Dear Christian friends,
Hope all of you are doing well.  We are doing fine and patiently waiting for the birth of a new boy.  Mari has been struggling a lot lately.  She is ready for delivery.  I will let you know as soon as the baby is born.  

Since many Japanese still would like to study English (conversational English), it is a great means to come into contact with new people.  In this letter I would like to write you about the lady who came to me in February in order to study English.   I do know that it is not a good way for any man to be doing anything alone with any woman other than his wife.  I am very cautious about this and pray a lot for God's guidance and direction.  
Initially she indicated that she was interested in English only.  Later I found out that she has attended the Japanese indigenous church which opposes any organized Christianity.  They oppose located preachers in church.  But their emphasis on the authority of the Bible is similar to ours.  
Recently she said to me, "I am not Christian yet, but I would like to study the Bible more."  Instead of studying English, we began to study the word of God.  Since she has a hard time believing in Jesus (although she wants to believe), we decided to study  who Jesus is.  This study has been good to her, but she assured me yesterday that she did not want to make a kind of decision that she would feel regretted later.  I said, "That's good.  That determination is exactly what God wants you to have."  

I still keep in contact with the business man I reported to you in previous reports.  Every once for a while, he calls me and talks to me an hour or so on phone.  He has not changed a lot, keeping the same things over and over with his platonic "lover."    I am often amazed how slow humans realize what life is all about.  (Yes, I am talking about myself also).   I am often more amazed how great the grace of God and his patience are.  I guess while I am planting the seeds of the Gospel among people, some of them will sometime come to know Jesus and his heavenly Father.   I just pray that I will become an authentic fisherman of man.   Please pray that God will send me more truth seekers or send me where truth seekers are.  

Thank you for your support and prayers.  May God bless your word and service in Christ.  

In His service,
Masa Nonogaki