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).
In front of the Radcliffe Camera, main building of Oxford University’s Bodleian library.
Report on Research Visit to
Oxford Centre for Mission Studies and other European Theological Institutions
7-27 March 2023
Introduction
A couple of years ago Kobe Reformed Theological Seminary (KRTS) requested me to teach the subject of Missiology from April 2023, as part of its theological students’ training for church ministry. Mission Japan, my main employer in collaboration with KRTS, approved a research opportunity to help me prepare for this new responsibility. This opportunity is part of the Guided Research Programme (GRP) at the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies (OCMS), for which I was accepted. The GRP is a self-directed research programme, in which the research process is guided and supported by a tutor who can co-reflect on the acquired information and its interpretation.
My research via OCMS started in April 2022 and will continue until the end of March 2025. During this period, I am guided by an experienced mentor, Dr. Nelson Jennings, whom I meet monthly online. Dr. Jennings is a teacher of Mission Studies and has also previously worked in Japan as a missionary teacher for twelve years. Furthermore, I am required to visit OCMS at least twice (in person) during the three-year period. The first visit took place from 7-27 March 2023, about which I report here below.
One overall aim of the research I am involved in, is to better understand how missional theology is relevant in the context of Japan, where spirituality and culture are so intertwined that it poses unique challenges to Christianity. The Japanese context is part of the global reality of interreligious communication and intercultural encounters and needs to be understood in the wider scope of World Christianity.
More than twenty years ago, as part of my basic theological training over the period of seven years at Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Theology, I completed several modules in Missiology. Thereafter I also worked as project manager of the Southern African Partnership for Missional Churches. Furthermore, through ‘participatory observation’ as a missionary pastor within the Japanese context for the past 14 years, I have often thought and written about missiological church ministries here. However, there have been major shifts in the field of Missiology in the last two or three decades, and therefore it is necessary to thoroughly familiarize myself with such shifts, before/while attempting to teach students about such topics.
Background and Motivation
Being a missionary in Japan, I have developed a sensitivity for intercultural communication and interaction. I am called to a bridge building role and identity between two radically different cultures and countries. South Africa is deemed as a post-Christendom context, whilst Japan has never experienced a Christendom era. I constantly feel the need to deepen my understanding of the historical dimensions of both contexts as well as the underlying theologies of mission that operate in both churches I am mainly involved in, i.e., the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa (DRC) and the Reformed Church in Japan (RCJ).
Since I started as full-time lecturer at KRTS in April 2016, my research, writing and teaching have been focused mainly on Pastoral Theology and Care as subfield/s of Practical Theology, from a Reformed perspective. The focus has been on the training of church leaders for pastoral ministries within the Japanese context, specifically within the Reformed Church in Japan. However, because of the 99% non-Christian context and the size of Japanese churches (among other factors), pastoral ministries inevitably imply a definitive and evident missional orientation. Consequently, my core field of research interest is now focusing on the nexus between pastoral theology and missiology. In line with this focus, I published an article in an academic journal – as a first output of this OCMS research – on the topic of spiritual maturity and how it relates to pastoral care practices of mission-minded pastoral caregivers.
Nature and Content of Visit to OCMS
Although the focus of this visit was the discussions and interactions, as well as the presentation of a seminar at OCMS, it also included visits to other seminaries. Eventually, the personal meeting of and fellowship with colleagues – planned and unforeseen – stimulated a lot of conversation and fresh insights on topics related to the field of mission studies.
OCMS is situated in the city of Oxford, home of the 44 independent colleges of the University of Oxford, with students from more than 160 countries. There is a lot to learn in a place with such a profound history (922 years old). OCMS uses a historic church building as its base. OCMS’s specific mission – as an evangelical inter-church institution over the past 40 years – has been to equip and facilitate research from missionaries and researchers who come from different church backgrounds in the Global South (mainly South America, Africa, and large parts of Asia).
