April 2019 Prayer Letter

Dear friends and family, 

We can hardly believe that one year ago we were preparing to go to Japan for the first time, we had no idea what was in store for us and how God would teach and grow us throughout the whole process. We truly serve an incredible God! We are so excited to tell you all that we are planning on going back to Japan this summer! God has opened the door and we are ready to dive in to another adventure.

Here is a little update on what is going on in our lives right now: Jared continues to work on his Electrician Apprenticeship through BCP. We are discussing and praying about when would be the best time for him to take his 2nd and 3rd year of schooling, this is dependent on time and also money so we ask that you join us in prayer for wisdom in this matter. Lily is in her second year of her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies programme, this year has been more intense than last year but she is grateful for the opportunity and loves what she does! With her dance studio’s end-of-the-year show having just happened, dance has definitely been on the forefront of her mind. Would you please pray that we would be intentional about having time together to strengthen our relationship and prepare for Japan? 

"Celebrating at the end of Lily's dance recital"

This year we plan to go back to the Aomori Christian Center - the place where God so brilliantly took as us a surprise last year. This means we will again have the opportunity to serve the Elliot family with their kids and help with the camps that will run while we are there. We are beyond excited to see the Elliots again and experience what God is doing through ACC! This means we may be doing similar jobs as last year, such as helping prepare and clean up during meal times, manual work around the camp grounds, hanging out with the children who come for the camps and looking after the Elliot kids. Towards the end of our stay in Japan we will also be heading back to the Ichikawa Guest House to visit those we met last year, help in any way we can and hopefully see some different ministries in the Tokyo area. We will be in Japan from July 10th - August 10th 2019. 

"Getting ready to watch fireworks August 2018"

God has placed a burden on our hearts for the people of Japan, a country who has so much and yet lacks the most important thing of all - a relationship with our Creator and the hope that comes with it. Here is a small excerpt from the Elliots’ prayer letter: 

“We recently saw a report that the United Church of Christ in Japan (the largest denomination in this country) expects a 70% fall in membership by 2030. If we are honest, the evangelical churches planted in Aomori Prefecture by OMF and TEAM missionaries over the past 60 years will experience a similar decline unless something extraordinary happens. Please pray with us that God will do something extraordinary here. Many accomplished people have come to Japan over the years, full of vigorous enthusiasm to "do the job right," only to discover that "doing the job right" doesn't have the same effect here as it did back where they came from. The Adversary has Japan on spiritual lock-down, and only the "finger of God" can end it.” 

We urge you to join with us in prayer for the people of Japan, as well, for the missionaries diligently serving them. We know that prayer is powerful and that our God hears us. As the body of Christ we are not called to go out alone. If you would like to support us in any way please see below, or of course feel free to talk with us. Thank you all for your involvement in our lives, we’ve honestly been struck with just how blessed we are to have such a supportive and encouraging community. Please let us know how we can pray for you, it is a privilege to get to do so! 

In Him, 
Jared and Lily Davison 

Mission Timeline 
Pre-Field Prep: February 2019 and on. 
Departure: July 9th 2019 
Return: August 10th 2019 

Prayer Items 
- For a revival in Japan! Less than 1% of Japanese people know Jesus.
- For the Elliots – that they would have wisdom as they prepare for the summer camps.
- That Jared and Lily would make time to prepare individually and together.
- That God would give us courage to follow as He’s leading, now we know exactly what made us uncomfortable we’ll tend to avoid these situations without the peace that comes from our Heavenly Father.
- For the people who will attend the camps at ACC; that God will begin working in their hearts now. 

Partnership
 If you feel called to support us financially there are two ways to donate: Any contributions you would like to make via cheque should be made out to: 
 “OMF International - Canada” Include in the same envelope a slip of paper stating: “Jared and Lily Davison - SAW” for designation. Please send to: 
OMF International - Serve Asia 
10 Huntingdale Blvd. Scarborough, Ontario 
M1W 2S5 

For Online Donations: 
https://omf.org/ca/getinvolved/give/support-aworker/ Under “00-Serva Asia”, 
please include “Jared and Lily Davison-SAW” in the description box. Thank you!