If you are familiar with Japan or have visited there, you know that it is a hard place for gospel work. Many have called it the "missionary's graveyard." But there are signs that God is working there, and he is using one of our speakers for the upcoming Overflow Conference, Michael Oh, to do some exciting things there. Several years back, Michael helped launched Christ Bible Institute to train pastors in Japan, and they have seen this school triple in size over the past five years. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, God's kingdom is advancing in Japan.

Also, all three of our plenary speakers will be speaking at a conference in Japan just before they come to Hawaii. From October 11-13, John Piper, D.A. Carson, and Michael Oh will speak at three different locations, celebrating God's love for the Japanese people. They will also be handing out 2,000 copies of John Piper's book The Supremacy of God in Preaching.

Michael recently wrote an update about what God has been doing in Japan. You can read the whole thing here, but please be praying for Japan and this event in particular. They are asking us to pray for a couple things in particular:

• Pray that God will open a window of opportunity for the Word to be proclaimed to many who might otherwise never hear it.
• Pray for the day to come soon when Japan will no longer be known as 'the missionary graveyard' but as 'the missionary springboard to the world.'

By the way, if you're reading this, I'm sure you've already registered for the Overflow conference in October. On the off chance you haven't, register by Sunday, September 21 to get an extra $10 off.