March 2004

Dear Family in the Lord,

Greetings in the relatively new 2004!

How is that for still trying to get a New Year Greeting in when it’s already rolling full steam ahead? Anyway, hope this note finds you well and also joyfully engaged in whatever the Lord has given for you. What a blessing to know that our loving Father is in control and working all things together for good purposes, even with bird flu and all—hallelujah!

They have participated in many service projects, giving them a greater concern for the less privileged. Please pray that they would continue to develop God’s eyes and heart for this world, and that they would faithfully use all that God has entrusted to them.

This year Carol’s mom celebrated her 83rd birthday! We do thank the Lord for Mas and Jane Hamada’s health and vitality after making their big move from Washington, D.C. to New Mexico last year. They are now well settled near Carol’s brother, Mike, and his family in Los Alamos, and it is precious to be assured of their welfare while we continue to live on the other side of the world. We hope to live near Carol’s family during our next extended home assignment in 2006.

Last summer was such a blessing to be back in Hawaii and the U.S. mainland with family and friends, sharing about what God is doing at the Bangkok Institute of Theology (BIT) and beyond. It was also a special time with churches that have been a part of our fellowship, financial, and prayer support base. Although a very full time, we felt God’s hand of blessing each step of the way and through so many of you. Thank you.

We are thankful for the Larsen family who took over our teaching responsibilities at BIT last summer. During their time here they had the opportunity to explore ministry among men and women sex workers living in Bangkok. There are very few organizations reaching out to these two million workers (approximate) in Thailand.

Jim Larsen and team are currently here for a short period both sharing God’s good news, and Jim is setting up for a permanent move here this July with his family. Carol shares an interest in reaching these women and needs wisdom to know God’s leading in this ministry, and to what extent she can be involved beyond her participation at BIT.

We are near the end of our school year term, and students are intensely studying for finals. About 12 of our seniors will graduate and serve in different churches and ministries throughout Thailand. Kay is one of our graduate students whom we had mentioned in our last newsletter. She and Mike Killar will marry in July, serving in the United States while preparing for overseas missions. One of our students will be serving in Brunei, reaching out to Thai laborers in that country. We praise God for this. As we close this letter, we would like to leave you some prayer requests.

Prayers

• Praise God for His provision of a townhouse and for the upcoming move to the Bangna area this year. We will live close to BIT and our children’s new school.
• One of our former students, Pichan, went home to be with the Lord last July after battling bone cancer. His widow, Usanee, is currently studying part time at BIT. This past January, four of our graduates died in a tragic car accident. We have included a picture of Pastors Noot and Kriangkrai. Please pray for God’s comfort for all who knew them and that their witness for Jesus would continue to bear lasting fruit.
• We are more aware of the spiritual warfare that surrounds us. Please pray for God’s protection over our emotions (especially Carol) and that we would praise and worship during times when we feel anxious or discouraged. Also for our BIT graduates who sometimes grow weary as they serve God.
• March to May is our summer break at BIT. Pray that God would be clearly leading us in ministry opportunities during this more open time period.

Thank you for your faithfulness to us and to the Lord.

Love in Christ,

Carol and Leith Fujii

The 2004 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 207