Japan se self-verdedigingsmag se werwings-advertensie (Foto krediet: https://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/jieikanbosyu/)
VREDE. ‘n Gesogte woord in vandag se wêreld vol haat en konflik. Jesus het vredemakers as geseënde kinders van God beskryf (Matt. 5), maar deesdae word hulle soms geïgnoreer of gekritiseer as romantiese dromers wat uit voeling is met realiteit.
Die versugting na vrede: wêreldwyd, verál ook in Japan
Miljoene mense smag na vrede terwyl die skrikwekkende vernietiging van ‘n toenemende aantal outoritêre owerhede wêreldwyd onverpoosd voortsleep. Huidige oorlogsituasies wys vir ons dat diegene wat doelbewus in die pad staan van vreedsame transformasie, dikwels gewelddadige verandering onvermydelik maak. Globale gewapende konflikte—huidiglik ongeveer 110 in totaal—dien as ‘n waarskuwing vir ons, om nie die komplekse stryd tussen goed en kwaad te oorvereenvoudig nie. Ons kan nie sondermeer kant kies en die wêreld verdeel in ‘onderdrukker’ en ‘onderdrukte’, óf ‘koloniseerder’ en ‘gekoloniseerde’ nie. As ons sulke rigiede standpunte inneem, lei dit dikwels tot vreemde gevolgtrekkings, soos tot die idee dat onskuldige burgerlikes wat vermoor word, dit op een of ander manier verdien. Wat glashelder is vandag, is dat die verwonde wêreld waarin ons leef desperaat is vir vrede.
Wanneer ons oor oorlog vanuit die Verre Ooste gesels, is dit belangrik om te onthou dat Japan beide ‘n verslane aggresor en ‘n verwoeste slagoffer in die Tweede Wêreldoorlog (WOII) was. Nietemin is vrede in Japan sedert 1947—kort ná die einde van WOII, met die aanvaarding ‘n nuwe, pasifistiese grondwet—hoog op dié land se agenda. Maar vrede is veel meer as ‘n agendapunt; dis die fondament waarop Japan gebou is ná WOII. ‘Wat het Japan se grondwet met my te doen?’, sou jy kon vra. Gegewe die reikwydte (globale invloed) van Japan se sosio-ekonomiese, politieke en militêre potensiaal, moet jy dalk nie te gou ‘niks’ antwoord nie.
Die afgelope dekades is ‘n meer outoritêre en regs-gesinde regering merkbaar aan die groei in Japan. Soos voor WOII klink nationalistiese stemme helderder op en vind Staat-Shinto weer ‘n vaster plek aan die samelewing se (godsdiens)tafel. Inisiatiewe om die grondwet (artikel 9) te wysig ten einde Japan opnuut weerbaar en oorlogs-magtig te maak, kring uit en word versterk. As die grondwet wysiging inwerking gestel word, kan dit moontlik reusagtige rampspoedige gevolge hê, wat almal op aarde se lewens ingrypend kan raak.
Ons sien ook ‘n beduidende toename in die vlak van sekuriteit-samewerking in Oos-Asië die afgelope tyd. Suid-Korea, VSA en Japan het onlangs hul eerste gesamentlike lugmag oefeninge uitgevoer, wat ‘n kernkrag-magtige B-52 strategiese bomwerper vliegtuig van die VSA ingesluit het. Japan se ministerie van verdediging het die afgelope paar maande ‘n rekordbegroting van ¥7,7 triljoen goedgekeur om die selfverdedigingsmagte (SDF) te herstruktureer en hulle toe te rus met ‘n enorme arsenaal van wapens asook met ‘n nuwe gesamentlike hoofkwartier, wat Japan in staat sal stel om betrokke te raak in langtermyn konflikte in die Indiese/Stille oseaan streek. Die afgelope maande het werwingsadvertensies vir die Japannese SDF landwyd selfs in supermarkte verskyn. Vlakke van waaksaamheid en angstige onsekerheid in die samelewing neem aansienlik toe.
Vredesverklaring: Reformed Church in Japan (RCJ)
In die lig van hierdie realiteite, het die RCJ—amptelike susterskerk van die NG Kerk-familie met wie ons al langer as vyf dekades saam getuieniswerk doen in die Verre Ooste— die afgelope tyd opnuut en dieper oor vrede nagedink. Die uitvloeisel van RCJ se nadenke en studie is ‘n Vredesverklaring wat, in ‘n sekere sin, geïnisieer as ‘n reaksie op die Japannese regering se voorgestelde Grondwet verandering. Die verklaring is by die pas afgelope RCJ sinode in Oktober aanvaar en uitgereik.
Die Vredesverklaring spreek egter nie net profeties tot / lewer kritiek op belangrike besluite wat tydens oorlogtye geneem word nie, maar lei ook die Kerk in haar getuienis buite oorlogstye. Bybels-gebaseerde vrede strek immers veel wyer en dieper as die blote afwesigheid van oorlog. Die vrede wat Christus gee is anders as ons menslike vrede (Joh. 14:27) en is verknoop aan God se geregtigheid en troue liefde (barmhartigheid). Die vraag, ‘Hoe behoort ons nou te lewe om God se shalom te realiseer?’ moet voortdurend beantwoord word. As die liggaam van Christus in Japan, word die RCJ gerig deur Christus-gesentreerde Bybelse teologie, wat ons aanspoor om op dieper geestelike realiteite te fokus sonder om onbetrokke te wees by die onbeskryflike lyding rondom ons.
Hierdie Vredesverklaring kan dien as ‘n gedeelde grondslag vir nadenke oor ‘n komplekse verskeidenheid kwessies, vanuit die perspektief van vrede. Byvoorbeeld, in mense se daaglikse lewens waar strukturele geweld—sigbaar in sosiale onreg, armoede, diskriminasie, menseregteskendings en omgewingsvernietiging—toenemend die reg om in vrede te lewe ondermyn, kan hierdie verklaring die volgende generasie vredemakers help kweek.
Deel van die breër liggaam van Christus se inisiatiewe
Die RCJ, ‘n klein maar lewenskragtige kerk in ‘n 99% nie-Christelike land, word geroep om ‘n sterk en geloofwaardige getuie van God se vrede en geregtigheid te wees. Die RCJ se Vredesverklaring is ‘n getuienis, in aksie, as deel van die globale Christelike geloofsgemeenskap. Kerke oraloor word byvoorbeeld deur die Wêreldraad van Kerke (WRK) aangemoedig om op hul geloofspad hand-in-hand te loop saam met medemense op ‘n pelgrimstog van geregtigheid en vrede. Om saam met ander pro-aktief te streef om ongeregtighede en geweld te transformeer.
As ‘n konkrete voorbeeld van hierdie pelgrimstog het die WRK ook onlangs ‘n Emerging Peacemakers Forum vir jong leiers geïnisieer. By ‘n internasionale vergadering vir vrede, wat in September 2023 in Berlyn gehou is, het WRK Algemene Sekretaris, Jerry Pillay kragtig aangevoer: ‘Indeed, it takes courage to choose peace as it often implies taking risks, pushing boundaries, and daring to be different, to be disliked, to be criticized and even to be condemned. In today’s complex world, achieving and maintaining peace is perhaps one of the most audacious acts imaginable.’
In ander globale kerkkringe het die World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) ook haar stem gevoeg by die ‘New Agenda for Peace’ wat in Julie 2023 deur die Verenigde Nasies (VN) bekendgestel is. Die WEA streef daarna om aktief deel te neem aan Christus se oproep tot vredemaking en die skepping van samelewings wat gekenmerk word deur ‘positiewe vrede‘. Daarom het die WEA se Vrede en Versoeningsnetwerk by die wêreldwye gesprek aangesluit deur hul bydrae by die VN in te dien. Die RCJ se Vredesverklaring kan tereg beskou word as ‘n relevante, plaaslike uitdrukking van só ‘n begeerte om by te dra tot die breër public good, of in Bybelse terme: tot God se shalom op aarde.
Uitnodiging tot gesprek en aksie
Die Vredesklaring is gemik op ‘n wyer gehoor as net Japan. Daar is verskeie redes waarom dit belangrik is vir diegene buite die RCJ om met die Vredesverklaring se inhoud in gesprek te tree. Eerstens kan so ‘n gesprek alle deelnemers verryk en verruim. Ons Christelike geloof neem vorm aan en groei dieper en wyer oor politieke, kulturele en taalgrense heen. Die Kerk van Jesus Christus is tegelyk universeel en plaaslik van aard. Ons het nodig om gereeld herinner te word aan die groter werklikheid van God se werk regoor die wêreld.
Tweedens moet die tema van vrede opsigself deurentyd blootgestel word aan hernude verkenning en gesprek onder Christene in die algemeen. In oorlogstye behoort ons verlange na vrede sterker te groei. Ander items op ons sosio-politieke agenda kan kwalik nou meer dringend wees. ‘n Veranderende post-Covid-wêreldorde dwing ons om vars aandag te skenk aan die dringende realisering van God drie-enig se vrede en geregtigheid.
