It’s finally here! We are so excited to see what God has in store for us in 2011 as we continue to surrender to serve Him! We are anticipating the approval to start deputation soon as missionaries to Japan. In addition to the many preparations to begin deputation, Tim is still working a full time job, we are both in school, and I’m home schooling our three boys. This year Tim plans on starting to contact pastors to book speaking times for us to minister to their churches and present our vision for ministry in Japan. Church calendars are booked almost a year in advance. Please make this a matter of prayer that churches will book us and that we will minister to them to the glory of God.

I trust that you had a wonderful time celebrating the birth of our Savior this Christmas! I’m thankful that Christmas is about Christ and not about what culture we live in. We can celebrate the true meaning of Christmas no matter what country we are in or how many presents are under the tree. Please pray for my kids that they would desire Jesus more than anything this world has to offer as we continue to sell our possessions.

I will try to briefly recap 2010 in the McCown home. We hosted our Japanese exchange daughter Moe until June. We love her and had a wonderful time as her host family! She will always be a part of our family even if she lives in Tokyo. We were able to enjoy a family vacation to Florida. The kids always love the beach and so does Tim. We went on a dolphin cruise and had a couple dolphins swimming behind us!

We had a very busy summer. Tim and I spent three weeks in Japan on a survey trip to confirm God’s leading and direction in our lives and to begin making arrangements. It was amazing to see God provide for this trip! Our church family and others so graciously prayed and gave financially to support us. It was very surreal to see people who worship at shrines and temples and pray to false gods. Please consider your part in partnering with us as we prepare in moving forward to be missionaries to the Japanese people.

Our wonderful boys are growing so fast! Simon has started 1st grade this year. He is growing into a sweet boy! Isaac has started Kindergarten. He enjoys being a Sparky in our church’s AWANA Bible club and learning his Bible verses! Elisha is always busy, usually getting into something he shouldn’t. He goes non-stop from the moment he wakes up till he is asleep. I have no idea where he gets so much energy. He loves to sing and misses his exchange sister from Japan.

Thanks for taking time out to read our very first prayer newsletter. Please take the time to pray that God would open a door to us to clearly share Jesus Christ in Japan. (Colossians 4:3-4)