August Prayer Letter

Gen 6:22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he. 

What a great report for the ministry of this one man, Noah! Oh, that we could have that said about us! Starting with myself, I remember times when I didn't do what I knew God commanded me to do or be. Praise God for His grace! Genesis records the decedents of Seth, Adam's son. Only two men had this phrase said about them, ".... walked with God": Enoch and Noah. God took Enoch, so that he did not see death. God took care of Noah, so that he did not see the death of his family when God destroyed the world because it was filled with violence. Kind of sounds like our world today. Let us be those who walk with God and do according to all that God commands.

During the summer school break, we held a requested “American Home Stay” for 5 children (3 siblings and 2 friends) for three days. The three boys stayed in our home and the two girls were with us during the day. Much activity, some special cooking and baking, a hotdog and marshmallow roast as well as a Bible story for a.m. devotions were some of what took place. It was an exhausting time but overall the kids were very well behaved. We know we need to take every opportunity to be a shining light to even these young people. We sent home packets to their families with a Gospel of John and other tracts. We couldn’t do 100% English but used as much English as we could and taught them some while they were here at their request as well.

Thursdays and Fridays this month have been dedicated to getting the carport/deck rebuilt so that the roofers can come in and finish the rest. We have been blessed to have one or two fellow missionaries along with one or two of their sons as well help in this project. Each one worked so hard and it is basically ready for the next step. We finally received word that the insurance will cover a greater portion of the amount needed and with the men doing some of the work that was included in the estimate we will be able to cover more of the roofing cost. Why rebuild you might ask: Our main walk way is protected from falling snow by this design so no danger to people that way and it cuts back our snow shoveling in winter by three fourths as well as not having to dig out our vehicles. Also in the summer, someone who might be reluctant to come inside WILL come on up to the deck area and we have witnessing opportunities as a result.

Three Filipino ladies who work on dairy farms in the area came to one service this month. We had hoped they might be able to make it back again but so far that has not happened. We trust to be able to contact them and see if we can visit them. We also need to talk to the Farm Coop advisor to help him understand that when they have time between milkings and responsibilities they DO desire to be here. One claims to be saved and the other two are from Catholic background. They have 3 year contracts so we hope to be an encouragement to them as well as see them truly come to know the Saviour who loves them. They do not speak much Japanese yet and greatly miss their homeland and families there.

Miss Tsuzuki, high school nurse who comes for English Bible study on Sunday nights was only able to be with us for part of August due to summer vacation. Now she will be gone until first part of November due to the need to have knee surgery and then rehabilitation after that. This will all take place down in Sapporo. She said she would read her Bible while she is gone and we asked her to read through the Book of John. So much ground work has been laid so we continue to ask the Lord to even use this time to give her complete understanding of her need for Christ as her Saviour. We also hope to stay in touch as much as we can via phone emails. There is nothing that is a surprise to God so we completely believe this is part of His plan for her life and for her encouragement. Please pray for her surgery on 9/20/12.

God has given us safety and health throughout these summer months and for that we are grateful. We especially thank Him for safety for the men and boys as they have worked on the carport. Vicki has been busy with extra curricular activities that bring her in contact with many ladies in town. Thank you for upholding us in your prayers day by day and month by month. We need them always: and not only for us but for those that follow Christ and those that need Christ! May we be found faithful!

Serving Christ Together,

Ken & Vicki Mansell                           Just A Prayer At Night

Clean-up starts with One Man!

 