Derdens bied die RCJ se Vredesverklaring ‘n unieke perspektief van (gereformeerde) Christene in Japan: die enigste nasie in die wêreld wat die onuitwisbare verwoesting van atoombomme deurleef het. Jou susters en broers in Japan het iets om te deel wat ter harte geneem moet word. Jou insette en deelname kan uiters waardevol wees. Daar is immers, ten spyte van ons radikale verskille, ‘net één liggaam en net één Gees, soos daar net één hoop is waartoe God julle geroep het.’ (Efes. 4:4)
Mag jy in hierdie Advent- en Kersfeestyd die Prins van Vrede opnuut ontmoet en Sy vrede ondervind en deel.
RCJ Sinode in Kobe (19 Oktober 2023), waarby die Vredesverklaring aanvaar is.
Aanbieding in Manila
Dit was ‘n voorreg om verlede week die Asië konferensie van die International Association of Mission Studies (IAMS) by te woon wat in die Filippyne (Manila) gehou is. Ek is baie dankbaar vir Kobe Reformed Theological Seminary (KRTS) wat my deelname geborg het. Die referaat wat ek gelewer het, was getiteld ‘Proclaiming and Embodying Peace in Japan: a Reformed Church Perspective’. Die agtergrond van die aanbieding was die bg. RCJ Vredesverklaring.
Die konferensie was ‘n unieke geleentheid om baie ander deelnemers van regoor die wêreld te ontmoet, veral uit die breër Asië-streek. Ek kon nuwe netwerke vorm in die vakgebied van Missiologie om sodoende beter toegerus te wees vir my onderrigwerk by KRTS. Maar meer nog, dis ‘n voorreg om deel te wees van ‘n groep mense wat vredemakers is in hulle onderskeie kontekste en meewerk aan sosiale transformasie deur Christelike getuienis. Die foto’s en video hieronder vertel meer …
“Gaan jou hele gesin saam?”, vra die student my nou die dag verbaas toe ek vertel van ons beoogde besoek aan Suid-Afrika in 2024. Vir hom—wat in sy 50’s by KRTS kom studeer het, sonder sy gesin vir ‘n volle 4 jaar—is dit nie ‘n gegewe (soos vir ons Westerlinge) dat ek nie alleen vir ‘n paar maande die groot uittog sal aanpak nie …
Nietemin, ek is bly en dankbaar om te deel dat Missie Japan se leierskap onlangs ons planne goedgekeur het vir ons volgende deputasie na Suid-Afrika, en ja … as gesin!
Ná ‘n vyfde termyn van werk in Japan, is ons planne om 24 Mei tot 7 September 2024 in SA te wees vir terugvoer aan ondersteuners, besoeke, verlof/rus en meer. Ons is opgewonde oor die vooruitsig en tref reeds aktief reëlings vir vele ontmoetings. Ons besoek sal hierdie rondte ook ‘n groep Japannese besoekers uit die RCJ insluit, wat op ‘n diakonale studietoer by ons sal aansluit einde Augustus.
Twee dinge is veral uitdagend i.t.v. logistiek en finansies:
l Ons gaan ‘n (groot) motor benodig vir die drie en ‘n half maande.
l Vlugkostes is hoog en ‘n buitengewone item op Missie Japan se begroting.
Daarom neem ons vrymoedigheid om te vra of daar dalk individue / kleingroepe / gemeentes is wat hierdie uitgawes as spesiale projek wil aanneem voor ons koms?
Baie dankie dat jy saam met ons sal bid en vertrou vir wat nodig is in 2024. Die Here gaan ons vooruit, daarvan is ons seker en dit gee ons vrede.
Sterkte en seën met dié besige tyd van die jaar!
Stéphan, Carina en gesin
NS: Hieronder is ‘n paar grepies (foto’s) uit ons afgelope maand se bedieninge / interaksies.
As jy / julle kleingroep of gemeente miskien ‘n bydrae wil maak, kontak my @ jsvdwatt@gmail.com of Sanet Annandale by die Missie Japan kantoor @ sanet@ngkvs.co.za
*** Missie Japan bankbesonderhede *** Rekeningnaam | Missie Japan Bank | ABSA Takkode | 632005 Rekeningnommer | 4049690248 Verwysing | Eie Naam & Van + DEPUTASIE2024
Jeugbraai was ‘n groot fees en geleentheid vir verhoudingsbou
As we approach the 80th commemoration of the end of the Second World War, our world is now amid new international political tensions. In particular, the political and military tensions in East Asia that have manifested since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at the beginning of 2022, foreshadow the advent of another ‘age of war’, in which even the use of nuclear weapons is increasingly becoming a reality.
In the context of these circumstances, we, the Reformed Church in Japan, as a church living from the ‘Gospel of Peace’ realised by the Lord Jesus Christ, hereby declare our calling and responsibility for peace in this country and in the world.
In our founding declaration and in our 30th anniversary ‘Declaration of Faith Concerning Church and State’, we confessed the sins of Japanese Christian churches committed against God and our neighbours during WWII. Such sins include that they did not resist the military-led government’s policy of church unification, and that, except for a handful of witnesses, they did not boldly assert the Biblical truth nor fulfil their prophetic duty of being a watchful guard against the state. In addition, they even indulged in state Shinto rituals that deified the emperor and furthermore refused to identify with their brothers and sisters in (neighbouring) Asian countries, thereby actively cooperating in the aggressive invasions that were waged in the name of holy war.
We, the Reformed Church in Japan, confess that we bear joint responsibility for the sins committed before the eyes of the Lord by the Japanese churches during the war. At the same time, and under the grace of religious freedom granted after the war, we founded our Reformed Church on the Word of God and on a theistic (Christian) world view. We have worked hard for mission and church formation, asserting the autonomy of the Church over the State. However, when we reconsider our history, we acknowledge that we have lacked the strength and zeal to respond to our mission as a church living from the gospel of peace. We admit that we have not truly expressed enough empathy and awareness, especially towards those who have suffered social or ethnic discrimination within and outside the church, and for this we beg for forgiveness before the Lord.
After its defeat, Japan reflected on the war and pledged in its Constitution (Preamble and Article 9) never to wage war again, thereby renouncing war itself. This pacifism and renunciation of war are the starting points of post-war Japan and the origin to which the Japanese people should return again and again. On the other hand—as is clear in cases like the Korean people in Japan and the Okinawa issue—we must not forget that the post-war period was built on the sacrifice of those who were deprived of their basic human rights because they were ousted for being different, to maintain the Japanese state system centered on the emperor.
Today, as the memories of the disastrous war fade, legislation is being developed to make it possible to wage war again without questioning its consistency with the Constitution. Defense spending is being increased and the installation of offensive weapons are being pushed ahead. Moreover, the justice administration is abandoning the state’s violation of the separation of religion/church and politics/state, while the movement to restore the power of state Shinto and to revise the constitution has not abated. Furthermore, it is impossible to overlook the fact that the power of ‘structural violence’ is continually expanding in the actual lives of the people living in this country. This power devalues the weak in favour of economic efficiency, including poverty, discrimination, human rights violations, and environmental destruction, which undermines the right to live in peace.
Amid these realities we pledge our commitment to the realisation of Christ’s peace, as we pray for the Lord’s mercy and sense that now is the time to respond to his words, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Mat 5:9), and as we clarify our responsibility to the Church today and to the future Church: not to repeat past mistakes.
1. THE PEACE OF GOD AND THE PEACE OF THIS WORLD
‘All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation’ (2 Cor 5:18).
‘Peace’ (shalom), as the Bible describes it, means not only the absence of war or strife, but above all freedom and happiness in a spiritual relationship with God, physical wellbeing, and material contentment, as well as harmony and joy in human relationships. Peace is nothing less than the ‘very good’ world given to us by God the Creator (Gen 1:31). However, us humans, because of our own desires and self-centredness, have destroyed and corrupted this peace, bringing about a world full of violence and chaos that is hostile to God and indifferent to our neighbours. Nevertheless, the God of peace loves humanity and sent his Son to restore true peace to this world. Jesus Christ, Son of God, not only healed those who were vulnerable and sick, nor only satisfied the hungry and gave joy to their hearts, but he also broke down the dividing wall of hostility by his suffering and death on the cross, thereby establishing eternal peace.
The Lord Jesus Christ himself is our peace (Eph 2:14). The Church of Christ is therefore a community that worships God in unity and joy in the Holy Spirit of the Lord, that respects all people, that embodies the peace of Christ towards its neighbour, and that lives in the ‘Gospel of Peace’, which brings about true reconciliation and blessing in this world. The peace of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit has already been realised in Christ but is not yet complete. Until the end of the world, hatred, and conflict—rooted in human sin—will never cease. Yet, as those who live from the peace of Christ, which this world can neither give nor guarantee, we continue to preach the gospel of reconciliation, pray for peace, and participate in every work that brings true peace to the world.
The peace of God and the peace of this world cannot be equated, but neither can they be separated. This is because the world belongs to God. The human world, which is full of sin and misery, overflows with violence. In particular wars, conflicts and terrorism, which involve large numbers of people, have killed countless people in every age, and the trauma of those caught up in it never fades away. No war in this world can absolve us of guilt before God.
