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

I am writing on behalf of Roberta.

We wanted to thank you for your prayers for Roberta as she went through endometrial cancer surgery a couple of weeks ago.

We wanted to let you know that Roberta was out of the hospital two weeks after surgery. She is healing well. It appeared that [...]]]> Dear “Tidbits” Friends,

I am writing on behalf of Roberta.

We wanted to thank you for your prayers for Roberta as she went through endometrial cancer surgery a couple of weeks ago.

We wanted to let you know that Roberta was out of the hospital two weeks after surgery. She is healing well. It appeared that there was no cancer in any other organs, but they did remove a few lymph nodes surrounding the area to be checked in the lab. Because they usually do not do radiation in Japan as they would here in the U.S., they removed more lymph nodes than usual. Monday she will receive a lab report on these lymph nodes, to determine if they have any cancer.

Continued prayers would be appreciated for her complete recovery, healing of the incision, and for her bodily functions to resume normal levels. Please pray that she will not overdo herself. She wants you to know that the outpouring of love from all of you has been overwhelming. You’re welcome to contact her as you have in the past, but understand that she doesn’t spend all day at the computer as before.

In Christ,
Pat Kelley

Recently I’ve be sending extra praises up to the Lord as I see more and more of you deciding to contribute toward my support. The percentages have been slowly rising. There is still a lot of room for others to join in too! Thank you so much.

Thinking over the past [...]]]> Dear Tidbits Friends,

Recently I’ve be sending extra praises up to the Lord as I see more and more of you deciding to contribute toward my support. The percentages have been slowly rising. There is still a lot of room for others to join in too! Thank you so much.

Thinking over the past year I have run into many bumps in the road, testing my patience, endurance, abilities and faith. But God is always there working on and executing a rescue plan! Last year in June, the plans to move, not to move, then move, were foremost on my mind and heart. At times I felt tormented by the uncertainty.

It was also a full, fun –filled year of meeting and providing new experiences for volunteers. The fall came and went as I spent time away from Japan in the USA sharing about my mission in Japan. After returning to Japan, I had my annual physical where some increasing problems were left undiagnosed.

I experienced much anxiety regarding turmoil in Bangkok and Mumbai, but in the end, decided to continue on what turned out to be a memorable trip to India for the Asian Baptist Women Union’s quadrennial convention.

February and March tested my endurance for both making preparations for the 50th Anniversary of Japan Baptist women and making plans with my MPT on how to increase my financial and prayer base in the USA. I continued making plans for receiving volunteers as well. Churches in Japan responded with requests but in the end, I received no applications to fill the positions. Although I was disappointed, I actually began to feel excited that perhaps God had something else in mind….maybe an extended and much needed vacation in Northeast Japan.

Well something like that has happened, but in a totally different way. I have been diagnosed with stage 1 endometrial cancer and after an operation in mid-July WILL have my enforced “vacation” in the form of recuperation. Another bump in the road but this time and at this point, my heart feels at ease. It is only the Lord who could have cleared my schedule in such a way as to make time for such a serious event in the middle of my busiest time of the year. If the Lord is in charge in this way, then who am I to question “why now and why me?”

Between the prayer of close friends and a powerful food supplement, at this point I’m feeling physically well and fully expect to fulfill my busy schedule through the end of June.

I really would appreciate your prayers as I prepare to enter Tokyo’s Keio University Hospital around the 9th of July. The Japanese system of medical care is such that it may require quite a lengthy hospitalization of two weeks or more. However, although I’ll have no family members present, I have so many Japanese friends and colleagues just waiting to cover me with sugar and honey! One person said, “Settle down now, it’s our turn to serve you!” How sweet and meaningful that comment was! As the word gets out, people are approaching me with long, sad faces. It is my chance to shine on them the love of Christ. And, I tell them to save that expression for my funeral, not for now! Then we laugh together.

Isaiah 41:10 says:

So do not fear, for I am with you.
Do not be dismayed for I am your God
I will strengthen you and help you
I will uphold you with my righteous hand.

Although I will be needing this verse, I’ll let you borrow it if you like!

