Check out how Kim's students apply a biblical perspective in their essays on human dignity:

• "Selfishness, pride, and the desire for power are the driving forces for one to ignore, insult, hurt, and kill others. That is why Christians have been called to carry out the only thing that can rise above these troubles and give hope to life: love."
• "Within my own life I can see myself disregarding others' importance compared to what I want to accomplish and do. The most clear example for me is when friends ask me for help on homework. Some of the time I find myself thinking that as long as I understand it, it's fine; what a waste of time to teach. In these times I am placing myself and my own convenience over someone else's learning. I am stating that they are not worth my time and effort....In his letter to the Philippians Paul clearly states, 'Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves' (New International Version, Phil. 2.3)."

Please keep praying:

• Ask God to help Michael prepare effectively for CAJ’s accreditation visit (February 27-March 1).
• Ask God to provide staff for next year. CAJ needs secondary teachers for Bible, math, science, and PE.
• Ask God for good health. February is cold and flu season in Japan.

We are grateful for your prayers, friendship, and gifts.

—Michael & Kim

Michael, what are some memorable moments from 2011?
Kim’s memorable moments include experiencing the March 11 earthquake, leading a book discussion on collaboration, seeing Anneke off to college and becoming an empty nester, playing basketball against CAJ’s varsity girls, and seeing her English 10 students apply a biblical perspective in the presentations they gave in December.
 
My memorable moments include seeing Mt. Fuji while jogging, experiencing uncertainty after the damage to the Fukushima nuclear power plant, seeing an entire family get baptized at Easter, facilitating a book discussion on leading groups, having Caitlin and Anneke home for Christmas, and finishing CAJ’s accreditation report.
 
Kim, what has God been teaching you and Michael?
To trust God in stressful times—like after the earthquake and after a senior died in June as a result of a motorcycle accident.
 
Michael, what are your and Kim’s goals for 2012?
Kim’s goals include helping students increase their English language proficiency and helping secondary English and social studies teachers refine curriculum.
 
I want to help CAJ use data. I also want to provide coaching, consulting, and training to help CAJ staff and missionaries serve more effectively.
 
Kim, how are Caitlin and Anneke doing?
They are doing well. Caitlin will graduate from Redeemer in May with majors in sociology and religion. After she graduates, she plans to return to Japan to live with us, while pursuing her studies (graduate work and Japanese language) and doing some internships.
 
Anneke is enjoying her studies at Calvin College, as she prepares to be a secondary English teacher. She is also enjoying being close to Michael’s folks (who live about a 10-minute drive from Calvin).

Thanks for praying:

• Praise God for providing a librarian for next year. Ask God for secondary teachers for Bible, math, science, and PE.
• Ask God to help Michael prepare effectively for CAJ’s accreditation visit (February 27-March 1).
• Ask God for good health. February is cold and flu season in Japan.

What’s happening?

• Jan. 16- 19: Kim’s students finish a grammar unit.
• Jan. 20: Michael facilitates a 2-hour curriculum meeting on technology.
• Jan. 23-27: CAJ has its annual Spiritual Life Emphasis Week.
• Jan. 26: Kim facilitates a teacher discussion on a Christian view of public speaking.

Hope you are enjoying your holidays. We're enjoying being together, playing games, baking cookies, and going for walks along the river.

Please keep praying:

• Praise God that we are having good family time with Caitlin and Anneke.
• Ask God to work in the hearts of non-Christians who attended the December 23 Christmas program put on by Kurume Bible Fellowship and Kurume Christ Church.
• Ask God to provide staff for CAJ for next year, including teachers for secondary Bible, science, and PE.

Happy New Year!

—Michael & Kim

Thanks for praying!

• Praise God that CAJ has completed its accreditation report.
• Ask God to give us good family time with Anneke and Caitlin, who will be home for 2 weeks.
• Ask God to use the December 23 Christmas program at Kurume Bible Fellowship to draw Japanese to Himself.

We're grateful for you prayers, gifts, and friendship. Merry Christmas!

—Michael and Kim

What ministries are parents of my English 10 students involved in?

