A ministry update from Philip & Yukiko Osaka, Japan 4 February 2019

God’s Perfect Timing Based on Tomo and Yumi’s early arrivals, we expected #3 to be born ahead of her Jan. 25 due date. When our doctor told us before Christmas that Yukiko needed to be on bed rest until we got to week 36 of the pregnancy, we weren’t overly surprised. We spent our holiday season laying low at home and trying to keep baby where she was a little longer. We made it to week 36 and Yukiko was given the OK to be up and about again. We thought baby’s arrival was imminent and we were on full alert. As the days ticked by we found ourselves in week 37, then week 38…then week 39, but still no baby. Philip was scheduled to lead the year-end ministry review with students the night of Jan. 25. It was the last official ministry event for the school year. Yukiko tried to call him repeatedly during the meeting to tell him that her contractions had started, but for some unknown reason the call wouldn’t go through! By the time word finally got to Philip the program had just ended. He was able to finish his ministry responsibilities for the night, rush to the hospital and be there for baby’s arrival. It was God’s providential care and perfect timing! We sensed God’s hand at work throughout this pregnancy and knew that it was more than chance we made it to full term. As Philip prepares to step into the new challenge of leading the Osaka team it was significant for him to be able to wrap-up this current year of ministry on Jan. 25. For Yukiko, the timing of living with Yukiko’s parents and the baby’s later-than-anticipated arrival allowed her to be a part of ministry on campus and attend our weekly student meeting on several occasions right up to the end of her pregnancy. Some students were even thoughtful enough to suggest that Yukiko join their small group time via video call while she was on bed rest. God consistently opened up doors of opportunity to serve. We also saw God’s perfect timing at work in the hospital where the baby was born. Yukiko got to know a number of other mothers well and God provided a unique opportunity to minister to a woman in her fifties who came to the hospital to advertise her company’s baby formula. As soon as she walked into the room for her presentation Yukiko felt a tug on her heart for the woman. She wanted to talk with her afterwards, but it didn’t look possible with so many people around so she went back to her room. But when she walked by ten minutes later, she found the woman alone packing up her things. She started talking with her and handed her a short summary of the message of the Bible. The woman received it gladly and Yukiko felt led by the Spirit to share: “As soon as you walked into the room today I just sensed that God wanted me to tell you that he loves you…” The woman hugged her and began to cry. They weren’t able to talk long, so Yukiko didn’t know what she was going through, but before they parted she said, “I’m so thankful you gave me this today.” It was a divine appointment in God’s perfect timing.

Introducing Yuna Aileen! Yuna Aileen (佑名アイリーン) was born right on her due date, January 25 at 10:30 p.m. weighing 6 lb. 10 oz. and measuring 19 inches. Yuna’s name is made up of two Chinese characters (kanji). “佑” (yu) is the first character in Yukiko and Yumi’s name. It is comprised of two components that mean “person” and “right” and refers to divine assistance that, as Christians, we recognize as the grace of God. The second character "名" (na) is simply the character for "name" in Japanese. Aileen is a variation of Eileen and means "bright or shining one." As we were praying about names for our little girl, there were several scripture passages that God placed on our hearts:

Psalm 16:8-9 I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore, my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure…

Revelation 3:12 Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.

Isaiah 43:7 ...everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.

It is our prayer that Yuna Aileen would hold fast to the Lord at her right hand, being called by his gracious name and shining for His glory. We are grateful your prayers for Yuna’s continued growth physically and spiritually, as well as for Yukiko’s continued recovery and strengthening.

philip.brewer@cru.org|yukiko.kitajima@studentimpact.jp|https://give.cru.org/designations/2/8/0/7/7/2807747.html

Japan Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru) Osaka, Japan

* PRAISE GOD FOR YUNA’S SAFE ARRIVAL!

* FOR YUKIKO’S CONTINUED RECOVERY AND YUNA’S GROWTH

* GOD’S BLESSING OVER CAMPUS FORUM (FEB. 25-28) AND PLANNING TIMES FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR (MAR. 5-7, 8)

* GOD’S GRACE FOR NEW CHALLENGES IN LEADING

Campus Forum and the start of something new Students in Japan just finished up the school year and are on break until April. One great opportunity for students to grow in their relationship with God and as kingdom laborers over break is “Campus Forum”, an annual gathering of students and staff from around the country that will be held in Osaka Feb. 25-28. Please pray that God would use the sessions, fellowship and outreach times to transform students’ hearts and give them his vision for themselves; their families and friends; and their campuses. The following week (March 5-7) our staff team will be taking extended time to pray and plan for the upcoming school year. We will then meet with students on March 8 to share, pray and plan together. Please pray that our staff and students will be sensitive to God’s leading and that we can move forward in His plans for this next year. Please also pray for wisdom for Philip as he guides this process and begins to take on more leadership of the ministry.

With Thanks,

Philip, Yukiko, Tomo(4), Yumi(2) & Yuna(0)