In Christ,
Roberta Stephens

Last month a member of our MPT, Dave Simpkins, and his wife, Terri came to Japan for a conference and to observe and participate in my work. This month’s RobertasTidbits has an article that Dave Simpkins wrote upon his return with his observations of some of the things that impacted him while [...]]]> Dear “Tidbits” Friends,

Last month a member of our MPT, Dave Simpkins, and his wife, Terri came to Japan for a conference and to observe and participate in my work. This month’s RobertasTidbits has an article that Dave Simpkins wrote upon his return with his observations of some of the things that impacted him while he was here.

Where will you go when you die?

Well, I’m really not talking about whether or not you are going to heaven. No, I’m talking about where you will literally go when you die. Terri and I recently had the opportunity to visit Roberta in Japan. One of the things we talked about is obstacles to evangelism in an essentially Buddhist culture. Here is one I would not have thought of. The whole issue of what is done with this earthly body has plagued people for millennia. Some cultures placed the body in a “sacred” place and let nature take its course. I visited a rather large church in the Czech Republic that was stacked full of human bones retrieved from catacombs. The chandelier was even made of bones. Some of the things we do are difficult to understand. Here, we have large plots of land set aside as cemeteries where our remains are placed in expensive caskets. We have mausoleums where urns of our ashes can be kept.

The idea, of course, is that we can be remembered and honored by loved ones. This is an important part of most cultures. It is especially important for people of faith. In the Buddhist faith, ancestors are revered and usually worshiped. Though, cremation is required by law in Japan, a place where ancestors can be honored is a very important part of Japanese culture. In a very important way, ancestors are seen as powerful guides and advisers. Most Buddhist Temples have a “cemetery” full of family tombs to hold cremated remains of family members. As you might imagine, Buddhist Temples are rather plentiful in Japan.

Now imagine the dilemma a potential convert to Christianity might have if the only place for his/her ashes would be denied because he/she was a Christian. A Christian cannot be interred in a Buddhist Cemetery unless the priest is very open-minded. It has been a struggle to find a way for a cultural link as opposed to a religious link to be maintained. The picture above is taken in one of the growing number of public cemeteries where anyone can buy a plot. Churches can buy a grave here for their congregation or jointly with several other churches. This is a jointly-owned grave site of four churches in the Japan Baptist Union. However, even with such a solution the cultural link is weakened because a person’s non-Christian loved ones are buried in the Buddhist family grave elsewhere. It is hard for me to imagine such an important issue that missionaries have to deal with which is so foreign to our culture. For many of us, where our earthly remains go is more a matter of convenience. Roberta has to deal with issues we would never think of and have difficulty comprehending. Your support (both financial and in prayer) is essential for all that Roberta does.

Roberta has added nine new classes to her schedule beginning in April. Eight of the classes are taught weekly for salary support. It’s keeping her hopping. All of these classes are in Yokohama and requires traveling there 3 days each week. She has to travel approximately 90 minutes one way on the train. One class is for little tykes at Seiro church in Yokohama. There are three children, two second graders and one first grader. This class is a follow-up on the summer program last year where a volunteer did a 2-day cultural program. The next eight classes are being taught at Soshin Girls’ School, a sister school to Shokei Girls’ School where Roberta taught for 18 years. Although the work is not new, she’s finding it a slow process to adjust to preparing lessons, grading 176 students and the commute to and from the school. Unfortunately, lesson plans and grading papers cannot be done on the train because of the crowd and because she usually has to stand for the trip.

Please pray for her stamina and for little “God-moments” that God has definitely ordained. Pray for health and that Roberta is privileged to see God’s mighty work in these girls.

Please remember that new salary support gifts (of $200 – $2,000) this month and in June (received in Valley Forge by the 30th) will be matched by the Luther Rice Foundation. Of course, any gift will be greatly appreciated, especially regular monthly giving. Salary support for Roberta has not reached the necessary percentage. Perhaps you have a friend who would like to support Roberta’s vital work in Japan.

Rev. Dr. S. David Simpkins (Missionary Partnership Team)

Friends, thank you again for your continued prayers and support.

In Christ,
Roberta Stephens

While all kinds of thoughts and feelings have been swirling around in me recently, I have tried to think positively about the future while dealing with reality. I won’t repeat here what has been said recently regarding the urgent need for all missionaries to be fully supported by September but I did [...]]]> Dear Tidbits Friends,

While all kinds of thoughts and feelings have been swirling around in me recently, I have tried to think positively about the future while dealing with reality. I won’t repeat here what has been said recently regarding the urgent need for all missionaries to be fully supported by September but I did want you to know that God has begun to provide in surprising ways. Anyone who has checked out my Skype window might have noticed that I replaced the kitty picture with a cow! The reason is that I want to keep focused on the scripture that says “God owns the cattle on a thousand hills.” I am trusting God for a small herd! Maybe you’re interested in investing monthly in first one leg, then another, or maybe a horn (reminiscent of the 50’s children’s game called “Cootie”), or maybe one whole cow! Enough said now.