What God is ultimately trying to teach us through the biblical accounts of war in the ancient world is the truth that ‘all who draw the sword will die by the sword‘ (Mt 26:52), so that his people will trust in him as their Lord rather than in their own military power. So-called ‘just wars’ or ‘lawful wars’ in Christian history were also originally condoned as a last resort to deter war and maintain justice and peace, let alone the claim of ‘holy wars’ to actively promote war in the name of God, which is a fundamental error. Therefore, the Lord’s Church should not justify war as a means of settling disputes, much less affirm contemporary wars that use weapons of mass destruction.
We call for the defense of all human life—created in the image of God—to be the path to peace, without being deceived by national politicians and the mass media, who create enemies and try to replace peace issues with military security issues. Therefore, we actively cooperate in all non-military work to avert war and create peace among nations, and more particularly, as the Church in the only country to have experienced the devastation caused by nuclear weapons, we demand the abolition of all weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons.
Peace in this world is indeed temporary. Nevertheless, we pray that national administrators will rightly exercise the authority entrusted to them by Christ for the realisation of peace and justice in the world. However, when they absolutise their own power and abuse their authority from Christ, thereby threatening the lives and human rights of people, we stand firm and protest by declaring the will of the Lord. Moreover, prompted by the Holy Spirit, we will resist state coercion to obey God rather than humans, and in the case of forced conscription, we stand in solidarity with those who refuse military service as a matter of conscience.
3. PEACE, JUSTICE AND DEEDS OF LOVE
‘I will listen to what God the Lord says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—but let them not turn to folly … Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.’ (Ps 85:8, 10-11).
God’s peace, justice, and faithful love (mercy) cannot be separated. The Commandments of the God who delivered Israel from hardship and oppression, demands that His people live in justice and mercy. Just as the Old Testament prophets harshly criticised societies that lacked justice and mercy as societies without peace, so the Church, living the gospel of peace, cannot remain indifferent to the injustices that human societies generate. For it is the Lord’s will that ‘justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!’ (Amos 5:24).
The God of justice is above all a God of love who has compassion on those who fall victim to unjust societies. The loving deeds (diakonia) of Jesus Christ, who bore the woes of human sin, indeed concretely manifest God’s peace in this world. For true peace is created not by forceful domination, but by justice, fairness, and neighbourly love. Loved by Christ, we choose to remain close to the victims of discrimination, violence and injustice that fill the world, and to be neighbours to those who are distressed and terrified. We also actively search for ways to make peace through forgiving love, humbly remembering that we are sinners ourselves, even if we hold perpetrators accountable. For the Church that upholds the Cross of Christ can no longer live in hostility and hatred.
We are entrusted with the responsibility to seek peace and justice in God’s created world and to govern it well (stewardship). Therefore, we also remain concerned with peace and justice with respect to the environment, including ecological destruction and nuclear power plant issues that threaten the lives of all human beings, as we strive for the preservation and restoration of creation.
4. COLLABORATION AND SOLIDARITY FOR PEACE
‘If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.’ (Rom 12:18).
‘All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace.’ (Isa 54:13).
Loving fellowship in the Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation of God’s peace. We cooperate and stand in solidarity with all Christians, across ethnic and national borders and beyond denominations, to establish peace. For the unity of God’s children in Christ is the most vivid proof of God’s peace in the world. Creating peace in a world of sin, filled with all kinds of contradictions, requires patience, wisdom and faith discernment based on the Bible. We work together for the realisation of peace and justice in the world, holding fast to our convictions, while at the same time respecting all people across all differences of thought, creed, religion, ethnicity, race and gender / sexual orientation. We humbly engage in dialogue and work together through the ministries and relationships given to everyone. For it is the will of the Lord that we live in peace with all people.
Peace in this world will be lost if it is not continually generated. Hence, peace education for the next generation, who will learn from the mistakes of the past and shape the future, is an important responsibility and task of the Church. We rejoice in God’s peace with the next generation of young people and raise up peacemakers through concrete projects of mutual learning, speaking and labouring in church, family and society.
5. ULTIMATE HOPE AND PRAYER FOR PEACE
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).
At the end of time, God will bring perfect peace to this world. Until that day, we must still contend with the reality of sin, in ourselves and in the world. But our Lord has already accomplished the victory. First and foremost, we build the peace of Christ in our own hearts, we overcome hatred and despair by the power of rejoicing in this peace, and we continue to seek peaceful ways without ever giving up.
We stand armed with the armour of God against the evil spiritual powers of this world, and as we await the coming of the Lord of Peace, we lift our hearts high in prayer:
O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace,
In a world of hatred and conflict, help us to live by the way of peace that you have given us through your Son.
Cleanse us of our sins and use us as instruments of your peace.
Let us not end up with peace in words only but grant us, by the Holy Spirit, the wisdom and power we need to bring about peace.
May the rulers who have been assigned by you be given the courage to ‘beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks’ and may they work for peace.
Above all, may the Lord Himself speedily bring about the coming of his kingdom of love, justice and peace.
We pray this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
19 October 2023
Officially adopted at the 78th Regular Assembly of the Reformed Church in Japan
(All Bible quotes are from the New International Version)
Unofficial translation by Stéphan van der Watt (RCJ Cooperating Missionary Pastor)
Groete uit Kobe, waar die herfs kleurvol en koel deurbreek.
Net ‘n kort nota om te noem: eerskomende Sondag 8 Oktober op RSG (100-104 FM of www.rsg.co.za) se radioprogram ‘Binnekamer’ net 07h10-08h00, word ‘n kort onderhoud uitgesaai oor ons werk, as deel van Missie Japan. Kliek hieronder om na die onderhoud te luister.
Maandag (9 Okt) is ek en Carina verantwoordelik om ‘n (Suid-Afrikaanse) braaigereed te hê vir 50 mense (hoofsaaklik tieners). Ds. Tobie en Annalie de Wet ontvang en bedien ‘n groep werkende jongmense in Niihama op dieselfde (vakansie)dag. Ons is geseēnd met baie geleenthede vir betekenisvolle interaksies.
Baie dankie vir elkeen wat saam bid en ondersteun in hierdie dae! Ons vra veral ook vir jou gebede vir ‘n belangrike Missie Japan bestuursvergadering (11 Okt), vir die opkomende sinode van die Reformed Church in Japan in Kobe (17-19 Okt), asook verskeie preke en seminare later die maand in Kobe en Tokushima.
Carina in gesprek naby Takayama (sendeling-oord in Sendai omgewing)
To read this newsletter from Carina in English, please scroll down.
“Wanneer is die beste tyd om Japan te besoek?”, vra jy dalk. Beslis nie in die somer nie! Japannese somers is soos ’n wet sauna – vir 24 uur wurg jy met ’n sopnat kombers om jou. In die middel van die somer is jou energie en jou emosies in flarde. En wat ookal oorbly van jou word deur sonbesies se konstante skreeuery deurboor.
Gelukkig het meeste huise wel lugverkoelers. Wel, behalwe vir Noord-Japan, waarheen mense in die verlede probeer ontsnap het, omdat dit gewoonlik daar koeler behoort te wees. Maar hierdie jaar, in ’n vreemde wenteling, was die noorde van Japan warmer as Kobe. En die noorde van Japan is presies waar ons onsself bevind het vir ons jaarlikse verlof – in ’n hut sonder ’n plafon, insulasie, of lugverkoeling. Swetend, en ek is jammer om te erken, maar vol klagtes. Ons was uiters suksesvol in beide die sweet en die klaery.
Maar dink gou vir ’n oomblik hoe die hemele die wonders van God verkondig. Ek wil graag vir julle vertel hoe hierdie warm somer vertel het van ’n God wat aktief en vol genade besig is hier in ons midde.
As jy al ooit gesukkel het met slapeloosheid, weet jy baie goed dat in die middel van die nag elke liewe gedagte na hopeloosheid en wanhoop lei. Net so is dit in die middel van die somer. Maar soos die donker nag plek maak vir ’n ligter skynsel, selfs nog lank voor sonsopkoms, so kom hoop ook terug. En dit is presies hoe dit is in September.
Dit is ook so hier by ons, aan die begin van September 2023 in Kobe, Japan.
Ons is nie in die middel van donkerte en wanhoop nie – dit is reeds deurleef deur Jesus in sy donkerste uur aan die kruis. Selfs al is ons moeg, of twyfelend, of bekommerd oor ons werk hier of ons kinders of ons ouers, is die lig van hoop, wat soms baie dof is, tog sigbaar. Soek net daarvoor.
Ek vind dit hier vandag, op ’n September middag waarin herfs amper hoorbaar raak …
Ons Waku Waku (‘opwindende’) Somerweek het met ’n tifoon begin en met ’n donderstorm ge-eindig. Ten spyte hiervan het daar soveel mense vir die eerste keer opgedaag. In besige Japan waar kerke soms net ge-assosieer word met ’n fancy Westerse troue, is dit opsigself ’n wonderwerk. Maar die grootste seën vir my is wanneer ’n hele familie opdaag met wie ons al ’n lang pad in Japan stap. As enige iemand probeer om bekeerlinge in Japan te tel, is algebra totaal en al onnodig (m.a.w. mense kom nie hier in groot getalle tot bekering nie). Maar indien jy die Heilige Gees se werk probeer peil – soms deur baie lang en geduldige verhoudings; en somtyds deur ‘n skynbare toevalligheid – sal Japan jou ’n hoofpyn gee.