During this short visit I stayed mainly in two different lodgings in Oxford. One is called Commonwealth House and the other one Wycliffe Hall (Church of England Theological College), where alumni like N.T. Wright and Alister McGrath also taught. The experience of enjoying breakfast with scholars from 15-20 different countries (including Japan, Turkey, China, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, Poland) was stimulating.
The director of the GRP at OCMS, Mark Oxbrow, visited almost 70 countries in his work with different mission organizations. It was a privilege to learn from him and from other diverse and experienced faculty members. The first week also included discussions with a Canadian missionary/researcher who lives in Japan and is completing his doctoral thesis about churches in the Tohoku region and their views and practices concerning evangelism in balance with social involvement.
I had access to research materials in the OCMS library, which includes a special collection of missiology resources. Furthermore, I was able make use of any of the 26 Bodleian Libraries across Oxford, which holds more than 13 million library items. Interestingly, books cannot be borrowed, but must be read in the libraries. One of these libraries, very close to the OCMS building, was a Japanese library with English and Japanese resources, which was very helpful.
The first Sunday I attended the worship service of an Afrikaans speaking church in central London. This is one of four congregations that was started by South African pastors from the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa many years ago. Rev. Rian Steyn baptized a child, which reminded me of my own baptism, administered by his (Rian’s) father in the small town of Humansdorp in South Africa, where we both grew up. The road to the church included passing by some famous sights in London, including Westminster Abbey, Metropolitan Tabernacle (a Baptist Church founded under Charles Spurgeon’s influence) and a statue of William Tyndale (English Protestant Reformer and Bible translator).
The daily rhythm at OCMS included chapel worship services and prayer meetings, as well as community lunches every Wednesday, led by faculty members and staff. The prayer time focused on the work done by researchers and missionaries across the globe. Academic lectures – while I was in residence – included seminars of doctoral and post-doctoral students about Ethopian churches, Hinduism in Asia, as well as presentations from India and Puerto Rico.
Considering my church-based experience within the RCJ, which included multiple involvements after natural disasters (since 2011), I have also become more interested in the topic of diaconal work. Thus, the research field between Diaconal and Mission Studies is also of particular interest to me and directed the content of my presentation at OCMS titled, Diaconal Church Initiatives and Social/Public Welfare in Postwar Japan: a Descriptive Overview.I published a separate academic article about this topic.
Another meaningful event which took place while I was at OCMS, was a book launch of a book titled Humble Confidence: A Model for Interfaith Apologetics, written by a Dutch missiologist (Benno van den Toren) and a Chinese missionary teacher (Kang-San Tan). Discussions included issues like Christianity as a foreign, white man’s religion and the colonial history of oppression. The presenters emphasized that apologetics should be dialogical, contextual, holistic, and embodied. Holistic apologetics through diaconial service (e.g., showing solidarity with refugees of other faiths) was also focused upon. In Europe, one of the biggest challenges churches faces, is not (only) people’s atheism but also their apathy towards religion. Church in Japan face similar challenges, albeit in a radically different context.
Visit to Edinburgh
The second weekend during this research period included a short visit to Edinburgh, basically for discussions with three people from two different theological institutions. First, I visited New College, which is part of the Church of Scotland’s theological education. New College hosts the Edinburgh University’s Centre for the Study of World Christianity. There I met with its co-Director Alexander Chow. He shared about his work at the Centre, as well as from his own experiences in China and now in the UK as a Chinese Christian. New College also hosted the significant World Missionary Conference in 1910, which is viewed as the formal beginning of the modern Protestant Christian ecumenical movement (John Knox’s statue).
The second person I had discussions with, works at Edinburgh Theological Seminary (ETS). ETS is the hub for theological education of the Free Church of Scotland and it also has a Centre for Mission Studies. I met with the Centre’s director, Alistair Wilson, who himself worked as missionary teacher in South Africa (King William’s Town) for many years. We had fruitful discussions on the content of ETC’s syllabus for mission studies. In addition, I attended a Saturday theological course at ETS, aimed at general Christian believers.
