DALE & ANN LITTLE

Dec 28, 2016

2017 HOME ASSIGNMENT


It’s hard to believe that 5 years have passed since visiting some of our supporting churches. During the first of those five years we served in tsunami recovery ministry in northeastern Japan (2012). And then for the past four years we have been launching and establishing Tokyo Multicultural Church. From Jan-Jun 2017 we will be visiting at least 15 of our supporting churches (this time mostly in western Canada) to report on what God has been doing in and through our ministry.

Please PRAY
  • That on our home assignment we will clearly communicate our ministry, especially our church planting at TMC and our vision to launch TMC#2.
  • For housing in greater Vancouver BC area Feb 6 - Apr 20.
  • For safety as we drive and fly many miles.

INTRODUCING BRYAN AND JESSICA LITTLE


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Bryan married Jessica Lange on December 18 in St. Charles (greater St. Louis, Missouri). They met in 2012 at their church (First Evangelical Free Church in Manchester MO) after Bryan began working as an engineer at Boeing in St. Louis. Jessica works as an occupational therapist in the school system. Participating with them in their wedding was a wonderful way to begin our home assignment months!

GIVE THANKS that God has led Bryan and Jessica to one another and please PRAY that they will continue to honor God in seeking his will for their lives.

Thank you for Praying for The Littles! – PTL #117

Nov 26, 2016

ESTABLISHING TOKYO MULTICULTURAL CHURCH


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God is blessing TMC! Thank you for praying. Believers are being encouraged to love and obey Christ. People not yet a part of the family of God are learning about the love of Jesus.

Other evidence of God’s blessings include…
  • A few new mothers with their young children are coming to our Moms and Tots outreach English classes.
  • Worship service attendance topped 30 on a recent Sunday. Our usual fall number has been about 20-25.
  • Our first (US) Thanksgiving gathering in Japanese was enjoyed by 28 people on Nov 23.
  • Christmas plans include an outreach children’s party on Dec 11, outreach candlelight service in Japanese on Dec 23, and Christmas Sunday worship service on the 25th.
  • The number of Chinese (Mandarin) speakers at TMC is increasing.
  • We are expecting a young couple from the EFC of Macao to join our missionary staff in the new year.
  • We will be inviting short term workers to teach one week of outreach English conversation classes at TMC, Jul 24-29, 2017.
  • TMC currently covers 80% of its monthly facility rental cost. We hope TMC will become financially independent in 2017. Until then our EFCCM Church Planting Startup Fund provides the difference.
  • We are dreaming about launching TMC#2 by 2020.
Please PRAY that Jesus Christ will continue building his church that we have the privilege of planting at Tokyo Multicultural Church.

SIX MONTH HOME ASSIGNMENT


From mid-Dec 2016 to mid-Jun 2017 we are taking a home assignment in order to visit our western Canadian and northwestern US supporting churches. Church planting colleagues Duane Dietze (ReachGlobal) and Jon Prins (EFCCM) will lead TMC during that time.
  • Please PRAY that on our home assignment we will be able to communicate clearly our church planting ministry at TMC and our vision to launch TMC#2.
  • And GIVE THANKS that we will be able to celebrate Christmas in Maine with all of our children: Kristy & Matthew Fujiura (wedding: May 29, 2016), Bryan & Jessica Little (wedding: Dec 18, 2016), and Matthew Little & Victoria Azagoh (wedding: Aug 4, 2017). This will be our first Christmas with our children since 2011.

KnM Wedding 2-2
Thank you for Praying for The Littles! – PTL #116

Oct 25, 2016

TMC LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT


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We are seeking younger leaders to join us in establishing Tokyo Multicultural Church and launching TMC#2 in about 2020. Lay and pastoral leaders are needed to serve both internationals and Japanese people in Tokyo.

PRAY that the Lord will raise up future TMC lay leaders and church planters who will clothe the gospel of Jesus Christ with a loving church community in the world's largest (and livable) megacity.

SIX MONTH HOME ASSIGNMENT


From mid-Dec 2016 to mid-Jun 2017 we are taking a home assignment in order to visit our western Canadian and northwestern US supporting churches. It has been almost five years since we have seen many of them. During the first of those five years we served in tsunami recovery ministry in northeastern Japan (2012). And then for the past four years we have been launching and establishing TMC.

Please PRAY
  • That on our home assignment we will clearly communicate our ministry, especially our church planting at TMC and our vision to launch TMC#2.
  • For housing we will need in various places.
  • For safety as we drive and fly many miles.

Thank you for Praying for The Littles! – PTL #115

Sep 24, 2016

TOKYO MULTICULTURAL CHURCH LEADERS NEEDED


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Tokyo Multicultural Church is looking at ways of developing its future leaders. The average age of evangelical pastors in Japan is 65 and the average age of evangelical church attenders is about 55. Although the average age of TMCers is a young 35 years, TMC missionary staff are all over 60 years of age. We need some younger TMC leaders!

