Dear Christian Friends,
Hope you are richly blessed by God.  We are doing well and trying to do the will of the Lord.  We are also busy preparing for the birth of a new baby.  We have been debating what name we would give the new born boy.  We downloaded a list of English names through Internet and looked into possible names which can be also Japanese names.  It is likely that we will name him Riki (Ricky).  
My work has been rather steady right now.  A couple of month ago I was studying with 7-8 people.  Some of them indicated that they were not interested in the Bible.  At the present time, I have been having one on one Bible study with three non-Christians and two Christians weekly.  I also counsel with a non-Christian man through phone, whom I introduced to you several month ago.  A month ago he indicated that he made up his mind concerning the lady he deeply loves.  Therefore, I told him plainly that his decision was not in accordance with the will of God.  I added, "If you need me again, please call me anytime."   A week ago he called me again, saying things are not working out he hoped.  Once again I feel like I am going into a maze in which he and I are looking for a solution in accordance with the will of God.

The three non-Christians are showing their interests in the teachings of Jesus.  In this letter let me introduce one of them to you.  He is about 28 years old.  It seems that he is a serious man.  He indicates that he likes the teachings of Jesus, but he has not come to believe in him.  One day we were studying Luke 5:27-32.  Jesus says, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."  In this discussion, I asked him, "Who do you think a doctor is?"  He answered, "Jesus."  I was a little excited.   "Who are the healthy ?"   "Who are the sick?"  "Who are the righteous?"  "Who group do you think you belong to?"  He said, "I belong to the sick."  What a surprise!!!  I responded to him, "I also belong to the sick.  The healthy are the people who think they are healthy.  The righteous are the people who think they are righteous.  All people actually belong to the sick."  I knew that he was moved by the saying of Jesus.  I hope the word of God will prick his heart.  The Holy Spirit will convict him of his sin of unbelief.  I am happy to know that God is working in his life providentially.   I am very thankful for God's using me to teach him the way of life.  
Through this study I got excited about his understanding.  Not only that I also realized that I really need Jesus each in every day.   Once again I realize that Jesus is the vine and I am a branch.  Without him I cannot do nothing.  Only Jesus will make me a fisherman of man.  Please continue to pray for me I will become a fisherman of man.  

Borrowing the words of Paul, I would like to ask you to pray for me:
"Pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.  Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should."  Col. 4:3-4

We are always thankful for your generous support and prayers.  May God keep blessing you abundantly.  In His service,  Masa, Mari, & Ken.