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報告

Asking for Help
The global pandemic has also hit many Japanese families, with more and more slipping below the poverty line and unable to feed their family. This year in (our city) Kiyose alone, with 75,000 people, there were over 500 requests for food. The Japanese tend to first rely on family or close friends before relying on the government or other organizations for necessities. Thus, this statistic is large for a people group that has traditionally rejected outside support. To meet this growing need, Kiyose Foodbank was established in July. I, Don, seeing an ad for volunteers, joined in August. I am praising the Lord for this opportunity as it allows me to rub shoulders with a crowd of people who may have never crossed paths with a Christian. Also, this provides valuable language experience as well as insight into a locally run organization. As churches have historically met the needs of their local community, we'd like this to be a resource for a future church-plant.

God always uses crises as a loudspeaker to get our attention. He is certainly helping the Japanese to become more aware of their own physical and emotional needs as well as those of their fellow Japanese. Many are beginning to seek help. Please pray that as they seek help, many would be lead to a church, a Japanese believer, or a foreign missionary. My Japanese teacher said that he believes all Japanese feel unhappy right now, and 'they are realizing money and things can't make them happy'. He believes, the church actually can 'help meet emotional needs of the Japanese'. Please pray for God's people here in Japan, and around the world, to rise up and point to the life-giving, void-filling Jesus! Is it not times like these that we can say, 'For such a time as this, God has placed us where we are at to point the way to Jesus!' 

Yes, there are times when we feel bogged down in language learning or when it feels like just doing life here takes so much more time and energy than in our passport country. However, how much more inconvenient did Jesus make His life when He left heaven to come down to 1st century Israel? With His strength, we want to bear the inconveniences and weariness because the message has to be brought to every corner of the earth. Thank you for being part of helping us be in Japan! We are thankful for when you pray for Japan and our family, and when you support us financially. 

May the Lord satisfy you this morning with His unfailing love, that you may sing and be glad all of your days.

On a national holiday, we gathered with our church family at a local park for a picnic. We enjoyed Domino's pizza and Korean obentos (box-lunch).
On Autumn Equinox, a national holiday, we BBQ-ed close to our home with our neighbors and pre-school friends. 
Our neighbor, K-san, asked Rachel to babysit their 2-year-old boy while she had a meeting. Rach was honored to be asked. Afterwards, K-san brought Japanese yakisoba (fried noodles) and they enjoyed lunch together.
Kiyose (our city) rents plots of land to its residents so we jumped on the opportunity. We are growing seasonal vegetables (some we can't even read!). This gives opportunity to connect with other residents, learn Japanese farming techniques, and teach our boys patience.
A traditional Japanese fieldtrip is going satsumaimo (sweet-potato) digging. The parents got to join in on the fun. We brought home 16 sweet potatoes--if you'd like some, stop by :)
Road mirrors. They are everywhere. They are a lifeline to driving in this country of small roads with lots of people.
祈り | Prayer
~Baby Boy
Baby boy #3 will be delivered through a scheduled C-section on November 26th. We are eager to meet him and learn life with three little boys. In addition to being admitted into the clinic the day before my surgery, I will also be staying six days after delivery. Please pray for the surgery to go well, for our baby boy to continue growing healthy, and for Don and the boys as they "survive" :) while I am away. 
Giving News
Thank you for partnering with us to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to the Japanese who have yet to hear the Name who Saves. If you would like to give to our family, here are a few ways you can do so:
*Support | Helps cover our basic life essentials, like fish:)
*Work Special | Goes towards ministry expenses. We will begin using this when we finish language school next year and begin working at a church.
*Vehicle Fund | Helps us toward buying a car. We are nearly there at our goal!

To give to the Schaeffers, please visit: 
https://secure.cmalliance.org/give/. Under "Select International Worker/Special Project," please type Donald and Rachel Schaeffer and then the fund of your choice. 
Your donation is a tax-deductible gift and you will receive a receipt for your donation.
love,
Don, Rach, Donald, Elliot & baby boy #3
Team Schaeffer
Copyright © 2020 September


our mailing address is:
4-1344-12 Nakazato
Kiyose Shi, Tokyo 204-0003
JAPAN


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Team Schaeffer · 4-1344-12 Nakazato · Kiyose, Tokyo 204-0003 · Japan

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