2026・February Jesus ' anywhere door @nobuko' Newsletter
- 相馬 伸子
- Feb 1
- 5 min read
Updated: Feb 5
Shalom, dear friends✨
How have you been? The busy year-end/New Year season has passed, and we’re already heading into February. I’d love to share a brief update on what the Lord has been doing—all the glory to Jesus.
Christmas: a Gospel opening
On December 24, I went to a Christmas worship service to hear the choir—my youngest aunt on my mom’s side is not yet a believer, but she has participated in the choir for several years. She loves opera and church music, so her heart has been quite open toward church and the Bible. I had been praying for an opportunity to share the Gospel.
During our meal, she asked me, “Why did you become a Christian, Nobu-chan?”
So I got to share my testimony: “When I started going to church to learn English, I heard God’s voice say, ‘If you’re going to become a Christian, now is your chance!’”
Please pray for the salvation of Mie Takahashi.
A “Hallelujah” New YearStarting in 2024, my parents entrusted me with preparing our family’s New Year setup. Previously, they decorated in the traditional Japanese way, but from last year we’ve been able to celebrate in a way that is completely free from anything connected to idol worship.
I made a simple handmade decoration (pine + red berries from our garden) and prophetically declared the water of the Holy Spirit, the blood of Jesus, and a new beginning. Late on the night of the 31st (it was so cold), we blessed our family’s land and took communion in the small garden.
8068 Cafe
I serve at the café about six days a month (every Wednesday and every other Saturday). Recently I’ve been helping in the kitchen and baking. On prep days I’ve been “upgrading” our oatmeal cookies to match coffee better—and I’m learning to make coffee too. (Apparently coffee has a personality… and it doesn’t always want to match yesterday’s flavor. 😄)
Because the café is right next to a cycling road, it was featured on a YouTube off-road bike channel called Chari-Nori (I’m not in the video, but the café appears in the later part of their “Hanno cycling” episode).
Even in this limited time, I’ve been praying and thinking about how the Kingdom of God can be expressed through a café—not in the same way as the “prophetic café” ministry I served in before (I don’t pray/prophesy with customers here), but I truly believe the Lord’s presence is being released as peace and joy. Like Jesus preparing breakfast for the disciples, I’m enjoying blessing people through good food.
updates
In late December, the Lord gave me an idea that feels realistic for communicating with non-believers: I’m preparing a “virtual café” account—like opening the café I dream of online. I’m building about a month of content first, so I’m taking time to prepare carefully, aiming to create a space where people can feel safe, find healing, and encounter the love of Jesus.
On my Prophetic Life Coach account, I’m also experimenting (prayerfully!) with how to speak in short-form: encouragement, teaching, and storytelling in 1–3 minutes requires a different kind of creativity than a 30–40 minute course.
Ministry update in
Tokyo
On November 2, I received the laying on of hands to serve as a minister with El Shaddai Center Japan. I received prayer and commissioning when leaders from The Center - Lehigh Valley visited Japan (they carry a Moravian Church stream).
Through Dr. Aiko’s teachings and subtitle work, I’ve been connected and serving alongside this ministry family for about nine years. I’m deeply grateful for the covering, the team partnership, and the sense of being “pushed forward” by the Holy Spirit for what God is building in Japan.
Also, I continue to treasure simple “church” life—sharing meals with believers, welcoming the Lord in one another, listening for the Father’s voice, and praying prophetically together. It’s a priceless gift.
Family update: Dad Kenji & Mom Kazuko
Thank you for your prayers. In January, my father Kenji fell (likely from heat shock). I heard the sound immediately and was able to help him right away—no aftereffects. We’re so grateful for God’s protection and your prayers.
His mild dementia seems to be progressing slowly; complex explanations are harder now, and sometimes my trying to explain things frustrates him. The Lord is training me to surrender my need “to be understood.” Still, he’s physically well and walks over an hour a day—even in the cold.
My mother Kazuko values traditional New Year customs, and on New Year’s Day I had a meaningful chance to share simply: “Praying through the name of Jesus to the Heavenly Father is different from praying to an unknown ‘god.’ When I pray, God truly helps us.” I’m grateful for that conversation.
I believe the Lord has shown me that their salvation will come through His victory, so I’m walking with joy and peace—shepherding them gently alongside Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
Prayer requests
Practical tasks: preparing Dad’s tax return, changing a phone contract name, and going to the bank with him—please pray for grace, joy, and favor.
Mom: that she’ll be able to tell me when she needs help (she often pushes herself because she doesn’t want to “burden” me).
Ministry pace: I have less time than expected for content creation—please pray I won’t rush, and that I’ll produce good fruit with peace.
“Jesus’ Anywhere Door@nobuko” — Giving & expense update (JPY + approx. USD)
Friends, would you consider partnering with me to help open “a door to Jesus” in Japan?
Support goal
Monthly support goal: ¥50,000 (≈ $325) per month
Current season goal (Feb–Apr / 3 months): ¥150,000 (≈ $975 total)
Why this matters (in one paragraph)
I’m not pursuing Instagram for personal income, and monetization is uncertain (and likely slow). The Lord has shifted my work: interpretation video work ended, the online school closed, and income from the Kansai tours will end in July. If I rely only on part-time work, I won’t have the time capacity to faithfully build what the Lord is asking in this next season.
Financial summary
Carryover (Nov–Jan): ¥308,000 (≈ $2,003)
Income (Nov–Jan): ¥60,083 (≈ $391)
Expenses (Nov–Jan): ¥127,337 (≈ $828)
Tithe: ¥6,100 (≈ $40)
Balance as of Jan 25: ¥240,746 (≈ $1,565)
Expense categories (overview)
Online outreach expenses (apps/equipment), transportation and food related to café work, and ministry-related expenses in the Kanto area (hospitality, travel, learning/training, etc.).
Missions giving
A tithe (10%) of what is received is given to support overseas missions through a sister from Kansai, Kobe Hope. For safety, I don’t share names/locations publicly.
How to Give
Bank Transfer (within Japan) Yucho Bank/ Account Number: 10310-01141831
Name: (Nobuko Soma)
From other banks (to Yucho Bank) Bank Name: Yucho Bank /Branch Code: 038
Account No: 0114183
Give via PayPal my email add : 114inochinohikari@gmail.com
Once you give, please let me know by email:nobukosoma@gelgoodnews.com
or through the contact form on this website.
Thank you for standing with me—through prayer, encouragement, and giving. I’d truly love to hear your updates too.
“Unless the LORD builds the house,
they labor in vain who build it;
unless the LORD guards the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.” (Psalm 127:1)
With love and gratitude,
Nobuko (Nobu) Soma
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