I want you to know that I am not moping around but am still serving you here, for now, and need your prayers in the Lord’s work. Some of the busiest days are behind me, only to dawn again this week in the culmination of a year’s worth of effort.

Japanese celebrate anniversaries in a big way. This week the Japan Baptist Union Women (JB) will celebrate their 50th Anniversary. I serve on the executive committee of this group with a 2-4 year commitment. Therefore I’m right in the middle of their planning. At present, among the nine living missionary women who have served on this committee during these fifty years, two are still in Japan including myself, and the rest have returned to the USA. The Japanese women have invited any former missionary who served on the committee in the past to join in the Anniversary celebration March 25-27. JB women have sacrificed greatly during the year to bring six of them to Japan for the conference. This is their way of recognizing the work of all missionaries to the development of women’s leadership.

Recently I completed the details of their arrival, and one by one they are arriving at Narita Airport. It is exciting to see them come. Their average age is 76. Each person has different circumstances, is staying a different length of time, and with different types of lodgings. I’ve dealt with numerous situations. Saturday I went to meet one former missionary who had such intestinal problems that we could not leave the airport. However, it was a learning experience for me to see the medical facilities at the airport, and learn how late the trains are in operation between the airport and where I live 90 minutes away. ABW President, Terri Simpkins who will be one of the plenary speakers arrived on Sunday, with speech in hand!

Now that most people have arrived and the number of emails has decreased to zero, I’m working feverously to finish preparations for my parts of the program. The only thing I‘m lacking is energy and sleep! But I’m full of enthusiasm and hope. The JB Women need a battery recharge. Through the impact of these guests and the challenge our committee plans to give out, our prayer is that this year will mark a turn-around. Our theme comes from Romans 12:11-12. My prayer is that they would not be lagging behind in diligence but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, and rejoicing in hope.

We would all covet your prayers for health, wisdom, energy and the movement of the Spirit during these next few days. As always, I owe you so many thanks for your support both prayerful and financial.

In Christ,
Roberta

Please accept my apologies for my two months of silence. January is a month that seems to overwhelm me each year. When I fall behind, the first thing to go is the correspondence.

I have been overwhelmed in another way! That is with all of your gestures of kindness in the [...]]]> Dear Tidbits Friends,

Please accept my apologies for my two months of silence. January is a month that seems to overwhelm me each year. When I fall behind, the first thing to go is the correspondence.

I have been overwhelmed in another way! That is with all of your gestures of kindness in the form of gifts, cards, and lots of prayers. Some of you have specifically written to tell me that you pray for me daily. For you who have a large number on your prayer list, weekly would be fine, too!!

Because of the prayers, many of my goals last year were fulfilled. It was a year of huge transition for me. Now, eight months later, I feel settled in for the time being and have been able to develop a pattern and rhythm in my work. I know where I need to go and what I need to do. The core work of getting the volunteer program up and running is not the work of making arrangement for volunteers scheduled beginning in June (so far there are 14), but my weekly visitation to churches on Sundays where I share about the vision of building bridges through the volunteer program. Often I have been asked to share God’s Word as well.

The response to my messages from the Word has been particularly positive. Many of the churches in the Japan Baptist Union (JBU) are suffering from becoming ingrown, rather than “outgrown.” That is their efforts reap no results leading to resignation. My messages have focused on the workers needing to allow God to be the Builder, and Jesus reminding Peter that “on this rock I will build my church.”

After the worship service I share about the volunteer program. The program is not a field trip, I tell them, but a group of serious Christians who want to share Christ and their journey and joy. They come humbly, not as know-it-alls but as people who want to have a “ministry of presence” willing to help out wherever needed. Although I don’t advertise it as such, the fact is that volunteers are able to give this sleeping giant a shot in the arm.