The primary language of ministry at TMC is English but minimal Japanese language competency would be required. Contact Dale & Ann for further information.

PRAY that the Lord will raise up future TMC church planters and team members who love living in the world's largest (and livable) megacity, ministering to both internationals and Japanese people in Tokyo.

ONE YEAR ENGLISH TEACHER NEEDED!


We are seeking an evangelistic English conversation class teacher to serve in several EFC churches in the greater Tokyo area. Most of the students are children. This is a one year short term opportunity for a single person Mar 2018 through Mar 2019 (13 months), with the option of extending. The position is 80% salaried.

The short term teacher's "home church" would be Tokyo Multicultural Church. If interested please contact Dale & Ann or the EFCCM.

PRAY that the Lord will raise up just the right short term English teacher for these EFC churches starting spring 2019.

Thank you for Praying for The Littles! – PTL #114

August 29, 2016

1. TOKYO MULTICULTURAL CHURCH


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From the 350 m (1150 ft) platform of Tokyo Skytree in Sumida-ku, a short walk from our apartment, many Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, and graveyards can be seen. But no Christian churches are visible. In our area of Tokyo there are many stores that sell god shelves and furnishings for them. The pic shows a local shrine's annual festival parade (matsuri) that passed by TMC on Aug 28. PRAY that Japanese people who visit shrines and temples will find freedom from the fear that is at the root of idolatry, and that both Japanese and foreigners who visit these places will recognize the spiritual darkness of idolatry. "He [the Father] has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins." (Col 1:13-14, NLT)

After a summer break, our TMC outreach English classes begin again in September: weekly moms and tots, bi-weekly ladies, and monthly adults. PRAY that students will be eager to learn not only English, but also to know the love of Jesus Christ.

We plan to announce our first church membership list on Sun Oct 2. PRAY that TMC will be encouraged by this important step in establishing the church.

We continue to seek donations for two approved TMC Special Financial Projects. Please PRAY and give as the Lord leads! (More information here.)
  • TMC Tokyo Disaster Preparedness Project for equipping three places for three possible Tokyo area disasters: earthquake, flooding/tsunami, and Mt. Fuji eruption (CAN$6800).
  • TMC Used Minivan Purchase Project (CAN$7000).

2. ONE YEAR ENGLISH TEACHER NEEDED!


We are seeking an outreach English conversation class teacher for one year to serve in several EFC churches in the greater Tokyo area. Most of the students are children. The opportunity is from mid-Mar 2017 through Mar 2018 and the position is 80% salaried. The short term teacher's "home church" would be TMC. If interested please contact the EFCCM. PRAY that the Lord will send us just the right applicant for this position.

3. OUR CHILDREN'S ENGAGEMENTS AND WEDDINGS


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We are enjoying watching our children's romances blossom! Kristy was engaged to Matthew Fujiura on Aug 24, 2015 and married on May 29, 2016. Matthew Little was engaged to Victoria Azagoh on Jun 11 and their wedding date is Aug 4, 2017. And Bryan was engaged to Jessica Lange on Jul 20 and will be married on Dec 18, 2016. Please PRAY that the Lord would continue his good work in and through the lives of our now six children!

Thank you for Praying for the Tokyo Littles! – PTL #113

July 25, 2016

PRAY FOR THE TOKYO LITTLES - PTL #112

1. FAMILY

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We are so pleased that Matthew (Little) became engaged to Victoria Azagoh in June! Victoria is from New England. In July after completing their studies at Biola University (greater Los Angeles), they moved to Burlington, Vermont where Victoria began a management job. Matthew continues much of his movie production and marketing work online (check out The Unknowns), but is also seeking local employment.

We look forward to a summer 2017 wedding! Pray that God will meet their needs as they seek together how to become God's blessing to the nations.

2. TOKYO MULTICULTURAL CHURCH

Give thanks that four adults from last summer's outreach English class program have signed up for our monthly "English Circle" we plan to launch this fall. Pray that more adults will sign up.

And pray that more children with their moms will come to our TMC fall kids outreach English classes with Alicia and Bible time with Ann.

Please pray that TMC will be further encouraged and established at our charter membership commitment service on Aug 28.

We continue to seek donations for two approved TMC Special Financial Projects. Please pray and give as the Lord leads! (More information here.)
  • TMC Tokyo Disaster Preparedness Project for equipping three places for three possible Tokyo area disasters: earthquake, flooding/tsunami, and Mt. Fuji eruption (CAN$6800).
  • TMC Used Minivan Purchase Project (CAN$7000).
3. TEACHING THEOLOGY

In the fall Dale teaches Church Planting Theology at ACTS Seminaries of Trinity Western University (greater Vancouver), live-streamed from TMC. Please pray for his ongoing preparation.

