November 2025 – February 2026
Nov 2025 – Feb 2026: House Sold, New Home, & Continued Momentum
A major praise: our house has sold, and we've transitioned to temporary quarters in Fort Worth (new mailing address included). We celebrated Kaelah's baptism, shared our ministry at East to West Baptist Church in Vernon, TX, and are planning more travel in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and the Pacific Northwest. Support is at ~55%. Prayer for safe travels, family adjustment, and additional monthly partners as we move closer to Japan.
Read PDF
August – October 2025
Aug–Oct 2025: Missions Conference & Summer Reflections
Summer passed quickly, highlighted by a missions conference in the San Francisco Bay Area – Jessica's first big travel experience. We shared Okonomiyaki with family, a dish we enjoyed in Japan. Back in Texas, we're planning our next trip for early next year. Support holds at ~54%. Prayer for upcoming travel schedules to align, especially potential trips to the Pacific Northwest and Kansas/Colorado areas.
Read PDF
June – July 2025
Jun–Jul 2025: Youth Camp, VBS, & Japanese Family Dinners
Busy summer at home church with Youth Camp (Evelynn participating) and VBS (kids loving it as students). We've started weekly Japanese dinners to build cultural excitement and taste preferences for the kids – everyone takes turns choosing. Heading to a missions conference in Garland, TX at month's end. Support ~53%. Prayer for packing progress to sell our home before year-end, and for our youngest's teething comfort.
Read PDF
March – May 2025
Mar–May 2025: Missionary Conferences & Family Growth
Enjoyed missions conferences in Oklahoma and Kansas – took our oldest two kids to Kansas for a special prayer time together in small groups. Baby continues growing quickly. Sleep remains challenging but improving. Support steady at ~53%. Prayer for better nighttime rest for wife and baby, and for ongoing family health after a season of sickness.
Read PDF
February 2025
February 2025: Missions Conferences & Travel Schedule
Enjoyed presenting at missions conferences in Texas and Illinois – both churches were a great blessing. Planning a busy year of travel to Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and more. FaceTime helps while away from family, but we're eager to travel together soon. Support at ~51%. Prayer for easier schedules with the baby, safe solo trips, and health after recent sickness in the home.
Read PDF
October – December 2024
Oct–Dec 2024: Jessica's Arrival & Christmas Reflections
Special praise: our fifth child, Jessica Charity, arrived November 26th – healthy and a huge blessing! Mom and baby are doing well. Enjoyed presenting in Texas and Oklahoma churches, and our kids participated beautifully in Christmas presentations at home church (Youth singing/flute/mime, nativity from the younger ones). Support steady at ~50%. Prayer for adjusting to the new baby routine and smoother long trips ahead.
Read PDF
August – September 2024
Aug–Sep 2024: Language Progress & Busy Presentations
Continued Japanese language and culture study – kids are comfortable with chopsticks, and our oldest is learning to read/write Japanese. Busy presenting at churches and missions conferences across Texas, Illinois, Michigan, and Colorado, including a great time in the Texas panhandle. Support reached ~50%. Prayer for continued health and wisdom as we prepare for house sale early next year, and for our fifth child's arrival in November.
Read PDF
June – July 2024
Jun–Jul 2024: Language School Update & New Baby Announcement
Praise: a Japanese language school has opened in Tomakomai, reducing commute time and cost – God provided before we knew the need! Pastor Kosaki will guide religious language study. Enjoyed time in Colorado and upcoming missions conference in Fort Worth. Support at ~48%. Joyful news: baby #5 due November 20th! Prayer for health during pregnancy, fruitful meetings, and preparation for more travel in Illinois, Michigan, Oklahoma, and Kansas.
Read PDF
May 2024
May 2024: Connections in Tomakomai & Family Milestones
Communications with Independent Baptist Tomakomai Christ Church continue to progress – God has provided far more contacts in Hokkaido than expected. We look forward to serving alongside these brothers and sisters. Clara was baptized at Spring Valley Baptist, a joyful moment. Attended missions colloquium in Oklahoma and pastor's conference in Kansas. Support steady. Prayer for continued health and wisdom as we prepare for future opportunities.
