When Douglas McArthur fled the Philippines during WWII he had the audacity (or foresight?) to say “I shall return.” When I left Japan for cancer treatment I did not have the confidence to say “I shall return” because I did not have a sense at all about what my future would [...]]]> Dear Journal friends,

When Douglas McArthur fled the Philippines during WWII he had the audacity (or foresight?) to say “I shall return.” When I left Japan for cancer treatment I did not have the confidence to say “I shall return” because I did not have a sense at all about what my future would be. But due to prayers of so many people, good doctors and medicine, God has seen fit to send me back to Japan.

I Have Returned! I arrived August 22nd in sweltering heat. It almost felt nostalgic after spending one year in the moderate climate of Seattle. I thought by escaping up north after I arrived, I could simulate Seattle’s coolness. No way! But now I am able to visit many people from my previous ministry, which takes my mind off the heat. I’m slowly gaining momentum as I push myself a little bit more each day doing chores around this cabin helping to strengthen my body and heart!

Forgetting Since my purpose this past year was to try to rest rather than represent Japan to you all, I found that I had “forgotten” a lot. For instance, I had to be reminded of the necessity of calling the big wigs at our central office from the airport to tell them that I had arrived safely. I stayed at a friend’s house the first night. I had forgotten about the “culture of slippers”: put them on in the entry way, but take them off almost immediately before entering any room with a rug or carpet, or before entering the WC. I’d also forgotten to remove them as I put my feet up on a hassock when I wanted to rest my legs. I’d forgotten how crisp iceberg lettuce is and how sweet tomatoes are; I’d forgotten how delicious grapes are and the need to peel them before eating. But the one thing I found that I hadn’t forgotten is my uncanny desire to find any opportunity to share my faith.

Remembering Before leaving the airport I turned on my Japanese cell phone. It lit up with about 10 messages of welcome from those people who had been praying for me and were now welcoming me back. These people are part of the present great crowd of witnesses that Hebrews talks about. You who are reading this letter are also a part of this great crowd of witnesses who have seen me through the trials of the last year, and I am confident that you will continue during the next few years I have left in Japan. There are several ways you can do this. If you are an American Baptist, you’ll want to read the next paragraph for some in-house business. If you are among the forty-three people who are not one, you may skip to the last paragraph!

For American Baptist Members One way to continue supporting me is through the upcoming World Mission Offering. Here is my take on this offering: While I was ill I was reminded of the large number of people involved in my care as a missionary. And I often thought “how would I do this or how can I manage that” without this staff? Take for instance my Area Director, Stan Murray. He not only has responsibilities for me while I was ill, but cares for many missionaries in East Asia, including working with Baptists in countries like Vietnam where we can’t send missionaries. Without the World Mission Offering his services to me and others would be curtailed. In the case of Haiti, this tragic earthquake has made it possible for us to have a part in rebuilding that country rather than doing patch-work support for an inadequate base. Fortunately, other organizations are also involved in this monumental task but American Baptists and their missionaries have been and will be there in the long-term. Remember, give to the WMO.

A Word to All I am in need of an EXTRA LIFT !! Yes, my ministry is still not totally underwritten. Due to some very generous people, your monthly gift can be matched dollar-for-dollar. This matching will continue for a year. In brief, your gift needs to be a first-time monthly commitment, and you need to indicate your participation by writing the first month’s check to International Ministries or using a credit card by Sept. 27th at noon. What do you think? Can you join in partnership with me? Please check out this link http://www.internationalministries.org/drives/extra_lift_matching , or email my MPT convener, Dave Kelley at tornveil2@gmail.com for an explanation and commitment card. Thank you for praying about this great opportunity.

Lastly, please note my new address as of Sept. 6th:

Roberta Stephens
Senkyoshi Kan
1-50-1 Mutsuura-Higashi,
Kanazawa-Ku, Yokohama
Kanagawa-ken, Japan 236-0037

In Christ, Roberta

One of the sustaining verses for me during this last year of illness has been Psalms 18: 1-2 “I love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer. My God, my rock in whom I take refuge; my shield and the horn [...]]]> Dear Tidbit Friends,

One of the sustaining verses for me during this last year of illness has been Psalms 18: 1-2 “I love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer. My God, my rock in whom I take refuge; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” King David was often alone in his struggles, where it was just the Lord and he. In contrast I have been surrounded by capable doctors and so many people like you. I have struggled to keep the Lord as my rock, and this is the reason I return to these verses so often.