Another aspect that I became aware of afresh during my visit to Edinburgh, is the expressiveness of individuals and how strikingly this differs from places like Japan. While walking along the famous Royal Mile, I passed a man with poster in his hand that read ‘Jesus sucks, today, yesterday, tomorrow.’ Just around the corner from there I passed another man beside a church building (not far from John Knox’s statue), explaining the gospel story out loud to whoever has ears to hear amid the stream of thousands of people passing by. This simple example depicts the diverse, pluralistic Scottish context within which some churches are struggling to survive while others tell success stories about church planting in a so-called post-Christian society.
For the second Sunday’s worship service, I was invited to Cornerstone Free Church (part of St Columbus church). This was a bilingual (Spanish and English) service with an impactful Biblical message, a strong liturgy in informal style, a warm and open atmosphere hosting a vibrant children’s ministry. The church was planted in 2014, soon ran out of seats, and its members are now planting two new other churches in Edinburgh. One Spanish-speaking elder from Chili is playing a vital role in terms of the Latino ministry to migrants (there is more than 30,000 Spanish speaking people in Edinburgh). This experience was a vivid reminder of the well-known slogan: ‘mission from anywhere to everywhere’, where God uses people from people from radically different culture groups to share their gifts to enrich each other as part of one Body of Christ.
This church’s Chilian elder is busy with doctoral studies under James Eglinton, which was the third person I met in Edinburgh and who invited me to the Sunday worship service, and to lunch with his family afterwards. James serves as elder at Cornerstone Free Church and works at New College, which trains ordinands for ministry in the Church of Scotland. He is specifically requested to give students exposure to Reformed theology. James is doing very impressive research on the well-known Dutch Calvinist theologian Herman Bavinck, and his less famous cousin, Johann H. Bavinck, who specialized in Missiology and Psychology and who worked for many years as a theological educator in Java.
Visit to Czech Republic and Germany
I was invited to do a guest lecture – during the last few days of this research period – at the Protestant Faculty of Theology at Charles University. The university is in Prague in Czech Republic, which has a Christian population of about 10 percent. The university was established in 1348 and has three separate but co-operating entities, namely, Protestant, Roman Catholic and Hussite. I received the invitation from a colleague who teaches World Christianity and who is part of the Evangelical church of the Czech Bretheren (Reformed and Lutheran). The topic of my lecture was Missional Diakonia: A Comparative Perspective between Christianity in South Africa and Japan.
Lastly, I visited Prof. Johannes Eurich at Heidelberg University (1386) in Germany. Johannes is the director of the University’s Institute for Diaconal Studies. He is also chairperson of the International Society for the Research and Study of Diaconia and Christian Social Practice (ReDi), of which I am a member. It was very meaningful to learn from his work and experience and to reflect on diaconal work in Japan within a wider perspective.
Conclusion
During this visit to OCMS and other European institutions I learned about various dimensions of mission studies and from the practice of missional churches in multiple contexts. This opportunity widened the horizon of my research and teaching, to include more ecumenical insights, not limited to Reformed perspectives. It included discussion about themes like mission theology; missiological hermeneutics; multicultural ministries; fresh trends in Global Christianity; the church and community development; diaconal theology and practices etc. The experience stimulated me to discern missiological perspectives in all aspects of church ministry.
The questions I am currently asking include the following:
• Can pastoral theology be shaped by a missionary understanding of the church, so that pastoral care does not stop at building up believers, but also serves the emission of our missional calling?
• How can church leaders meaningfully integrate missional pastoral work, i.e. doing mission through pastoral care in a balanced way in Japan?
• Can the context of Japan’s churches and the mission-minded pastoral theology developed in Japan, be fruitfully linked to, and inform other contexts (i.e., in the West)?