• A café in Tokyo that hosts concerts and art showings to attract non-Christian Japanese and introduce them to Jesus.
• A seminary that prepares the next generation of pastors for the Church in Japan.
• Continuing outreach to the survivors of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. Many are still living in temporary housing in devastated towns where harbors and fields still need to be cleaned up, and where industries are still struggling to recover.
• Churches being planted in Tokyo and throughout Japan.

Without leaving my classroom, I am part of these ministries. How is that possible? My classroom is where I teach the children of the missionaries doing these things and more. And by helping to educate their children, I free up these missionary parents to share the Gospel in Japan.
 
What are those children doing in my classroom? When I asked them to write about what happens in my class, one student responded, “In English…the teacher…is trying to teach us how to interpret clues and hidden meanings in books. We learn how to write descriptive, engaging pieces of writing, and we learn how to discuss and collaborate with other classmates. Most importantly, we learn how to connect what we are learning to God and to life.”
 
It’s a great job, and I love it.
 
Thank you for partnering with us to make a difference in the lives of students at CAJ and in the lives of Japanese who are ministered to by CAJ parents.


Thanks for praying

• Ask God to help CAJ parents minister effectively.
• Praise God for providing the energy staff needed to prepare for the 2012 accreditation visit. On Nov. 15, staff completed several reports.

What’s happening?

• Nov. 24: We celebrate Thanksgiving with our mission at our home.
• Nov. 29: Kim’s students submit essays on a biblical basis for human dignity.
• Nov. 30: CAJ staff develop the school improvement plan.
• Dec. 5: Michael facilitates a curriculum meeting.

—Kim

Praise God...

• For progress made on school improvement reports. Final drafts are due November 15.
• That Caitlin had safe travels as she went to visit Anneke and Michael's parents.
• That CAJ has been able to provide relief to earthquake/tsunami victims.

—Michael & Kim

Kim, after a week of grading essays, is looking forward to playing in a volleyball tournament this weekend. 
Cailtin and Anneke are looking forward to seeing each other next week—please pray for travel safety for Caitlin as she goes to Michigan. And I'm looking forward to sleeping in on Saturday. Today, I was at school at 4:30 to help make cinnamon rolls to sell at CAJ's flea market.

As a family, we're grateful for your friendship and prayers.

—Michael

In Japan, you can get a haircut  at "hair Flap," eat radishes the size of small baseball bats, and ride buses with Hello Kitty painted all over them. What do you like about where you live?

Please keep praying:

• Praise God that Daichi is preparing for baptism on October 1. Daichi went to church as a child, but hadn't gone for a long time. After the earthquake and tsunami, he couldn't reach his parents in Sendai. This got him thinking again about faith. He started coming to church in March and has been coming regularly. 
• Praise God for providing me with the energy and focus I need to coordinate school improvement. My meetings on Sept. 12 and 23 went well. CAJ staff made significant progress on writing our accreditation report.
• Ask God to help high school students and teachers prepare effectively for the relief work they will do on October 4-7 for earthquake/tsunami victims.

We're grateful for your prayers, gifts, and friendship.

—Michael

Christian Academy in Japan wants to more effectively equip students to impact the world for Christ. In my role as school improvement coordinator, I monitor the school improvement process, design surveys, get students and parents involved, and help develop CAJ's school improvement plan. I really like doing this!

Thanks for praying:

• Ask God to provide me with the energy and focus I need to coordinate school improvement. I'll be leading  meetings on Sept. 12 and 23.
• Ask God to help high school students and teachers prepare effectively for the relief work they will do in early October for earthquake/tsunami victims.
• Praise God for helping Caitlin and Anneke get off to a good start in college.

Thanks for being involved in God's work in Japan.

—Michael

We serve at Christian Academy in Japan, a school for missionary kids. We strive to empower staff and equip students. My first school improvement meeting (August 19) and Kim’s first English class (August 25) went well.
 
I’m pumped! I’m watching 5 small groups of CAJ staff members analyze survey and standardized test data. I’m watching them study 21st-Century challenges and educational goals, discuss what CAJ is like, and determine how effective our learning outcomes are.
 