Volunteer Opportunities to Consider: In closing, I want to mention two additional opportunities which are in the planning stages. But you might be interested or know someone else who is even at this early stage. (To read more about these opportunities, select the underlined phrases following. This will take you to more information listed on my website.) The first opportunity is for two females age 22-50 to work at a very small church in Yokohama, mainly with neighborhood children recruited from nearby.

The second opportunity is for an intergenerational group of five or six, high school, college and adults to work in a variety of programs set up for them on the northern island of Hokkaido. If you are interested in more on these, click on the link.

Thank you for your continued prayers on the issues stated here. I’d also request prayer for inner peace regarding some other big changes in the very near future. Let me hear from you and what you are doing for the Lord or what the Lord is doing for you.

In Christ,
Roberta L. Stephens

I feel a little like I am in the “Amazing Race” trying to finish so many tasks before the end of the year, most important of which is getting this letter out to you!

Some of you thought you had been dropped from my RobertaTidbits mail list. Some of you who pray faithfully [...]]]> Dear Tidbit Friends,

I feel a little like I am in the “Amazing Race” trying to finish so many tasks before the end of the year, most important of which is getting this letter out to you!

Some of you thought you had been dropped from my RobertaTidbits mail list. Some of you who pray faithfully for me noticed and asked. With both feelings of gratitude for remembering me, and chagrin for not writing, I wrote back to say, just bear with me a little longer. You are all important to me.

Fall Blitz: I went back to the USA to help with the fall campaign for the World Mission Offering. I was able to meet some new friends who are receiving this letter for the first time. I visited churches and ABW Association meetings in Washington, Oregon and California. Along the way and in between I met many other people. Although it was not a restful time, it felt good to be in contact with people who really wanted to hear about ministry in Japan.

After I arrive back in Japan, frankly, I was overwhelmed with the work left behind. It weighed heavy on me. I struggled to prepare the basics of Bible studies and a lengthy speech given at the Shokei Alumnae of Tokyo/Yokohama area. By the time I recovered from the shock of a break-in to my apt. while I was out shopping and a fender-bender, it was nearly December. During that time, our American Baptist missionaries to Japan were able to get together for a retreat. I’m including their picture here. It was such a blessing to get together with them and it gave us a chance to pray and play together. Because they are such special people it invigorated me. I’ve included their picture here.

Trip to India: I’ve been preparing with five Japanese women to attend the Asian Baptist Women’s Union Conference in Kolkata, India from Jan. 6-9, 2009. This is the Asian Women’s branch of the BWA. The Baptist women of India have been prayerfully preparing for this large gathering. I would appreciate prayers for this time away.

50th Anniversary: Another project I’m working on is for the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Japan Baptist Union Women to be held March 24-26th. A number of former missionaries who served the women will be returning to join in. I have been working on their travel schedules, places for them to stay and the program.

Volunteers Complete Successful Service in 2008: In mid-October Margie, the last volunteer for 2008, left Osaka after completing a month of service ministering by her presence to nursery school children, mothers of toddlers and the elderly in social welfare programs. There were a total of 17 volunteers with service beginning in April. Volunteer work is not just confined to the summer months. There were ten volunteers under age 25 and seven volunteers over age 40. There was a sizable age group missing! The volunteers came from Washington, California, Colorado and Pennsylvania. Their “work” comprised of cleaning the outside of church buildings, building a deck and adding siding, cutting tall, tall grass and digging ditches; teaching English to toddlers, elementary school students, high school students and adults. Several worked in three day church camps doing crafts and just plain rough housing! Nearly all volunteers had a chance to give their testimonies in word and song and some taught the Word, and using praise songs in worship. All volunteers found out that volunteering involves not just “doing” but “being,” as they fellowshipped and worshipped with Japanese Christians. Several volunteers who had been in Japan before got to see how faith was developing in the hearts of some people they had met previously. One sister-church relationship is being formed because of the impact of one volunteer.

Volunteer Paul commented, “I’m glad I volunteered in Japan because, it showed me how big God is and how little I know and understand of the beauty of his people and creation.”

David commented: I am glad I volunteered in Japan because I met many wonderful people who showed me how God was working in Japan and it encouraged me to do God’s work wherever I am.

You see that their comments are not what “I” did but what they learned about God! That’s what volunteering is all about.

Doing this program alone would have been a big mistake! I had the help from our missionaries in Japan and one Japan Baptist Union staff person, Pastor Sachiko Toda. We are looking forward to you applying for service in 2009. I will describe some of the opportunities in my next letter.

