CHRIST IS ALL
Winter 2016-2017 (December 2016, January & February 2017)
Dear Friend in Christ,
During the first half of December, I preached and distributed
Christian literature in public, preached in two different churches on 2 different Sundays, along with setting my house in order
and preparing to travel.
On Saturday, December 17th, I rode the
trains south to Tomidahama Bible Church in Mie
Prefecture and lodged in the prophets’ chamber on the second floor. Early the
following morning, I rode 2 trains to Anjo City in Aichi Prefecture and preached in Hope Baptist
Church. Pastor Jeff Brigham and his family were away this day. I thank God for
about 14 faithful church members who attended this day. In the evening, I
attended the service at Tomidahama Bible Church, one
of three Mino Mission churches.
From Monday, 19 December, I joined in with Japanese members of
those 3 churches as they held Christmas services
almost daily in a good number of nursing homes, hospitals and care centers,
telling elderly and handicapped folks the good news of the Savior’s birth.
Several souls who heard were over 90 years old. One dear soul was over 100
years old. May our Lord give them ears to hear.
I preached at a Christmas service at Oiwake
Bible Church on December 23rd. The faithful few church
members worked hard inviting lost acquaintances to come, and were somewhat
disappointed when none came. As I preached to those faithful few (7) church
members, I did my best to encourage them in the Lord.
On Christmas Day (Sunday), I preached the morning sermon at Tomidahama Bible Church. One week later, I preached there
again on New Years Day. I preached in 2 different services at the Oogaki
Bible Church. I did not bring my preaching record with me to the States. Thus I cannot give the exact dates. I preached twice in the
Wednesday night service at Tomidahama and once in the
Thursday night service at Oogaki.
Most every day, I preached in public, only briefly on some days.
Some days, I preached and sang at length. On Saturday, 7 January, I boarded a
5:24 AM train to leave that area, my heart overflowing with joy from doing much
evangelistic work. I rode back home to Matsuida and
preached at the Isesaki church the following day.
On Monday January 9th, I set my house in
order, closed it up and rode trains and an airport bus to an airport hotel near
Narita. The following morning, I caught a flight to Dallas and flew on to
Memphis, Tennessee. On Wednesday night, January 11th,
I preached at the Gordo Fellowship, Gordo, Alabama. On Thursday, I attended to many
personal affairs and on the following day, January 13th,
I drove to Brother Mike’s house on Shadow Lake in lovely, warm Gulf Breeze,
Florida. The following morning, I preached at Brother Jeff’s 6 AM cottage
meeting.
Brother Mike kindly let me lodge in his house as I preached in
churches and cottage meetings in that area for a month. Truly, it was a great
blessing. The mild climate was most pleasant. Never any snow,
sleet or ice to hinder church work. I left there on 16 February and
drove to southern Georgia, passing thru some of the areas where killer
tornadoes struck a few weeks before, observing some of that horrible damage.
Mercy on us all, Lord, to keep us safe.
On Saturday February 18th, I rented a
table at Smiley’s Flea Market in Macon, Georgia, put out my books and
literature for free and sang hymns. Several souls took literature and some
stopped and talked with me. I was blessed. Upon
closing up at the Flea Market this day, I drove to Barry’s house near
McDonough, Georgia and preached at Kevin’s cottage meeting the following
morning. With Kevin’s 7 children present and Shawn’s 9
children present, children far outnumbered adults. That is most pleasant to
see.
During the following week, I helped some with farm chores at Kevin’s
and a highlight was riding in Barry’s truck with him to Fulton County Jail in a
rundown area of Atlanta. Barry let me preach to 2
groups of inmates. Eight attended the first session. 15
attended the next session. Each session was on a different floor to different
souls in captivity. May our Lord set them free indeed.
The guards watching over them heard most every word also. Glory!
The following day, 26 February, I preached at the Sunday service
in Kevin’s house, where little ones abounded.
Praise God for a most blessed winter, safety of travel and keeping
me on time as I travel. Thank you for praying. God richly bless you!
In Christ’s Love,
Richard Yerby