Jordan and Nitasha News

November 2024 Update

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." Ecclesiastes 3:1

Dear Friends

Well, what a whirlwind this month has been! We thank you all so much for how you have joined with us on this journey. Your precious prayers, your giving, your encouragement is not only what keeps us going, but we have the privilege of seeing how your support is impacting those around us in Japan. Allow us to share as we attempt to unpack a few things that have taken place this month.

UPDATE

We have been taking part in weekly Japanese lessons that have held by a brilliant Japanese teacher (we call him Kiki-sensei) at the church. He’s been so encouraging with our progress and the classes have been really enjoyable.

Being a part of Japan Kingdom Church has been, and is, such a blessing to us. We have experienced a profound level of support from Pastor Marcel, Lady Chiaki, and the wonderful brothers and sisters at the church. However, we’ve really begun to see how our skillsets and gifting combined have become really helpful here at JKC. It began with Jordans revamping of the sound and production systems and setup. The church have been so blessed by his skillset in this area; in fact, a church member mentioned to us that they had all had been praying for this level of an upgrade for a long time, so we praise God for this! In addition, I have been able to assist in implementing systems and procedures to help the church function better, especially since there are no paid staff.

Last week, we as staff team, had a couple of sensitive situations to manage. One included a refugee seeking shelter. There were many details around this that made things difficult to help how we would have wanted to, however, through counsel and the wisdom from the Elim Missions team, we were able to offer temporary shelter and then bless him with supplies, and a food and travel card, as well as signposting him to organisations who are well established in Japan to help with such cases. We pray that he saw the goodness of Christ in our support and our interactions with him. We thank God for His wisdom and foresight in equipping us to help the church navigate through this.

We also had the opportunity to reconnect with Jordans previous Japanese teacher in the Area of Asakusa, where she took us around a very popular temple, she too is Christian, so we had the pleasure of learning about the history, and praying into what we’d seen and experienced. She also helped us to settle in a little more by showing us where to buy certain cooking utensils. It’s not common to have ovens in homes in Japan, which has been a new way of living for us, especially myself who loves a good roast dinner!

We have struggled a little with missing our family and friends (especially our siblings and baby nephews), but we’ve seen Gods kindness in the details that remind us of home. I was like a kid in a candy store when I stumbled across coriander in a supermarket; a scent and flavour that truly reminds me of home.

And we were so surprised to receive a gift at our new home from our legendary missionary friends, the Brotherston’s - it was so kind, and timely!

PRAYER

As you know, we have arrived in quite a difficult season for the church. Day to day now, we’re getting to sit down and regularly meet with Marcel and Chiaki, and as they share, and we hear from members of the church of how important they are as a couple to them, we see and understand God’s timing in this season of deep grief. We can also clearly see the new and exciting direction that the church is heading in - one of creativity and exploration, and where the church of Japan gets regular, positive exposure to their non-Christian neighbours!

We ask that our prayer warriors join us in prayer for:

• Pastor Marcel, Lady Chiaki & Japan Kingdom Church. This Sunday, 10th November will be the memorial/celebration of the life of Joshua Daichi Gadsden, almost 2 year old son of Pastor Marcel & Lady Chiaki who passed away on 10th June 2024. The pain and grief of their loss is one that we are all feeling and we want to do our best to support them however we can through this. They remain dependant upon the word of God to carry them day by day. Would you keep them in your prayers at this really tough time?
• Wisdom and clarity - we have some big projects lined up here at JKC. Projects that have the potential to increase our reach of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Japan. We want to move when and where God leads and guides us. Would you pray that we have the ears to hear and eyes to see the direction in which we should go?
• We’re still settling in - Ensuring we are official residents of Japan can take some time. There’s lots to tick off the list (however, Jordan has been awesome in regards to keeping on top of things!), ie registering our personal signature stamps (Hanko), payment of rent and utilities whilst awaiting approval for a bank account etc. Would you pray for Gods grace and favour over us?
• We are still in awe of Gods detail regarding our new home. Its beginning to feel like our home as we start to put our stamp on it and open our doors to team/friends. We are still yet to await our shipment of goods which should hopefully arrive by mid—end November. Would you pray for a smooth transition of our goods into our home?

SUPPORT

We are beyond grateful to God for how you are joining in with us on this mission to build up the few that are part of Japanese church, and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the millions of Japanese people who’ve never heard it. Your giving has not only allowed for us to find a home close to the church (which we endeavour to use for ministry, for discipleship, for hospitality), but also to be generous, to travel and build relationships with Christians across Japan, to serve our brothers and sisters, and to upkeep practical matters ie, rent, utilities etc.

“The importance of regular giving; its often the difference between a fruitful mission and no mission at all.”
We ask that if you are not currently financially giving to the mission, would you prayerfully consider?
Your part in this mission to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to Japan is equally as important as ours. We moved, but with your help, and in Gods will, we can stay.

Truly, from the bottom of our hearts, we are thankful for every word uttered in prayer and every shared link, and every WhatsApp ping with your faces on it! Thank you for supporting us. We care deeply for all of you and can’t believe the level of care that you have for us.

Love & Mega Blessings

Nitasha & Jordan Christian
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