This issue is the first one of the volume
nineteen. It has been twenty years since
MJM newsletter was issued in both languages,
English and Japanese. In the MJM office,
there are back issues of newsletter, which
include handwritten ones by the late Rev.
Mitchy Akiyoshi, the monthly letter done
by Fr. John Lloyd with the word-processor
and the copies of Kiryusha Fr. Sam Sekimoto
named and edited. Bilingual newsletter takes
a very important role in MJM ministry. These
archives show the history of this small group
of sojourners. Through this small publication
we are connected with the west coast, Japan
and Europe. Thinking of this huge network
makes me feel so warm. Some readers send
notes all the way from Japan. My church friend
sends me a comment even if I have not seen
him for a long time. I am grateful to the
readers for their encouraging and support.
Thank you very much for reading Kiryusha.
The goal of MJM is not seeking to build
a congregation. It is still difficult
for
many to understand the unique ministry
of
MJM. I feel we have to confirm day
by day
that we gather in order to meet Christ
who
already is working in us, in that person
or at the particular place. The readers
of
Kiryusha meet Christ somewhere today
and
walk with Him. The way that you meet
Him
or where you meet Him is different
from the
way how I meet Him. But we are connected
with the strings of the facts that
we are
meeting Christ somewhere. What a joy
this
is!
The other day I had a long talk with
my
dear sister in Christ over the phone.
As
my greeting of the new year, I would
like
to send you the same words she gave
me when
she hung up the phone.
gThank you for loving Jesus!h
Kyoko Mary Kageyama
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