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 Friends,
First, Merry Christmas to you all! I pray that you are all finding the reality of the birth of the Christ-child in your busyness, celebration and reflections this season. I just finished listening to a cassette tape carrying Christmas greetings from the staff at International Ministries (IM). Each year a personalized tape that carries greetings is sent to us missionaries. For some reason, the messages from the various staff members always move me. Although I listened to it on Dec. 26th this year, usually I save the tape for Christmas Day when I am alone in Japan. Some staff speak in a specific way about the experiences they know I’ve had during the year, making the messages very personal. They sing on the tape, and our Executive Director provides a message of hope.
I’ve been enjoying life while in the USA during this year of home assignment. Some of you may be surprised because you didn’t notice my May and June Tidbits about me going on home assignment! This year has includes great times with family and with a couple, the Erdahls, whose house I am sharing. Aside from a wonderful three weeks at Green Lake WI (with the exception of recovering from walking pneumonia), I’ve visited many towns speaking at many churches. Let’s see: Pasadena, Pomona, Alhambra, Chico CA.; Spokane, Palouse, Burien, Lynnwood, Des Moines, Issaquah WA; Eugene, Gresham, Portland OR; Coeur d’Alene, Osburn ID. In Colorado, I spoke at Fort Collins, Longmont, Denver, Boulder and Flagler. As a result, I’ve added more than 30 new people to RobertasTidbits list and International Ministries Journals list. Welcome to you newcomers. I have been having a good time telling about my previous term of service but have many more stories to tell than time permits.
Half of the time, my mind has been on the people in Shichigahama, Japan. My leaving on home assignment has been a seeming disaster to them. Most of them remain faithful, waiting for the Lord to begin to move among them. My prayer is that this time of separation will be cause for reflection, like a comma in God’s eternal purpose for this church Their spirits are picking up and they are beginning to see what their roles are, and that the direction of the church depends equally on all, not just on a few who “have time.”
The evidence of this is now visible in several ways, but specifically in the results of this past Sunday’s worship and program. I just received a glowing report on what transpired. What stood out most in the mind of one member was how everyone’s little efforts toward the Christmas worship service and program contributed to a hugely successful day. Top on the “reporter’s†list was the thrill of having a new family of four attend, and several others who remain on the margins of the church. Five children from our previous children’s programs also attended. There were a total of 24 people in attendance.
Several times a month members of surrounding Baptist churches lend moral support by attending the 2 pm service of Shichigahama Preaching Place. This is occurring less, now, but the average attendance is increasing, reflecting the fact that more people from the community are attending (irregularly, but none the less, attending).
My “reporter” said for me to “thank all of YOU who have been praying for this little church. But, please remember in prayer, too, several of the elderly people who are facing illness and pain. Two members, Yuko and Masako need your prayers,” she said “for spiritual battles and personal problems they are facing. AND pray for Yumiko Kobayashi who will be baptized January 21st.” I’ll share more about this woman in my next IM Journal (If you are not getting my Journals, please let me know.)
For now, blessings on you as you continue to celebrate, and plan for 2007.
In Christ, Roberta Stephens
Missionary to Japan