In 2006, Yuji Arakawa a young man of 20, decided to start picking up trash. His example launched what has since become a nationwide cleanup movement involving over 100,000 people. Arakawa regularly visits middle and high schools around the country, encouraging students to live boldly and positively. He has delivered this message to more than 300 schools.
“I picked up rubbish, even dead rats. There is more trash out there than you would believe,” Arakawa told third-year students at a school in Shizuoka. “But the toughest thing for me was the cold looks I got from others. Some people even threw their cigarette butts in front of me to pick up,” he said.
While a student at university, he lived an affluent lifestyle thanks to the financial support of his parents, but he had no dreams for the future. Lacking confidence in himself he skipped classes and often went bar-hopping.
With a desire to make a change in his life, he came up with the idea of cleaning up the dirtiest places in the country. In November 2006, Arakawa started picking up trash outside the exit of Japan Railway’s Shinjuku Station every day at 6 a.m. He openly cried when he was harassed by some people, but soon a homeless man joined him in picking up trash. After three months, 50 people were helping Arakawa on his daily litter patrol.
In 2007, Arakawa rallied for people across the nation to make a special effort to clean up on May 3, and he called it Trash Day. He put out a call on the Internet for people to follow his lead, and when the day came, 444 people nationwide were picking up trash in their local communities. On May 3 the following year 1,500 people took part.

 

On May 3, 2009, 15,534 people picked up trash, and in 2010, the number of participants increased to 103,036.
Arakawa got a job in March last year, and since then it has been impossible for him to pick up trash every morning.  However, the May 3 cleanup day concept continues. Last year, 15,534 people picked up trash on the day and this year, the number of participants increased to 103,036.

"The important thing is to have the courage to take a step forward," he said. Arakawa has delivered his message in more than 300 schools.
A 14-year-old student stood up in front of the class to thank Arakawa on behalf of her schoolmates. She said later: "I'm not good at coming forward, so my hands were shaking. But after listening to his speech, I want to take on a challenge."
"Students have many concerns. They have to choose the direction they will take after graduation," said the teacher who invited Arakawa to visit the school. "So I wanted them to know that anyone can change if he or she works on something harder than anyone else."
Arakawa plans to publish a picture book about his experiences  about a homeless man who was the first to give a hand picking up trash, and is Arakawa's way of expressing his thanks to the saggy-trousered gent.
“I was just useless. But as I continued to put forth each little effort, my life became fun,” Arakawa said. “Anyone can change if he just puts some effort into it.”
(Source: Yomiuri News 2010-07-01)

What a wonderful idea to clean up the filth in our neighborhoods! Unfortunately, no amount of good works can really clean up our act!

The Bible says:
Isaiah 64:6  But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Romans 3:10  As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 

Only Christ's shed blood can take away our iniquities (sins) and make us all anew!  

Romans 10: 9, 10-That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

The Age of Wi-fi

  

Need Wi-Fi? Find a Vending Machine
By Sarah Jacobsson Purewal, PCWorld

  Dec 30, 2011

Ah, Japan. The land of vending machines for, quite literally, everything. Now Japanese vending machines dispense one more item: free Wi-Fi!

Asahi Soft Drinks has introduced a new vending machine that dispenses soft drinks as well as a wireless signal. And the good news, of course, is that this wireless signal is totally free.

The signal will be good for a 50-meter radius around the machine, and users will be able to log on using smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Users can be continuously connected to the wireless signal for 30 minutes at a time, but when they're kicked off after a half-hour they can just log on again.

Upon initial logon, the wireless vending machine network displays a splash page with ads and info from local surrounding businesses (as well as Asahi).

Asahi believes that this new vending machine will strengthen and expand the vending machine business by drawing customers (within 50 meters). I'm not totally sure this will work, though, since many vending machines are located in areas that are not so hospitable to lazy web browsers, such as busy intersections.

Asahi plans to introduce 1000 of these machines around Japan in the next year, and expand to 10,000 machines in the next five years. Asahi also operates about 250,000 non-Wi-Fi-enabled vending machines in Japan.

While having a machine that 'knows' you and what you might be interested in, it is even more amazing that God in Heaven knows you and all your needs and desires.  But more than that He deals with you as an individual and desires to have you with Him and loves you more than you could ever imagine!  Nobody knows you better than God.
Daniel 2:28- But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days.
God has shown in His Word many times that He knew just what was needed or what was going to happen to particular people.  Facial recognition may tell something about you, but God knows everything about you.  Do you know about God? He would like to know you.  If you know Him do you converse and communicate with Him every day?







(related article)-
http://www.techhive.com/article/246310/touchscreen_vending_machine_can_remember_your_face_your_drink.html