• How can the connections between Pastoral Theology and Missiology be formulated constructively, while considering developments within wider theological disciplines such as Diakonia?
This visit, and the three-year long research program is primarily made financially possible by a generous scholarship from KRTS, as well as by my own research funds that I have built up (through publications). It is also supplemented by financial aid from Partners in Witness (DRC Free State) and a supportive friend. I am deeply grateful for everyone’s support.
The content of this research and interactions will now find its way into the missiology curriculum at KRTS over the next few years.
Psalm 117
Praise the Lord, all you nations;
extol him, all you peoples.
For great is his love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord.
FROM TOP LEFT TO BOTTOM RIGHT
Students in the Bodleian library in the Radcliffe Camera building on Oxford University’s campus.
Sunrise close to Christ Church (in Oxford).
Commonwealth House breakfast.
Worship service at Cornerstone Free Church.
Edinburgh Theological Seminary and New College.
Dr. James Eglinton and his family.
With Dr. Alistair Wilson at Edinburgh Theological Seminary.
With Prof. Johannes Eurich in Heidelberg.
Book launch (Humble Confidence) at Oxford Centre for Mission Studies (OCMS).
Venue of Edinburgh 1910 World Missionary Conference.
OCMS church building.
Discussions at OCMS with Dr. Mark Oxbrow and colleagues.
Morning worship at OCMS.
One of Oxford University’s 44 colleges.
Japanese library on Oxford University campus.
Cherry blossoms at Oxford University.
With Dr. Pavol Bargar and some students at Charles University in Prague.
Tobie en Annalie de Wet se uitstuurdiens by Swellendam Moederkerk,
gelei deur leraars (Gawie Gouws en Lounette Engelbrecht) en die gemeente se getuienis leiers
Tyd vlieg. Lydenstyd is alweer halfpad verby. Hoe draai die seisoen waar jy jou bevind?Daar’s baie aan die gebeur, op klein en groot skaal by ons. Hierdie nuusflits vat — nes onsself die afgelope tyd — net hier en daar grond, met ‘n paar onlangse gebeure vir jou aandag. Dis uiteenlopend, en bietjie langer as gewoonlik (jammer!), maar dankie dat ons kan vra jy dalk end-uit sal lees, meeleef en saam bid en ondersteun.
De Wets se aankoms
Tobie en Annalie de Wet (Carina se ouers) het Dinsdag veilig geland in Japan en by ons aan huis gekom. Dis nádat hulle onlangs deur Swelllendam Moederkerk amptelik uitgestuur is om vanaf middel April amptelik op Shikoku eiland by RCJ Niihama gemeente te begin met hulle 3-jaar bediening. Dis erg lekker om hulle vir ‘n kort rukkie by ons te sien! Hulle bou nog hul ondersteunings-basis uit, so maak gerus kontak met hulle by tobiedewet@hotmail.com
Vol huis
Tuisonderrig – deesdae met twee volbloed tieners onder ons dak – is netso veeleisend as wat dit vervullend is. Carina kan boekdele skryf van wat dit dag tot dag behels. Buiten die onderrig is die ander aktiwiteite buite die huis ook kwaai bedrywig. Annlie kon vir die eerste keer in drie jaar weer ‘n klavier uitvoering doen. Verder rits dit rond tussen sport byeenkomste, jeug groepe en veel meer. Dis die seisoen waarin ons is. Soms kry ons dit beter reg om ‘nee’ te sê vir die dinge wat uitgesny moet word. Fokus op die basiese vat genoeg energie.
Kerklike Bedieninge
In Februarie was Stéphan o.a. besig met addisionele preke en eredienste by Tokushima en Tokushima-Wes gemeentes, en Carina was gereeld aan die beurt met ondersteuning van vroue (by KRTS en Kita Kobe gemeente), Sondagskool leiding en gasvryheidsbediening – wat die gereelde ontvangs van gaste aan huis ingesluit het.