Return to Japan: Now after more than a year since discovering that I had cancer, I am cancer-free and have received permission to return to Japan. The departure date will be August 21st. I have not known the exact date for long so I understand if this early date comes as a surprise. Immediately after my return, I will revisit people in Sendai/Shichigahama area with whom I worked ten years ago. Then I will return to Yokohama to set up house in a mission residence on Kanto Gakuin University campus.

Opportunities for the Gospel: I will be formulating my work in conjunction with local leaders, but now it looks like I will be doing Bible study and English classes with parents of children in Kanto Gakuin primary schools. September is in the middle of their school year. Their curriculum is already ongoing, making it difficult to just begin a new program, so I might be just conducting some impromptu classes until the new school year begins in April.

What excites me about this aspect of the work is that the parents who will join my classes will be those who have put their children in a Christian school, who are asking “so what’s Christianity all about?” In other words, they will all be newbies in learning about Christianity. How many of you have such chances with people in the US or wherever you are living? In a nation where most people do not know the Lord, the opportunities are great to teach the fundamentals of the Gospel. My church base will be with the same congregation as before. However, the distance from my house is great, and it will be costly to commute. But, this group of believers wants to move beyond the fundamentals.

Pray: Firstly, please pray that even now before I begin God will be preparing the hearts of parents I will meet. Secondly, pray for the Suginami- Nakadori church as they formulate what they would like me to help them with.

From September on please use my new address only. :

Roberta Stephens
Senkyoshi Kan
1-50-1 Mutsuura-Higashi,
Kanazawa-Ku, Yokohama
Kanagawa-ken, Japan 236-0037

Helping To Give An Extra Lift: In my last letter at the end of July I mentioned another opportunity to participate with me in ministry. The “Extra Lift Matching Funds” program is an opportunity to help missionaries like myself who lack the total funding necessary to do ministry in Japan. Due to the generosity of some people, should you choose to participate in this program, your monthly gift for the next year will be matched dollar for dollar. You don’t need to use the internet or credit card for this if you prefer not to. For those who would prefer to use the internet, please click here. If you are not a donor who has previously given recurring contributions (monthly or quarterly), and if you can commit to contribute $20-$100 per month for at least one year, then you can qualify to have your gifts matched. The open window for applying for this opportunity lasts until noon on September 27th. Contact myself, Dave or Pat Kelley if you have any questions, or use the card on the next page and send it in to International Ministries.

Thanks so much for your “EXTRA LIFT” in helping with my ministry in Japan.

In Christ,
Roberta Stephens

Extra Lift Donation Form

It has been a while since I sent out a letter in this form. I have had several International Ministry journals. We’ve just revised that list and I’m hoping that we won’t miss anyone in the next journal posting.

As you know I have been back in the US for [...]]]> Dear Tidbit Friends,

It has been a while since I sent out a letter in this form. I have had several International Ministry journals. We’ve just revised that list and I’m hoping that we won’t miss anyone in the next journal posting.

As you know I have been back in the US for 11 months on medical leave. God has been so good to me in the midst of great frustration. My shelves have been filled with your cards and letters of well wishes and I’ve felt your prayers in a tremendous way. How can I thank you enough?

I’m still waiting for final medical clearance. It just takes time and I must wait. As I wait I have been taking care of my sister who went through another knee surgery (as one person put it “on her third knee???”). My nephew’s wife is on total bed rest as they await twins, and I’ve been pitching in with sitting my two great nephews and helping with meals. When I have some spare time I’m taking a second look at history, particularly the mid-1800s in the USA!! Recently I attended a family reunion in NH.

All this is good preparation for getting back into the work that God has called me to. Hopefully I will be back in Japan by September. Would you pray with me in that matter? I can tell you for sure that I’ll be living in Yokohama this time and doing a variety of work including Bible study for people who want to know more about Jesus, teaching small groups in the church and sharing the message in Baptist churches. Volunteers will have priority in my schedule as well. The first volunteer arrives October 1st! What about next summer for you?

