One Year in Tsukuba

Summer has arrived here in Japan, and we're thankful it hadn't gotten too hot and humid--until now, that is. As America celebrated its 250th birthday, we reached one year in Tsukuba, Ibaraki. We're so thankful to God for providing this avenue for ministry in Tsukuba and to be working with the Kurisaki and Zody families. We've settled into life and ministry here, and are excited by what God has in store!

Saying goodbye to M-san at Tsukuba Life before he moves to Tokyo

Updates & Praise:

• The VBS "English Day Camp" at Tsukuba Life Church and Saiwaicho Christ Church are later this month. We have seem tremendous interest from the community, and there are only a few spots left! It was amazing to see Y-san (not yet believer) promoting the summer VBS program to other Treehouse attendees! Praise God!

• Jeff, Malia, and Mason took the Japanese language profiency test last weekend. While we hope to pass, in the end our goal is to grow in language learning to live life and do ministry here in Japan.

• Praise God for a smooth transition for Mason to his international school! He is on summer break now and will start 8th grade in the fall.

• After a first rough couple of weeks, Elijah has adjusted well to going to school on his own and is doing very well. Praise God for this answered prayer! He's even learning a lot of Japanese!

• We are thankful that we found new renters for our home back in Washington.

Prayer:

• Please pray for final preparations for the Lighthouse VBS short-term missions team coming later this month, and for our leading of the program. Please pray for the team, the kids and their parents, for God's love to be conveyed and received.

• Please pray for Jeff's ongoing men's ministry, including one-on-one meetings with S-kun and H-san, as well as future opportunities like Alpha.

• Please pray for Malia's Treehouse ministry, especially for not-yet-believing regulars like M-kun and his mom Y-san, as well as connections with the Japanese ladies from hula.

• Please pray for Mason, Kaili, and Elijah, that they would continue to grow in their own faith in the Lord. Mason and Kaili had a great time at a recent Christian summer camp in Tokyo.

Treehouse at Tsukuba Life // Treehouse at Saiwaicho

Saying farewell to short-termer Lexie, who hopes to return to Japan // The visiting Choi family, whom we hope to serve with in Tsukuba soon!

The visiting Chiang family // The visiting Dunn and Jung family

The visiting Kim family // Dinner with C-san and M-san

Kaili's sports day at school // Mason river rafting at camp

We would love to hear from you, whether it be to share your prayer requests or to simply catch up. Please know that we think of you and pray for you often.

Thanks and blessings,

The Walkers

Jeff, Malia, Mason, Kaili, and Elijah