Ministry update

[rony albaniel]

Dear Japan Prayer link Partners,

Greetings in the precious name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

It is springtime here in Kobe! We have seen Japan at its best for about ten days of April...when cherry trees blossomed! Families got together under such beautiful scenery. After that, streets and rivers were filled with pink petals as they fall off! What a sight to see!

Family matters....We are together here as a family...with Yohan and Yael with us for their summer break. Lots of treat for the children given by various friends. As parents, we see our Father God extending grace and kindness!
* Yanna, experienced her Opening Ceremony as she entered the Japanese school as Grade I. This is a big deal since all were dressed up for it...fathers in Americana suits, and moms in formal attires. Well, it was an experience even tho` we could`nt understand one bit of it. For a month, our daughter was fetched in the morning by a Gr.6 student to bring her to school...and twice a week, the school got a Supporter (a Japanese who is fluent in Tagalog and paid by the govt) to help her with class work and language adjustment.
* Rony started with his language study in YMCA. Stressed in his mental capacity due to age...but good anti-Alzheimers, they say. Aliw too, with the boys, get to study the language, with a different approach. Praise the Lord for the many people we mingle with just for practicing our Nihon-go!We attend a Hippo Club (exchange students/foster families who are very interested in languages/culture)which our language teacher organized!
* In two months time, we have enjoyed the thrills of mountain climbing...three to count. Many precious lessons learned along the way...the earth is indeed full of the goodness of the Lord! The difficulty in climbing (we went with mountaineers)is always rewarded by the thrills of being at the mountain top...with all the views of the city below.
*With a lot of applications sent for English teaching job, still no job in sight for Aliw...still awaiting.

Ministry news...Easter Sunday, we had our first English Worship. Well, our family (6) and Japanese (6) made up the congregation. All of us had to participate in the worship, taking up the instruments or vocals. It is very humbling to do this ministry, every Sunday...
*Our contacts are becoming larger, as we are just eager to get in touch with them.
* Out of 7000 flyers given out, 12 are enrolled in the English Conversational Classes...with 7 adults and 6 children. Of the 7 adults, 4 are non-believers. We continue to distribute flyers in our Nada community since the registration is open anytime!

Prayer Requests:
1. Language study/Culture Adjustment...that our Father who invented the languages would increase our ability to learn a new language and learn to rightly assimilate the culture here. Encouragement in this new task.
2. Good health. Changes of weather affects us. Wisdom in taking care of our bodies and in adjusting to healthy Japanese diet/cooking.
3. Life disciplines. Simplicity and sincerity...walking in the Spirit, while living in the Spirit. Not loving the world...Walking, keeping, performing the Word...Times in the Word with the family...
4. Contacts...Faithful follow-through. Effective relational measures. Right timing in presenting Jesus in various opportunities...courage.
5. Protection ...as we are in the front line...
6. Provision...right part time job for Aliw...volunteer work if needed.
7. Wisdom in handling interracial relationships...

All these for now...you have seen answers to our prayers. Praise the Lord! And THANK YOU for praying for us. Please continue to uphold us while we do His work over here in Kobe, Japan. You are a part of this ministry. God wants us to carry His concerns,`... to make a wall, to stand in the gap on behalf of the land...`(Eze.22:30). Definitely, we couldn`t do this without your partnership. Keep us updated with your lives. News from home and friends give joy!

All the best then...for His Great Name`s sake!
The Albaniels... Rony&Aliw with the Ys.

P.s. Kobe has the most cases of H1N1 flu in Kansai area, people here are really afraid and the Govt. is taking precautionary measures.Schools are closed this week.Pray for God's protection for the whole family.

[Myra del Rosario]

Hi Rony and Aliw and kids! I'm with a Southern Baptist church in Rizal. Tomorrow we're distributing info on and prayer requests of Filipino missionaries in Asia. I've been requested to do research and put material together. I thank God for leading me to this site. God bless you!

My husband's best friend Joey dela Paz and his wife are missionaries in Thailand.

Are the Ricohermosos from Marinduque? My mother was born in Marinduque. My parents are retired missionaries of New Tribes Mission.

[rony albaniel]

You're welcome Mami! Actually, our coming here was really pursuing what was in God's heart for the people over here...this was God's doing...our pleasure to serve. More innate is the adventure of knowing HIm as we all journey in life.
We also praise the Lord for the Ricohermosos...they have served us too. Praise God!
And thank you for your prayers...this work is really a partnership of sorts. Pray in behalf of your countrymen...pray to the Lord who loves deeply...
We shall be in touch, thank you.

[Mami Ghone]

Hi, Mr. and Mrs Albaniel:) My name's Mami, I'm Japanese living in Australia. When I was staying in Kyoto for 3 months, I met Pastor Joseph and served in the church there:) I just want to say thank you for having heart for Japan and started your ministry in Kobe. You are doing something great!
It was such a blessing to meet Pastor Joseph and the family in Kyoto. Their care encouraged me so much, because Japan is really like a desert place and it is very lonely without the fellowship of brothers and sisters in Christ. I am very sure that the Lord will use your family to touch different ones :) I pray that you will be able to adapt the culture there quickly. I pray for the divine appointment as well; ) I'd love to visit you in Kobe. I will be back in Kyoto in December. Please keep in touch :) Stay blessed! Mami