Ons sien God se hoop in ons broers en susters in Christus hier in Japan. In Japanese predikante wat in Boedhistiese/Shintoïstiese huise groot geword het, maar wat nou ’n beter verstaan as ons het van (Gereformeerde) teologie. Predikante wat baie hard werk in klein gemeentetjies met baie beperkte hulpbronne. Ons is ook dankbaar vir Jovald en Cora, ’n paartjie wat elke Sondag al die pad van Himeji vir amper ’n uur reis na ons kerk om saam deel te neem aan getuienis geleenthede, asook om die gemeente aktief te ondersteun en te bemoedig.
Intussen is my ouerwordende ouers in Niihama (Shikoku) aan die werk. Baie mense het baie getwyfel oor hulle koms na Japan. Hierdie is hulle eie storie om te vertel, maar net deur maaltye voor te berei vir Sondae, om families te nooi, en deur te preek, kan ek duidelik sien dat die klein kerkie diep bemoedig word. En ook hoe familielede van die lidmate bereid is om nou uit eie wil kerk toe te kom.
“Hoeveel mense het julle die jaar na Jesus gelei? of “Vertel ons meer oor evangelisasie in Japan,” is vrae wat gereeld van die buiteland kom. Hierdie vrae is natuurlik relevant aangesien dit ook binne Japan gevra word.
Stéphan het pas ’n twee-dag kamp vir ’n groep Japanese jong Christene (universiteit studente) gelei. Hulle het hom gevra om oor evangelisasie te praat. Gedurende ons somervakansie het ek en Stéphan breedvoerig oor evangelisasie en/in Japan gesels. Dis immers hoekom ons hier in Japan is, nie waar nie? Na deeglike voorbereiding en gesels is hierdie (deel van) die basiese boodskap wat Stéphan gedeel het:
Eerstens, jy wat die Goeie Nuus wil deel, soek eers na God met jou hele hart. Groei in jou verhouding met hom te midde van al die moeilike uitdagings van besig-wees en al die verskillende dinge wat jou aandag aflei. Laat God in die eerste plek toe om jou eie hart te ‘evangeliseer’ sodat jy saam met Paulus met integriteit kan verklaar, “Vir my is om te lewe Christus, en om te sterwe wins. Die enigste rede hoekom ek lewe kies is omdat ek ’n boodskap van hoop met jou wil deel, deur my hele lewe.” (Natuurlik het nie een van ons hierdie doelwit al bereik nie. Dit bly ’n daaglikse oorgawe en groeiproses in ons geloofslewe).
Maar dit is ook die liefde van Christus wat jou behoort te dring. Die doel is nie om mense te bekeer nie. Die uiteindelike doel is om die wat verlore is sonder God, lief te hê. Dissipelskap is ’n geduldige verhouding van liefde en ’n diep en intieme vertroue dat die Heilige Gees wel deure sal oopmaak. Dit is ’n lewe van aanhoudende gebed – in die eerste plek vir ’n verandering van jou eie hart; en dan dat die Heilige Gees jou sal lei in elke woord en in elke interaksie. Dit is regtig net God wat iemand se hart kan verander.
Japan was nog nooit ’n maklike land om in te leef nie. Soveel dinge voel vir my totaal en al onmoontlik. Maar presies daar werk God in ons lewens. “Wees stil en weet, ek is God.” Die Afrikaanse vertaling fokus op geduld. Om te wag. Om God in alles te erken. ’n Direkte vertaling van die Japannese Bybel voeg nog meer betekenis toe tot die baie bekende woorde: 力を捨て、知れ。私は神。Letterlik vertaal: “Gooi jou krag weg. Besef/Weet dat ek God is.” (uit Psalm 46)
God werk hier ten spyte van ons desperate pogings om in ons eie krag te probeer werk. Bid asseblief vir ons persoonlike verhoudings met God – ons wil al hoe meer groei in liefde sodat God se liefde ons dan ook meer sal dring na ander. Ons wil in wysheid en vertroue groei sodat ons met kalmte en rustigheid in ons eie huise en omgewing kan werk – soos wat ons uitstap in geloof, so wil ons ook terselftertyd wag in Hom. Terwyl ons altyd vasklou in die hoop wat daar in Christus is.
Baie dankie vir jou ondersteuning en omgee.
Carina (ook namens Stéphan en gesin)
Kamp vir universiteit studente oor evangelisasie (in Osaka)Somersports @ TakayamaAvontuur @ TakayamaTennis @ TakayamaStokbrood @ TakayamaErediens @ Takayama
When should you visit Japan, you ask? I strongly suggest not during summer.
Japanese summers are like a sauna – 24 hours of being wrapped in a stifling, soaked blanket. In the middle of summer your energy and your emotions are in shreds. And what is left is pierced by cicadas’ constant screeching. Fortunately, most houses have air conditioners. Well, except for the north of Japan to which people traditionally escaped. But this year, in a strange twist of events, the north of Japan was at times hotter than Kobe. And that was exactly where we spent our annual holiday – a cabin without ceiling, insulation or air conditioning. Sweating, and sorry to say, complaining. We did both fairly well.
But do you recall how the heavens declare the glory of God. Let me tell you how this hot summer is talking about a God who is actively and mercifully at work, right here.
As those who ever suffered from insomnia can testify, in the middle of the night every single thought leads to hopelessness and despair. So it is in the middle of summer. But as the black night gives way to a blue hue, even when the sun is still far from rising, some hope returns. This is what it is like in September.
And so it is for us here at the beginning of September 2023, in Kobe, Japan.
We are not in the middle of darkness or despair – that has already happened through Jesus’ darkest hour on the cross. Even though we might be tired, or doubting, or worrying about our ministry or our children or our parents, the (sometimes dim) light of hope is discernible. Look for it.
Here is where I see it today on a September afternoon, on which autumn is almost audible …
Our Waku Waku （ワクワク = exciting）summer week started with a typhoon and ended with an unprecedented thunderstorm. Even so, we were so surprised at people showing up for the first time, which in busy Japan where churches are generally associated with fashionable western weddings, is a miracle. But the greatest blessing is when a whole family shows up with whom we have come a long way. If anybody is counting the number of conversions in Japan it’s pretty elementary – no algebra needed (i.e. people don’t convert to Christianity here in droves). But if you try to calculate how the Holy Spirit works, sometimes through long and patient relationships, and sometimes through a seemingly chance event, Japan is where you will be mystified.
We see God’s hope in our brothers and sisters in Christ here in Japan. Japanese pastors who grew up in Buddhist/Shinto homes, but who now have a better knowledge and grasp than us of (reformed) theology. Who work tirelessly in their small congregations with limited resources. We are also so thankful for Jovald and Cora, a couple travelling every Sunday from Himeji for almost an hour to worship with us, to be part of Christian witness in the community, and who is actively encouraging and supporting Kita Kobe congregation.
In the meantime, my aging parents are working in Niihama (Shikoku). Many people questioned the feasibility of this project. This is their story to tell, but just by preparing meals on Sundays and inviting families, and of course preaching, I see how church members are encouraged. How relatives of these faithful are willing to come to church for the first time. “How many people have come to Christ this year through your work in Japan?” or “Tell us about evangelism in Japan,” people from outside of Japan are asking. This seems to be a very relevant question since this is what people inside Japan are also asking.
Stéphan just finished leading a group of Japanese young Christians (university students) during a two day camp. They asked him to talk about evangelism in Japan. During our summer holiday Stéphan and I talk about evangelism in Japan extensively. After all this is why we are here in Japan, isn’t it? After reading and talking intensely about this topic, Stéphan basically shared the following message:
First, you who want to share the Gospel, seek God with all your heart. Grow in your relationship amidst the intense challenges of constant busyness and distractions. Allow God to ‘evangelize’ your own heart so that you can say with Paul, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain and the only reason why I choose to live is to share the gospel with you – through my whole life.” (Of course not one of us has arrived at this – it stays a daily surrendering to God.)
But it is always the love of Christ that should compel us. The end is not converting souls. The end is loving somebody who is lost without God. Discipling is a patient relationship of love and a deep, intimate reliance on the Holy Spirit to open doors. A life of constant prayer, in the first place for you to get closer to God and then for the Holy Spirit to lead you. Because it is only God who can transform a person’s heart.
Japan has never been an easy country to live in. For me so many things feel impossible. But this is where God is working in our lives. “Be still and know that I am God.” The English translation implies patience. Waiting. Recognizing God in everything. A direct translation of the Japanese Bible adds more layers to this well-known words: 力を捨て、知れ。私は神。Directly translated as “Throw away your strength. Know I am God.” (Psalm 46)
God is at work here, despite our most desperate efforts to do this in our strength. Please pray for our personal walk with God, we want to grow in love so that God’s love can compel us more and more. We want to grow in wisdom and trust so that we can live lives of quiet stillness in our homes and in our neighborhood, waiting for God, as we are stepping out in faith. Holding fast to the hope that is in Christ.
Thank you for your support and care.