I was reminded the other day that August begins the World Mission Offering “season” which is a reminder to all of us to review our priorities and focus on another part of the world. The emphasis this year is “In Haiti and in the World.” The packet that churches should have received is filled with such good material that no one should lack what they need to fill weeks of good presentations. If you look hard enough you can even find an article that I wrote!!

Recently a dear friend came up to me and lamented the fact that she missed out on the Luther Rice Matching Gifts campaign. I have an answer for her now. According to recent correspondence from International Ministries a new matching gifts program will start August 9th for those of us who need an “Extra Lift” in monthly support. Thus the name, EXTRA LIFT MATCHING FUNDS program. I qualify…J I’ll be letting you know more about this in the next letter. What is God laying upon your heart?

Love, Roberta

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.” 2 Corinthians 2:14-15

Thank you for your patience, prayers, words of encouragement and financial support. You do not know how much it means to me? Every day I do thank the Lord for you.

I continue to miss being in Japan. But now I think I can see the light at the end [...]]]> Dear Journal Friends,

Thank you for your patience, prayers, words of encouragement and financial support. You do not know how much it means to me? Every day I do thank the Lord for you.

I continue to miss being in Japan. But now I think I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I have just finished part of my medical treatment and will begin the next phase with it all finishing June 30th. Give me a month to tie up loose ends on the medical end, and the doctor expects I can be ready to return to Japan in August. I don’t know yet if it will be early or late August but at least I can see that the end is near for this time of trial and learning. I have been learning so much from the Word, lately and have been applying it to my situation. I would like to share some of these things at another time.

This spring, my heart has been back in Japan, especially at hearing of the death of a Pastor-friend-mentor who saw me through my early years as a missionary. Rev. Akiharu Nasu went to be with the Lord in April. Although I was not present at the funeral, several of my friends attended, giving greetings on my behalf to his family.

When I arrived at my first assignment after language school in 1979, Rev. Nasu serving as the Bible teacher at Shokei Jr. College and pastor at Shokei church. I served at this church for 18 years while I taught at Shokei Gakuin. Previous to this he attended Eastern Baptist Seminary and had already assisted numerous missionaries and special service workers in Japan.

He was the first to coach me in preaching in Japanese which would turn into one big lesson in the Japanese language each time I prepared a message. Looking back, I’m sure my attempts were premature since until that time I had never preached a sermon even in English. What a task he had! As it is for every budding missionary, pushing through the language barrier was the most difficult, discouraging time of my life. Sometimes my manuscript would be so full of red ink that I could not see what I had originally written. But with sheer determination and grit, and the help of a strict, very patient Rev. Nasu, I was able to move from 2 hours of preparation per minute of sermon to the present, 40 minutes per minute of sermon time!

Presently, I continue to practice Japanese however, by attending a Bible study in Japanese each Thursday afternoon. Recently, I was asked to give the mother’s day devotional May 8th at Japanese Baptist Church in Seattle where I attend. Since we had the women of the Japanese language congregation joining with the English language congregation, I was asked to do the speech in both Japanese and English instead of using an interpreter. It went surprisingly well, and one person who understood both languages said that the Japanese part was better! I don’t think so! But I wish Rev. Nasu had been there!

By the way, are you thinking of participating in the 360 Matching Funds Program? There are only a few more days to do so…until May 31st. Just follow the link here.

In Christ,

Roberta L. Stephens

It’s difficult to explain my feelings and experiences related to being in the USA during Advent, the Christmas celebration, and Post-Christmas. Admittedly my mind has been on what I would be doing in Japan to make Christmas a meaningful experience for both Japanese Christian and non-Christian friends. Decorating, baking ‘till-the-cows-come-home, [...]]]> Dear Journal Friends,

It’s difficult to explain my feelings and experiences related to being in the USA during Advent, the Christmas celebration, and Post-Christmas. Admittedly my mind has been on what I would be doing in Japan to make Christmas a meaningful experience for both Japanese Christian and non-Christian friends. Decorating, baking ‘till-the-cows-come-home, group Christmas parties, Bible studies on the seasonal theme, and devotionals and sermons. We missionaries do work hard at it, and those who are related to Christian Schools in particular. One colleague recently wrote that he just finished eight Christmas devotional/talks for various groups in his work! Yes, nostalgic, especially the Christmas services.

