DON’T FORGET TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP!
2002-2003 JCF Membership Form
Name:
Gender: M / F
Address:
Birthday:
Volume 16, Issue 1
Home Phone:
Work Phone:
Fax:
E-mail:
Optional Stuff (nationality, church background, etc.):
I’m a (circle one) 1st year / 2nd year / 3rd year/ non-JET.
Yes / No
I’m a 2001-2002 AJET Member.
Yes / No
I’m a 2001-2002 JCF Member.
Membership Options (please mark one):
A. AJET JCF membership - 2000 yen
B. Non-AJET JCF membership - 2000 yen
C. I don’t want to join JCF now, but please keep my name on file.
JCF membership includes the newsletter “JCF News” and access to the book and tape libraries.
Please send this form with payment to the JCF Treasurer, Michael
Phillips: 1-1-1-303 Taga, Nakama-shi, Fukuoka-ken 809-0015
While the Japanese Postal System is reliable, JCF recommends that you send payment by pre-paid
kawase.
Any questions? Contact JCF National Coordinator, Kandace Shaw:
Joytown B8523-1, 6-Chome Kita Koyamacho, Tottori-shi, Tottori-ken
680-0941, or jcf_nc@hotmail.com.
JULY/AUGUST
2002
A CHANGE OF APPROACH
Kandace Shaw, National Coordinator
There is always that one kid. You do your song
and dance and even the most introverted of kids
watches you from the corner of their eyes with a
tiny smile, sneaking looks of “check that
foreigner out!” to their friends next to them.
But…there is always that one kid. You know her,
the one sitting as though her desk were the most
interesting thing in the universe. She doesn’t
flinch, doesn’t show any facial expression
whatsoever except that of “I am going to get
through this day and not draw attention to
myself.” Or, he may be sitting at his desk with his
pants pulled up a little higher than the other kids,
his shirt tucked in a little more, his glasses a little
askew, actually grimacing with his face parallel
to the floor.
They walk through the hallways very straight,
never with anyone. They are the kids that never
have partners in class, never talk to anyone. And
the class seems to have decided that they never
will. Despite the language/cultural barrier I can
clearly see that these kids are being completely
rejected by everyone for strange reason. Even
teachers seem to have joined in on it, jumping to
my call for translation and help with every
student…suddenly not being able to hear me
when I ask for help as I desperately try to
communicate with ‘the rejected one.’
I teach at a high school level. There are only a
few kids in each grade who seem to go through
this alienation at school. In a country known for
its ‘group’ mentality peer rejection has such an
extreme effect. To change the situation, I tried a
few pretty stupid “let’s change the world with
love” things at the beginning of the year that were
a total disaster. I even made a kid burst into tears.
Why?
I was focused on doing things the way I thought
they should be done. I was focused on leaning on
my own strength, my own way, my thoughts on
how love operated. I don’t think I even prayed
about it at all, just barged into work with a huge
grin on my face
Inside this issue:
A Change of Approach - 1-2
Introducing the 2002-2003 JCF Leadership - 3-6
Books Galore! - 7
Using The Tape Library - 7
Frustrating Joys - 8-9
God, Open my Eyes to See - 10-12
Response to The Bible and Pacifism - 13-15
Purification - 16-17
Run the Race! - 17
2002-2003 Registration Form - 18
- Page One -
A CHANGE OF APPROACH
-continued from page one
touch with the needs of those around us. It takes
strength! This comes as we foster our prayer life
and give the Holy Spirit constant, daily, moment
ready to love my students. Christianity isn’t that
by moment permission to move us to love others.
complicated…is it? I was focused on looking
‘good’, being the genki Christian I thought I was. So, I changed my approach at school. I no longer
Lesson time for me came as my student sat with use the situation to show the class how
pools of tears forming on her desk that didn’t ACCEPTING I am of differences in the
stop. This wasn’t just a kid freaking out because I classroom, how LOVING I can be. The poor
was a foreigner trying to make her say, “I’m fine kids! Now, as my student stands in the hallway by
thank-you, and you?” This was humiliation on a the window alone during cleaning time, we
very different level. I needed to rethink my manage to exchange a few words when no one is
approach.
looking. It has taken all year. She smiles now!
We have even moved on from “what did you eat
I sat back and rethought the situation. Jesus had a
for lunch today?” I was such an idiot. But that is
compassion that involved changing His approach
okay! God is good.
and being flexible. Not taking credit for anything.
I needed to remember this. We are such egoists! “Living the sacrament of care for others draws a
We want to recreate, reshape what God has called person close to the greatest of all truths. It does
us to do. We want to cling to our weaknesses and this better than anything else can, but it does this
blame them for failing to love others, as we ought
in ways that are seldom obvious. It is for this
to, blame anything! We want to cling to patterns
reason that it is a spiritual discipline.”
that have evolved in the Christian sub-culture -from A Way in the World by Ernest Boyer, Jr.