KRTS Gradeplegtigheid Vroeër die week het vyf studente gegradueer by KRTS se 71ste gradeplegtigheid. Dit was baie bemoedigend om te kon sien en hoor hoe hulle getuig van die groei wat deur die loop van vier jaar ontwikkel het. Hulle het nou geleer hoe om konstruktief en kreatief teologies te dink. Dis net die begin van ‘n lewenslange pad van voortgaande studie, wat nou landwyd in verskillende gemeentes met pastorale ervaring verdiep en gelouter sal word. Om vrug te dra wat sal hou, inge-ent in die Ware Wingerdstok (Joh. 5).
Wyer in Japan en verder
Volgende week word alle Covid-19 beperkings opgehef – selfs maskers sal dan nie meer binneshuis verpligtend wees in Japan nie. Gemeentes begin weer kop optel ná 3 jaar van swaar inperkings. Ons vertrou dit gaan nuwe energie losmaak onder kerkleiers. Ongelukkig is die voortslepende oorlog in Oekraīne verder besig om die spanning tussen Japan-China-Korea(s) te verdiep. Binne die RCJ is daar op 11 Februarie (Nasionale Stigtingsdag) ‘n spesiale seminaar gehou wat die oorlog ontleed en die pad na vrede in die vooruitsig gehou het. Dit kom t.m.v. groot (regering)spandering op militêre verdediging hier. Japan is ‘n land met ‘n skaarsste aan natuurlike hulpbronne. Dit skep ‘n ander sekuriteitskrisis: voedsel. Kundiges beweer Japan kan tans net in 37% van die nasie se kos behoeftes voorsien (die helfte minder as wat in 1965 die geval was!).
Hiroshima besoek: verwoestende trauma en dit wat oorbly
‘n Tydjie gelede het ons as gesin Hiroshima se atoombom museum besoek, as tuisskool uitstappie. Dit bly ontnugterend en verhelderend om in grafiese detail te sien hoe vernietigend en traumaties Augustus 1945 in Japan (spesifiek in Hiroshima en Nagasaki) se geskiedenis was. Steeds is. Inge-ets in die kollektiewe geheue van die Japanners.
Ek wens ons kon vir Vladimir Putin saamvat op ons besoek! Selfs sy oë sou (dalk) kon rek!
‘n Bekende Japannese digter – Horiguchi Daigaku – skryf (in 1946) die volgende gedig om dié verpletterde noodlydendes destyds te probeer bemoedig:
Die land het klein geword,
en magteloos,
kos skaars,
skaamte orals,
lewe broos.
Hou op treur!
Rig jou oë
na die boomtoppe,
na die hemel.
En dis presies wat gebeur het. Die Japannese nasie het veerkragtig opgestaan uit die as van verwoesting en pyn. Soveel só dat Japan binne een generasie ‘n supersterk ekonomie opgebou het. Deur God se genade. Vandag nog styg Japan uit op vele terreine as globale leier. Maar dié één (essensiële) faktor bly — Christelik gesproke — afwesig: 99% van die land se mense ken nog nie die bevrydende krag en verlossing van die evangelie nie en besef nie dat dit God se ontferming is wat hulle tot hier gebring het nie.
Hiervoor is ons, saam met jou, geroep om te getuig in woord en daad. Sodat meer Japannese nie net materieël nie, maar ook geestelik kan floreer en hul vreugde vind in Christus. Cornelius van Til, Christelike apologeet se woorde weerklink: “All people exist in covenantal interaction with God. At no time when we defend the faith do we speak to someone to whom God is not already speaking.”
Laat ons aanhou om te soek vir en aan te sluit by die Gees God se werk in menselewens …
Missiologie Navorsing o.a. @ OCMS
KRTS het my versoek om binnekort (vanaf April) ook Missiologie as vak aan te bied as deel van ons opleiding van teologiese studente vir die kerklike bediening. Missie Japan het, in samewerking met KRTS se fakulteit in Kobe, ‘n navorsings geleentheid goedgekeur (wat reeds in April 2022 begin het) om my te help om ‘n kurrikulum hiervoor voor te berei.
