March 8, 2018
Dear Prayer Partners,
Record-Breaking Snowfall, Chinese New Year, & Customs Agents…
What does record-breaking snow, the Chinese New Year (mid-February), and extra strict customs agent have to do with God’s work in Japan?!? Thank you for asking. When our container of building supplies arrived on February 15th, all three of these conspired to make it impossible to move our container from Niigata’s docks. We were told it would be at least 2 weeks before anyone could move our container. A 2-week delay would mean an extra US$ 2000 in dock fees. After being turned down by multiple warehouses in the port area, God opened the door for us to use a warehouse 40 miles away from the port, but only a few miles from us. This warehouse had space and was willing to store our building supplies until customs inspection. In the port area, we had been told, “Between the heavy snow, Chinese New Year, and these customs agents, there is nothing you can do.” But praise the Lord, we serve a God who is not bound by “impossible situations”. He is able to overcome any situation we might face.
Please pray for the customs inspection (still ahead). Pray that the customs agents will be reasonable (they have been in the past) and that we will be able to take possession of our building supplies soon. Please also pray for the building project itself. This year’s extra heavy snowfall has greatly hindered the progress on our building project. Thankfully the snow has finally begun to melt and we have been able to resume work on the building.
We are so grateful for many of you who have already given toward our building project. If the Lord leads you to give, please designate your offering to: “Agape BBC Building Fund”.
Looking Forward to the Coming Spring
The heavy snowfall has not only affected the progress on our building project, it has also made it difficult for many of our people to get to church. Please pray that as spring brings with it new life and renewed growth, so the Lord will bless His work in Nagaoka with new life for the lost and renewed growth for the saved.
Thank You
Thank you for praying for us. You are a real blessing to us as we continue to serve the Lord here in Japan.
Co-Laborers for Christ,
Mike & Cindy Burgett
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