Carina (also on behalf of Stéphan and family)
Waterballone @ Kita KobeBybel boodskap @ Kita KobeVuurwerke @ Kita KobePret @ Kita Kobe se ワクワク Somer week
SAKE vir GEBED
Dank die Here saam met ons vir: * Gereelde, bemoedigende kontak met en terugvoer aan ondersteuners wat vir ons omgee en sorg.
* ‘n Geseënde kamp vir studente verlede week in Osaka en goeie interaksies/preekbeurte by RCJ Tokushima en RCJ Tokushima-Wes gemeentes die afgelope naweek.
* KRTS studente se twee maande internskappe/bedieninge in verskillende gemeentes landwyd.
Vra vir die Here se leiding en sorg met: * Ons gesondheid en balans t.m.v. voltydse tuisonderrig, omgee vir mense in ons gemeente, dag-tot-dag huistake en werkslading, opkomende kampe en interaksies ens.
* De Wets se bediening in Niihama: vir krag, leiding van die Heilige Gees en vrug op al hulle interaksies deur gasvryheid en vriendskappe in die gemeenskap.
* Betekenisvolle opleiding van jongmense vir diakonale studietoer na Suid-Afrika in 2024.
Seikeikai (sosiale welsyns-organisasie) bestuursraad vergadering naby Hiroshima
Groete uit Kobe, waar die bedompige reënseisoen se einde plekmaak vir versengende hitte. Ons jaarlikse somer vakansie breek binnekort aan, daarom net ‘n paar opsommende nuusbrokkies oor ons onlangse doen en late.
Geïnspireer deur persone met gestremdhede
Meer as twintig jaar gelede het ek ‘n onvergeetlike, lewensveranderende ervaring beleef as deel van ‘n MTh Program in Kliniese Pastorale Sorg. Die program het lang en intensiewe interaksies by Stikland psigiatriese hospitaal (in Belville omgewing) ingesluit. Daar het ek geleer hoe haarfyn die verskil tussen (sielkundig) ‘normaal’ en ‘abnormaal’ kan wees. Én ‘n klein skrefie insig het vir my oopgeskuif oor hoe ingewikkeld en veeleisend die versorging is van mense wat leef met gestremdheid (psigies en fisies).
Min het ek toé geweet dié ervaring sal waardevol wees vir my werk in Japan. Sedert 2015 is ek betrokke by ‘n welsyns-inrigting vir gestremde persone naby Hiroshima, genaamd Seikeikai. Aanvanklik was ek betrokke as vrywilliger, maar later het dit uitgebrei na begeleiding van studente wat óf hulle internskap by, óf nagraadse navorsing oor Seikeikai gedoen het. Intussen is ek as lid van Seikeikai se bestuursraad verkies en het ek die afgelope ses jaar goeie ondervinding opgedoen oor die binnewerke van sosiale welsyns-organisasies in Japan.
Seikeikai se eiesoortige onstaan en funksionering is verál iets om uit te leer. Die persoon wat die visie gehad het om 63 jaar gelede ‘n plek te skep vir gestremde persone wat in ‘n veilige leefruimte—lees: sonder diskriminasie en menswaardig—kan floreer, se storie is merkwaardig. Sy naam is Makio Ihara, voormalige RCJ predikant en spierdistrofie lyer sedert sy tienerjare. Sy volhardende vasbyt en sy stryd om (diakonale) geregtigheid—in ‘n tyd toe die Japannese regering o.a. 25000 gestremde mense wederregtelik gesteriliseer het om ‘n ‘suiwer’ genetika te probeer bewaar!—is regtig inspirerend. Kliek hier om iets van sy verhaal te lees.
Uitdagings in ons midde
By KRTS het daar ‘n paar skielike en onverwagse veranderinge en uitdagings ons pad gekruis die afgelope kwartaal. Ons geliefde terrein opsigter het ‘n aggresiewe kanker diagnose gekry en veg die stryd moedig. Die kweekskool se admininstratiewe bestuurder, asook sy assistent moet binnekort uittree en nuwe personeel word gesoek. Ons akademiese hoof en sy vrou (ook ‘n dosent en lidmaat by ons Kita Kobe gemeente) maak einde Maart by KRTS klaar en is beroep na ‘n vakante gemeente. Verder is ‘n lid van ons RCJ sinode se diakonale kommittee, wat deel van ons span was om Suid-Afrika te besoek in 2024, ook gediagnoseer met kanker. Bid asseblief vir die Here se sorg vir elkeen en vir Sy leiding hierin.
Niihama bediening
Die afgelope langnaweek (a.g.v. ‘n vakansiedag gister in Japan) het ek in RCJ Tokushima gemeente gepreek. Saam met dié wyer draai na Shikoku eiland is ons as gesin by Niihama gemeente aan om ons mede-sendelinge en ouers (Tobie en Annalie de Wet) te ondersteun en saam te kuier. Dit was regtig lekker en bemoedigend, ook sommer om op die koop toe Annlie se 16e verjaardag te vier (saam met Pa Tobie se 77e een en my en Carina se 18e huweliksherdenking). Die bediening in Niihama is om verskeie rede geensins maklik nie, maar ons sien hoe die Here tree vir tree voorsien en geleenthede oopmaak. Jou gebede en ondersteuning hiervoor is regtig nodig. Lees gerus hier verderhoe die De Wets self vertel.
Iets van alles
Die afgelope maand of wat het heelwat ander gebeure en ontmoetings ingesluit wat ek net kortliks lys. Die foto’s hieronder vertel verder die verhaal.
l RCJ (Reformed Church of Japan) Sinode vergadering by Kariya (naby Nagoya)
l RCJ Sinode Diakonale Aktiwiteite Komitee vergadering waar ek ‘n aanbieding oor diakonale werk in die NG Kerk-familie gedoen het.
l Gesprekke oor die beplaning van ons 2024 diakonale studietoer, wat deel sal vorm van ons volgende deputasie besoek aan Suid-Afrika.
l Seikeikai bestuursraad vergadering, waar ek uitgetree het as bestuurslid, maar voortaan in ‘n ander kapasiteit betrokke sal bly in nou samewerking met RCJ diakonia.
l Zoom ontmoeting met verteenwoordigers van ACK gemeentes uit Nieu-Seeland, wat opnuut hulle betrokkenheid by Missie Japan herbevestig het.
l RCJ Westelike ring se leraarskring en ringsvergadering het die bevestiging van twee vroue as kerkleiers (diensleraars) ingesluit, ‘n groot vreugde!
Rustyd
Ons reis Donderdag na Sendai area – vir ons jaarlikse verlof – na ‘n 133 jaar oue plek van rus vir sendelinge van regoor Japan en die wêreld. Bid asseblief dat ons ook hierdie geleentheid (20 Julie – 12 Augustus) ten volle sal benut om mekaar te bemoedig en om opnuut met energie en visie herlaai te word.
Met diep waardering vir jou betrokkenheid deur gebed, ondersteuning ens.
Vrede en vreugde in alles wat jy aanpak.
Stéphan, Carina en gesin
SAKE vir GEBED
Talle RCJ gemeentes in Japan is sonder leraars (ongeveer 40). Sendingposte sukkel met min lidmate, beperkte bronne, en enkele samewerkende sendelinge (veral uit Korea) wat leraars help in die versorging van hul lidmate, asook met plaaslike evangelisasie. Bid vir nuwe, sterk leiers.
Ons 2024 diakonale toer beplanning, veral vir die werwing van drie studente (teen einde Julie) wat ons graag wil blootstel aan diakoniale werk in Suid-Afrika.
RCJ Kita Kobe gemeente waar ons plaaslik bedien en wat binnekort haar 20e bestaansjaar vier en ‘n nuwe visie vir die toekoms onderskei.
Vir ons verloftyd, vir goeie rus, herstel en betekenisvolle gemeenskap (fellowship) by Takayama.
Die De Wets se bediening in Niihama, vir vrug op en vreugde in hulle werk en vir volgehoue krag en gesondheid.
Presies ‘n kwart van ‘n jaar (3 maande) is verby sedert ons op 17 April deur RCJ Shikoku Ring bevestig is as pastor/prediker/evangelis en ingetrek het by RCJ Niihama Sendingpos. Aanvanklik was dit elke tweede Sondag, maar sedert bietjie meer as ‘n maand gelede doen ek die hele erediensliturgie en preek elke Sondag in die kerkie van Niihama. Na die erediens sit Annalie vir almal ‘n ete voor vir “fellowship” en om selfs die preek ens. te bespreek.
Die afgelope Sondag was ‘n hoogtepunt: Die Van der Watt-gesin was die naweek by ons om ons kleindogter, Annlie se sestiende verjaardag hier by ouma en oupa te kom vier. Vir die heel eerste keer het ons ook “onverwagse” besoekers gehad, ‘n jong paartjie uit Tokyo op reis, wat by ons erediens ingeloer het. ‘n Verdere verrassing was die bywoning van ‘n jong vrou, lidmaat van die gemeente, maar wat vir jare nooit erediernste bygewoon het nie. Dit was vir ons paar lidmate ‘n groot verrassing en bemoediging. Annalie moes natuurlik bontstaan om skielik te sorg vir kos vir al die onverwagte gaste. Almal het egter lekker geëet en die saamwees en gesels was fantasties.