Then with the cessation of the Christmas services, even though Christmas day is still days off, all Christmas activities cease. The Christmas theme is picked up again Christmas Eve when all Japanese families eat a store-bought decorated Christmas cake. Christmas day arrives as a regular workday most years, and for many of my 30 + years in Japan I spent the day alone. No Japanese people are available and colleagues lived too far away for them to join me. I gradually got used to having my own celebration, calling family in the US and opening my gifts. But, in spite of me working hard to fill my day there was always something missing.

So some of these thoughts came into my head as I listened and participated in the candlelight service at Japanese Baptist Church in Seattle where I am a member. Yes, there were a lot of similarities, including instructions on how to not drip candle wax. But then came the final carol, Silent Night. And that’s when the tides turned. Frankly speaking, because of a non-literal translation, the Japanese words are just more beautiful than the English! At JBC, both Japanese and English words were flashed on the screen for this joint congregation service. I could sing the English words fine but could not sing the Japanese words without weeping.

So, where am I from anyway? I had all I had ever dreamed of this year enjoying Christmas to the fullest with my sister, brother-in-law and their grown children + grand-nephews. But it left me feeling like I was forgetting something. The realization hit hard again that I have chosen a transient existence where I can only say with assurance that my citizenship is in heaven. It is a stark reminder that Jesus also experienced this as he arrived to live in a foreign culture where at times he probably longed to be with his Father in heaven. This gave me comfort and closure to my differing thoughts.

I’d like to close with a poem written by former colleague in mission, Noah Brannen in 1954, written after the Brannens’ first term as missionaries in Mukaishima, Hiroshima Japan.

At Home With God

No thought of loneliness.
No look behind,
No touch of restlessness
If God has built this house
And He is here,
No other place on earth
Could be more dear.

At home they say
That everything has changed.
Old friends are gone and some become estranged
and in so short a time,
A wink, a nod,
and one we left at home
Is home with God.

Wherever we may be
A foreign land across a boundless sea.
A strange new world around,
A people odd,
But somehow even this
Is home, with God

No home for him,
No place in Bethlehem,
No shelter there, no cover over them
A strange, new world about
A stable odd
Yet even here the homeless find
Their home, in God

At home with God
Wherever we may be.
A foreign land across a boundless sea.
A strange new world around,
A people odd,
But somehow even this
Is home, with God.

No home for him,
No place in Bethlehem,
No shelter there, no cover over them
A strange, new world about
A stable odd
Yet even here the homeless find
Their home, in God.

This poem expresses the thoughts that still exist in my heart even after all these years. Thank you for your continued prayers and financial support. And a special “welcome” to all you who have and will join my Missionary Partnership Network in 2010.

Join me in having a very Happy New Year.

In Christ, Roberta Stephens

Forgive me for the long silence. By now you know that I am dealing with treatment for cancer. I’ve been expecting the worst but in short, I’m coping well.

In October I heard that it would be necessary to vacate my apartment in Tokyo Japan. Please send no more postal [...]]]> Dear Tidbits Newsletter Friends,

Forgive me for the long silence. By now you know that I am dealing with treatment for cancer. I’ve been expecting the worst but in short, I’m coping well.

In October I heard that it would be necessary to vacate my apartment in Tokyo Japan. Please send no more postal mail to that address in Tokyo, and note my present address at the end of this letter.

In order to expedite the final packing and arrangements with government offices for my extended absence, I made a quick trip back to Japan during one of my treatment intermissions. Since I had planned to stay a week, I only needed a small carry on. I also grabbed a handy white plastic bag for other small items. Beginning with the flight and over the next few days I was feeling anxious as to how this trip would affect me physically, but more than that, how people I met would react to the lack of a hairline and my rather inadequate head-wear. I thought I’d figured out how to hide my secrets with the purchase of a knit hat at the airport.

