Email sent December 5, 2006.        Email index

November Hiebert Horizon

 

Back in Cartown

On November 20, it was exactly one year ago that we had our first service in the new church building in Toyota City! I still remember the excitement, anticipation, and thrill of finally seeing the fruition of our prayers and hard work! (Yes, there was fatigue and worry about what might not go well!) God deserves the glory and we are so grateful to Him and the many of you who had a part in the miracles that led up to that day! We really miss our church people and enjoy every little report we get from back there. Pastor and Mrs. Kurokawa are filling in during our year in Canada and are house-sitting for us. They along with our church people and Karis give us periodical updates and seem to be doing a great job. Thanks for remembering them in prayer. Someone in one of our churches here in Canada said his prayer was that during this year, East Toyota MB Church attendance would double! That would be awesome!

 

Christmas in Canada

After 18 Christmases in Japan, we will finally have one in Canada! Too bad we won't be able to be in more places than just one! Our plan is to visit  Leona's family over Christmas and be back in Calgary for New Years. We are praying that God will bless you with a Christmas filled with meaning and peace. Please pray that ours will also be blessed by God – especially for our children who have always wondered what it would be like to celebrate Christ's birth in Canada.

 

Study Leave

In July and early November I made trips to Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL (Near Chicago) to take two modular courses. I'm working hard on post-course assignments and preparing for another course in early March. December and January, as well as April through June are set aside for study. Pray for meaningful, uplifting, and useful research and learning. We want to return to Japan next July better equipped and prepared to serve for God's glory and the expansion of His Kingdom. Pray we'll be refreshed.

 

Kid's Schooling

Brandon was able to come to Calgary for his term break and we had a good time catching up on his life at Bethany College. He is making friends, experiencing new things, learning lots and studying hard. Cambria has adjusted well to her school and is busy with studies, choir, friends, youth group at church, emailing friends, etc. Thanks for praying for Trenton. He was accepted into Foothills Academy. The small class size, teachers and assistants trained in working with children with learning disabilities, and a supportive environment are the strengths of this school. Trenton continues to persevere in his studies there and the program designed by his neuro-educational developmentalist. Please join us in praying that he will make exceptional progress this year.

 

Visiting Churches

We are enjoying the opportunities to report in our supporting churches on the great things God did during the last three years. It is encouraging to meet and spend time with people who have taken a keen interest in our ministry and sustain us with their prayers, love, and support. So many people have been following our work closely and praying for us and the people we are serving in Japan. We will finish our visits in February and March.

 

Ministry and Family Needs

With the funding model change that has taken place in MBMS International, we are now required to gather our support from churches and individuals. We are encouraged that many people are asking about our support and are beginning to grasp the fact that we must raise and secure the funds needed to live and serve the Lord as a family. That's right, we need that support whether we are in Japan, or on MINA like we are this year! During this last term we were allowed to serve without full support to allow for time to adjust to the new funding model. We are praying that our support will be fully met in the next few months, so we can plan to return to Japan with our financial needs met. If you or your church would like to begin supporting us or increase your level of support, please contact us immediately.

 

Looking for a few Good Men and Women

God's plans for Japan continue to unfold and grow and the need for more MBMS International team members in Japan is one of our major prayer concerns. We are looking for people who are passionate about loving God and people, godly in character, diligent in service, and bent on seeing Japanese people come to know and follow Jesus. Do you know any such people who feel led to join the MBMS International team in Japan? We want to talk to them so let us know!

 

Advertisement

We have printed more of Leona's pencil artwork. We have 5 sets of 4 cards each for sale for $8 per set or two sets for $15. We also have Christmas Cards available for $20 per dozen. Besides the "Flying Fish" we have "Birdhouse" and "Waterwheel" prints for sale. Please for details.

Praise God for:

	Providing the Kurokawas to serve during our MINA
	The joy of using our new building for a whole year of ministry already
	Protection as we have traveled to many churches
	Arranging Trenton's quick acceptance at Foothills
	Helping our children adjust well to life and schooling in Canada
	Allowing our family to spend extra time with family and friends this year
	Opening doors for the educational needs of our children
	The many people who pray for us and support us

Please pray that:

	By God's grace our congregation in Japan would remain united and active in ministry
	New people would be led to our church and to Christ over this Christmas season
	Our family will be refreshed and strengthened during the last 7 months of our MINA
	God's people would respond to the Spirit's prompting to help us reach full support soon
	Each of our children will have a great year of learning, adjustment, and spiritual growth
	We will be rejuvenated and encouraged so we can return to Japan with new passion

  (click for larger image)

 MINA Schedule for Hieberts (2007)
see: Email 11

Our address until June 2007:

Laurence and Leona Hiebert C/O Mr. Mark Jantzen 331 Hamptons Mews NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T3A 5B2 (Tel. 403-241-0922)