Ons kinders en kleinkinders se besoek het ons ook goed gedoen. Nou terug na “normaal”. Elke Woensdagaand is Kenji san hier vir sy Bybelstudie, al sy vrae en lekker saamgesels (my gebrekkige Japannees tenspyt). Vanaf Oktobermaand moet ek maandeliks basies twee keer ook in ander gemeentes in RCJ Shikoku Ring preek. Meeste van my tyd word natuurlik opgeneem deur preekvoorbereiding in Japannees en ek bly dankbaar vir my Japannese skoondogter wat seker maak dat my preke min of meer verstaanbaar is.
Ons ry ‘n paar keer in die week fiets (enigiets van 20km tot 30km per keer), maar dit moet baie vroeg gedoen word (enigiets van 5vm) om die erg hitte van die vuurwarm son en sweterige bedompigheid vry te spring. Dankbaar vir “airconditioners,” nag en dag! Buite die huis steek jy jou kop nie uit nie, tensy jy na die verkoelde winkel moet of kan gaan. Die Regering waarsku ons “ou mense” om nie buite te gaan nie, om verkoeling te gebruik en natuurlik om genoeg water te drink.
Ek en Annalie begin normaalweg ons dag met gesamentlike Bybelstudie, sang, gebed en voorbidding. Ons is besig met die boek Handelinge en is diep bewus van die kernrol wat die Heilige Gees speel in die sending van die kerk, ons verhouding met Hom (die opgestane Jesus en die Vader deur die Gees), ons sensitiewe gehaarsaamheid aan Hom en ons vertroue op Hom: “Die werk is Uwe troue Heer, die werk waarin ons staan. En daarom kan hier nimmermeer die werk ten gronde gaan. Maar soos die koringkorrel spruit, as dit bedek word deur die kluit, so moet die EIE-Ek eers dood, die SELF so snood, die eie-ek eers dood.” (my geliefde Hallelujalied)
Nogmaals diep dankbaar vir almal se voorbidding, meelewing, WhatsApp bemoedigende boodskappe en konkrete ondersteuning.
I (Stéphan) was privileged to serve on the Governing Board of Seikeikai Social Welfare Institute (in the Hiroshima region) during the past 6 years. From that experience I share the following case study, which forms part of a longer article I wrote, titled Diaconal Church Initiatives and Social/Public Welfare in Postwar Japan: A Descriptive Overview – this article can be accessed HERE
Seikeikai Social Welfare Institute (various photo’s here above)—previously known as Sekeikai Vocational Aid Centre, hereafter referred to as Seikeikai—was started by Rev. Makio Ihara (1926-1994), who suffered from muscular dystrophy that developed when he was 16 years old. Ihara became an RCJ pastor after graduating from Kobe Reformed Theological Seminary, overcoming many challenges as a person living with disability. He began working at RCJ Tadanoumi congregation in 1951. Seven years later he started typewriting with his wife at the church, to earn money for their daughter’s tuition.
At that time, people with disabilities were generally hidden from the public in Japan. Most people living with disabilities were unable to receive an education until much later (1979), when schools for people with disabilities became mandatory. Many people with disabilities were not actively taken out in public by their families, and often neighbors did not even know of their existence. They were not allowed to get married or have children. Fundamentally, their human dignity was denied. This lack of opportunity to find meaningful work, combined with Ihara’s timely typewriting endeavor that was earning a good income, attracted the attention of people with disabilities in that area and eventually led to Seikeikai’s founding notion: “If there is no place to work, let’s make one ourselves” (Yoshida 2016, p. 24) (my translation).
The National Pension Law came into effect in 1961, and some people living with disabilities intentionally did not work, relying instead on disability pension. However, they wanted to live as active members of society, even if it meant doing basic, menial tasks. Seikeikai was officially established in 1960 as a facility to support the independence of people with disabilities by helping them acquire skills (in the town of Tadanoumi, near Hiroshima). The training program at Seikeikai consisted of three pillars: functional training, vocational aid, and biblical guidance (daily worship). Training began with reading and writing skills, and trainees’ attitudes gradually shifted through the program’s three pillars. The slogan of Seikeikai changed from “I don’t want to be a cripple” to “I want to be a taxpayer”. That was a significant change, which Ihara ascribed to the daily Bible teachings that positively influenced trainees’ attitudes (Seikeikai 2015, p. 62). Missionaries from the Presbyterian Church (USA) and Christian Reformed Church (North America) also made constructive contributions to functional training.
In an empirical study of Rev. Ihara’s (photo here below, with his wife) work, RCJ pastor Hiromu Yamaguchi (2022) focuses on the theology behind his diaconal practices at Seikeikai—as performed by Ihara himself and under his influence—to provide insights into the characteristics of diakonia based on Reformed theology. Yamaguchi explored Ihara’s theology by analyzing his lectures, notes, as well as his (posthumous) book, published at Seikeikai on its 55th anniversary. Furthermore, Yamaguchi conducted 15 (semi-structured and unstructured) interviews with Ihara’s family members, former trainees, and employees that worked alongside with him at Seikeikai.
Ihara has indeed opened the way for many people living with disabilities to become independent, to go out into the world, and even to change their local communities. Yamaguchi (2022, pp. 32-33) highlights two distinctive attitudes of Ihara that were ever-present. One was Ihara’s view of God and people. The other was his unwavering principle-based convictions. His work was based on God’s sovereignty and the gracious election of his people, and his theology was guided by the existential question, “Why and for what purpose do people with disabilities exist?” Ihara accepted his own disability, after a long struggle to find the answer to this question, through the grace of God’s election. He saw the God-given purpose and raison d’etre of people with disabilities in John 9:3: “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him”. Ihara (2015, p. 14) phrases the matter as follows:
It is true that life remains a mystery to us, that God’s acts cannot be measured by our small scale, therefore we cannot fully comprehend His will. But we want to leave everything in God’s hands and entrust our lives to His will. Since our God is the Triune God, it is only natural that He should guide our lives in a way that we cannot grasp, because everything in our lives is included in His plan (my translation).
Furthermore, Ihara strongly believed that God loves us as worthy human beings, created with a purpose in His likeness. He believed God is a God of justice who opposes those who discriminate according to earthly standards. In line with this conviction, Ihara (quoted in Yamaguchi 2022, p. 42) asserted:
When we think of human rights, we always presume the “image of God”. We are to be respected because we bear the image of God. We must correct our views and attitudes toward all people with disabilities. I hesitate to be so explicit, but I am a person living with disability myself, so I often say, “This body (of mine) may be distorted, but the image of God that resides in it, is not broken down.” We would do well to remember this (my translation).
Ihara’s work, seen from the perspective of diakonia, was not merely the work of philanthropic assistance and care. He not only preached about diaconal practices, he also embodied them and served as an advocate on behalf of many vulnerable fellow brothers and sisters. Ihara viewed people with disabilities as prophets who testify to God’s revealed truths with their own bodies. Moreover, Ihara believed that a society in which people with disabilities coexist with able-bodied people as dignified human beings is the ideal society expressing the will of God (Ihara 2015, p. 28).
In Ihara’s lecture transcripts and writings, the concept of diakonia is rarely directly mentioned. However, Ihara’s theology and practice was based on the constructive acceptance of his disability and the embodiment of the characteristics of Biblical diakonia. Ihara divided the work of the church into four categories: worship (leitourgia), witness (marturia), fellowship (koinonia), and service (diakonia). He further asserted that these four dimensions are fulfilled when they are performed in a proper balance (Seikeikai 2015, p. 351). This intricate relation between these four dimensions is affirmed widely today by those who study and practice diakonia intentionally (see, for instance, Nordstokke 2013, pp. 287, 297).
The diakonia based on Reformed theology that was demonstrated through Ihara and Seikeikai was/is not merely loving service for the sake of individuals. It is a diakonia with the broader societal transformation—towards justice and dignity—in its scope, toward the perfection of the Kingdom of God through Christ. Seikeikai trainees, who started to walk as human beings with dignity, began to transcend the barriers that separated them from the community. In recent years the annual Seikeikai Cultural Festival has at times (before the Corona pandemic) attracted more than 1,000 people from the community, having become a beacon of hope that has broken down barriers of societal discrimination against people with disabilities. This broader effect echoes the conviction of Stanard (2015, p. 8) that, “Diakonia, therefore, is not an end in itself, but rather an instrument used by God, together with others, to build an inclusive and just community, an oikos, a household in which the entire creation is included, enjoying the fullness of life intended for all”.
In today’s complex society, welfare services are also required to have a higher level of expertise. With the support of the local community, Seikeikai has gradually transformed into a large welfare institute with many diverse projects (see https://seikeikai.ecweb.jp ). Although today only a handful of its staff are overtly Christian, they are called to Christian Social Welfare work and thereby participate in the building of God’s Kingdom for His glory in their community. The Reformed Church of Japan today continues its close relationship with Seikeikai. Many of its members support Seikeikai’s work financially through church offerings, participate in its activities as volunteers, promoting its diaconal involvement in the region and beyond.