In kort: ek is bevoorreg om sedert gister (tot 26 Maart) onder andere die Oxford Centre for Mission Studies (OCMS) te besoek, vir navorsing (studieverlof), besprekings en die aanbied van lesings.
Die geleentheid is deel van OCMS se Guided Research Programme, waarvoor ek keuring ontvang het. Hierdie besoek, en die drie jaar lange navorsingsprogram, word primêr finansieël moontlik gemaak deur ‘n ruim beurs van KRTS, asook deur my eie navorsingsfondse wat ek opgebou het (deur publikasies). Dis ook aangevul deur bydraes van Vennote in Getuienis (NG Kerk Vrystaat) en ‘n weldoener vriend – diep dankbaar! Ek doen in ‘n volgende nuusflits meer volledig verslag.
Lees asseblief verder hieronder oor ons motor projek en sake vir gebed …
Ons waardeer jou ondersteuning, betrokkenheid en gebede.
Mag die beurtkrag (vir dié in Suid-Afrika) jou nie onderkry nie!
Stéphan, Carina en kinders (ook namens die De Wets wat vir ‘n rukkie by ons aan huis is).
Van links bo na regs onder:
1. Vlug weg van trauma:Annlie by ‘n uitbeelding van ‘n vrou wat haar kind probeer dra ná die atoom bom ontploffing alles ombliklik verwoes het.
2. # No More Hiroshimas: Hiroshima Peace Memorial se GenbakuDome (agter): al oorblyfsel uit die puin van die ontploffing se episentrum.
3. Lanklaas gesien: Terwyl ek by Tokushima was, het vriende van destyds my kom verras – lekker!
4. Ete @ RCJ Kobe: Die eerste amptelike gemeente ete post-Covid. Ons sien uit na veel meer wat kom.
5. Graadvang @ KRTS: Vreugde ná baie toewyding en vasbyt met studies. Die bediening wag!
6. RCJ Tokushima-Wes: Preek en saam kuier by ‘n gemeente waar ons destyds baie kere bedien het.
MOTOR PROJEK
Op voorstel van Missie Japan se bestuur dink ons daaraan om ‘n nuwe motor te koop. Die motivering is soos volg:
* Ons het ons huidige motor 12 jaar gelede tweedehands gekoop en dis nie meer koste effektief om op die medium termyn (3-4 jaar) die motor instand te hou nie – die padwaardigheids-lisensie verval November 2024.
* In die lig van die De Wets se koms en die feit dat hulle ook ‘n motor nodig het, maak dit meer sin om so gou as moontlik ons huidige motor vir hulle te gee en vir ons ‘n ander tweedehandse een te koop.
* Ons soek na ‘n motor wat 7-8 mense kan vat, wat verkieslik nie ouer as 5 jaar oud is en nie meer as 50 000 kilo’s gery het nie (want dit moet nog 100,000 kilo’s plus kan aflê oor die volgende medium-/langtermyn)
* Pryse wissel tussen ¥1.3-¥2.2 miljoen (R170,000-R290,000).
Nou’s die vraag eers: hoe kan ons dit finansier?
Dit val buite Missie Japan en ons eie huidige begroting.
Daarom neem ons vrymoedigheid om ‘n spesiale projek te loods hiervoor.
As jy / julle kleingroep of gemeente miskien ‘n bydrae wil maak,
Ons vertrou die Here vir Sy voorsiening, op die regte tyd teen die regte prys.
Van links bo na regs onder:
1-3. Cornelius, Lodewyk en Stephan is elke week slaggereed vir sokker, met Carina en ek langs die veld om te aan te spoor.