Thank you for Praying for the Tokyo Littles! – PTL #112

June 20, 2016

PRAY FOR THE TOKYO LITTLES - PTL #111

1. INTRODUCING MATTHEW AND KRISTY FUJIURA!

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Our Kristy became Mrs. Matthew Fujiura on May 29 in California. It was a wonderful, friendly, God-centered, and beautiful outdoor wedding—but maybe we are a little biased! Their wedding perfectly reflected Kristy and Matthew, with family from both sides affirming that they were made for each other.

Pray that together they will be a blessing to the nations and that the Lord will graciously guide them as they explore options for their life and work together.

2. OUTREACH ENGLISH CLASSES AT TOKYO MULTICULTURAL CHURCH

Pray that more children with their moms will come for TMC kids outreach English classes with Alicia and Bible time with Ann.

And pray that many of the 17 registered adults in last summer's TMC outreach English class program will come to a class reunion on July 15. We are asking the Lord to give us some good ideas for an ongoing adult evangelistic English program.

3. TMC FINANCIAL PROJECTS

We continue to seek donations for two approved TMC Special Financial Projects. Please pray and give as the Lord leads! (More information here.)
  • TMC Tokyo Disaster Preparedness Project for preparing three places for three possible Tokyo area disasters: earthquake, flooding/tsunami, and Mt. Fuji eruption (CAN$6800).
  • TMC Used Minivan Purchase Project (CAN$7000).
4. TEACHING THEOLOGY

In July Dale teaches a modular version of his Contemporary Theology class in Japanese at Japan Bible Seminary (Tokyo). And in the fall semester he teaches Church Planting Theology at ACTS Seminaries of Trinity Western University (Vancouver), live-streamed from TMC.

Pray for Dale's preparation for these classes, especially his new class at ACTS Seminaries.

Thank you for Praying for the Tokyo Littles! – PTL #111

May 11, 2016

PRAY FOR THE TOKYO LITTLES - PTL #110

1. TOKYO MULTICULTURAL CHURCH

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Ann and Alicia teach outreach English classes at TMC. Pray that more children with their moms will come for English learning with Alicia and Bible time with Ann.

We would like to follow up last summer's one week outreach English program with another one this summer, especially for adults. But we are not sure what structure to give it. Pray for the Lord's wisdom in our planning.

We are seeking donations for two approved TMC Special Financial Projects. Please pray and give as the Lord leads! (Click here for more information and how to give.)
  • Tokyo Disaster Preparedness Project for preparing three places for three possible Tokyo area disasters: earthquake, flooding/tsunami, and Mt. Fuji eruption (CAN$6800).
  • TMC Used Minivan Purchase Project (CAN$7000).

2. FAMILY

Kristy Little and Matthew Fujiura are getting married on May 29 in California! Give thanks that the Lord has brought them together and pray for his blessing on their marriage. We look forward to celebrating with them on their big day!

Dale’s older brother, Phil, continues to undergo chemotherapy for lymphoma cancer. Please pray that the Lord will work through both medicine and miracle to put the cancer in remission.

Thank you for Praying for the Tokyo Littles! – PTL #110

April 16, 2016

PRAY FOR THE TOKYO LITTLES - PTL #109

1. ANOTHER DISASTER IN JAPAN

Kumamoto prefecture in southern/western Japan was hit by 6.5 (Apr 14) and 7.3 (Apr 16) magnitude quakes in populated areas. A trail of devastation and death has followed. Typically, several weeks of professional rescue operations are followed by years of relief and recovery. Churches in Japan are responding. One excellent way to contribute is through CRASH Japan (http://crashjapan.com/en/).

Pray for those worried about safety for themselves and their loved ones; for children who need reassurance; for governments to reduce bureaucracy in order to effectively help; for recovery efforts to have long term effectiveness; and for the name of Jesus to be uplifted by churches helping.

Even as we pray for those affected, we give thanks for quake resistant strengthening construction taking place at our TMC rental facility.

The Tokyo metropolitan government is encouraging all residents to be prepared for the predicted triple disasters: earthquake, tsunami, and volcanic eruption. Five days of emergency supplies are recommended. With TMC and ourselves in mind, we have set up a "Tokyo Disaster Preparedness Fund,” with a goal of CAN$6800. Pray that these funds will come in quickly so we can purchase the required items. And please consider giving.

2. TOKYO MULTICULTURAL CHURCH

In March, Alicia joined us at TMC for one year. Pray for her ongoing adjustment to life in greater Tokyo, and for her evangelistic English class preparation and teaching.