Reference list:
Ihara, Makio. 2015. Ihara Makio Bokushi Ikōshū [Reverend Makio Ihara’s Posthumous Works]. Tadanoumi: Seikeikai Social Welfare Institute Publications.
Nordstokke, Kjell. 2013. Diakonia and Diaconate in the World Council of Churches. International Journal for the Study of the Christian Church 13: 286–99.
Seikeikai. 2015. Seikeikai Jusanjo 55 Shūnen Kinenshi [Seikeikai Vocational Aid Institute 55th Anniversary Publication]. Tadanoumi: Seikeikai Social Welfare Institute Publications.
Stanard, Carlos E. H. 2015. Empowering Diakonia: A Model for Service and Transformation in the Ecumenical Movement and Local Congregations.Ph.D. thesis, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Yamaguchi, Hiromu. 2022. Ihara Makio Bokushi to Seikei Jusanjo no Ayumi no naka ni Shimesareta Kaikakuha Shingaku ni Motodzuku Diakonia[Diakonia based on Reformed Theology, exemplified by the life of Reverend Makio Ihara and Seikeikai Vocational Aid Centre]. Tadanoumi: Seikeikai Social Welfare Institute Publications.
Yoshida, Minoru. 2016. Ai no Waza (Diakonia) ni Ikiru Kyōkai Kōen II「Shōgai to Diakonia」[The Church Living out Acts of Love (Diakonia) Lecture II: Disability and Diakonia]. Reformed Pamphlet of Kobe Reformed Theological Seminary. Tadanoumi: Seikeikai Social Welfare Institute Publications.
PINKSTER GETUIENIS: Die Heilige Gees waai waar Hy wil
‘n Ontspanne oomblik by Kobe Reformed Theological Seminary se onlangse retraite.
Die jaar 2000 het—vir my—nie net die nuwe millennium ingelui nie. Dit was ook ‘n jaar van beslissende verdieping in my lewensreis oppad met God. Ek was voor ‘n kruispad as vyfde-jaar teologie student. Gaan ek voltyds die kerklike bediening afdraai vat, professioneel probeer rugby speel, óf was daar ‘n ander, derde weg?
Lang reis inwaarts
In dieselfde jaar het ek vir die eerste keer (as deel van ons klasgroep) ‘n volwaardige retraite bygewoon by Mizpah, naby Grabouw. Drie dae van stilte in God se ongerepte skepping, en die lang reis inwaarts. Dag Hammarskjöld (voormalige VN sekretaris-generaal) het nie verniet gesê ‘die langste reis is die reis na binne’ nie. Die lewegewende verskil was die doelbewuste meditasie van God se Woord. Vir die grootste deel van drie dae het ek pal die woorde van Psalm 139 oordink. Tot ek dit regtig diep in my siel laat insink, grondvat en wortelskiet het. Buiten die ervaring van onbegrensde geborgenheid by God, was die bepeinsing van Henri Nouwen se boek Reaching Out ook uiters waardevol.
Vir die eerste keer in my lewe het ek myself volledig aanvaar, as 23-jarige jong man. As die Here dwarsdeur my sien, my omsluit van alle kante en my volledig in besit neem (Ps. 139:1-5), hoe kan ek anders!? Ek behoort immers nie aan myself nie, het ek grondig besef. Dis nou 23 jaar later. Ek kan steeds nie God se Gees ontvlug nie. Selfs al woon en werk ek in die verre Ooste. Ook hier lei die Here my/ons, Hou Sy regterhand ons vas (vv. 7-12).
Hartsgebed
Verlede week het ek die kans gehad om iets van my destydse gewaarwordinge van God by KRTS (Kobe Reformed Theological Seminary) se jaarlikse retraite te deel. Ons as dosente en studente het saam (ook in die natuur naby Kobe) stilgestaan by God se vormingswerk in en deur ons. Dit vul ons met verwondering. Ons sal nooit klaarkry met ons nadenke oor die magtige gedagtes van God nie (vv. 13-18). Dit bly onverklaarbaar hoe/hoekom ons Skepper ons as brose en gebroke skepsels waardig ag én met ons bemoeienis maak (Psalm 8).
Tydens die Mizpah Retraite (in 2000) het ons destyds geleer van die ‘hartsgebed’, wat ontwikkel het uit die gebedslewe van vele vroeë Christen leiers. Ons hartsgebede fokus op die diepste verlange van ons innerlike self, Coram Deo. Sulke gebede ontspring uit die bron van die Heilige Gees se werk in ons, dikwels dieper as die inhoud van ons eie gedagtes en gebedslyste. Ons hartsgebed is dié plek in ons waar ons, soos met ‘n naelstring, onlosmaaklik verknoop is aan God.
Vir die afgelope 23 jaar is my hartsgebed: ‘deur U Gees alleen’ (geleen uit Sag. 4:6). Ek herhaal die refrein deurentyd, of ek nou sit, opstaan, reis of oorbly. Dis my gebed voor ek iewers preek; dis my intree-en smeekgebed vir vrede in oorlogsgebiede; my versoek om leiding wanneer ek worstel oor ‘n saak; my pleidooi as ek andermaal voortsukkel met Japannees wanneer ek klasgee; dis my begeerte vir vriende of familielede wat Christus nie ken as Verlosser nie; my verlange vir ons as ouerpaar terwyl ons ons bes gee om ons kinders kruis-kultureel te laat floreer … en so kan ek aangaan. My hartsgebed bly konstant en gefokus—met of sonder woorde—‘deur U Gees alleen’! Wat is jou hartsgebed?
Onpeilbaar maar herkenbaar: die Gees se werk
Ons kyk in hierdie dae met verwagting vooruit na eerskomende Pinkster-Sondag, want dit bly verstommend hoe die Gees van God menselewens aanraak en transformeer. Dit het my opnuut opgeval by laasweek se KRTS retraite (sien foto’s hieronder). Die getuienisse van studente was uiteenlopend en tóg eenders.
Een jong student het vertel hoe die Here van kleins af musiek in sy geloofslewe gebruik het om hom uiteindelik tot totale oorgawe aan God en nou tot by KRTS te lei. ‘n Ander (50-jarige) het vertel hoe sy ervaring as Engelse onderwyser by ‘n Christen-skool hom aangespoor het om teologie te studeer. Want, soos hy getuig, al was hy swak en arm in geloof, is hy daagliks oor meer as twee dekades herinner aan die ware doel van sy lewe: om God te verheerlik en geniet. Fillipense 4:4 het hom geïnspireer, vertel hy glimlaggend, terwyl sy vrou trane van dankbaarheid stort in die gehoor. Nog ‘n student (59 jr.) het na amper 30 jaar as regerings-amptenaar besef hoe afgestomp en leeg hy gevoel het in sy werk, waar hy gereeld mense moes vastrek wat die arbeidswet oortree. En hoe die Here ‘n begeerte in sy hart geplaas het om eerder ‘n opbouende verskilmaker te word, as om (ander mense) af te breek.
Hierdie studente het—soos die geval was met Nikodemus in gesprek met Jesus—elkeen verbaas ontdek: ‘Die wind waai waar hy wil. Jy hoor sy geluid, maar jy weet nie waar hy vandaan kom en waar hy heen gaan nie. So gebeur dit met elkeen wat uit die Gees gebore is’ (Joh. 3:8). Dit was die goue draad deur elkeen se roepingsverhaal: onpeilbaar maar herkenbaar, die Gees se werk!
Nadat ek die afgelope Sondag by Tokushima-Wes gemeente gepreek, en ons as gesin saam met die klein vakante gemeente geëet en gekuier het, het dieselfde gedagtes oor die Heilige Gees my bygebly. Een gemeentelid wat ‘n stryd met kanker voer, getuig dat die boodskap haar soos ‘n handskoen gepas het; ‘n ander vrou vertel dat sy (deur die boodskap) ‘n antwoord gekry het op haar worsteling; die gemeenteleier praat met blydskap oor hoe dit hulle diep bemoedig het in hulle omstandighede. Al wat ek kan sê: ‘deur U Gees alleen, Here!’
Mag die Heilige Gees jou versterk en jou Voorspraak (advokaat) wees
in die stryd wat jy nou voer (Joh. 14:16)
Mag jy gevul word met krag en moed terwyl die Gees
vir jou intree met versugtinge sonder woorde (Rom 8:26).
Het jy enige nuus van ons gemis die afgelope tyd? Kliek gerus hier…
Vrede en vreugde,
Stéphan, Carina en gesin
MOTOR PROJEK
Ons getuig met groot vreugde dat die Here ons weereens verstom het. ‘n Ondersteuner-vriend het onlangs die totale oorblywende bedrag vir ons motor bygedra! Daarmee is die transaksie afgehandel.
Ons is gevul met diep waardering vir die Here se sorg en vir
ondersteuners wie se hande en harte oop is en ‘n reuse verskil maak.
Annlie het nou die dag dié skilpadjie in die natuur raakgeloop.
SAKE vir GEBED
Dank die Here saam met ons vir: * ‘n Geseënde besoek aan RCJ Tokushima-Wes gemeente as gesin en ‘n gesellige kamp-aand saam met die De Wets daarna.