One small group reviews a 64-item parent survey, noting that parents are satisfied with CAJ and are concerned about SAT preparation. Another group studies CAJ’s student demographics and sees a decrease in the number of students with parents who both come from North America. The group then compares CAJ’s learning outcomes with twelve 21st-Century educational goals, concluding there’s a good match.
 
Meanwhile, a third group discusses standardized test data and then watches a YouTube video on competencies employers want students to have. The group notes that reading scores are consistent, that vocabulary scores are decreasing, and that there’s a good match between skills employers want and CAJ’s learning outcomes.
 
The other 2 groups summarize what CAJ teachers like about their students, reflect on the challenges CAJ teachers face as they teach students representing 35 countries, and identify challenges CAJ students will face in the future.
 
I pull the 5 small groups back together. We conclude that CAJ’s learning outcomes prepare students to impact the world for Christ in the 21st Century. We also generate key research questions that will be used as we complete our accreditation process, for example, “How is the student demographic shift affecting English language acquisition?”
 
We’re off to a good start! Thanks for praying for us.

• Praise God for helping new CAJ staff members make a good transition to CAJ.
• Ask God to provide the energy and focus staff need to prepare for the 2012 accreditation visit.
• Ask God to help Caitlin and Anneke get off to a good start in college.

 —Michael




Kim’s English 10 students talk in small groups on the first day of class. During the next 2 weeks, Kim’s 49 students (who represent 8 countries) will consider questions like “How do writers reflect the image of God?” and “Why is it important to understand another person’s perspective?”

We're ready to start our 25th year at Christian Academy in Japan! We're glad we can educate missionary kids, freeing up their parents to share Jesus with the Japanese.

Please keep praying:

• Ask to God to use CAJ's staff orientation (August 16-18) to help new staff make a smooth transition to CAJ.
• Ask God to help CAJ staff on August 19 to effectively reflect on CAJ's mission, learning outcomes, and student achievement data. This reflection is part of the accreditation process.
• Ask God for travel safety for Anneke as she flies to the US for college on August 20.
• Ask God for a good start to CAJ's school year. Classes start on August 25.

Thanks for being involved in God's work in Japan.

—Michael & Kim

Praise God that Mr. Sakai (age 88) was baptized on June 19. During his youth, Mr. Sakai went to church with his mother. When World War II began, he experienced the pressure of emperor worship, got married to a miko (a virgin consecrated to a deity to serve at Shinto shrines), and left the church. 

Several years ago, Mr. Sakai came back to church. Then his lifestyle changed, and he was filled with joy. This brought questions to his wife about Christianity, and she is now interested in learning about Jesus!

Praise God that CRASH Japan, a Christian relief agency, has been able to meet the needs of earthquake/tsunami victims by distributing essential supplies (water, food, diapers, baby food, underwear, blankets and pillows), by helping with rebuilding, and byproviding emotional care. At CRASH headquarters, Anneke works in publications, Caitlin works in human resources, and I work in planning.

Ask God to help CAJ's 6 new staff members to make a smooth transition to Japan/CAJ. Right now, they are taking an online course from me in which they reflect on questions like: 

• What is CAJ like?
• What do we want CAJ students to learn? 
• How do CAJ teachers help students apply a biblical perspective?

Thanks for praying for God's work in Japan.

—Michael

We've been involved in relief work, CAJ work, and family time:

1. Relief work: Anneke did relief work in northern Japan for a week with other CAJ students. Caitlin and I served at the headquarters of CRASH Japan, developing publications, creating job descriptions, and documenting processes. 
2. CAJ work: Caitlin helped with summer school for 2 weeks. Kim and I worked with 3 other teachers for 5 mornings on revising curriculum units. I collected data to be used in school improvement reports.
3. Family Time: We've been enjoying being together as a family. We had some excellent sweet corn from a local farmer!

We're grateful for your prayers, gifts, and friendship.

—Michael

God is blessing our efforts to empower leaders in Japan—teachers are developing curriculum, teachers are helping students apply a Biblical perspective, missionaries are improving ministry plans, and Japanese Christians are growing.

