Dear Catalyst Family,
The Japan Missions Team has touched down and safey arrived to Fukuoka! We’ve just wrapped up Week #1 of our trip and we have been blessed by God in so many ways!
Thank you so much for your prayers, support, and encouragement. We have truly felt the covering of our church family from across the ocean. Japan is a beautiful country, and we are experiencing both its culture and its spiritual needs firsthand...
In classic youth group style, we'll conduct our updates in a "High-Low-Buffalo" format, that includes our highlights, challenges/ prayer requests, and other random happenings with our team.
High:
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KIDS! We met our students that we'll be teaching for the next month. They are soooo adorable and we're eager to interact with them. We think they like us, but maybe it's becuase with gifted them lots of American candy, toys, and Lakers stickers!
- FAMILIES! We started meeting various families, including all the Pastors. Even with the separation of language, the hearts of our churches are bonding in relationship.
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TESTIMONY! Sean shared his powerful testimony during Saturday's Special Event/ Worship Night at the church. The pastor was so moved, he invited Sean to share again at their Prayer Night, where sessions are recorded and hundreds of local Japanese people watch on YouTube.
Low:
- Our travel to get from LAX to FUK was a 30-hour trek. Prayer requests for physical strength/ endurance, refreshment of mind.
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Now that we are here, more is being asked of us (leading worship, prayer meetings, additional changes to our curriculum). Prayer request for alignment and inspiration from God.
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Monday is the start of our teaching days. Prayer request for open hearts among the people we’re meeting—especially the students we’re building friendships with.
Buffalo:
- RAMEN! Fukuoka is known as the birthplace of Ramen and it certainly did not disappoint. Many of us were saying "I've had a lot of ramen in my life, but that was the most amazing bowl I've ever had!" In addition, we've had some tasty treats at 7-Eleven and other fresh and high quality Japanese dishes that were well under $10!
We are incredibly grateful to be here to represent Jesus and Catalyst in Japan. This first week has already challenged and inspired us in great ways, and we can’t wait to see what God has in store next.
We’ll continue to send updates along the way, and we look forward to sharing more stories as they unfold. Thank you again for being a vital part of this journey with us!
In Christ,
Japan Missions Team 2025