These are difficult times for everyone financially, spiritually and psychologically. But God knows all about it. I believe that God will continue to carry out the mission in new ways and might be asking you to help out, in spite of lacking resources. God owns the cattle on a thousand hills and is the richest of anyone. If God is our master and guide, why wouldn’t He provide a way for you to participate in His work? That work might be volunteering, or it might be giving, or it might be praying, or it might be helping to send a volunteer because you cannot go. Whichever it is respond to that nudge in 2009 and watch the miracles take place. May God richly bless you as you begin this New Year.

In Christ,
Roberta Stephens

P.S. Please check out a journal I wrote on IM web page by clicking here.

Goodness, have I ever felt your prayers during the last few months! I can’t keep all the news to myself forever! So, I’ll delve it out in “tidbits!”

If walls could talk: After a full year of knowing that some time I would need to move, the time came, suddenly at [...]]]> Dear RobertasTidbits Friends,

Goodness, have I ever felt your prayers during the last few months! I can’t keep all the news to myself forever! So, I’ll delve it out in “tidbits!”

If walls could talk: After a full year of knowing that some time I would need to move, the time came, suddenly at that, for me to vacate the mission house in Tokyo that has been occupied by American Baptist missionaries for fifty years. As I watched the house being torn down I wondered about all the stories those walls could tell; how many Japanese had heard the gospel for the first time? How many had met Christ or had their faith strengthened there? I know that those walls could tell of many tears, but at the same time I can imagine the thousands of prayers that were sent up by at least seventeen missionaries and MKs over the years who lived there. We could also compile a long list of American Baptists who stayed in the Mitaka House while observing the work in Japan. In the last year, as the word spread about tearing the house down, I heard from a number of Japanese Baptists as well, who lived in the house for a few months to a year. No mistake, God blessed that house as a refuge for hundreds of people.

And now our prayer is that the new plans for this property as a vessel for the gospel will come to fruition containing the fingerprints of God. The Lord willing, I will move back to the Mitaka property in a new building in two years. In the meantime, I’m settled in a two bedroom apartment near the mission property. I have one large guest room in which volunteers can stay. PLEASE note my new address at the end of this letter.

Surprised by God’s People: Volunteers came in April, May, June and July-August. Was it you who prayed for this program? If so, now I know why God has blessed it! In June, a worship band of four young men called the “Amenables” arrived two days later than planned due to mechanical problems with their flight. Because they had no buffer days for orientation, they were thrust into a busy schedule of performance and teaching in churches and schools where they introduced praise music in worship services. Lee Ann and Gordon Hwang, IM missionaries in Yokohama did most of the coordination of this group. Since this was the first such team in the Tokyo-Yokohama area since we began volunteer service last year, no one knew what to expect, causing church leaders to have the “jitters.” But, your prayers began to work at this point! After each session we only heard good comments.

For example, the Amenables lodged for two nights at our Baptist Seminary. There, there are only five seminary students who are taught in the traditional way, with no exposure to praise music. At the seminarians’ weekly worship service the Amenables gave their testimonies as they introduced the new music. “We were so surprised at how natural and beautifully they integrated the two,” the seminarians told me later. “Far more meaningful than we ever imagined it would be. We truly felt God’s presence.” These volunteers hauled heavy instruments & suitcases in the pouring rain, on and off trains, aware of their own limits but unaware of the impact they had. This is often the true test of a ministry of high impact, when those ministering are not aware of the effect. This time of service did not just impact the people being served. The volunteers themselves had the chance to come face to face with their own strengths and weaknesses. God seemed to speak to each of them about their future direction as well. All of this came about because for two reasons. First was the quality of the volunteers themselves. They came with flexibility and an attitude to serve where God led them. Secondly, it was successful because some of you remembered to pray. Seeds were planted, and now we need to wait to see them grow.

I mentioned in the Spring that I will be in the USA for speaking in the fall (Sept. 27~Oct. 26th). I wanted to be sure to thank the two individuals who contributed toward that trip. One lives in Pennsylvania and the other in Oregon. In addition, a church in Washington State has also contributed. Thank you so very much for your generosity! I pray that my time will be used for God’s glory in sharing the many things God is doing in Japan.

In Christ,
Roberta Stephens