Just before we left Japan, we asked our supporting churches and friends to pray regarding our transition. Specifically, we asked for prayer for a car, an apartment, and for our boxes shipped by sea mail via the post office(!) to arrive in a timely manner.
The Lord answered “more than we could ask or imagine” with a car that meets our needs, and we are now “continuing together in one Accord”. This car enabled us to move quickly, and God led us to a nice little apartment in Kitchener that seems to be perfect for us. We have moved in. However, we are still waiting for the 19 boxes. Please pray that our stuff would arrive sometime “soonish”. On August 29, the Japanese P.O. said the boxes were on a ship dispatched from Yokohama. We haven’t heard anything since…
The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever. Psalm 121:8
We are dealing with some reverse culture shock in our new setting, along with mutual sadness and grief with our Japanese friends and churches. Pray for us and the 5 churches and many friends that we have left behind in Japan. We will keep in touch with some, for Zoom Discovery Bible Studies (DBS), and contact others for prayer. After many years in Japan, we realize how difficult it is for Japanese believers to grow in their faith in such a spiritually dark culture.
Kathryn will continue DBS with Mrs. H next month on line. We met her when she was grade 2. She attended outreach events in our home for years and Rob taught her English. Now 25, she eagerly writes out the Scripture, and answers all the DBS questions before meeting in order to discuss the passage. Also, Miss S (a believer) will continue to meet with Kathryn. Christians can be lonely in Japan, struggling to share openly from their hearts.
Sayonara Japan さようなら
This weekend we are heading north to gather with Rob’s family for the internment of Rob’s mother’s cremated remains (she passed away last November). In the coming weeks will be contacting our 26 supporting churches and many individuals who have prayed for us and given financially towards the work in Japan all these years. We are praying that God would use these next months to further motivate our churches to pray for Japan and be involved in missions in unreached places.
Some churches have asked about our need for continued financial support as they prepare 2026 mission budgets. This final Home Assignment and our time with Fellowship International will conclude AUGUST 2026.
Gratefully,
Rob and Kathryn Fleming