* De Wets se aanpassing en verhoudingsbou in Niihama, ná ‘n vermoeiende trek. Bid vir krag, wysheid en ‘n vrugbare bediening.
*Stéphan se werk as raadslid by Seikeikai instituut vir gestremde (naby Hiroshima) wat nou voltooi word na 8 jaar van betrokkenheid.
Vra vir die Here se leiding en sorg met: * Carina se gesondheid, krag, balans (vir selfsorg) t.m.v. voltydse tuisonderrig, huistake, omgee vir mense in ons gemeente en meer.
*Stéphan wat Pinkster-Sondag preek by RCJ Shinkō gemeente.
* RCJ se diakonale/missionale aktiwteite: o.a. betrokke in Suid-Afrika, Myanmar, Gambië, Hongarye,
* Suksesvolle werwing van jongmense vir diakonale studietoer na Suid-Afrika in 2024.
Ontbyt by Commonwealth House in Oxford saam met mede-studente uit
Poland, Turkye, Japan, China, Hong Kong en Engeland.
Pinkster lê voor ons, en ek vertrou daar lê ‘n genotvolle langnaweek agter jou!?
By ons in Japan, terwyl die pienk-pers en wit Tsutsuji (Azalea) blom en die rysboere gereed maak om neon-groen rysplantjies te plant, lig ek net ‘n paar hoogtepunte uit van die afgelope ses weke.
Vol, veelkantige besoek aan Oxford en verder
Psalm 117 besing die veelkleurige, globale genade van God:
Prys die Here, alle nasies, loof Hom, alle volke, want sy liefde vir ons is sterk,
aan die trou van die Here is daar geen einde nie! Prys die Here!
Ek het opnuut iets van die reikwydte en diepte van dié (kortste) Psalm se lofsang eerstehands beleef in Maart. Dit was ‘n reuse, unieke voorreg om by die Oxford Centre for Mission Studies (OCMS) en ander plekke te draai vir verrykende (en hopelik verreikende) navorsing/studieverlof, besprekings en die aanbied van lesings. Soos belowe doen ek dié keer meer volledig verslag.
Tobie (ds.) en Annalie de Wet was in Kobe by ons vir die eerste paar weke ná hulle aankoms. Intussen het hulle amptelik by RCJ Niihama gemeente begin met hulle 3-jaar bediening. Tobie skryf die volgende ná Sondag se eerste erediens:
“Baie dankie vir soveel Whatsapp boodskappe van bemoediging en meelewing en voorbidding. Dit het ongelooflik baie beteken. Ek het ook aan begin van die diens vir almal gesê dat ek vreeslik swak en beangs voel maar dat al die boodskappe van bemoediging en voorbidding van vriende uit ons land en vriendekring ons baie moed en krag gee. Het vreeslik baie aan my boodskap geskaaf en geskuur, Sondagoggend vroeg nog, om dit net meer en meer eenvoudig te probeer maak en (om die rede) waarom Paulus “die alles-oortreffende waarde van die kennis van Jesus” so beklemtoon, nog duideliker te probeer maak. Alhoewel al die huidige lidmate bejaardes is en meeste selfs verswakte bejaardes is of familie het wat hul nie alleen by die huis kan laat nie, was vier vroue in die erediens (een weer vir eerste keer na ‘n baie baie lang tyd), waaroor ons baie dankbaar was. Dan het ons twee nuwe besoekers gehad, ‘n man en sy 24-jarige dogter. Hy het wel ‘n Christelike en kerk agtergrond maar is tog ‘n “soeker.” Omdat hy gehoor het van die Christian Reformed Church of Japan se beklemtoning van “die Bybel alleen”, het hy besluit om te kom kyk en hoor. Ons is dankbaar vir ‘n geseënde dag. Tog ‘n merkwaardige dag! Ons glo gebede is verhoor…”
Die De Wets bou nog hul ondersteunings-basis uit, so maak gerus kontak om hulle te bemoedig by tobiedewet@hotmail.com
Familietroue en meer
In April het ons ‘n groot en unieke lekkerte beleef! Carina se jongste broer Nico is getroud met ‘n Japannese vrou (Akari) van Yamagata provinsie. Dit was my voorreg om die huwelikseremonie te lei en ons as gesin het — saam met Carina se ander familie uit Suid-Afrika — die unieke, veelsydige en veelkleurige onthaal en saamkuier gate uit geniet! Afrikane(rs) is plesierig, ook in Japan(nees) :-).
Verder was ek die afgelope weke o.a. besig met addisionele preke en eredienste by RCJ Shinkō en Tokushima en gemeentes. En natuurlik met die eerste Missiologie klasse se aanbied by KRTS, waar ons met die draai van die akademiese jaar ou studente gegroet en nuwes verwelkom het. Carina was oudergewoonte steeds voltyds aan die beurt ons kinders se tuisonderrig, asook met die ondersteuning van vroue (by KRTS en Kita Kobe gemeente), Sondagskool interaksies en gasvryheidsbediening. Oorweldigend is soms meer akkuraat om al die hooi op haar vurk te beskryf (verál ook met die ekstra lading wat sy moes dra in my lang afwesigheid).
Juis dáárom lê die Golden Week (drie publieke vakansie dae) en glimmer voor ons. Die oggendstond het goud in die mond, en All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, so ek groet eers sodat ons binnekort die tentpenne kan inslaan vir ons beplande kamp …
Lees asseblief verder hieronder oor ons motor projek en sake vir gebed.
Ons waardeer elkeen se omgee, saam bid en saam stap!
Stéphan, Carina en kroos
MOTOR PROJEK
Op voorstel van Missie Japan se bestuur kon ons ‘n nuwe – tweedehandse – motor koop!
Azaleas in volblom: Sypaadjies regoor Japan is besaai met Tsutsuji, ‘n fees vir oog.
Rysplant seisoen: Lande word geploeg en nuwe rysplantjies versorg voor dit geplant word.
Graadvang @ KRTS: Dankbare harte ná groot toewyding en vasbyt met studies. Die bediening wink!
Inlywing @ Wes-Ring: ‘n Nuwe vierdejaars student van KRTS word toegelaat as kandidaat leraar.
@ KRTS Braai: Carina en Annlie gesels met ‘n nuwe student by KRTS se verwelkoming.
@ KRTS Braai (2): Kollegas deel ‘n ligte oomblik by die verwelkoming onder Sakura bome.
SAKE vir GEBED
Dank die Here saam met ons vir: * Gereelde, bemoedigende kontak met ondersteuners wat regtig ons welsyn op die hart dra.
* ‘n Geseënde besoek aan Oxford en verder, vir missiologie navorsing.
* Vyf afgestuurde KRTS studente wat gegradueer het en nou in verskillende gemeentes wat hulle werk broodnodig het.
Vra vir die Here se leiding en sorg met: * Carina se gesondheid, krag, balans (vir selfsorg) t.m.v. voltydse tuisonderrig, huistake, omgee vir mense in ons gemeente ens.
* De Wets se gesondheid en aanpassing in Niihama, ná ‘n vermoeiende trek. Bid vir krag, wysheid en ‘n vrugbare bediening.
* RCJ se diakonale/missionale aktiwteite: o.a. betrokke in Suid-Afrika, Myanmar, Gambië, Hongarye, Kambodië en onlangs ook in Turkye/Sirië met getuienis, liefdesdiens en finansiële ondersteuning – t.m.v. baie uitdagings in Japan self.
* Suksesvolle werwing van jongmense vir diakonale studietoer na Suid-Afrika in 2024.
LINKS BO NA REGS ONDER:
Tiener Bybelstudiegroep: Annlie en Cornelius geniet die maandelikse byeenkoms met vriende.
Blye weersiens: Die Wets groet die Makitas ná jare weer in Kobe, werk voortaan saam in Shikoku.
Oggend trein @ Osaka: Where is Wally? 🙂 Ek is oppad om die ‘nuwe’ motor te gaan afhaal …
Troue in Yamagata: Nico en sy bruid Akari saam met haar gesin by die onthaalplek.
So lyk die spannetjie nou: Annlie (15), Cornelius (13), Lodewyk (11) en Stephan (9).
Missie Japan Blog deel vars insigte oor die uitdagings en vreugdes van Christen wees in Japan. God se Lig skyn hiér op unieke maniere.
Ons bedieningsfokus is tans gerig op die Kobe Gereformeerde Teologiese Kweekskool en landwye kerk bedieninge.
Hierdie blog help medewerkers om saam met ons betrokke te raak by die uitleef van Christelike geloof, hoop en liefde.
Oor die skrywer
Stéphan van der Watt (dr.)
is sendeling-predikant van die Reformed Church in Japan. Carina, sy vrou, en hulle vier kinders Annlie, Cornelius, Lodewyk en Stephan, deel in die bediening. Lees meer oor hulle en ander sendelinge van Missie Japan, deur hier te kliek.
Oor Missie Japan
Missie Japan is
• ‘n gesamentlike getuienisaksie van die NG Kerk en ander Gereformeerde Kerke in Suid-Afrika, in noue vennootskap met die Reformed Church in Japan.
• ‘n vrywillige geloofsaksie wat ondersteun word deur individue, groepe, gemeentes en wyer kerkverbande regoor die wêreld.
