Brendan and Karin Morgan Prayer Letter: Christmas OpportunitiesWarm greetings, in the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, from Osaka, Japan! As we step into the fresh beginnings of a new year, we reflect on the Lord’s faithfulness and grace, which have been so evident in our journey here since March 2023. We are filled with immense gratitude for all of you who have sustained us through your prayers, encouragement, and generous support. Your partnership in the Gospel is a beacon of hope to our family and to the souls we are reaching out to in Japan.

The past two months, December and January, have been a whirlwind of blessings, challenges, and heartwarming encounters that we are eager to share with you. First and foremost, we wish to extend our heartfelt thanks for the extra blessings that many sent for Christmas. Your generosity brightened our holiday season, and we are very grateful! Many of you have probably heard about Japan’s New Year’s Day earthquake. While our house shook pretty well, we were otherwise unharmed by the quake. However, the earthquake impacted several thousands, and over 200 people tragically lost their lives, while many more lost their homes. Please pray that God would use this tragedy as an opportunity for some to find hope in Jesus Christ.

On November 29, Karin’s birthday, her sister Sandra and her husband Eric surprised my wife with a visit to Japan. Their presence was a tremendous encouragement to our family, reminding us of the strong bonds of love that span continents. Their visit uplifted our spirits and strengthened our resolve to continue God’s work with renewed vigor.

During December, we dedicated much time and effort to preparing for a special Christmas program at Senri Newtown Baptist Church, held on December 24. This event was a beautiful reminder of why we celebrate Christmas—the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Many choir songs were intertwined with a clear presentation of the birth of Christ and how He alone can forgive sins. We were overjoyed to welcome several first-time visitors, including a man from India named Krrish. I met Krrish during a community event we were invited to by the couple from the Chuo Ward of Osaka, whom the Oishis introduced us to. Krrish comes from a Hindu background. He returned for a church service in January, and I was able to take him to lunch. He had many questions about Christianity, and I was able to share the Gospel with him fully. He is excited to learn more and plans to attend our upcoming Missions Day on Sunday, February 11. Please pray that he will trust Christ as his Saviour as I continue to witness to him!

My wife also invited two Japanese women, Mami and Shizuka, whom she has been talking to. Shizuka expressed that this was the first time she had ever heard the story of Jesus Christ’s birth. The opportunity to share this pivotal story with her and to witness her genuine intrigue was a poignant reminder of the importance of our mission here in Japan. Many simply do not know Who Jesus is. Please pray that we will continue to have the opportunity to witness to these ladies. My wife’s cousin Ryo, whom we mentioned in our last update, got sick during Christmas and sadly was not able to come. Please continue to pray for him.

Amid these events, we have persisted in our Japanese language studies, aware that improving our proficiency is crucial to forming deeper connections and effectively sharing the Gospel. Your prayers for our language acquisition have been felt, as we gradually become more comfortable in our conversations.
As we look forward to the year ahead, our hearts are filled with anticipation for what the Lord has in store for us and the people of Japan. We are especially excited about deepening our relationships with Krrish, Shizuka, and others who have shown interest in the message of hope and salvation through Jesus Christ. We desire to see more souls saved here in Japan and are committed to being faithful stewards of the Gospel.

In closing, as we continue to navigate the challenges and joys of missionary work, we are comforted and strengthened by the knowledge that we do not labor alone. Together, we are making a difference in Japan for the glory of God. Please continue to pray for us as we strive to make Christ known in Japan. Pray for our language studies, divine appointments with those seeking truth, and the growth of Senri Newtown Baptist Church. We also ask for prayers for our family’s health and adaptation and that we will always be a light that reflects the love and grace of Jesus Christ.

May the Lord richly bless you for your kindness and partnership in the Gospel. We look forward to sharing more of what God accomplishes through your support in the months to come.

In Christ’s love,

The Morgan Family