The Gonnermans to Japan

21/04/2023

There is an election this Sunday, which means the politicians are using microphones and loudspeakers while driving around. They do it to share who they are and why "we" should vote for them. There are also boards like this all over town. For a society that values peace, quiet, and consideration for others, the whole campaigning system does not seem to fit 🤔🗾.

06/04/2023

In a country where 0.3% (377,100 people) claim to be Evangelical Christian, an estimated 1.2% (1.5 million people) are hikikomori, people who "withdraw from society, spending all or almost all of their time isolated at home." No single person or team can defeat these statistics.

This is why we are thankful our job is not to spread Christianity here in Japan. Instead we get to take a small part in God's work in the lives of people to make His name known and glorified through the good news of Jesus Christ.

Fifth of hikikomori cases among working-age people attributed to pressures unleashed by pandemic

29/03/2023

We enjoyed the few cherry blossom trees outside our old apartment, but now we are close to this long path. We are thankful for the new apartment and location God provided!

11/01/2023

Janae and Josiah are enroute to Seattle. Please pray for their flight to Japan and luggage after the flight delays this morning.

24/11/2022

Happy Thanksgiving! We are thankful for time with friends and family.

18/10/2022

This week we are at Faith Baptist Bible College's missions conference. Exciting to see young men and women excited to serve God.

02/04/2022

A precious package arrived from Japan containing school memories for Aila. We prepared the envelope before leaving Japan, which required using many stamps. Have you ever seen a package with more stamps on it?

21/03/2022

Thankful for God's protection last night! On our way back from sharing with First Baptist Church in Bloomfield, IA, a group of deer ran out in front of our van 🦌🦌. Thankfully they did not stop in the road, and God kept us safe.

Thank you for your prayers!

26/01/2022

Quick Update: After a number of issues, God faithfully got us to the US for our year-long Home Assignment. We transitioned to our home-base in Ankeny, IA and are looking forward to start visiting churches in a few weeks!

Thank you for your prayers.

21/07/2021

Our neighborhood has all sorts of little lizard friends scurrying around outside. Our kids haven't caught one yet, but some of the neighborhood kids are carrying lizards around.🦎

10/07/2021

Not exactly the Midwest weather advisory we are familiar with: "The Tokyo region is in a weather condition where severe gusts such as tornadoes are likely to occur. Please pay attention to the appearance of the sky. If there are signs that cumulonimbus clouds are approaching, such as lightning or sudden changes in wind, try to ensure safety by moving inside a sturdy building. Beware of lightning strikes, hailstorms, and sudden heavy rains."

We found out about the advisory after the rain went through. We may or may not have already been outside watching it. 😅