Roberta’s residence and the bulk of her ministry is in Tokyo. She is starting a program in hopes of placing volunteers of all ages year round in Japanese Baptist Union churches and institutions.Dear RobertasTidbits Friends,
I’m sure you’re wondering what’s up! Here’s the scoop!
Church Visitation: Today I visited Kawasaki Daishi church in Yokohama to introduce the volunteer program. It is one church among a number that have requested I visit. With two exceptions, my Sundays are filled through March. This is an answer to prayer.
English Bible Class: I have reserved the 2nd Sunday in each month for Suginami-Nakadori (SN) church. It is the closest to where I live and the one I attend when I don’t have an assignment. The church asked me to conduct an English class on that Sunday afternoon. After much debate we decided to title the flyer we passed out to 300 residences “English Bible Class,” rather than just “English class.” Objections were that people would not come if the saw the word “Bible.” My argument for including the word was that we would be honest and straight forward as to the source. I’m using adapted, rewritten stories from a booklet printed by the American Bible Society. Since I expected 8th graders as well as adults, I needed to make it simpler. The class will be held only once a month on the one Sunday I will be present at the SN church.
The anticipation was great since this church is fairly new at doing outreach. In the back of the minds of the six church members who planned to come was the undeclared doubt that maybe no one would show up. Our first class was Nov. 11th. To the total amazement of the church members, six people from the community came. I knew by their reaction that two people probably would not come back. I was pleased that the SN church members mixed well with the newcomers at this first meeting, something that would not have happened in northeast Japan. At the next class held on Dec. 9th, two returned and two called in reasons for their absences. The two young women (age 28) are showing a real interest in the study. They are going to “try to dig up a Bible that might be in a box somewhere.” I’m right in my element when non-Christians come, whose heart God has prepared. The church members, however, are not used to interacting with others on spiritual matters/questions the second time they meet them. This is probably due to the lack of Christian education done in our churches. But I can say that they are thrilled to be able stretch themselves in this way. We invited these two women to our Christmas Eve service. Please pray with me that they will come.
Bible Class: Beginning with the 2nd Sunday in January, I’ll be leading a Bible class in Japanese Sunday mornings at the SN church. We’ll be doing some work in Timothy and Titus. Please mark on your calendars the Saturday before the second Sunday of each month as a reminder to pray for me. I would really appreciate it.
Lastly, PLEASE visit my new website put together by my nephew, Josh. http://www.robertastephens.com It’s been revised and updated. If you click on the word “comments” at the end of the article, a window will open which will allow you to write a comment on what I have written. Click on the “submit comment” button. Then I read the comments later, or you can read what other people have said by clicking on the same “comments” button at the end of the article… try it, it’s sort of fun.
Well, long winded again! Have a blessed Christmas and thank you so, so much for your continued prayers and support.
Yours in Christ,
Roberta Stephens