The new school year has begun! The school year here starts in April, when several Family Life Group families had children enter middle school. They are feeling the stress related to that change. In Japan, middle school often marks the beginning of intense pressure to excel in academics and co-curricular actives, and to master the material necessary to pass the entrance exams into a prestigious high school.
 |
| Some of our Family Life Group kids! |
Not For Sale Japan published our second newsletter! This is a publication in which we summarize our main activities, advertise our upcoming campaigns, and provide reviews of human trafficking informational material and news stories. I was able to write two short articles, including the cover article promoting our screening campaign for the documentary Nefarious: Merchant of Souls. We hope that the information in our newsletter will facilitate the growth of the anti-human trafficking movement in Japan, where the general public remains unaware of the huge problem right in this country.
What else had been going on? I have been trying my hand at making obentos, or Japanese boxed lunches (see photo). Although mine are not yet up to par with the creations of those real Japanese make everyday, they sure do taste good!
 |
| Some of the obentos I have been attempting. |
Thomas and I were blessed to attend the wedding of an American friend, Trey, to Mitsuyo, a Japanese Christian. Because of the size of the church in Japan, many Christians here struggle to find a life partner, and the beginning of every new Christian home is a reason to celebrate! We also had fun having engagement photos (see photo) taken by one of Thomas' coworkers. There are now less than three months until our wedding!
 |
| We had lots of fun taking these pictures! |
This month, please remember these prayer requests:
- Praise God for a new start to the new school year! Pray for wisdom and strength for the new middle schoolers and their moms as they make the adjustment into the new school year.
- Pray that God will continue to build up the anti-human trafficking movement in Japan, and that those who read our newsletter may be motivated to become a part of that movement. Pray also that the hope of the gospel may reach those who are currently being exploited.
- Praise God for the marriage of Trey and Mitsuyo! Pray that God will guide them as they face the challenges of all newlywed couples, as well as the additional ones brought about by a cross-cultural marriage.
- Pray for peace and perseverance as Thomas and I finalize planning for our own wedding.
Shalom,
Caitlin
