and also joined us. Our neighbors on either side of us also came. PRAY as we witness to those around us as a family and as a church. We continue to attract returnee families, Japanese who have lived outside of Japan for a period of time, have perhaps accepted Christ overseas, and have now returned to Japan to find church life and culture a difficult fit for them. There are many such families in the Yokohama/Kawasaki area. PRAY as we reach out to people like this with their own unique set of needs. Perhaps you can help us network and introduce us to such individuals? The year for the church closed this past Sunday with another high school student of one of our core families praying to receive Christ in church. In spite of our weariness, these points of joy make our effort worthwhile.

THANK YOU, Lord, for your goodness and victory in all things!  Please stand with us again in prayer and giving during 2005. We rejoice  in your partnership with us here! Your Missionaries in Japan, Kevin and Kaori  Additional support needed: $143/monthly

Kevin & Kaori Laverman, Church Planting in Japan with CBInternational: http://www.lavermansinjapan.org