John & Eriko Houlette, Three Streams Ministries, Asian Access
- Thank you for praying for the ministry last month at Mizusawa Bible Baptist Church where I preached and led a seminar on relationships and the Cycle of Grace. It was well received. I took a two-day personal retreat right afterward at C-On Kinshuko which included a canoe trip!
- The evangelistic weekend at Hokushin Calvary Church went well, with the help of a Tokyo-based Brazilian church who came to lead a children’s outreach, preach and prepare two amazing BBQs for the church and community.
- The Hokushin Calvary church planting team had a meaningful time of prayer last Sunday. We sense a burden to pray for a ministry to children and outreach to former Jehovah Witnesses, as one of our newest believers was saved out that background.
- Our consulting staff served 100 ministry leaders over three days at the Church Planting Institute in Saitama. I met with a total of 14 individuals or couples. You can see most of our staff in the bottom left hand picture. The Leader Soul Care Seminar was a blessing with over 40 attendees (bottom right photo).
- Eriko performed in a cello recital on 10/28 (see top photo-she is in the middle of the front row).
- We are raising funds for the Hokushin Calvary Multi-Purpose Sports Court. This is a great Christmas project for your church and youth group. Please check out the video link below. If you want to give, please click the donate now button below and designate your gift for the sports court. You can also send in a check to our SIM account at the address below. Thank you for considering this.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Speak at the 20th anniversary of Saikyo Hope Chapel on 11/12, a church we started in 1997.
- Attend Over-60 retreat at C-On Kinshuko, 11/13-14.
- Attend Asian Access 50th Anniversary Celebration and networking seminar in Tokyo, 11/27-29.
Songs From a Leader’s Soul
Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD! O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy! Psalms 130:2
I hear it nearly every day. It is a like a human voice coming up from the depths of the soul, but it does not pass through vocal cords and lips. It is a beautiful voice-like melody coming from the strings of Eriko’s cello. It is said that the cello is the closest instrument to the human voice. It has a deep rich sound that gives life to the notes. The cello is a metaphor for the Psalm writer’s words here. Bow and fingers bring music from the cello just as our cries express the lament of our soul. The soul desperately wants to be heard by God. God is the audience to our soul song. He cares and attentively listens.
Counseling can help people bring their cries to God in a safe, caring environment. I was reminded of this Holy Spirit-directed ministry during the Church Planting Institute. After listening to many front-line harvest workers I realized if I can do anything, it is to listen well and help clients identify their soul longings. It is a skill to be used in church planting as well.
MINISTRY OF PRAYER
- Pastor Kuba is preaching twice a month now. Continue to pray for his stamina.
- For funds to come in for the Sports Court. $2800 has come in so far toward the goal of $10,000.
- For direction for the church plant at Hokushin Calvary Church.
- For discipline and wisdom for writing a book on ministry transitions.
- For the health of Eriko’s mom and my father.
- We finished 2017 in the black. We thank you so much for your gifts and we praise God for this provision.