Chris & Leanne October 2021 Prayer Requests

As we enter into the fall season we are reminded of how God’s creation was made for change. We see it in the leaves and we hope to see it in the lives of the people of Shichigahama. May the Holy Spirit move amongst the people here.

We thank the Lord for what we have seen in the life of Ms. K. She came to visit us in America while we were back on our home assignment. Recently she began a Bible study. Wanting to learn more about God. We thank the Lord for how he has surrounded her with Christians over these last couple years. And for how their example of Gods love and grace has caused her to open her heart to desire to learn more. Lord please bring fruit from this desire for your glory. May Mrs. K hear the voice of the shepherd and come into the fold.

Chris & Leanne September 2021 Prayer Requests

* Please be in prayer for the ever changing ability to connect with friends and neighbors. We have been going in and out of state-of-emergency protocols here in Japan. This has hinder our ability to consistently be able to gather with people. Pray for safety within the community. But also pray for wisdom on how to best navigate ministry.

* A new prayer request would be for God’s leading as we begin to seek new ministry partnerships in Tohoku Japan for future missionaries. Currently our mission is only doing ministry in 3 of the 6 states in Tohoku. If it is God’s will we would like to help the Japanese churches in the remaining 3 states if it would be beneficial. Pray for we find good gospel partners and situations we can help with.

* A praise would be that we were able to take a vacation for a week as a family. It was great to get unhurried time together. We thank God for a respite after a hot summer filled with different gatherings.

Chris & Leanne August 2021 Prayer Requests

* We have been blessed to be on summer break. It started the last week of July and goes through August. During this time we get many chances to spend time with people. Through BBQs, outings to parks and the beach, and kids camps/events. Please pray for all the seeds being planted this summer. May the Holy Spirit bring the fruit. Ask God to give us opportunities to share the greatest gift ever given.

Chris & Leanne July 2021 Prayer Requests

* Please be in prayer for the many kids and family events we have planned throughout July and August. Many of these gatherings have changed due to COVID concerns. But we nonetheless pray the Lord will allow for further relational connections and many chances to share his love with the people of Japan.

* In the past we have shared about Mrs. Y and her family. The Lord has answers prayer in giving her boys the ability to speak in public. Something they have been reluctant to do for their whole lives. Her youngest son is in need of a treatment using bone marrow. The 6 people in Japan who are a match have declined to go through a blood marrow transplant. The doctor is hopeful that the boys umbilical cord will be enough of a help to him to help heal him of this condition. Please pray fervently for God to heal their son in even a miraculous way to show his power. We pray the Lord will use this situation to draw their eyes away from creation and to the creator.

Missions Update from the Harringtons

A year ago, we wondered how we would get to know people in our new community in the midst of a pandemic. The Lord has made ways for us to connect with different families in our new town of Shichigahama. So many of the normal town outlets (clubs, events, etc.) have been disrupted. It seems to have created a deep need for relationships. We are so thankful to be able to step in and meet those needs one family at a time. We are thankful to not be doing this alone... Read More >

Chris & Leanne June 2021 Prayer Requests

In past prayer calendars we shared about the S family. This is the family to whom God had shown himself through giving their oldest son the courage to speak in public after we began praying for him. Since then, the Lord has given us many more opportunities to share with them about God and his love.

Recently, the mom was touched by Lillia’s prayer before a meal in which Lillia thanked God for their youngest son being born. Since this son is handicapped the mom couldn’t believe that a 10 year old would be thankful for him being born. This gave us the opportunity to share how God is the creator of all and how we are all a reflection of his image.

Her boys attend our church’s English classes. Mrs S mentioned she felt so much love and care while surrounded by Christians. At the end of May she and her boys came to a church service for the first time! We praise the Lord for how He is revealing himself to this family. Please continue to pray that the S family would come to believe in the God of the Bible and out their trust in Him.

Chris

Chris & Leanne May 2021 Prayer Requests

Until last month, our prefecture had not experienced many cases of COVID. Towards the end of March we experienced a surge of cases and our prefecture was put under a State of Emergency. Our church is now doing online church services and our ministries have been paused. Please pray God would give us and the leaders of our church wisdom as we maneuver through these circumstances.

Although we would not wish for the spread of COVID, the increased number of cases has reduced the stigma of contracting the virus. Until recently the shame that has resulted from getting sick has been heavy. Leading to a spike in suicides. Please pray the people of Japan come to see their shame can be replaced by Christ’s righteousness.

Chris & Leanne April 2021 Prayer Requests

* Thank you for your continued encouragement and faithful prayers. It was sobering to listen to stories of the events of the triple disaster here 10 years ago. So many Christians were able to show God’s love in a very tangible way to this community after the disaster. Many people opened their hearts to hear about Jesus for the first time. Please pray that the memory of God’s people’s kindness after the disaster would linger and hearts would continue to be softer towards the gospel.

* K-kun is a fun, inquisitive sixth grade boy who Mark met at an event in our town. In the past month he had the following conversation with Chris… K-kun, “Why did you come to Japan?” Chris, “Because I love God.” K-kun, “Why do you love God?” Chris, “Because He loves me.” K-Kun, “I want to go to church.” He has asked multiple times to come to church with us, but his parents have refused. We understand. We have not yet met his parents. Please join us in praying that we can have a relationship with K-kun’s parents and they would allow him to come to church.

Read more...

Chris & Leanne March 2021 Prayer Requests

* We are humbled by and grateful for your partnership in the gospel. Thank you for faithfully praying for the ministry here in Japan. On February 15th we experienced a 7.1 magnitude earthquake. We praise God for the safety of our church members, Japanese friends, and our family. We were able to clean up quickly. But for many around us who experienced the great earthquake of 3/11/2011, this recent earthquake was emotionally jarring. Please pray that we can listen well to them and be an agent of God’s peace. Also, please pray for the 10th anniversary 3/11 memorial service through our church.

* Last term, Chris and I spent a substantial amount of time in language learning. At that time you prayed for Chris’s Japanese teacher, T Sensei. Chris walked with him through his wife’s cancer diagnosis and God gave him a number of opportunities to talk about spiritual things. Recently a new missionary with SEND (another Christopher Alan!) began lessons with T Sensei. In one of this new missionary’s first classes, T Sensei said, “Since you are a missionary, I think you will need to know how to read Kanji (Chinese characters used in Japanese writing) in order to read the Bible. Please bring a Japanese Bible to class so we can study together.” Amazing! Please pray for T. Sensei and his family to believe and trust in Jesus.

Read more...

Chris & Leanne February 2021 Prayer Requests

*In the past couple months, the Harrington’s saw God work in a six-year-old boy who would not speak. His mother has brought him to many doctors, even expensive spiritual “doctors.” The Harrington’s began to pray for him as a family and Chris prayed for him before a performance event. Since that time, God began to open his mouth. He continues to gain more and more words and confidence to speak out. He can now speak at school to his teachers! His family prepared a special dinner to thank them for praying for their son and Chris pointed them to God-He is the Healer! Pray that this family would begin to believe in the God who healed their son.

*Since the summer, Chris was asked to lead all the SEND missionaries in the Northern region of Japan. As COVID-19 spreads in their area, pray that God would give him wisdom as he makes decisions on how to continue to minister safely and respectfully.

Read more...