Roberta Stephens

Dear Tidbits Friends,

Recently I’ve be sending extra praises up to the Lord as I see more and more of you deciding to contribute toward my support. The percentages have been slowly rising. There is still a lot of room for others to join in too! Thank you so much.

Thinking over the past year I have run into many bumps in the road, testing my patience, endurance, abilities and faith. But God is always there working on and executing a rescue plan! Last year in June, the plans to move, not to move, then move, were foremost on my mind and heart. At times I felt tormented by the uncertainty.

It was also a full, fun –filled year of meeting and providing new experiences for volunteers. The fall came and went as I spent time away from Japan in the USA sharing about my mission in Japan. After returning to Japan, I had my annual physical where some increasing problems were left undiagnosed.

I experienced much anxiety regarding turmoil in Bangkok and Mumbai, but in the end, decided to continue on what turned out to be a memorable trip to India for the Asian Baptist Women Union’s quadrennial convention.

February and March tested my endurance for both making preparations for the 50th Anniversary of Japan Baptist women and making plans with my MPT on how to increase my financial and prayer base in the USA. I continued making plans for receiving volunteers as well. Churches in Japan responded with requests but in the end, I received no applications to fill the positions. Although I was disappointed, I actually began to feel excited that perhaps God had something else in mind….maybe an extended and much needed vacation in Northeast Japan.

Well something like that has happened, but in a totally different way. I have been diagnosed with stage 1 endometrial cancer and after an operation in mid-July WILL have my enforced “vacation” in the form of recuperation. Another bump in the road but this time and at this point, my heart feels at ease. It is only the Lord who could have cleared my schedule in such a way as to make time for such a serious event in the middle of my busiest time of the year. If the Lord is in charge in this way, then who am I to question “why now and why me?”

Between the prayer of close friends and a powerful food supplement, at this point I’m feeling physically well and fully expect to fulfill my busy schedule through the end of June.

I really would appreciate your prayers as I prepare to enter Tokyo’s Keio University Hospital around the 9th of July. The Japanese system of medical care is such that it may require quite a lengthy hospitalization of two weeks or more. However, although I’ll have no family members present, I have so many Japanese friends and colleagues just waiting to cover me with sugar and honey! One person said, “Settle down now, it’s our turn to serve you!” How sweet and meaningful that comment was! As the word gets out, people are approaching me with long, sad faces. It is my chance to shine on them the love of Christ. And, I tell them to save that expression for my funeral, not for now! Then we laugh together.

Isaiah 41:10 says:

So do not fear, for I am with you.
Do not be dismayed for I am your God
I will strengthen you and help you
I will uphold you with my righteous hand.

Although I will be needing this verse, I’ll let you borrow it if you like!

In Christ,
Roberta Stephens