4. Tiener Bybelstudiegroep: Annlie en Cornelius woon dit maandeliks by en leer baie uit dié saamwees.
5. Oorslaap @ ons huis: Groot pret (min slaap!) met Annlie se drie maats wat kom kuier het vir die naweek.
6. Wetenskap uitstappie: Een van Kobe se museums leer kinders oor die nuutste tegnologie en meer.
7. Klavier konsert: Lang ure van hard oefen het groot groei gebring wat Annlie gate uit geniet het.
SAKE vir GEBED
Dank die Here saam met ons vir: * Vyf KRTS studente wat gegradueer het en oppad is na gemeentes wat hulle werk broodnodig het. * Gereelde, bemoedigende kontak met ondersteuners wat regtig ons welsyn op die hart dra.
* Die De Wets se veilige reis na Kobe en my veilige aankoms in Oxford (‘n paar uur gelede).
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 Japan, voorbereiding om van voor af huis ‘op te sit’ in Niihama.
* 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.
Tobie en Annalie de Wet wat na hul aftrede as sendelingspaar van meer as twintig jaar by die Reformed Church in Japan (RCJ) nou al geruime tyd op Swellendam woon, is nou weer op pad terug na Japan. Hierdie keer as “brug”-sendelinge.
Ons NG Kerk (Missie Japan) staan in ‘n amptelike sustersverhouding met die Reformed Church in Japan (RCJ) en het onder andere ‘n jarelange sendingsamewerkingsooreenkoms met die RCJ Ring van Shikoku om sendelinge te stuur om hul klein gemeentetjies by te staan in hul reuse-sendingtaak en gemeentebou.
Hierdie sendelingspos het intussen vakant geraak en na ‘n jaar van amptelike onderhandelinge het Missie Japan besluit om die De Wets as brugsendelinge vanaf Maart of April 2023 vir ‘n tydperk van drie jaar na die RCJ Ring van Shikoku terug te stuur.
Wat behels hierdie bediening? Met die RCJ Niihama-sendelingpos as basis is dit die De Wets se opdrag om dié klein gemeentetjie van RCJ Niihama pastoraal te bedien, vriendskapsevangelisasie onder die duisende nie-Christene in die stad, Niihama, te doen en terselfdertyd gereeld die ander ringsgemeentes te besoek en te bemoedig en veral ook vakante sendelingsposte deur middel van spesiale Woordbediening en evangelisasieveldtogte te ondersteun.
Hoe kan ons hulle ondersteun? Dr Nico Mostert, direkteur van Vennote in Getuienis, verduidelik: “Dit is ons as Missie Japan en as Kerk in Suid-Afrika se verantwoordelikheid om hulle nie net formeel te stuur nie, maar volhardend aktief-konkreet en biddend deel van hul bediening te wees en ook geestelik-moreel en finansieel te ondersteun.
“Volgens die amptelike ooreenkoms met die RCJ Ring van Shikoku is die Kerk in Japan verantwoordelik vir ons sendelinge se huisvesting en bedieningskostes terwyl Missie Japan verantwoorlik is vir die reis-, vestigings- en hul maandelikse lewenskoste.
Aangesien die lewenskoste in Japan baie hoog is, is Missie Japan baie afhanklik van geloofsbelofte-offers van nuwe ondersteuners vir hierdie belangrike werk. Die De Wets is pensionarisse en gaan self voorsien in hulle eie lewenskoste sover moontlik. Daar is egter ander kostes wat gedek moet word en dus kan die De Wets nie uitgestuur word alvorens Missie Japan nie deur middel van vrywillige finansiële beloftes vir beide hul reis- en vestigingkostes en hul addisionele maandelikse leefkoste hul begrotingsdoel bereik het nie. Ons vertrou egter die Here om lidmate op te wek en te lei om Missie Japan hierin te ondersteun.”
