June 3, 2011
Dear Family and Friends,
Already we have hit the halfway mark of 2011, and I pray that your lives have been increasing in joy and the Father’s sweet love all throughout this year. More is coming in the latter half, so let’s remain expectant!
From July 11th - 18th, the church that I am currently serving at, “New Philadelphia” (newphiladelphiachurch.com) is sending out a summer missions team of 14 members to JAPAN for the first time! Personally, ever since the second half of last year God started to highlight Japan to me wherever I went. Although I had no idea why the Lord was doing so, Japan became heavy on my heart so that one of my expectations for the year 2011 was that I would go to Japan. I did not think it would come in the form of a missions trip, but when I was asked to lead the team to Japan, I knew that this was God-ordained!
I truly feel that God’s heart is stirring for Japan at this hour, and I am excited to see His Kingdom invading the land with the revelation of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Not only is Japan considered one of the largest unreached people groups in the world, but the nation was recently devastated by a tsunami and an earthquake, from which the people are still recovering. These two realities are, I believe, a prophetic sign of God shaking the land so that a kingdom that cannot be shaken may be established upon the land (Hebrews 12:28). The New Philadelphia Japan team will be partnering with an American missionary in Japan, ministering in northeastern Japan and providing relief in whatever capacity we can. We will also be involved in evangelistic ministry, as well as building up and encouraging the body of Christ.
God has never disappointed those whose hearts fully trust in Him, and I know that as we go with our eyes fixed upon Him and led by His Holy Spirit, He will surely manifest Himself with His miraculous love. I pray that the Land of the Rising Sun will indeed become the Land of the Rising Son! It is only God who can work in the hearts of those who do not know Him, and He is surely able to save!
As I lead this team, I want to give you a wonderful opportunity to partner with God’s heart for Japan. I am looking for people who can support me financially and/or in prayer. Both are key! Your prayers will provide the covering and the power we need to minister effectively to the Japanese people. Therefore, I would like to ask you to become prayer warriors on my behalf! Also, in order to go, I must raise 800,000 KRW. Please prayerfully consider donating on my behalf so that you can share in the mighty testimonies that God has in store for the Japan team. If God moves upon your heart to support financially and/or in prayer please visit support.newphilly.cc. Thank you for reading!
Yours truly,
Lydia Ra