(rich with some pretty sweet lingo that the
This quote is part of the chapter on compassion in
average person can’t get their head around –
“Disciplines for the Inner Life” by Bob Benson,
especially if English is their second language!).
Sr. & Michael W. Benson. To become more like
We want to keep the right people around us. Jesus
Jesus we MUST be flexible and remember that
didn’t give a rip what people thought! “Look at
God has His OWN ways of working (this is true
Jesus! He is eating with those sinful people
in getting to know our fellow JETS too! Please
again!” they said (Luke 15:2.)
become a part of their community as best you
The love we have for people is to be paired with a can!) His ways are the most important thing to
humility that keeps us in check, out of the focus on.
spotlight, and in
The views expressed in JCF NEWS are not necessarily those of the JCF Leadership Team or JET
Christian Fellowship unless specifically stated as such. JCF NEWS seeks to present interesting
articles from JCF members at large. It does not seek to advocate, but to be a true forum for
discussion and meditation.
- Page Two -
INTRODUCING…THE 2002-2003 LEADERSHIP TEAM
Meet the new JCF leadership team for 2002-2003! The following are brief self-introductions of the
new members and how you can get in contact with them. Please don’t hesitate to call any of us at any
time! That’s what we’re here for.
NATIONAL CO-ORDINATOR
Kandace Shaw, 2nd yr.
Hi! My name is Kandace Shaw and I am the new NC for JCF. I am from Nanaimo, British Columbia in
Canada. I am in Japan for one more year and have had such a blast so far. I am currently living in
Tottori city, Tottori-ken and work at a lovely high school filled with brilliant students who speak
perfect English. Well..the first part of that last sentence was true. Please contact me anytime if you
have any questions or concerns.
Email - shawkandace@hotmail.com or jcf_nc@hotmail.com
Telephone - 0857-31-6230
Mail - Joytown B8523-1, 6-Chome Kita Koyamacho, Tottori-shi, Tottori-ken 680-0941
TREASURER
Michael Phillips, 2nd yr.
G’day. My name is Michael Phillips. I am a first year ALT in Nakama city, near Kitakyushu city,
Fukuoka.. I come from Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia. I was treasurer of a cricket
association for 6 years, prior to coming to Japan, and (still) work at a university back home in Australia.
I enjoy history, computers, German and, of course, karaoke!
As JCF treasurer, I am responsible for managing the finances of JCF. I receive subscription money,
and reimburse money, based on written requests and receipts. I also balance the budget and forward
financial statements to the National Coordinator and to AJET. In addition, I will produce an annual
report, summarising JCF financial activity for the previous AJET year.
Email – michael.phillips@unisa.edu.au
Telephone – (home) 093 245 7894; (work) 093 244 1111 extension 1331
Mail – 1-1-1-303 Taga, Nakama-shi, Fukuoka-ken 809-0015
RETREAT CO-ORDINATORS
Jennifer Osteen, 3rd yr.
Jennifer and Tara are co-retreat coordinators for 2002-2003. Feel free to contact either one of them if
you would be interested in planning or participating in any of the yearly retreats. Please refer to page
15, the article entitled Run the Race! for a brief introduction to Jennifer.
Email - osteenjennifer@hotmail.com
Telephone - 0246-24-5437
Tara Lowe, non-JET
Hello! My name is Tara Lowe. This year, I felt called to be involved as a retreat co-coordinator and
part of the prayer and encouragement team. I am from Canada, grew up in British Columbia and went
to university at the University of Alberta, in Edmonton. This is my first year in Japan. I’m currently
living in Yoshii town, Gunma-ken (beside Nagano-ken). I have basically the same contract as a JET,
but I am a private ALT and I am hired directly by my board of education. I teach junior high school and
elementary.
I pray that you have a wonderful summer, whether you are leaving Japan or staying here. I hope I get to
meet more of you this upcoming year. Please
- Page Three -
contact me anytime with prayer requests, I am always here to talk, listen, pray, laugh with or cry
with…just ask!! Also, please read my article, God, Open my Eyes to See, on page 6.
Email - tllaughalot@hotmail.com
Phone/fax: 027-387-9578
Mail - 101 Uindia Ike, 284-1 Ike, Tano gun, Gunma ken 370-2107
(I will be in Canada from 7-23 to 8-23, but I will have access my email account).
PRAYER & ENCOURAGEMENT
Hiromitsu Naruse, non-JET
Many of the second and third year JETs already know Hiramitsu. He served on the prayer and
encouragement team last year and is continuing to serve this year. He is also in charge of organizing
the prefectural reps on a national scale. If you need some prayer and encouragement, his contact
information is below.
