Feedback from Radio Listeners!

Hi folks! I thought you might enjoy reading feedback from some of Shepherd Radio's (Hitsujikai Radio) listeners who have written in to us!:
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"I thank God for allowing me to find this station. It's wonderful to hear good, soothing spirit-lifting, christian music. May God keep on blessing you and your ministry."


"During the first 2 weeks after the tsunami, I struggled with the question, 'Why do bad things happen to good people.' And it was during this time that discovered your station. You have blessed me so much with your music. God bless you."


"I listen to this as I study the bible, what a fantastic station!"


"Thank you. Such soothing hymns and music is hard to find among my local radio stations."


"I love Hitsujikai Radio and have my earplugs on, listening to its music most of the time I am on the computer.  I just wanted to say Gambatte Kudasai!"(Hang in there!)


"Hello. I am Christian. I am Japanese. 17 years old now. Shepherd radio is very good. All for the glory of Jesus."
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It is because of YOUR support for our family that this ministry can continue on.
Thank you and if you'd like to listen in click this link: http://www.hitsujikai-radio.com
Have a great day,
Bro. Alan

"This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

We're still here!!

Yes!...We do have a blog and we are still here! Ha! Life gets busy for all of us and this little virtual piece of real-estate has gotten a little run down, a bit neglected. Well! We hope to knock down the cobwebs, dust a bit, and spruce up the "place."

Today, Tanya is in the hospital. She has been for about 4 days (since Sunday afternoon). Thankfully!!!!... she should be coming home tomorrow. (She is so important around here. I can handle survival-mode for a few days but can't live without her!! Whew!) She had laparoscopic surgery on Monday, March 12th as many of you already know. All went well, and so far her recovery in the hospital is going good. Yeah! She told me today through a phone text message that she'd "much more prefer being in the hospital for delivering a baby compared to having surgery!" LOL! But, she and I both know the Lord can and will use each situation He puts us in. Actually, I got the privilege to talk to and witness to a 75 year old lady in the waiting room during Tanya's surgery! PTL. I was glad to do that rather than sitting there dwelling on (and worrying about) Tanya's surgery. We've been visiting Tanya in the hospital each day and will go again this afternoon. It does us all good to have some "together time." :)

The kids have been creative as they are thinking about Mama and missing her. Here is Malachi's Lego creation he made for Tanya:

We took a picture and sent it to her mobile phone.
I sent Gideon out today to tackle a little bit of snow. Normally a whole crew has to shovel, but he was able to get the job done today. It had been "looking" like Spring was trying to come our way, but alas, we live in the northern part of the northern island (Hokkaido) of Japan:

 When snow comes early or late in the season we just say, "Well, that's Hokkaido for ya!"

God bless you all!

Alan and family

"This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

Nov. 5th Renovations Update Video and Pictures

Hi everyone,

Here is an update video and some pictures. Please have a look:

Video:

http://vimeo.com/31645916

Pictures:
http://flic.kr/s/aHsjwDchVE

I will be adding more updates over the next 2 weeks, Lord willing, as the work progresses so you all can see it.

Please pray! We may be getting a new English student in one of our English classes and therefore a new contact! Pray that this comes to pass. The student will be coming to "checkout" the class this week.

Thank you all for your prayers and support!

Serving Jesus,
Alan Minks and family

Building Renovations Continue...

Dear all,

Well, it's been awhile since I have written a blog update. Sorry about that. Renovations are ongoing to the church building and have picked up speed over the last week or so. We scheduled siding and windows to be installed on the building (yea, no more leaks!) so we have been doing a lot of prep work that has to be done before the siding can be put on. Below are some links to photos and videos of recent work. The siding installation should begin in anywhere from a few days to a week from now. Please pray that all goes well with the installation of the siding and windows.

Our pictures on Flickr: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjwDchVE

Our videos on Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/minksfamily

We appreciate you all for your prayers and support! Take care.

Serving Jesus,
Alan Minks and family

Radio Ad

Hello everyone! Well, I just wanted to let you know that our ad for Shepherd Radio is now out in a missionary directory here in Japan. This ad is listed three times in the phone directory but we only paid for one! PTL more exposure for the station. This directory lists hundreds of missionaries here in Japan and comes out about once a year. Our prayer is that these missionaries will enjoy our conservative music and programming and share it with their churches and unsaved friends. Please pray for the stations outreach throughout the country and worldwide. May God's will be done and to Him be the glory!

Here is a picture of the ad. We just received the directory today:
(The church office/radio studio)

Serving Jesus,
Bro. Alan


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Canvassing June 4th, 2011

Today, praise the Lord, we were able to go out once again and pass out some church info packs containing various tracts. We were accompanied by James and John Wright, and Josh McKenzie from Grace Bible Baptist Church in New Paris, IN. Please continue to pray that God will use these tracts to help folks understand about the true Savior.

In Saku City

Hi folks,

I am in Saku City now. That is west and a tad north of Tokyo. I'm here with Bro. Dan Roberts. We will be preparing, gathering, and loading food and other items tomorrow to take up north to the quake/tsunami stricken area shelters to distribute. Lord-willing we will head out Wednesday, drive 8 hours or so north, and then pass out things on Thursday. Please pray for Dan as he has been "go go go" these last few weeks and now has a cold. Also, please remember our families as we are away from them while on the road. Finally, please continue to pray for the Japanese people. They are hurting in the areas that are destroyed. Pray for God to work in each heart.

I left home in north Hokkaido at 7:00 AM this morning. Flew to Tokyo. Then took the train to Saku City. Here is one of the trains I rode on:


This is a Shinkansen (bullet train). It is very, very fast and smooth.

Thank you for your prayers in advance!!

Serving Jesus,
Alan Minks

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