Beginning with the flight and for the next two days, I was astounded at the attention I was drawing. The flight attendant said, “Are you getting cancer treatments? I’m one month out of chemo therapy… I’m gonna take real good care of you on this flight!” The next day, a man stopped me in the parking lot of the guest house I was staying in: “are you going through cancer treatments? I lost my son to cancer recently…” I seemed to be attracting people like flies! I felt warm and fuzzy at these comments of compassion. My anxious feelings were dissipating. But how were people so quickly identifying my condition? The second night I lay in bed wondering and thanking God for the kindness and openness of people regarding their experiences.

The next morning I had my answer. As I packed up my few belongings I took note for the first time of the words on the white bag I had carelessly grabbed at home. AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY ! How foolish I felt carrying around this advertisement!

There is a phrase you are familiar with “carrying your feelings on your sleeves.” But what I thought about as I packed my bag was the fact that we can “carry” or “be” the fragrance of Christ wherever we go. While I don’t particularly want to wear a sign, often I pray that I’ll be the fragrance of Christ to the Japanese I meet.

I took a break from packing and met two friends for lunch. Ayako was my voluntary-primary care giver when I had my operation in Japan. She is the wife of Rev. Hasegawa. A-san was the focus of my attention. She had hurriedly returned from a 10 year stay in England for an emergency operation. A year later, she was hospitalized for another operation when we became friends. As we shared together in the hospital about her belief in fate, and mine in God, she admitted that neither had she been in a church before nor had she ever thought about spiritual things.

I paused to pray before our meal. She lifted her head and said jovially as if to check herself, “Uh Oh. I almost cried.” I replied, “No problem. When we are moved, it’s o.k. to cry.”

I don’t know what A-san’s future holds but I know that she’s received more grim news recently. Please pray as she opens herself up to the love of God. Also pray that Ayako will be able to do some follow-up as Christmas draws near.

All of you who are receiving this letter are very dear to me. I do pray that you have a very blessed Christmas and that you will experience Christ in a new way, no matter what your circumstances are. These are trying times for all of us. In spite of the “joy” we should be experiencing, there are tremendous pressures regarding employment, finances, health and family relations. Reflecting on the Christmas story, I am reminded that this season is not about us or our circumstances. Instead it is about God, “Glory to God in the Highest…” It is about Jesus, “unto us is born a Savior.” This Savior came to save you and me and A-san and rescind the darkness that surrounds us. It’s not about the darkness, either, but it is only about the Light.

Your Servant in Christ,

Roberta Stephens
17411 1st PL SW
Normandy Park, WA 98166

Recently I wrote about my introduction to the theme “Surprised By Walking in Different Shoes.” This time as a continuation, I’d like to tell how I once again was able to experience this theme following my experience commuting by train to Soshin Girls’ School in Yokohama. The plan was for [...]]]> Dear Journal Friends,

Recently I wrote about my introduction to the theme “Surprised By Walking in Different Shoes.” This time as a continuation, I’d like to tell how I once again was able to experience this theme following my experience commuting by train to Soshin Girls’ School in Yokohama. The plan was for me to continue this work for a full year. But it seems that the Lord has other plans. Although I am relieved that I don’t need to commute on those trains for a while, I’m faced with another challenge that has enabled me to walk for a while in the shoes of the Japanese.

Although, I’d prefer to learn in a different way, God put me in a position where I would learn first-hand about that hidden population of Japanese who were fighting cancer. I was diagnosed with this disease in May. Due to various circumstances, one of which was having a number of Japanese friends who promised to help me out, I was operated on in a very large private Japanese hospital. During the succeeding weeks I experienced the Japanese medical system and saw what advantages and disadvantages there were to their version of socialized medicine. Without going into a lot of detail, I wanted to just share some of what I learned. Although it is said that over half of the Japanese population will experience cancer in their life-time, I did not know of any woman who had had cancer in the 30 years I have been in Japan. It’s not that I knew none. It is because no one talks about it. But after I found out that I had cancer I heard numerous stories, many from people I thought I knew quite well.

I was in the hospital for a total of 20 days and was released early because my recovery was ahead of schedule. The three doctors and all the nurses who followed my progress were kind and considerate. I spent most of my time in a cramped room with six beds divided by curtains. I had to move the only chair I had for a guest in order to leave my cubicle. I consciously choose not to move to a semi-private room because I noticed that those occupying those rooms were quite aloof and unwilling to interact, but I wanted to mix with the other patients.

