Roberta Stephens

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.
Continue reading May 8, 2009

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.
Continue reading March 22, 2009

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.
Continue reading February 20, 2008

Dear Tidbits Friends,

I’m on a roll! So pardon this intrusion again! Happy New Year! I noticed that some people want to just say “New Year.” However, we all know, at least in our heads, that happiness comes not from things, nor security, but from inner peace and giving ourselves in service to others. Inner peace can be had in spite of the surroundings telling us otherwise. This is because it is based on Immanuel, the name given Jesus before his birth meaning “God Is With Us.”
Continue reading January 17, 2009