Alle bydraes ter ondersteuning van die De Wets waarin u as gelowige, as gesin, as kleingroep, of as gemeente ’n bydrae wil maak, kan in hierdie rekening gedeponeer word: Rekening naam: Missie Japan Bank: ABSA Takkode: 632005 Rekeningnommer: 4049690248 U kan u bydrae net spesifiseer met die verwysing: “De Wets”
Dit is vir Missie Japan en die De Wets belangrik om alle ondersteuners of voorbidders se kontakbesonderhede te hê om julle op hoogte te hou van gereelde nuusberigte en julle van gebedsonderwerpe te voorsien.
Stuur asb jou e-posadres en WhatsApp-nommer aan hulle by
Reis ‘n paar weke terug en sien wat gebeur het oor die Kerstyd in Kobe
Hoe het 2023 aan jou kant begin?
Ons is terug op spoed sedert die eerste week van Januarie. Meeste van ons gesin moes onlangs deur ‘n griep episode werk, maar andersins loop dinge sover goed.
Omdat ons weet hoeveel energie die wegspring van ‘n nuwe jaar vereis, wil ons jou nie vermoei met te veel inligting nie, maar deel ons eerder net foto’s met byskrifte van wat die afgelope maand gebeur het. Deur gasvryheid, prediking en vele geleenthede het ons die vreugde van Christus se koms gedeel. Wat ‘n voorreg!
Ons bly afhanklik van jou gebede en ondersteuning vanjaar. Dankie dat ons daarop kan staatmaak.
In verbondenheid en met gebede vir die Here se seën en vrede in jou lewe.
Stéphan, Carina en gesin
Byskrifte van links bo na regs onder:
Carina lei die Kerfees partytjie vir kinders by ons gemeente, met Annlie wat dans.
Ons huis was pal vol gaste oor die feestyd. Dankbaar vir gemeenskap!
Mense wat hul tuiste op straat maak in Kobe middestad geniet ‘n warm bord kos.
Ons maak kos vir die haweloses in Kobe.
Jovald (van Suid-Afrika) en Cora (van Amerika) is getroud vanuit ons gemeente en Stéphan het die seremonie gelei.
Ons deel deel die vreugde en Lig van Christus se koms met liedere in ons buurt.
Handgemaakte pret by ons gemeente se byeenkoms vir kinders rondom Kersfees.
Studente speel ‘n boontjie-optel-met-’n-stokkie speletjie by dié geselligheid.
Studente en ander sing by Kobe Reformed Theological Seminary.
‘n Paar families deel ‘n ete en gesels oor 2022 se hoogtepunte en uitdagings.
Cornelius vat die stokkie aan by die aflos van kinders uit ons tuisskool groep.
Daar was ook tyd vir kuier saam met maats en familie.
Carina se broer en sy vrou Akari was by ons aan huis.
Stephan (junior) in die winterkoue.
Die RCJ gemeente in Tajimi, naby Nagoya in die middel van Japan, waar Stéphan gepreek het op Kersdag.
Buite RCJ Tajimi gemeente, voor die erediens begin.
Stephan lei die English Fellowship by RCJ Tokushima gemeente (Carina het die Kersfees boodskap gebring by die bediening wat sy en Miwa Terauchi 12 jaar gelede in RCJ Tokushima gemeente begin het).
Werkspermit Goedgekeur: Oop Deur!
Baie dankie vir almal wat saam gebid het. Die Here het die deur oop gemaak vir (ds) Tobie en Annalie De Wet om DV vir 3 jaar van bediening terug te keer na die Reformed Church in Japan se Shikoku Ring – as brug-sendelinge – in Niihama gemeente.
Hierdie week vind rigtinggewende plaas met Missie Japan leiers.
Bid asb. daarvoor en vir die nodige voorsiening van finansies
en baie ander voorbereidingswerk.
Meer inligting volg binnekort vanuit Missie Japan kantoor.
Kyk intussen na ‘n vorige onderhoud met hulle hieronder op YouTube.
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.
