Archive for March, 2007

A letter is long over-due. I’ve been traveling a lot meeting a lot of people and adding many to my MPN (Mission Partnership Network). All missionaries are being encouraged to form a MPN which is comprised of those people who are interested enough in my work to receive periodic updates, and pray for me. Others on the list act as distributors of my letters. Still others personally give toward my work financially. You who are receiving this letter fall under one of these categories. I am deeply indebted to you all no matter which category you fall into. If it wasn’t for you I could not stay in Japan. May God bless you because of your participation. I want to say also, that you may at any time for any unstated reason request to be taken off this list.

Since September of last year I have added about 45 names to my list. If you have joined since then, “Welcome” to you! I want to give to each of you a little book marker which is a reminder to pray for me, and one you can use in a book, or you can attach it to your refrigerator, as some have apparently done. Many of you whom I’ve met have received one already. But, if you haven’t, please send me your street address and I will send you one.

The second thing that missionaries are required to do while on Home Assignment is to form a small group of individuals who will be involved in “hands-on” ministry with me. This group is called my “Mission Partnership Team” (MPT). There are 7 people on my team presently, and last month they had their orientation at which International Ministries personnel oriented them. Our next meeting will take place in mid-April when I will get a chance to orient them further to my ministry. I was told to think of myself as a race car! I need a pit crew to keep my car in good shape so that I do well in the race. My pit crew is my MPT (you all are the cheering crowd who has come to cheer me on, or the MPN). Some individuals on my MPT will help me with correspondence and communications. Eventually you will hear from them. Some will represent me at various meetings to try to increase my MPN. Others will keep track of the financial picture. There will also be someone tending to the pastoral side (missionaries need pastoring, by the way!) Some will be involved in leading tours to Japan to experience hands-on missions. Some might help me with computer problems or recruit others to do so. If I come back the US during my next term, the MPT will take requests for me to speak and make up a schedule. They’ll also see to it that I have transportation and a place to stay. These are things that the 7 or 8 people will do for me. What a relief to have more brains involved in my ministry than just mine!! In case you were wondering, the team is made up of Baptists and Presbyterians! It’s become an ecumenical effort. Please pray for them as they become used to working as a team.

Next time, I’ll have a picture of them to show you. Until then, please remember me in prayer as I head down the stretch toward the time I return to Japan in JUNE, 2007. There are a lot of people still to meet and a lot of work to do in preparation for my next term of service. Give praise to our Lord that He has helped me thus far to put together these two groups, one of which you are a vital part.

Yours Truly,

In Christ, Roberta Stephens

Missionary to Japan