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 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