Buenos Aires, Argentina

April 8- 17th I was in Argentina to research the Nikkei population and the churches in Buesnos Aires. There are 30,000 Nikkei living in Buenos Aires a city of 13 million people. The Nikkei in Buenos Aires are a mixture of Buddhist, Catholic, Athiest, and Evangelical Christians. In the 1930's a Japanese christian business man and his family ministered to the early migrants and was able to start a church. When he returned to Japan a Japanese pastor was sent to pastor the church. One interesting thing is that because this church was started early in the migration process and by a Japanese person almost all the Nikkei I met were aware of the existence of the church. There are four churches and two pastors in the Nikkei community. One of the pastors is currently pastoring two congregations and their is one small church that currently does not have a pastor. The majority of Nikkei that accepted Christ in Buenos Aires did so at a moment of crisis in their life. They had had a friend or family member share the Gospel but it wasn't until they had a serious crisis did they make their decision. Both pastors are very interested in outreach to the Nikkei community in Argentina, Bolivia and Peru. They have different services based on language. The original immigrants still worship in Japanese and the third generation is worshiping in Spanish. Please pray that there will be a movement of Nikkei people working together to evangelize other Nikkei. I am optimistic that this will take place in the not to distant future.

Feb in Pisaq ( The Sacred Valley of the Inca)

We just returned Sunday night from a trip in the Andes Mountains. This has been a regular event on the calender for the past four years. We go as part of a team of teachers and evangelist to help disciple and train the churches and church leaders in various doctrinal areas and we are always focused on evangelism events and evangelism training.

We just had another good week. Many people made a decision for Christ. Many people rededicated their lives. Many people came to discipleship classes and hopefully were encouraged and prepared in their christian walk. This is a beautiful part of God's World. (very high and cold and rainy this time of year)

Encouraging Sports Baseball Clinic Jan 2012

We just had our second baseball clinic with the Encouraging Sports missions team. God Blessed and allowed all the team members to come back this year and we added an additional coach. The week flew by but we had a great time.

Jacob and Luke along with a young man (D) who accepted Christ as the result of the clinic last year worked as translators. The Baseball Federation meeting was very gratifying. The Baseball Federation leaders were all very pleased and happy that the team came back a second time. This has really opened the doors to the baseball families in Lima.

The team does a great job with the clinic. At the end of each clinic a coach shares his testimony and another coach shares a story from the Bible. On the day of the last clinic this year we added an opportunity for the players and coaches to respond. There were about 300 kids from the ages of 8 - adult and about 25 Peruvian coaches that participated in the clinic. There were five groups and thus five different invitations. In total we had 42 decisions for Christ this year.

One simple key that allowed us to easily begin sharing the plan of salvation were the wrist bands that say: Encouraging Sports Juan 3:16. Every child recieved a band and heard the Gospel. This was truly a great week: of sharing baseball, our faith and fellowship.

This all started with a conversation while we were on a stateside church visit on a saltwater fishing trip in Tampa. A pastor, simply asked do you have a need for a baseball clinic in Lima? I had no idea and started sending emails to the three Nikkei friends that might know if there was baseball. God truly works in mysterious ways. This is truly a great highlight of our year. The coaches really do a great job putting ona a great baseball camp that is overflowing in love for the kids. The parents, coaches and kids are able to see God's love lived out.

thanks guys
plus a special thanks to the moms, wives, grandkids, kids etc that have to share their family with us for a week)

Watch the recap video here! Copy and paste this link into your address bar. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92QAgpBydZ4

Japan Trip Jan 2011

We were able to see a great deal of Tokyo and Karuizawa. We attended a missions meeting that had many issues on the agenda. We had a very good meeting, strategy sessions, worship and prayer times, etc. We also got to touch base with Christian friends, Japanese friends and Nikkei friends. God opened doors for us to meet and share with many different people. We also did a few vacation days.

Please enjoy the pictures.

Christmas in Georgia

Please note a few pictures while we were in the states. It is always good to be with family and friends.

I personally always enjoy the first worship service in English. Thanks for your prayers.

Computer problems, Trip to Japan

There has not been a post for a while becuase my lap top died. It has now been resurrected.

We have three key events in the past five weeks. We were in the U.S over Christmas and then in Japan for various meetings. Then we had our second baseball clinic with the group " Encouraging Sports". The last five weeks have been very busy and very good weeks.

God's Blessings and Peace, The Mitchell's

Nov 11, 2011 Connections

The Prince Mission Church in Miraflores had 11 people baptized in October and we have just scheduled another baptismal service for Nov. We have 10 more candidates for baptism. One of these young men is M that we told you about last month.

We have started a new TH night Discipleship class for these new believers. We had a big English Sports Camp at Union last weekend. There were 33 Union students that attended. We also started some English Conversation Classes for the Seniors at Union to help them with their test in Dec. They must pass certain test to enter their colleges. Then there is our work at La Victoria. All of these help build relationships.

This is the month of Matsuri festivals in Lima. These are traditional Japanese events where people have celebrations which include singing, eating and traditional drum and Japanese dance performances.

Our ESL work is paying off in some of our events we are having some really good Bible Studies and opportunities to share God's Love.

Please pray for all of these students that they would be open to God's word and that they would respond to His love.

Thanks for your prayers. We have had a major problem with our laptop and distribution list. (Hopefully this will be fixed soon.)

God's Blessings and Peace, Tim and Joy Mitchell