A Message From Chris: Likely uses for the funds...

God has provided an abundance of funds for our trip. We now have the ability to bring over some much needed tools. Here is a list of the possible items. 1. Pressure Washers 2. Shop Vacs 3. Powerful reciprocating saw (sawzall) with extra blades 4. Big drills with masonry bits with extra bits This equipment is needed in the cleanup and demolition efforts that are happening right now. I am sending this request out to you all hoping that somebody has a connection with Delta Air Lines. Our biggest hurdle right now is being able to talk to the right person who can ok us being able to take more weight onto the plane then we are currently alloted. To be able to get this equipment over there we will need to be able to take more then just two bags at 50 lbs. each. I am going to be working with Delta today, but if anyone has a contact that might help to expedite the process toward a dicision that would be a great help.

A Message from Chris: God Provides

March 24, 2011...

I have been humbled by the out pouring of God's love and support through the donations received. He more then doubled the goal I needed to raise to be able to go. It amazes me at how last Saturday the Lord opened the door of opportunity to go to Japan. To be a light for Him and encourage His church in Japan. He then removed the hurdle of getting time off. And has lead me through the open door with the investments of His money that has poured in. It is so affirming to see how God is blessing this trip so far. To God be the glory. Psalm 138:1, 3 and 8 "1 I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise; 3 On the day I called, you answered me; you made me bold in my soul with strength. 8 The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands." Acts 13:47 "For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'" Lord help our team to be a Light for you.

Japan Relief Trip: A Message from Chris

I have an opportunity to go to Japan with my brother-in-law Jon Pfeil (MTW Missionary to Japan http://www2.mtw.org/home/site/content/documents/PCPL/PfeilJonathan.PC.pdf?_resolutionfile=pxpath|documents/PCPL/PfeilJonathan.PC.pdf ). We will be helping the Japanese church show sympathy and care to the Japanese people. The mission team that Jon is associated with have been getting supplies together to send up north to the hardest hit areas of Japan. Interacting with the community as they bring donations, organizing the donations and going with trucks up north to then pass out the donations will be the main things that we will be doing while over there. So the plan for this trip will be some manual labor, encouraging the church in Japan and sharing the light of God's love with those in need.

Japan has been hit by a devastating tragedy, but what is even more devastating is the fact that 99.5% of the Japanese people do not know Jesus Christ. Dr. Michael Oh, President of Christ Bible Institute in Nagoya Japan, has said in the past that 'their mission in Japan is praying and preparing for the day of opportunity in Japan.' That day of opportunity has come and I am willing to be sent, for even this short amount of time, for God to be a light in a place of utter darkness.

This is a great opportunity tangibly help support the Japanese church in their initial response to the crisis. See my brother-in-laws BLOG for some photos and links of what is going on:

http://thepfeilfiles.blogspot.com/

Also a fellow MTW missionary, Roger Lowther, has documented well his part in the relief efforts. We would be doing similar stuff (depending on the needs at the time of our arrival)
http://rogerlowther.blogspot.com/

God is mobilizing his church (though so small in Japan) to be a beacon of light for the gospel!

Congratulations Ben and Ross!

This is about 2 months overdue, but well deserved--- Congratulations Ben and Ross on earning your Eagle Scout!! We are so proud of you!

(ok, so I had to slip this adorable cousins picture from the weekend in...)

Happy New Year 2011!!

We spent the New Year in Indiana with Chris's family. (With the Pfeils returning to Japan soon, we want to capitalize on every opportunity we have to be with them.) Our other agenda was to hopefully meet our new nephew :-) The Lord treated us to this special memory--- Sarah went into labor on New Year's Day and Gideon Kirk Pfeil was born on Sunday, January 2nd.

Uncle Jon brushes us on his newborn skills--- little did he know, the next day he's be holding his newborn son

Mark loves his cousin Calvin!! The time they have had to play together this year has been such a gift. We will miss them dearly when they return to Japan in the next month, but will treasure the memories God gave us with them this year.

Annabella and Olivia bring smiles to our faces with their sweet dance.

Calvin loves babies. He wanted to hold Lillia as often as we'd allow :-)

all 6 cousins

meet Gideon Kirk Pfeil -- Is he not amazingly adorable??