Christ is all
Spring 2003 (March, April, May)
Dear Friend in Christ,
Back in January, I had
made plane reservations to go to Guam on the 7th of March. So, on
returning to Japan from the States on 28 February, I had just one week to catch
up on my affairs here and prepare for the trip to Guam. I did go to Guam on the
7th of March and filled in for Pastor Mendiola at Temple Baptist
Church while he went to the States for about 2 and half weeks. I got to preach
and teach from the pulpit there four times a week, 3 times on Sundays and once
on Wednesday nights. Temple is a small church with about 27 people attending on
Sunday mornings. They all listened very well to me and those good people were
such a blessing to me, bestowing upon me every kindness they possibly could.
I also helped in their
Christian school that had about 14 students. I preached in the weekly chapel at
school and helped with the upper class of 7 students. The students were fun to
be with and were a blessing to me. The few “bad apples” in my class were a real challenge also. It was a rich
experience, being back on Guam with Christian friends I have known for years
and getting to preach and teach so much. Also, I witnessed some out in public
and distributed over 400 of my booklets, going from house-to-house, leaving a
booklet at each door.
I left Guam on Saturday
afternoon, the 5th of April, and arrived back at my house in Japan
just before midnight, after having caught the last train coming this way for
the night. Arriving at my house, I had a phone call from my brother on my
answering machine, saying that Daddy had died about 12 hours earlier, there in
my brother’s house. I rejoice in the fact that Daddy was a Christian and am
thankful that God gave him a long, active, healthy life of over 85 years. I did
not go back for Daddy’s funeral, as I had gotten to see him in February and
just didn’t want to take another long trip, after having just returned from my
2nd long trip. I thank God for keeping me safe during all that time
I was traveling, with a war starting up and such.
On returning to Japan in
April, I again starting holding evangelistic services here. A few adults have
attended some of the services, but mainly children attend. Attendance has been
very low, with the highest attendance at 17 people. Please pray that more will
come to the services. Also please pray for God to work in the hearts of those
who do come and hear the Bible teaching.
In early May, I again
started my seasonal, part-time selling on the street in the nearby tourist town
of Karuizawa. I also preach while I am out there “making tents.” I get a great
blessing out of doing that preaching. A lot of people hear me out there in
public. They cannot keep the preaching out of their ears. Please pray that it
will find root in their hearts and that many of them will come to a saving
knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Prayers are so important and I really
appreciate you who pray for me and for the Japanese to whom I am preaching and
witnessing. God bless you for praying.
Several of you have sent
me offerings during the spring. That is a great help to me. May God bless you
abundantly for giving. That means a lot to me, that you are willing to
contribute some of your money to this missionary work. Thank you so much for being
so generous. I am praying for you. May God richly bless you as you live for Him
and serve Him.
Christ’s unprofitable servant,
Richard Yerby
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