December 2016 update from the Noguchi’s
This may seem sudden to you, because well, it was very sudden to us. But God seems to be opening up the doors with a big change for our family.
Some of you might not know, but Keisuke graduated from an agriculture college in Tokyo with a major in soil study. He has always had a desire to get into agriculture farming but never had an opportunity to pursue it. He has been working for his father in the family business for 8 years and we thought he would continue running it for his dad. Keisuke didn’t want to try and leave his dad or try and make things happen if they wouldn’t be helpful to his dad. But he has been praying that God would open the door if it would be God’s plan, and would dream about farming and occasionally look at land in different areas for sale. But we didn’t really think it would come to reality.
Well, in late October Dad Noguchi was chatting with one of their long time customers. He is a rice farmer in a town called Rankoshi. This is a neighboring town of the well known Niseko (becoming well known world wide for it’s skiing and various outdoor recreation destinations). It is about two hours south west of Sapporo. It also “happens” to be the town where our church Fukuinkan has a retreat center and is praying for a future church plant.
Dad Noguchi mentioned to this farmer friend that his son had an interest in farming. This farmer got all excited and called the town office and got all the info about their farming internship program. It turns out the internship program is looking for young people who would be willing to learn farming and start up more farms as Japan has a dying out population and need more home grown food, etc, They are desperate for farmers! And the program just happened to not have any applicants this year and extended the enrollment deadline the same week we were introduced to them by our farmer friend.
Then Dad N said it would be worth a try for Keisuke to go for it. The camera business won’t last forever… So he could start now while dad is still working. We were very very surprised that DAD was the one who brought up Keisuke’s desire for farming, and then very positive about allowing Keisuke to go if he wanted to!
The training program starts in April. The first season we would learn directly from a farmer. Working alongside of them and getting hands on experience. The next season or two (depending on how well you do) we would do our “own” crop at the facility of the training program under the supervision of a “teacher”
Then when you “graduate” they will help you financially for the first five years of your farm. They want you to learn to do tomatoes first as there is a shipping market for tomatoes right in Rankoshi.
We would receive financial aid (though it isn’t very much) that would be enough to get by but a little tight with our family of 6. But during the winter months we are free to work a part time job (Keisuke will probably work part time for his dad in some way) to help with financial stability.
This seems like a big jump, but we are feeling more and more that God has opened up the doors, and we are to step forward in faith.
There are a few new Christians in this area connected with our church, but no church. Maybe we can be an encouragement to them? We feel strongly that God isn’t just sending us to Rankoshi to do farming, but to be a witness for Him in this unchurched area.
We would appreciate prayers as we move forward getting ready for this HUGE change and adventure.
Some prayer requests:
Pray for our house to sell. We need to sell our house for a good price so that we can pay off our loan. It will be pretty tight financially in our new situation, so it would be EXTREMELY helpful to not have to pay our loan from our house.
Pray for details of housing in Rankoshi
The town will provide half of the rental cost for housing as long as we use housing that belongs to the town. They said there were many different types, depending on the timing. Sometimes apartments, and sometimes there might be a house available. We are hoping for a house, but know God is in control. Whatever it is, we are praying that it would be the best fit for our family, and CLEAN (not moldy) is very important as I get sick with mold.
pray for our family as we transition
Keisuke and I will be entering the training program together. So the kids will need to be cared for. The town has a nice day care and we are hoping they will all be able to get in. and adjust well. Since it is farming, some days during planting season etc, would be very long. But other days maybe not as long. also in the winter when there is nothing to do for farming (too much snow in Hokkaido) then maybe the kids can stay home with me during the 4-5 months of winter.
Pray as we apply on Tuesday (december 13th)
If this is God’s plan, we know He will continue to open the door. But if we are mistaken for some reason, that He would close the doors firmly.
This is a huge step of faith for us. But we are excited to see how God is working and would appreciate your prayers for us. Love to you all! God bless
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