Fw: Back from the Far East

----- Original Message -----

From: Billy

Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 5:54 PM
Subject: Fw: Back from the Far East

My son Bryan sent this report about out ministry and trip to Japan to me and I am sending it on to you. Our Airfare and Passports for 3 of us cost some $5000 + and the total Expenses came to $7,774.00. Travel and food cost are so high while we were there. Could you help us. We have some 4000 dollars yet to come up with. My Short Term Foreign Missions account William E. Ashpole No. 2158178
Sent money to Assemblies of God - Foreign Missions Dept. 1445 Boonville Ave. Springfield, Mo. 65802-1894

Please read the report.

----- Original Message -----

From: Bryan Ashpole

To: Dad Ashpole
Sent: Sunday, September 16, 2007 2:55 PM
Subject: Back from the Far East

Thought you might be interested in this email we are sending to the people on our list.

Bryan

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We're back!

Dad and I returned recently from our five week stay in Japan where we ministered at Tsukuba International Christian Assembly. (Shirley returned home a couple of weeks ago. She arrived at SeaTac Airport on Sunday afternoon and had to be back at work at Gig Harbor High School at 7:00AM the next morning!) While there, I spoke at the church each Sunday, whether preaching or teaching Sunday School, or both. In addition, I was able to teach a Bible study on Tuesday nights, and also Friday nights at the JICA meetings. Shirley worked with the musicians and worship team, led worship two Sundays, and shared two songs that she had written. Dad spoke twice at the church, and had the opportunity to preach at two other English-speaking churches: in Yokota and Tokyo. He is an evangelist at heart, so I told him that he was in his element traveling from church to church. He and a younger, single Japanese man adopted each other; Koji was Dad's guide and helper while traveling.

It was a fabulous visit. The church is truly an international one; at least 13 nations are represented. Many live there permanently, while some are there for extended research study. Of those, a number are members of their respective governments. We have received invitations to visit new friends in Ghana, Tanzania, and other parts of the world. I don't know if we will see them again here on earth, but assured them that we would either see them "here, there, or in the air!" In the mean time, we are able to continue our friendship via email.

The people are so loving, and hungry for spiritual things. If you love Jesus and love them, they won't let you go. In fact, when it came time for Shirley to leave, several of the women held her so close, I wondered if they would let her get on the shuttle for the airport. They wanted us to stay, but it is hard to pastor a church when you don't know the language of the country. Japanese is a difficult language to learn and the Kanji characters are even more difficult to read. (We couldn't even read anything in the phone book.) Plus, we would need missionary appointment and funding. That could take a long time. So we departed Japan, but left part of our hearts there.

While there, we were encouraged to know there were people back home like you praying and supporting us. Arrigato (thank you) for your part in this missionary endeavor.

Sayonara (farewell) for now!

Bryan and Shirley