Jon Prins arrived Apr 16. Pray that he will find joy in ministering as our TMC church planter specialist in cross-cultural issues.

3. FAMILY

Kristy (our daughter) and Matthew Fujiura’s wedding will be on May 29 in California. Give thanks that the Lord has brought them together. And pray for them as they prepare for their big day!

Dale’s older brother, Phil, is undergoing chemotherapy for advanced and aggressive lymphoma cancer. Pray that the Lord will work through both medicine and miracle to put the cancer in remission.

Thank you for Praying for the Tokyo Littles! – PTL #109

March 28, 2016

PRAY FOR THE TOKYO LITTLES - PTL #108

1. Two EFCCM personnel join Tokyo Multicultural Church missionary staff this spring. Alicia arrived in March from Ottawa and Jon Prins will arrive in April from Minneapolis.

Pray that Alicia who is new to Japan will adjust well to life in a different culture. Pray that she will have strength and joy teaching evangelistic English classes in three EFC churches, including TMC. Give thanks that the Lord has supplied her with a furnished apartment near TMC!

Pray that Jon who has served in Japan for many years will find joy in ministering as our TMC church planter specialist in cross-cultural issues. Pray that his visa will be finalized (after he arrives) and that he will find a good apartment.

2. During the past four months several of our key TMC people have moved. So Sunday giving has decreased in recent months. Due to the mobility of our people, we estimate that TMC will see a 20% turnover of people every year.

Pray that our monthly TMC facility costs will be fully met by our TMC church family. Pray that we will see some new “key people” at TMC.

3. Ann and Alicia begin teaching some new TMC evangelistic English classes for children in April, the start of a new academic year in Japan.

Pray that we will have a total of at least ten students in the new classes.

4. Dale teaches Church Planting Theology at ACTS Seminaries (Trinity Western University) in the fall. It will be live-streamed from TMC and can be taken from anywhere.

Pray for Dale's ongoing preparation for teaching this brand new class at ACTS and that an adequate number of students will register for the course.

Thank you for Praying for the Tokyo Littles! – PTL #108

February 20, 2016

PRAY FOR THE TOKYO LITTLES - PTL #107

TOKYO MULTICULTURAL CHURCH


Alicia Lim and Jon Prins, both with the EFCCM, will be joining us at TMC in the next six weeks.

Alicia will be teaching outreach English conversation classes for one year at TMC and two other Evangelical Free churches in greater Tokyo. She comes from Ottawa ON with the blessing of her home church, Ottawa Chinese Bible Church.

Jon has a long term commitment to TMC and will join our missionary staff as church planter and intercultural specialist. He has served in church planting in Japan for many years and comes to us from Minneapolis MN.

Give thanks that both Alicia and Jon are coming to TMC soon! Pray that we will be able to procure their visas and find apartments for them nearby TMC, and that they be able to raise their remaining required finances and have a smooth adjustment to ministry in Tokyo.

FINANCES

Give thanks that our support team (27 churches, 28 individuals) fully met our 2015 ministry budget. What a great team! Our 2016 ministry budget is only slightly higher than 2015.

TSUNAMI RECOVERY MINISTRY

In January we applied the remaining approximately CAN$14,500 from the EFCCM Japan Disaster Fund to Onagawa Megumi Project for their moving and set up expenses of their new shop on the new promenade in Onagawa, as well as for the relocation of their trailer. We are grateful that the Lord continues to use the Megumi Project to bring his grace (= “megumi”) and love to a town hit by one of the highest tsunamis (30 meters) on March 11, 2011.

In Feb we volunteered at Onagawa Megumi Project for a few days in order to fill in for Megumi Project leaders Andy and Lorna Gilbert (ReachGlobal) who had to return suddenly to the US for one month to care for an aging parent. One day we were at the trailer where their products are made, another day we helped sell their crafts at their new store, and the final day we hosted the missionary staff at our vacation house for a mini retreat.

Give thanks for Megumi Project’s ongoing testimony of God’s love in Onagawa. Give thanks for our TMC colleague Duane Dietze (ReachGlobal) who so ably covers for us when we need to leave Tokyo for most of a week.

Pray for strength and joy for the five missionaries serving and leading the Megumi Project. Ask the Lord to work in the hearts of the half dozen Japanese ladies who design and sell the crafts made from donated kimono, helping them to see and accept God’s love for them in Jesus Christ.

FAMILY

Kristy and Matthew Fujiura’s wedding will be on May 29 in Diamond Bar CA (greater LA)! Matthew is from California and enjoyed his first visit to Japan this past summer when he proposed to Kristy.

Give thanks that the Lord has brought Kristy and Matthew together in his perfect timing. And pray for them as they make the many preparations for their big day!

Thank you for Praying for the Tokyo Littles! – PTL #107