Dear Friends,

[I am Bethany Cerbus, member of Mukonoso Reformed Presbyterian Church, Mukonoso, Japan. I want to present you with an opportunity to bless Kihei and Amelia (Ward) Takiura, our fellow workers here in Kobe, Japan.]

Kihei and Amelia are preparing to welcome their seventh child! As Christians living in Japan, this is quite counter cultural and can also present logistical challenges. We would like to ease their transition to a family of nine by helping collect money toward a new (to them) van that will be able to accommodate their whole family, as their current 8 passenger van will no longer work for them. The purchase of a larger van is currently quite beyond their ability to finance. Would you consider contributing to their need?

More details:

Kihei Takiura is the pastor of the Okamoto Keiyaku Reformed Presbyterian church in Kobe. Amelia, a former engineer, now works at home to keep their sweet kids healthy and thriving. They both work tirelessly to serve their church and community. They have been serving at the Okamoto Keiyaku R.P. church since shortly after their marriage in 2010. Their home isn’t very close to a trainline, so their family car is vital to their daily life. In addition to transporting their family, we anticipate that a larger car would help with their ministry as well. They often visit church members and other Christians in isolated settings. Kihei also helps organize and lead annual short term mission teams (in both the summer time and at Christmas/New Years’). They regularly use their car in transporting these team members as well as others throughout the year. A large accommodating car is a vital resource for their family and ministry.

More about their kids!

Kanta (14) is a thoughtful middle schooler who keeps an eye out for his younger siblings. He is interested in computer programming. In 2025, both he and Sana joined the church! Sana (12) loves learning and works hard in her studies. She is preparing to enter middle school in April and usually has a book in her hands. Yuki (9) has a quick smile and a thoughtful sense of humor. She loves playing outside with her school friends. Miu (6) is just finishing up kindergarten. She is quiet on the outside but her profound thoughts and ideas can stop you in your tracks! Seiji (4) is a lover of all things with wheels and tracks. He is a skilled climber and pays close attention to details that others might overlook. Haruya (2) loves bananas, oranges, and his family! His vocabulary is exploding with English and Japanese words. He can usually be found playing side by side with Seiji. New baby will be, Lord willing, joining them in early April of 2026.

Logistics of Giving:

1) A main pathway for donations is through this GoFundMe site where donations can be made (as well as words of encouragement if desired).

2) An alternative path would be personal checks and cards (written out to Amelia Takiura). These can be mailed to her sister, Joanna Butter, at the address below, and Joanna will forward the donations received to Amelia.

Joanna Butter

1432 E. Penrose Ln.

Olathe, KS 66062

Thank you for your contributions and for joining us in celebrating the growing Takiura family! What a joy and a blessing they are to the churches here in Japan!

In Him,

Bethany