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,
It’s finally cooled down here in Tokyo to about 72 degrees during the day and 65 at night. I can’t tell you what a relief it is to me, having spent the last 30 years in moderately cool northern climates! Here in Tokyo I have been feeling quite miserable, suffering all summer with a variety of rashes due to the heat, but I have also felt God’s blessing in so many other ways.
New Task
I’ve taken on a new task of preparing the way for increased number of volunteers to come to Japan. In past years, one or two pastors and a few missionaries have used volunteers. The majority of pastors like their congregations have become aware of volunteerism recently because of disasters in Japan and around Asia. Women are doing more of it in service institutions such as nursing homes which are becoming more public. The post office advertises for volunteers as does the local newspaper. This kind of service is more common among non-Christian than among Christians. Although it is not called volunteer work, Christians spend their rare free time doing volunteer work at church such as cleaning, preparing meals for sale to earn money for rebuilding, and preparing for an annual bazaar. I would categorize this as exclusively for Christ in the church rather than in the community. So, volunteering shouldn’t be such a foreign concept to churches. However, when asked about it they look at me and say, “Why? There are no disasters here.”
Awakening
But volunteers who are associated with International Ministries desire to follow the pattern that Christ has given us of serving, healing, fellowshipping, and perhaps having a part in changing lives. Last year, International Ministries sent out over 1600 volunteers with many others going out making their own arrangements. This statistic literally jars my Japanese colleagues – like, “Where have we been? The whole movement has passed us by!” There is a slow awakening occurring among some of the leaders in the Japan Baptist Union. Some, in part, resulted from their interaction with seven volunteers who worked in Japan this summer, and their host churches.
Sensitivity
The challenge for me during this year is to educate pastors and laity, and pray that God will open their hearts to request and receive a volunteer. I need to be sensitive in this matter. I can’t take the approach that “you need a volunteer” or “this experience will enrich your lives and the lives of your congregation” etc., because this approach actually offends people. I would be implying that what they are doing is inadequate and that I have the answer. Although my statement may be true, it would be a bit smug and audacious to imply that hosting a volunteer would improve their present situation. I need your prayers in dealing with this issue. I don’t want to sound imperialistic in my intense desire for the churches to experience the impact that can take place. Because of this important nuance, we will be looking for mature but humble volunteers who do not have a “field trip” mentality.
Awhile back a volunteer-to-be wrote, “The Japanese must feel so depressed because of the small numbers.” When the Japanese pastor saw that statement he said with a big smile, “Do I look depressed?!” When another volunteer suggested to a pastor that the church members stand in the station where thousands of people walk by every few minutes to invite people and talk to people, the look of disbelief at such a suggestion was clear. This was not a disrespectful question, but an answer could not be given. For sure, it stabbed at the heart of that pastor who had become lukewarm toward reaching his fellow citizens. Without knowing it, the volunteer had made an inroad through an innocent question. The balloon of pride and lukewarm-ness had been punctured by a volunteer, not a missionary!
Fantastic Experience
I met Mrs. M. at a committee meeting last month. She said, “Oh, by the way, thank you so much for sending the volunteer to our church. It was a fantastic experience. He fit right in and we were able to talk heart to heart. He tried so hard to respect our culture and customs that sometimes we thought he was Japanese! God also worked in his heart. That is really exciting.”
More Please
Last week I had a luncheon date with Y-san who is in her thirties. Her church in Tokyo hosted two volunteers for a short time. Out of the blue she said, “You know, A-san and I think you’re an angel!” I replied, “What? But I don’t have wings! Why would you say such a thing?” She said, “You know those two volunteers you sent to us? Having them come totally enthused and energized me regarding reaching out and it really changed our church. We have never cooperated that well in planning an event at church like we did for their coming. It really brought all ages together. My dream was to have a children’s program. And we did it with their help. They helped us see that it could be done. Granted, only my two children and one other child came. But my kids just couldn’t stop talking about the volunteers for many weeks. I really want to have such a program again. Can we get volunteers again?”
Your Participation
I feel very strongly that all these testimonies happened because some of you were praying for me, others were praying for these volunteers and many of you regularly pray for the people of Japan. This is such a needy nation. The numbers of suicides that take place each day in Japan now surpass the number of traffic fatalities. Obviously, this doesn’t happen to the majority, but “Japanese put on a face of serenity but down deep inside they are very miserable” does and it is something that disturbs me greatly.
By your gracious and unselfish giving you allow me to continue to be here as your representative, to continue to delve deeper to the point of “misery”, and you enable me to be a part of spreading the fragrance wider than we missionaries can through the volunteer program. As a missionary, I could not have been in three or four places simultaneously this summer, but with volunteers, Christ’s presence made it possible for a “missionary presence.”
Yours Always In Christ,
Roberta Stephens