"What do you need?" is a question I often get from people wanting to support me in ministry over here. Sometimes it is hard for me to answer that question when it is asked because I don't really need "American things". I've been here long enough that I don't really miss American candy or food and I know where to find all the daily life things that I need. It is a new world in terms of supporting missionaries. Gone are the days where missionaries get on a boat rarely to hear from or see their family, friends, or countrymen again. We are inundated with people, relationships, and communication. However, the needs aren't gone; the core needs are the same - and the need for partnership from the people back at home is just as great!
If you are willing to join in God's mission of love to the people in Japan by supporting me in ministry here, I welcome and thank you for your partnership and support! Here are a few of the things that I especially need. Thank you so much!
Financial Support:
Donations from individuals are necessary to provide for all the "behind-the-scenes" Stateside expenses…things like insurance, transportation, and program expenses. Many of you have given very generously this past year. Thank you so much! I still need to receive about $10,000 in donations to cover expenses throughout the end of my term March 2010. If you are willing to help in this way you can give online at the LCMS website here or send a check to LCMS World Mission.
LCMS World Mission - LCMS International Center
1333 S. Kirkwood Road
St. Louis, MO 63122-7295
MEMO: For the Support of Cindy Charlton
Thank you for your support!
Prayer Support:
I can't tell you enough how much the regular prayers of others affect our ministries and lives here. Just last week I noticed for a couple days a break from the heavy cloud of spiritual "uphill wind" that had descended a few weeks before. The relief was so striking that I commented about it to Haidee…and then went home that night to find an email from a friend who had a dream earlier in the week indicating a need to pray for me…she was emailing me to find out if there was anything specific. Her prayers gave me several days of respite from the darkness around me. I could give you countless examples of the tangible effects of prayer. So please, pray for me, for the other missionaries, for the leaders and church members at Nozomi Church, for the English students, etc. God moves mightily in prayer. Thank you to all of you who so faithfully help lift up the clouds and open the door for God's grace and power to flow freely through your prayers. You are appreciated and loved dearly!
Thank you for your prayers!
Truth Support:
A book Haidee received from her father commented about the Hebrew word for "word"…and then explained that the negated version of that (similar to putting anti, im, or some other negating prefix before a word in English) is the word "wilderness"…conveying the idea that a wilderness is a place without words. We keep quoting that example over here because it is so striking and so true. Japan is a wilderness of no words. And when the words of truth of who you are in Christ, who God is, etc. are absent, doubt, discouragement, and dismay quickly creep in. A YouTube link to a worship song that touched you, a quick email or skype message with a Bible verse, etc. are some of the best gifts. When I think of the most strengthening gifts during my time in Japan I almost always point to music...songs that someone handed to me to listen to that were a reminder of who God is. Encouragement along the lines of "we know you're doing a great job" isn't usually so helpful because it isn't necessarily true...in fact it often isn't true...and then it is just a reminder of my failure. However, reminders of God's strength, power, sovereignty, and love are where hope, peace, and strength are found. They are truly salt and spice in this land often barren of God's word...a little bit goes a long, long way!
Thank you for your encouragement!