I noticed several things as I paced the corridors. First of all, the vast majority of the patients were between age 25 and 35. I was the oldest patient during much of my stay. About three-quarters of the patients on the ward were there for short-stays for chemotherapy lasting five to seven days at a time. The other one-quarter of us were in for surgery in abdominal area for several types of cancer. Why such a long hospital stay, you might ask? If you read my last journal you’ll know the answer. Most Japanese depend on the trains and not cars for transportation. Returning to your residence after surgery and then commuting to doctor’s appointments would be a very difficult task, especially if the stay was as short as in the USA. Although people don’t talk much about cancer, I found that if a person has had cancer, conversation between those with similar experiences frequently took place. Those on my ward were quite open with their experiences and their anxieties. I kept busy listening and sharing how I was handling this experience when I was given the chance. My friends came to pray with me and even though they tried to keep their voices low, it seemed like everyone could hear them. One woman in great distress asked if I would please pray for her. Once again, the Lord has provided an opportunity to walk in their shoes. And what a surprise it has been! Now I can relate to those who have this “hidden” disease. Daily, several of my friends came to see me and sometimes I had as many as seven people waiting. Since cancer is kept a secret, other patients had very few visitors.

Mrs. Hasegawa, my pastor’s wife came in one day as usual. I could tell that she wanted to tell me something. When she finally got the courage told me that her husband found out the day before that he had stomach cancer! At this writing, he is recovering from surgery, and I have returned to the USA for medical treatment. The church where I have been working with Rev. Hasegawa is now without their leaders. They had many issues to deal with when both of us were there but now their problems have been compounded. When I left for the hospital I shared the shocking news with them about my impending operation. I shared with them my strong feelings that if this was God’s plan for me, and I was related to them in ministry, then they must consider it to be God’s plan for them as well. Their task (mine as well) is to find how God will lead in the succeeding months. God does not mean this for evil but for good (Jer. 29:11). Please pray for the Suginami Nakadori Church. And please continue to pray for me.

We only have a few more weeks to emphasize the World Mission Offering, although you can give to it any time during the year. Your general undesignated gifts to this offering are greatly appreciated. Those gifts help International Ministries fund the remaining part of missionary salaries beyond the MPT goal and to send out new missionaries. They help with special projects in our partner churches. However, you may still direct your gifts to a specific person or project. This includes me!! Although I am on medical leave, I must have all my monthly core financial support underwritten before I return. If the doctor should suddenly release me to return to Japan, frankly, I would not be able to return now because I am only receiving 45% of my monthly needs. If you have further questions, please contact myself or International Ministries.

Thank you for reading this far and thank you so much for your continued prayers. I really do know that they are working.

In Christ,

Roberta Stephens

When I first heard about the theme this year for the World Mission Offering, “Surprised By Walking In Different Shoes,” I was puzzled as to how to relate my ministry in Japan to it. There were two reasons. The first is that I don’t have the same cultural pressures bearing [...]]]> Dear Journal Friends,

When I first heard about the theme this year for the World Mission Offering, “Surprised By Walking In Different Shoes,” I was puzzled as to how to relate my ministry in Japan to it. There were two reasons. The first is that I don’t have the same cultural pressures bearing down on me that the Japanese do. Although, I try to live by many of their customs I do not usually live by their cultural norms (I have been “accused” of hiding the fact that I have Japanese blood—which I do not!). Secondly, economically I live close to their standards of living. How am I walking in their shoes? How SHOULD I be walking in their shoes? Perhaps someone else could see it more clearly than I. But as if God was directly responding to my anxiety over this theme, I headed directly in God’s school-of-hard-knocks.

