JCL UK

Meet a few of our partners and volunteers in the UK below.

Yuki Williams, Edinburgh

 Yuki, along with her husband Stephen, served for thirteen years at the JEB church in Iwade near Osaka, Japan. They moved back to the UK in 2006 and now live in Edinburgh working with the Faith Mission. Yuki runs a weekly Japanese Bible study at the Faith Mission coffee shop and sometimes holds Japanese-themed outreach events in partnership with local Christians and churches. She and a Korean couple have also initiated weekly Japanese church services which have seen encouraging attendance.

Hiro & Valerie Fujiwara - London

Hiro and Valerie live in Wimbledon. As well as being good examples of "JCL Volunteers", they are also a delightful combination of East and West! Valerie has been interested in Japan since her teenage years and made a number of Japanese friends during an overseas assignment in France. Later, she and Hiro met in London and were married there. Many Japanese live in the Wimbledon area and Valerie is involved with others from her local Anglican church in a friendship group for young Japanese mothers. They engage in cookery classes, delving together into the art of various cuisines from around the world, as well as other activities. This has spawned a Japanese Bible study group at Wimbledon, which Maureen Smith (see below) led until recently.

Maureen Smith - Surbiton, Surrey

Maureen first went to Japan some 40 years ago and worked there for many years, involved in church planting and ministry on the island of Shikoku, Japan's fourth largest island. Maureen is now officially "retired" and is another JCL Volunteer, but is well occupied today in a number of interesting ways. She continues to be involved in outreach among Japanese and teaches English to Japanese friends. She also liaises with our JEB colleagues in Japan and is a trustee of JCL and one of our Council Members. Maureen would value prayer for health and strength and for the ability to make a helpful contribution through encouraging and supporting others engaged in Japanese ministry.

Selvan & Mary Anketell - Sevenoaks, Kent

Selvan Anketell was born in Sri Lanka but spent his later childhood in England, where he first met Mary when she returned home after 7 years of study and work in Japan. Selvan has had a 25-year international career in the oil industry, which included a posting in Japan. As JCL's full-time Director he now provides leadership and administrative support for our work. Mary & Selvan have two sons and live in Sevenoaks, Kent. Selvan would value prayer for wisdom and effectiveness in his work, a heart for people, and a clear sense of priorities amid many opportunities and needs. Mary enjoys good friendships with several Japanese women in the Sevenoaks area and would value prayer that she could share God's love with them.