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,
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.”
Immanuel: On Dec. 26th, I was carrying a heavy load, computer in one hand and the somewhat lighter left-over-apple pie to the Japan Baptist Union office where I planned to do some work. I have very bad bursitis in my left shoulder so I shouldn’t have been carrying anything on that side, but I needed two hands. At the office, everyone happily consumed the pie and I fired up my computer to begin my work. But low and behold, I got a blue screen. Restarting it was no help. Thinking that the computer itself was crashing, I closed up and headed home. The pie plate did not seem to be any lighter (it was a Pampered Chef crock pie plate). I headed for the only Dell computer shop I knew of. Alas! The shop had moved with no forwarding address. It was then that I began repeating to myself “God Is With Us, Immanuel” from Matthew 1:23. Joy flooded back into my heart, as if I had a healthy computer future! I got home and struggled to open two locks on the door without setting everything down. That’s when it happened. My weak left arm dropped the well padded pie plate. It completely split in half! I absolutely love this pie plate which keeps things warm long after it is removed from the oven! What do you think my reaction was! It was amazing. “Well, one less heavy item to pack away when I have to make a move!” That’s the effect it has on a person when Immanuel indwells and is in control of a person’s heart. Before I even picked up the broken plate, I repeated a prayer thanking Jesus for being Immanuel.
Volunteer Opportunities for 2009: Those of you who are interested in my work whether or not you could be a volunteer will want to read what follows. It will give you and idea of how to focus your prayers at the beginning of 2009. Most opportunities this coming year are similar to those listed for 2008 in my last Tidbits because the 2008 volunteers made such a good impression on the churches. But there are a few new important requests that I’d like you to pray about and spread the word about at your church. Please follow the link for further details.
- Ethnic Program for children: A volunteer paved the way for this opportunity. A small church in Yokohama is looking for one or two people to coordinate an ethnic cultural program involving 2-days of actual programming in August. This would be for local neighborhood un-churched, elementary school-aged children. This small church has been awakened to a vision for the opportunities for follow-up of children and perhaps parents.
Volunteers 1 – 2 Location Seiro church, Yokohama Date August 6 – 7
You will be required to come approximately five days earlier for some orientation and program planning time. An additional assignment for service is a possibility.Housing TBA Duties Introducing another culture (aside from American), using the medium of crafts, dance, maps and ethnic food, with a heavy emphasis on teaching simple English conversation and vocabulary during the program. Some ethnic related words or greetings could be included also.
- Children’s Worker: A volunteer paved the way for this opportunity, too.
A small church in Osaka is realizing that with the direction that society is going in, they had better get working with neighborhood children. They would like a young adult with skills in working with children, nursery through teens for an extended period of volunteer service of one to three months, anytime of the year. This would be an ideal opportunity for a seminary student or person in children’s ministry.Ages 21 – 40 Location So-ne Christ’s Church, Sone, Osaka Date Any time during the year for 1-3 months (2-3 months preferred) Housing Room in church with access to table top burners for cooking own meals Duties Teaching simple words and sentences for nursery and Kindergarteners; teaching simple cooking, or making something to eat (eg: rice crispy treats!). Gathering up children in the park and playing. Conduct worship with nursery school children; fellowship and interact with older children and teens as a Christian role model; help with church school; be ready to challenge young people from the word of God; give one’s testimony in church. Work on dong some deep cleaning (scrubbing & waxing) the floor of the sanctuary and other cleaning tasks. The pastor wrote: “We really value our young people and want them to be fired up by the Spirit through spending time with a loving, praying volunteer who cares for their souls.”
- Asian Rural Institute: The next opportunity has huge potential for a variety of volunteer service. I would like to volunteer there myself! I wrote in a journal on IM website about my Christmas guest, Lee Mya, of Myanmar who works and is being trained at the ARI where this next opportunity is. People from all over Asia gather there to be trained in organic farming and rural development in a 9 month course. Many kinds of volunteers are needed as support staff. You can volunteer through International Ministries or go directly through ARI. (I’d prefer you first go thru IM and come a few days early for some orientation, but then I’m biased!).
Volunteers 1 or more Location Tochigi Prefecture, Japan Date Depends on the openings and job description. One month to one year (special visa required) Housing Live in a dormitory with other volunteers, eating with the staff and overseas program participants Duties See jobs available on IM website or further link to Asian Rural institute website. Click here to go directly to the explanation on the IM website for more information.
- Brochure Translation: This next opportunity has a few interesting requirements, one of which is a “non-requirement.” You don’t have to come to Japan to do it! In Yokohama there is a children’s home called Kobo-en. Kobo-en was started over 55 years ago by a member of Evergreen Baptist Church in Los Angeles. Now the daughter of the founder is the Director. They don’t have the need for volunteers to be physically present but have translation and graphic design needs. You need to be fluent in Japanese and do well in English, too. I’m looking for someone to translate their website and brochures into English and redesign the brochures. This might be something for two people in the same church to work on, a person with translation skills and another person with graphic design skills. You will fill out a simplified application through International Ministries for volunteer service before you get started.
Volunteers 1 Japanese to English translator; 1 graphic designer Location Your own home Date Any time during the year Skills needed Japanese and English language skills Duties This may appeal in particular to Asian American Churches. Expenses Normally volunteers pay for travel and daily living costs. However, this project will primarily involve sending materials back to Japan for review, rewriting and redesign.
There are other opportunities not mentioned above, such as working with kids at short day camps, teaching English to adults and children on a short-term basis lasting from 3-days to 3-weeks. We can fit you in. Do you have a special talent, like clowning or something of the unusual? Do you want to teach cooking or an adult craft? What would you like to share? In the end, it is the fellowship and the “ministry of being” which means so much to the Japanese. That is a volunteer skill! Once I know your qualifications, desires and skills, our churches might be able to come up with some creative programming to include you. Spread the word!
Many thanks for listening in.
In Christ,
Roberta