God is using His people! Ralph, a missionary whose kids graduated from CAJ, was driving relief supplies to a designated relief center. When he arrived, he was told his supplies were not needed. As he left and drove down the road, Ralph asked God what to do with the supplies. God told him to turn left. Ralph turned left and arrived in an area that had been overlooked by relief efforts. People in the neighborhood were glad to see Ralph and asked him how he found them. Ralph told them about God's direction. 

CAJ students are applying a biblical perspective! Thursday afternoon, CAJ's 47 seniors gave 20-minute presentations in which they applied a biblical perspective to issues like teenage alcoholism, child soldiers, human trafficking, deforestation, learning disabilities, and consumerism.

Please keep praying:

• Praise God that Christians (like Ralph) are able to provide effective relief for earthquake/tsunami victims and share the Gospel.
• Ask God to stabilize the nuclear plants.
• Praise God that we're having good family time with Caitlin.
• Ask God to help CAJ finish well. The last day of classes is June 9.

We're grateful for your prayers, gifts, and friendship.

—Michael and Kim

At CAJ, we strive to carry out the Great Commission by evangelizing non-Christian students and by discipling Christian students. So as I read my students’ essays, I was excited to learn that my students are growing. Here’s how 3 of my English 10 students are growing:
 
One of my students committed her life to Jesus during the 2011 Spiritual Life Emphasis Week (SLEW), an annual event where CAJ invites a special speaker to give daily chapel talks. She wrote in her essay that during the 2010 SLEW she had hesitated to become a Christian: “I was probably worried about how people would think of me if I made that commitment to God.”
 
Several weeks after the 2010 SLEW, she remembered a song she’d learned in 3rd grade based on Joshua 1:9, “Be strong and courageous.” It gave her the courage she needed to make a decision for Jesus this year.
 
Another student said his first-semester English project on suffering helped him when thinking about the aftermath of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami: “Suddenly, the project I had worked on came to mind…. Then all [God’s] answers and promises came to mind. I felt as if the Lord had prepared me for that day, to see the goodness of His will and be strengthened, rather than be shaken by the sight of cars dumped into the ocean like pebbles.”
 
A third student felt the need to actively respond to the physical needs of the disaster survivors. Usually a reserved person, he spent much of the time school was cancelled helping to raise relief money. He wrote in his essay that he was surprised to discover God had given him leadership gifts.


Thanks for praying

• Praise God for working in the lives of Kim’s students.
• Ask God to stabilize the nuclear plants and to help Christians provide effective relief for earthquake/tsunami victims.
• Praise God that Caitlin is back after a good year at college. Ask God for good family time this spring and summer.

 
What’s happening?

• May 16-20: Michael develops an online class for new staff.
• May 16-27: Kim’s students write movie reviews and prepare presentations.
• June 3: Anneke graduates!
• June 13-24: Caitlin helps with summer school at CAJ.

—Kim

Praise God that 7 Japanese were baptized on Easter Sunday at a church that meets at Christian Academy in Japan. All 4 members of the Usui family and Misters Morikawa, Takahashi, and Itagaki were baptized.

Ask God to help all those Japanese who were baptized on Easter Sunday (including  the Usui family and Misters Misters Morikawa, Takahashi, and Itagaki) to continue to grow in Him and to be a witness for Him in Japan.

—Michael & Kim
P.S. Caitlin will be home next week!

If you were to summarize last Saturday through today in 5 words, what you say? 

I'd say relief, blossoms, fever, aftershocks, and discussion:

1. Last Saturday, CAJ staff transported fruits and vegetables as part up north part of the relief effort.
2. On Sunday, the cherry blossoms were really out. CAJ's campus was beautiful.
3. Monday, Anneke had a fever and didn't go to school Tuesday-Friday. She's feeling better now.
4. Throughout the week, we continued to experience aftershocks. Japan has had over 1000 earthquake/afterschocks since 3/11.
5. On Thursday, Kim led her last book discussion on Productive GroupWork and said it went well. Meanwhile, Michael was in discussions related to preparing for CAJ's April 19 board meeting.

