[Request for Support] Toward an Operation That Does Not Rely on Irregular Donations

Thank you always for your prayers and generous support.

Until now, the Cornerstone Orphanage Zambia has continued its work through regular monthly support of ¥350,000 from Japan, along with additional donations given on an irregular basis.

However, due to the rapid depreciation of the Japanese yen and the sharp rise in prices within Zambia, the approach of “covering shortfalls with ad-hoc donations” is reaching its limits.

In addition, over the past several months, **the U.S. dollar has weakened against the Zambian kwacha**, and within the remittance flow of Japanese yen → U.S. dollars → kwacha, currency losses are now occurring twice over.

As a result, even when we send the same amount of money, the amount of kwacha available for use locally has decreased significantly compared to before.

At present, the actual monthly operating cost required to sustain the orphanage is approximately ¥630,000.

The main expenses include: – Salaries for teachers and staff – Meal costs for 140–150 children – Rent, utilities, communication expenses, transportation, and consumable supplies

All of these are the minimum essential expenses that cannot be reduced if we are to protect the children’s lives, education, and safety.

On the other hand, regular support from Japan remains at ¥350,000 per month. With the impact of the weak yen compounded by the weak dollar (against the kwacha), there is a persistent shortfall of approximately ¥280,000 every month.

Until now, we have managed to make up this gap through irregular donations, but this approach is making it increasingly difficult to maintain stable employment and to continue providing daily meals.

Therefore, in order to move the orphanage’s operation from a “stopgap” approach to a “stable foundation,” we are hoping to expand the circle of monthly, ongoing support.

Small, consistent contributions—such as ¥1,000 or ¥3,000 per month—add up to provide the children with meals, education, and a secure, peaceful daily life.

[Goal for Regular Support]

The current shortfall of approximately ¥280,000 per month can be covered through the following combinations of regular support:
– ¥1,000 per month × 280 people
– ¥3,000 per month × about 95 people
– ¥5,000 per month × 56 people
– ¥10,000 per month × 28 people

As each person’s support comes together, the orphanage will be able to continue operating steadily each month, without being affected by exchange rate fluctuations or irregular donations. We sincerely ask for your prayers. If you feel led to share in this burden, we would be grateful for your support through the methods below.

▶︎ Click here to support
Those who are able to support us may donate through Congrant or transfer funds to the account listed below. (*When making a transfer, please notify the Cornerstone Orphanage Office that it is “for increased Zambia operating expenses” by contacting ishizue@athena.ocn.ne.jp.)

▼ Congrant donation page
https://congrant.com/project/npo-cornerstone/15140

 (English version)
https://congrant.com/project/npo-cornerstone/18656

▼ Bank Account (Transfer fees are the responsibility of the donor.)
– Mizuho Bank, Gotanda Branch (Ordinary Account)
  Account No. 2069305
– Account Name: Specified Nonprofit Organization Cornerstone Orphanage

▼ Postal Transfer (Please indicate “for increased Zambia operating expenses.”)
– Account No.: 00130-5-24249
– Account Name: Specified Nonprofit Organization Cornerstone Orphanage

Live-stream: Joint Catholic–Protestant praise worship service hosted by the TLEA Prague Church of the Europe Team

We will be live-streaming the second joint Catholic–Protestant praise worship service hosted by the TLEA Prague Church of the Europe Team on Wednesday, January 21.

It will begin at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, January 21 (Czech time).

(The start time in Japan will be 2:00 AM on Thursday, January 22.)

You can watch it at the URL below.

https://youtube.com/@tleachannel?si=f_dQfbL2OHl5bxEy

Renewed as the podcast “Christian Yorimichi Radio”

A new series of “Christian Yorimichi,” titled “By a Hair’s Breadth! Stories of Being Protected,” has begun.

Starting with this episode, it has been given the new name “Christian Yorimichi Radio” and is now being distributed as a podcast, with the same content and the same listening experience as before.

By being organized as a radio program, these testimonies will reach even more people. Please be sure to listen.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH2haHWDiTsWMf1YCdAk7vyWMcJg5vCeR

Regarding the streaming schedule for each European team gathering

The European team will stream according to the schedule below.

Streaming URL: https://youtube.com/@tleachannel?si=f_dQfbL2OHl5bxEy

1/21 (Wed) 18:00–20:30 [Japan Time: 1/22 (Thu) 2:00–4:30] Hosted by TLEA Prague Church: Catholic and Protestant Joint Praise Service, Part 2

1/22 (Thu) 19:00–20:30 [Japan Time: 1/23 (Fri) 3:00–4:30] Concert: Kokoro Gospel in Prague

1/23 (Fri) 19:00–20:30 [Japan Time: 1/24 (Sat) 3:00–4:30] CLC (Celebrate Life Church) Joint Praise Service

1/24 (Sat) 19:00–20:30 [Japan Time: 1/25 (Sun) 3:00–4:30] Service in Uppsala

1/25 (Sun) Serving at the Sunday Service at Word of Life

1/25 (Sun) 19:00–21:00 [Japan Time: 1/26 (Mon) 3:00–5:00] TLEA Evening Service in Uppsala

Applications for Hakuba Synergoi Camp will begin today, Sunday, January 18th!

This camp is open to everyone and will be held from Tuesday, March 10 to Thursday, March 12, 2026.

The program is full and enjoyable, featuring morning and evening worship services, an intensive practical course on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, the Hakuba Christian Film Festival, and a variety of seminars.

You can participate either on-site or online. We look forward to your registration via the website.

For more details, please visit the Hakuba Synergoi Camp website.

https://hakubasynerugoi-camp.tlea.net

GRACIOUS DOORS holds volunteer concert at day care center in Tokyo

On January 17th, GRACIOUS DOORS held a volunteer concert at a day care center in Tokyo, attracting approximately 23 people.

During “Mimi wo Sumashite,” an elderly woman clasped her hands, closed her eyes, and listened intently to the lyrics, looking incredibly comfortable.

Even an elderly woman sitting in the back who seemed unwell quietly joined in, smiling quietly and clapping her hands, singing along.

We also sang “Gratitude Man” together again, accompanied by guitar. Before the final chorus, several people in the audience shouted “One more time!”, creating a very lively atmosphere.

Everyone was so happy, exclaiming, “Bravo!” and “That was fun!” I’m truly grateful to God for blessing this concert!

Charity J Gospel Concert held in Kashiwa

A charity J gospel concert was held in Kashiwa.
ChariCon Gospel Kashiwa held a charity J gospel concert (for the Cornerstone Orphanage) in Kashiwa on January 16th. Performers included Ayu, Lumiere, L’abeille, Sapphire (Kashiwa), and ChariCon Gospel Kashiwa.
More than 60 new people attended the concert. Many said they felt “very healed.” We give glory to God.