Giving you a little view of Japan without leaving your home!

Prayer letters, curious subjects, events, people, customs, and more for you to enjoy and learn.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Accidental Acceleration Curbed

Nissan Motor Co. has developed a system of using cameras and sensors designed to suppress the acceleration pedal and apply the brake should the need arise. It applies the brakes if the driver mistakenly presses the accelerator when the car stopped.

There are four cameras installed, one on each side and an ultrasonic sensor for the front and rear of the car. Nissan's Elgrand minivan marks the first sales employing such a system.

The system is designed to detect parking-space lines, walls and other obstacles in parking lots and will automatically engage the brakes should the accelerator be pressed. Nissan plans to equip compact cars and sedans which are popular among middle-aged and elderly drivers.

According to the National Police Agency, there were 6,432 car accidents nationwide in 2011 when drivers accidentally stepped on accelerators instead of brake pedals.

Drivers in 30% of these accidents were 65 years or older, and it is feared that an increasing number of elderly drivers will be involved in such accidents in the future.

Automatic braking systems, such as Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.'s EyeSight, already are in fairly wide use. The brakes are automatically applied when the system recognizes other vehicles and other obstacles in front of a moving car. However, they may not be effective if the driver continually presses on the accelerator instead of the brake pedal.
Source: Yomiuri Shinbun

As followers of Christ we often blow it, but God in His mercy provides forgiveness!
Psa 34:19  Many are the afflictions of the righteous:  
                                     but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.



If we trust in God, He certainly knows how to get us out of a tight spot! 
We just need to cry to Him!


Psa 34:17  The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, 
and delivereth them out of all their troubles. 




God is listening and ready to rescue for time and eternity! 


                            Psa 34:22  The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: 

                            and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate. 

                                You will never ever loose out if you run to God!___________________

January Newsletter




We are often asked by Japanese, "Why did you come to Japan?”  We are very happy to tell them about the Lord Jesus Christ.  As Biblical Christians, it is good remember that there are three reasons, we all should be telling people in our sphere of influence about their need of salvation in Jesus Christ.
1) It is a Command to obey: Mt 28:19,20a "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:"
    2) It is a Debt to be paid: Romans 1:14-15a "I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel"
    3) It is an Honor to embrace: 2Corinthians 5:20 "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." 

Therefore, whether we abound or abase, we remain here serving the Lord as He has asked.  Beings we now have our permanent Visa status, this seems to help the Japanese understand that we intend to just keep on living here and being a part of this community.  May this year be another year that someone in this area comes to know Christ.

  Miss Tsuzuki was gone this month due to winter vacation until this past Sunday.  We rejoice at being able to continue our Bible study with her and pray that the last of the walls she has put up in her heart would be torn down so that she freely accepts the gift of salvation she understands so much about now.  We also rejoice in that she chose to ask to continue another year here in Teshio. She had completed her first 4 years so had to make a decision. The Lord is not done with her yet!

  Mrs. Sonoda has faced several trials recently with sudden things that have happened. Doctors discovered her father had cancer in his stomach. Praise God they were able to take about one third of the stomach out and feel at this time that they were able to get all the cancer. He is yet unsaved so she is even more concerned about his need spiritually. Her husband has also had some difficulties and is unsaved. So far they believe it is not cancer but won’t know exactly until test results come back.  

  Moriyama-san has not been able to come since the New Year due to all the snow fall which is a record high this year.  He is on road crew in the summer and snow removal crew in the winter.  Maybe come February they can catch up a little and he might be able to come.

  Two adults study the Bible after English class on Monday nights in Horonobe. They have both been studying for many years in this way.  Mr. Kato (kaw toe) seems to be softening more and more.  He is 70 and is such a sweet man—wouldn’t it be wonderful if that was deepened because he came to understand there is only one God and that God loves him so much that He died for him!!

  Vicki is taking a ‘birthday’ trip to the USA for the month of February. She will begin at Richard & Angela’s with Abigail s birthday, go to Alicia and Joshua’s for her birthday and Jacob’s. Michael and Lauren will also fly there for part of the week so they can see Vicki and the family, too.  Finally, Vicki will fly to Wisconsin and get to be with her mom for her birthday and also see her brother and wife. We appreciate your prayers for traveling mercy for her and blessings on her fellowship with family and friends.

  Miss Tsuzuki will join Mrs. Sonoda for Ken to teach them in the morning while Vicki is gone.  The hardest part is that our pianist won’t be here to help us sing but we are glad that we can ‘make a joyful noise’!!  

  Both of us were pleased with our last check up results on kidney stones and Vicki’s eye.  Ken is still fighting a slight infection that is hard to clear up. They are trying a new antibiotic.  But otherwise, the 3 stones left have not changed. His next check up will be in April.

Prayer Requests:
1.      Families of believers to be saved and baptism of believers
2.      Health of Mrs. Sonoda-she never knows if she is going to have a hard day or calm day—dizziness; discomfort
3.      Bible study with Hitomi Tsuzuki-her salvation; rehab and healing of her knee
4.      New inroads to be found into people’s lives and hearts; Mr. Moriyama, Miss Emi, Filipino ladies (who we have not been able to help get here; Town folk
5.      Yen/dollar values


Serving Christ Together,    
Ken & Vicki Mansell  
         
 Just A Prayer At Night – Your evening is our daytime!