E-mail - naruse_hiromitsu@hotmail.com
Telephone - 090-2119-5793
Heather Jesson, 2nd yr.
Heather is a new member to the prayer and encouragement team this year. Prayer and encouragement
team members have a number of responsibilities, including praying for other JETS, of course, sending
out postcards and emails, calling JCF members, and even distributing the newsletter. Heather can be
reached with the following information.
E-mail - hjesson@yahoo.com
Telephone - 0767-32-9350
Esther Williams, 3rd yr.
Esther served JCF last year as a retreat coordinator and this year will be serving on the prayer and
encouragement team. You can contact her with the following information.
E-mail - estkwilliams@yahoo.co.uk
Telephone - 026-274-3545
Tara Lowe, non-JET
See above (Tara is also a retreat coordinator).
Christine Mawdsley, 2nd yr.
Hello! I’m Christine Mawdsley, a Scottish 2nd year SHS ALT. Please feel free to contact me for any
reason, we always need prayer and encouragement and sometimes just to speak English. Looking
forward to speaking to you soon. Much love and prayers, Christine :)
Email - christinem@jp-t.ne.jp
Telephone - (042)966 3594
ONLINE ANNOUNCEMENTS
Jennifer Toews, 2nd yr.
Jennifer is your information connection to JCF. She manages and maintains a JCF listserve and sends
out announcements on a regular basis. Please contact her or the NC if you have any information that
you would like to pass on to the rest of the JCF members!
E-mail - jtoes_@hotmail.com
Telephone - 0241-45-2644
JCF WEB-PAGE
Daniel Byrne, 2nd yr.
Hey all, I am Dan Byrne. I am from Wisconsin in the States and trying to keep on top of the web page
this year. If you have any suggestions for it, please, by all means, suggest them. My vision for the
website is that is would be a good resource for all of us in Japan to share God’s love with those around
us. Since I am not going on any trips until later in the summer, I actually have time to make the site
nice and helpful to you all. Check it out at
Www.ajetonline.org/jcf/
E-mail - dan@danandjean.com
Telephone - 087-582-5447
NEWSLETTER EDITOR
Jean Byrne, non-JET
Hi everyone! My name is Jean Byrne and I’m responsible for the newsletter this year. I’m not actually
a JET, but my husband is on the JET program. I stay at home and play with our baby, Elizabeth Aiko,
all day. Well, I do some tutoring and teach a Western Cooking class also. But playing with Aiko is
more fun, of course. So please feel free to contact me any time if you know about any cool Christian
events going on around Japan, or send me some articles about things God is doing in your life, or an
encouraging scripture, or thoughts on world issues… Or if you just need a listening ear, I’m home all
day! I look forward to hearing from many of you!
E-mail - jean@danandjean.com
Telephone - 087-582-5447
Mail - 45-2 Shin, Nio-cho, Mitoyo-gun, Kagawa-ken 769-1406
WORSHIP CO-ORDINATOR
Eddie Ramos, 2nd yr.
If you need to get your hands on some music and/or chords for JCF or other events, get in touch with
Eddie. He has a selection of music on file for your use. You can reach him with the following
information:
E-mail - er2japan@yahoo.com
Telephone - 0296-78-1161
TAPE LIBRARIAN
Kathryn O’Reilly, 2nd yr.
Hello, I am Kathryn O’Reilly and I am this year’s JCF tape librarian. I have already been greatly
blessed by these tapes (when I am not screaming in horror because I have just spilled a couple of
hundred all over my floor) and so I would strongly recommend that you borrow some to listen to. They
are a great resource because you can listen to them intently with your bible open in front of you while
taking detailed notes, or you can just listen to them while you are doing something else – the washing
up or whatever. Sometimes in Japan we can become a bit isolated, without a church or Christian friends
nearby. Listening to these tapes is a good way to keep focused on Jesus. You can also share them with
your friends, if you want to copy them and give them away that is fine because that’s what it’s all
about, spreading the word. Just, please, don’t make copies of the copyrighted tapes, CDs and videos.
Please see page 16 for further information on how to get tapes!
E-mail - jcftapes@hotmail.com
Telephone - 075 952 8720 (ext 227)
Mail - Apt. 227, 10-10 Tomo oka 3 Chome, Nagaokakyo-shi, Kyoto-fu 617-0843
- Page Four - Page Five -
BOOK LIBRARIAN
Amanda Hatzistamatis, 2nd yr.
Hello everybody! I am your friendly new book librarian! For those of you who are in their first year
with JCF, I would highly recommend that you use the book library. For those of you who are
returning, if you haven稚 yet used the library, what are you waiting for? There are hundreds of great
books to choose from! I have updated the book list so I would suggest that everybody request for a
new list. Many books were added and dropped. Please see page 16 for my book recommendations!
