Missionaries Japan Rusty and Brenda Carney 夏 (Summer) in Japan
Well it is summer time here in Japan! Flowers are blooming, the average temperature has been around 75 degrees, and with the exception of the last few rainy weeks, the weather has been gorgeous! The summer is sure flying by in a hurry. We were privileged to have a team of young people (E-Team) here around the end of June. They were such a blessing to the Japanese and to us missionaries as well. While here they were able to minister in ways such as passing out tracts, giving testimonies, singing, performing a mime, and helping put together a big carnival in the city of Ebetsu (in which around 300 people were in attendance). The Lord really blessed and used them through all of these means to plant "seeds" of the Gospel into the hearts and lives of the Japanese people! Thank you E-Team Hokkaido!
After the E-Team left we got back into our routine of language study. We feel that progress is slow, but it is indeed PROGRESS!
A few weeks ago we were getting ready to ride our bikes to our language school for a BBQ outreach they were having. We had Grace strapped in the child seat of one of our bicycles (with her helmet on thank goodness), and then realized that we didn't have the key to unlock the bike. We both headed separate directions to look for the key. In the mean time Grace started rocking in the bicycle. It fell over, she landed on her arm and broke it. Thankfully we live only a 5 minute drive from the hospital. The Lord was gracious as Grace fell asleep in the waiting room of the emergency room as we waited! The doctors were able to set the bone that night, and as of now things seem to be healing well.
We have been encouraged this summer, through many different ways, and believe that it is the hand of God at work as He is listening to the many prayers being prayed on our behalf. We have watched some of the videos of the GO10 Walk, and it humbles us every time to think that so many of you were willing to get out in the heat and the rain to walk for the cause of Christ around the world! I'm sure many of you prayed for us and our ministry here in Japan as you walked, and we just want to say a huge, "THANK YOU." The Lord really works through prayer.
May the Lord bless you all!
Rusty, Brenda, and Grace Carney