The Japan Baptist Union-related Soshin Girls’ school in Yokohama had a need for a part-time English teacher, and the salary I would receive would help me meet my new Missionary Partnership Team (MPT) financial goal. So in April, I began commuting in rush-hour traffic from west Tokyo to Yokohama, arriving in time for 8:15 am classes. This schedule was adjusted slightly during the next three months but that early one-and-a-half hour commute thrust me into the shoes of the Japanese. Squeezed in back to back, chest to chest, often standing for the full train and bus ride forced me to come to grips with the awful realities that the majority of the working and student populations experience every day. Every morning and evening train and subway delays and stoppages because of “an accident involving a person,” are written on the electronic message boards in trains for all to see. No wonder trains are more and more frequently used as a weapon for suicide. Those who cannot accept and adjust by slipping into their own world during travel become weary and ill.

No wonder we find so few of these groups in church each week! No wonder that businessmen and women remain the hardest group to reach with the gospel. As I prayed for people standing around me, I began asking myself if I could walk in their shoes FIVE days a week year after year and still minister to them? My answer came back like a gong, “No.” By the grace of God I don’t have to do that because of your generous gifts sent to International Ministries for my support provide my salary and freedom to minister. But God has allowed me to walk in their shoes even for a short period of three months that I might gain empathy and deeper understanding of those God has called me to.

Jesus died for these people who daily experience a different kind of dehumanization unmatched in the rest of the world. It is your gifts through the World Mission Offering that helps to keep mission-to-the-millions continuing. Most of Japan still needs to know the love of God, and it is through the WMO that you have a chance to help out.

Thanks to so many of you who have given monthly contributions toward my financial support, and for the first time during the Luther Rice Society Matching Gifts Program. It was successful! I end with the question, would you be willing to continue in some way during this special WMO offering time? Or would the many of you who are reading this who have not had the chance to be on my financial support team consider joining? Whether you choose to join or not, the fact remains that we desperately need you to do your part in helping International Ministries continue and move forward. I want to make sure that you have the opportunity to help in ministering-to-the-millions around the world. Who knows? One day you and I may be able to step on a crowded train and feel like we are not the only Christian there.

In Christ,

Roberta Stephens

I sure appreciate you so much. I don’t write often enough, I sure can’t seem to get my thank-you notes out in a timely fashion, especially recently. But please be assured that I am soooooo grateful for each and every one of you. This of course includes all of you who [...]]]> Dear “Tidbits” Friends,

I sure appreciate you so much. I don’t write often enough, I sure can’t seem to get my thank-you notes out in a timely fashion, especially recently. But please be assured that I am soooooo grateful for each and every one of you. This of course includes all of you who have joined my financial team. There is still room for more!!

Plans Beginning in September: As you know, I survived cancer surgery and am in the recovery process now both internally and externally. Your cards and notes of encouragement have been so wonderful. But I will need further treatment. I’ve decided to have it done in the USA and stay with my sister and brother-in-law. I’ll be in the US for a few months, exactly how long, I don’t know. This works out better for my family since my sister will have double knee surgery on Aug. 17th. I will arrive in the US on September 3rd and can help some with her recovery while I’m waiting for my treatment to begin. Then, we’ll change places! Please especially pray for my sister, Pat.

Please do not send any more regular mail to my Japan address. If you’d like to correspond by regular mail, please send mail to the following address:

Roberta Stephens
17411 1st Pl. SW
Normandy Park, WA 98166

RobertasTidbits will not be sent out for a period of time. Instead, I will use the International Ministries website for letters.

When I can, during my recovery stage, I will continue to prepare to receive volunteers beginning in May 2009. If you’ve been thinking about it, it’s not too soon for you to let me know. I’ll be introducing the current possibilities I am working on. Your unusual skills might make it possible for a new kind of volunteer position. I am working closely with Angela Sudermann with Volunteers In Global Mission. Please feel free to contact her through the IM Website. But we’re not doing this alone. We work with the Japan Baptist Union and depend on them for finding positions for you to fill.

A Corporate Act: I’ve come to realize that prayer is a community or corporate thing. When I pray for you, you are brought to my conscience in a way that just remembering you does not bring. Henry Nouwen said, “…when we pray, we will increasingly experience ourselves as part of a human family infinitely bound by God who created us to share, all of us, in the divine light…To pray for one another is, first of all, to acknowledge, in the presence of God, that we belong to each other as children of the same God.” Please let me know your needs so that I may pray meaningfully for you.

In Christ,
Roberta Stephens