Read PDF
March 2024
March 2024: Sharing Testimonies & Language Resources
Shared a powerful testimony from a member of Independent Baptist Tomakomai Christ Church at a recent missions conference – an honor to highlight God's work there. Received generous donations of Japanese books and materials to aid language study. Attended two excellent missions conferences in February. Support at ~25%. Prayer for preparation to sell our house and relief from allergy season health challenges.
Read PDF
November – December 2023
Nov–Dec 2023: Family Time in Michigan & Bible Institute Insights
Spent Thanksgiving week in Michigan with family, presenting our ministry and enjoying sweet fellowship. Met with the Zemke family (missionaries in Sapporo) after Christmas. Attended a Thursday night Bible Institute class in Japan – learned the critical need for full immersion in language and culture. Support at 20%. Prayer for continued opportunities and faithfulness as we pursue language preparation.
Read PDF
October 2023
October 2023: Survey Trip Report – First Contacts in Hokkaido
Praise God – from knowing no one in Japan to meeting several faithful Independent Baptist missionaries in the Sapporo area! The Evans and Walters families generously showed us around, introduced us to local churches, housing, cars, and train travel. Attended Suzuran Bible Baptist Church. Immersion in language and culture is essential. Support building. Prayer for continued guidance and open doors as we build on these connections.
Read PDF
September 2023
September 2023: Survey Trip to Japan Underway
We depart September 5th for our 10-day survey trip to Japan – flying first to California to leave the kids with grandparents, then to Taiwan and Sapporo. Excited to accomplish housing research, meet contacts, and take our own photos to share. Blessed with church visits and connections to three missionary families in the area (two meetings planned during the trip). God provided a reliable new vehicle for deputation. Support ~17–20%. Prayer for safe travel, family separation, and productive time in Japan.
Read PDF
August 2023
August 2023: Preparing for Survey Trip & New Connections
Exploring Kitahiroshima (near Sapporo) as a potential housing area with easy rail access. Blessed by church visits in July and the Rodger's Baptist Missions Conference – reconnected with supporting pastors and met new ones. Had a valuable conversation with Karl Andersson, former Japan missionary to Okinawa (now in Sweden), who may return yearly to help. Support ~14–17%. Prayer for continued provision and preparation as we finalize survey trip details.
Read PDF
July 2023
July 2023: Survey Trip Dates Set & Church Fellowship
Survey trip dates locked in: arrive in Sapporo via Taiwan on September 6th, return to the US on September 15th – focus on housing, costs, and locations. Great time with churches visited in June, including a special Sunday afternoon with one pastor's family. Looking forward to more church visits and another missions conference this month. Support ~12–15%. Prayer for a productive Japan trip and smooth child care arrangements during the absence.
Read PDF
May – June 2023
May–Jun 2023: Passports Secured & Full-Time Deputation
Passports in hand – planning survey trip for August or September to test Japanese with native speakers. Blessed at Caprock Baptist Missions Conference in May – handed out over 500 tracts with other missionaries. Exciting news: full-time deputation now! Support building. Prayer for wisdom and timing in selling our house and moving into church missionary quarters, and for efficient survey trip planning including child care.
Read PDF
April 2023
April 2023: Language Fun with Kids & Busy Month Ahead
Continued Japanese studies – kids are learning at their own pace, with Evelynn singing "Jesus Loves Me" in Japanese and asking for tickles in the language. Visited churches this month; April looks busier, with a missions conference in May and survey trip planning for August. Support slightly over 25% toward full-time deputation. Prayer for van replacement timing, smooth job transition, quick passport processing, and efficient survey trip planning.
Read PDF
March 2023
March 2023: Early Language Progress & Church Visits
Studying Japanese via Duolingo and native online teachers – recently held a written conversation with a Japanese native about culture, tourism, and Sapporo restaurants. Visited churches in Oklahoma last month; more Texas visits planned for March and April. First newsletter since starting deputation – support at ~25% toward full-time goal (finalized after survey trip). Prayer for van replacement timing, smooth transition from IT job, and wisdom in survey trip planning.
Read PDF