CPI Conference

Every two years CPI (Church Planting Institute) holds a nationwide conference in Japan for pastors, missionaries, and other leaders of the church. It is a great time for spiritual renewal, as well as sharing ideas and networking. It is the only conference of its kind that I know about in Japan.

This is the ofuro (Japanese bath) at the hotel. It was the only place we could take showers and bathe at the conference. The water was really hot, though! I could only stay in for a few minutes and was always dizzy coming out. I went in 3 times the last day of the conference!

Asia Pacific Area Retreat in Malaysia

We had the opportunity to go to Malaysia September 12-19 as part of the Area Retreat for Mission to the World. They host this conference every four years to encourage relationships between families working in different parts of Asia.While there we met missionaries from India, China, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan, and others. It's great to see how God is working all around the world. We were able to meet artists using their talents to encourage church planting in Thailand, Australia, and the U.S. We also hope some Asia to Asia trips will spring up as a result of relationships we built during the conference.

The mosque to the right could be seen out of our hotel window. It was a very beautiful building. Non-muslims are not allowed in the central prayer area below the blue dome, and everyone takes off their shoes to step on to any part of the building.