Please continue to pray:

• Ask God to help Christians share God's love with earthquake/tsunami victims. (Here's a video of Michael's friend Takeshi talking with a Japanese pastor about relief efforts.)
• Ask God to stabilize the nuclear plant situation.
• Praise God that Kim's book discussion and Michael's coaching workshop for missionaries both went well.

—Michael & Kim
P.S. To learn more about Japan's current situation or to give a gift to provide relief, please visit:
http://www.crcna.org/japan

The cherry trees at school are beginning to bloom, Kim and I went for walks along the river, and we only experienced 1 aftershock.

Please continue to pray for Japan:

1. Ask God to provide relief to earthquake/tsunami victims who need food, shelter, water, clothing, and utilities. According to this morning's newspaper, 11,620 are dead; 16,464 are missing; and 191,625 buildings are damaged or destroyed.
2. Ask God to help congregations in earthquake/tsunami areas to share God's love with those around them.
3. Ask God to stabilize the nuclear plant situation.
4. Ask God to help Christian Academy in Japan (CAJ) get off to a good start on Monday, April 4. CAJ students experienced the earthquake on March 11 while at school, had 2 weeks of online classes and then spring break, and may be experiencing stress related to what is happening in Japan.
5. Ask God to help Michael provide effective coach training for 14 missionaries on April 4-5. These missionaries will learn to the GROW process (goal • reality • options • will do's) and LIFE skills (listen • inquiry • focus • encouragement) to have even better conversations.

To learn more about Japan's current situation or to give a gift to provide relief, please visit: http://www.crcna.org/japan

—Michael

In about 30 minutes, we're headed to a mission meeting to reflect together on what has been happening. Here are 4 of our reflections:

1. We're staggered by the devastation and by the number of earthquakes since March 11 (819 and counting). 
2. We're encouraged that relief workers are helping earthquake/tsunami victims. For example, my CAJ classmate Dan Junker (wearing a red coat in this video) worked with  Samaritan's Purse to distribute relief goods to a church in Ishinomaki.
3. We're glad that the US embassy provides needed information about what's happening in Japan.
4. And we're grateful for your continued prayers. 

Please continue to pray for earthquake/tsunami victims, for relief efforts, and for the salvation of the Japanese.

—Michael

What’s it like in our area?

• Our city's water supply is not affected by radiation, as our water comes from local springs/wells, not from surface sources. 
• Train schedules in our area are mostly back to normal.
• And gasoline is getting a little easier to buy and lines are shorter.

Other areas are not like this. Please continue to pray for earthquake/tsunami victims.

—Michael

Here’s some of what we’re hearing:

• In response to a recent Bible class on the story of Jesus calming the storm (Mark 4:35-41), a non-Christian said, "We need Jesus."
• A CAJ parent reports that CRASH Japan "got a shipping route set up for relief supplies. 200 bicycles and 1000 toiletry kits coming in from China. Potential of 100 more containers to follow, as CRASH Japan has the capacity to process, transport, store, and distribute supplies."

Please continue to pray.

—Michael

We are safe, we have a good supply of food/water, and we have consistent utilities. And while this is true, we know that many aren't safe, don't have a good supply of food/water, and don't have consistent utilities. 

Good news we've heard recently includes: 

• A missionary reporting that a Japanese pastor he knows who lives in the earthquake area is OK.
• A visitor coming to church because the visitor had seen a notice that the church would be having a prayer time for the part of Japan hit by the earthquake/tsunami.
• Electricity getting connected at the nuclear power plant.

Please continue to pray:

• Pray for stabilization of the nuclear reactors. 
• Pray for energy and health for relief workers.
• Pray for the salvation of the Japanese.
• Pray for God's guidance about how CAJ should proceed. (CAJ is not having classes on campus until April 4. For CAJ to re-open, we have to have electricity and the trains have to be predictable. This morning, CAJ's headmaster is meeting with other school heads from Tokyo international schools to discuss the situation.)

If you'd like to give a gift to help bring relief, you can give through the CRCNA and CRASH Japan.

Thanks for being involved in God's work in Japan.

—Michael and Kim