My contact information is as follows:
Email - jcfbooks@hotmail.com
Telephone - 0866-52-4767
Mail - 713-1-101 Shimoazae, Hokubo-cho, Jobo-gun, Okayama-ken 716-1433
MISSIONARY LIAISONS
Jim & Mariana Nesbitt, non-JET
Hi! We’re Jim and Mariana Nesbitt, your missionary liaisons for JCF. We’ve been serving in this
position for a number of years now. Please see our article entitled Frustrating Joys on pages 9-10
for a bit of an introduction for those of you who are new to JCF.
E-mail - jim-mariana@omf.net
Telephone We still need a new data-base co-ordinator and a second worship co-ordinator. There is also space
for 1 or 2 more people on the prayer and encouragement team. Please contact Kandace Shaw if you
are interested!
CALLING TO ANYONE IN GENERAL TOKYO AREA!!
Hello! This is Tara Lowe. I along with Jenn Osteen are helping out as retreat coordinators for JCF
this year!
I am writing because we are trying to find out about a facility for the fall. We were thinking of trying
to find a cheaper facility and something closer to Tokyo.
I was informed about a retreat held down south. They used a national youth center "seinen no ie". It
was very cheap. They paid like 3500 yen from Friday night dinner to Sunday breakfast. So we thought
it sounded like we should look into this situation.
The problem is it is difficult to find out about them. That is why I am emailing! I want to ask if the
people in the Tokyo area (including a wide radius around--maybe a feesible train ride from a central
area), could ask their BOA about information about these national youth centers. It is the facility that
your students go to when they go on a school trip. There are two levels:the "seinen no ie", which is the
national youth center or the prefectural youth center, called "shizen no ie".
BOOKS GALORE!
Amanda Hatzistamatis, Book Librarian
I have already read many of the books so it’s hard to
narrow down what to recommend. They have all been
pretty good. If you haven’t yet read a Frank E. Peretti
book, you should start now. They are really good. This
Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness were my
favorites. They are about spiritual warfare and the
effectiveness of prayer. They were very hard books to
put down.
Another great read was Letters From a Skeptic by Boyd
and Boyd. This book is about a father who was an
unbeliever who wrote letters to his Christian son asking
questions about the Christian religion. It is a great book
because it asks many of the difficult questions that
many Christians get asked on a regular basis. It offers
clear and concise answers to most of those questions.
Sometimes the answers were a little vague (in my
opinion) but overall they were good responses that we
If you’re looking for more of a theology book that’s not
can use on a daily basis.
too hard to understand, Mere Christianity by C. S.
Lewis would be a good book. I am currently reading These were just a few of the many good books that the
that right now and it is fascinating. It offers me a library has to offer. If you have any questions about
different way of viewing things that I never thought of any of the books, feel free to contact me. I am also an
before. It also gives good explanations for questions avid reader so if you just feel like calling me up and
that I just took for granted. Since C. S. Lewis used to discussing books, that’s great too! I’m looking forward
be an atheist, he can offer an argument that would be to hearing from a lot of you soon! God Bless.
hard to come up with if you have never held that view
before.
The tape library has become what it is today because of
the donations and support from JCF members. If you
The whole process of borrowing tapes is a lot simpler have any music, video, sermon (labeled with title and
than what you might suppose. This isUSING
how theTHE
TapeTAPE
speaker)
tapes to share, please send them my way.
LIBRARY
Library works: SERMON/MESSAGE
tapes O’Reilly,
will be They
always appreciated. I have noticed that the
Kathryn
Tapeare
Librarian
copied and are yours to keep or pass on. Please send the music section of the tape library is really quite tragic.
category, name of tape and number, speaker's name, Please send some decent music my way – anything
along with your name and address to me. Payment is from after 1988 will definitely not be in the library
not required to use the Tape Library, but I would like to already.
ask you to reimburse the cost of the blank tapes and
In past years, many JCF members have felt
postage. This is approximately \300 for the first tape
overwhelmed by the selection of tapes and did not
and \200 for each additional tape. I can record the
recognize the names of the speakers. For that reason,
sermons on 120 minute tapes, so you can usually get at
Coretta compiled a JCF Sermon Sampler. It is a 60least two to three sermons on one tape- what a bargain!
minute tape with 5 to 10 minute cuts from nine
Because of the weights of coins it is difficult to return
different sermons. I hope that by listening to it you
change, so please keep this in mind when making your
might find a speaker or two that you like the sound of
orders. You may also send your payment in stamps.
and will then request some of their sermons from the
For copyright reasons, MUSIC tapes (and a few library. If you would like to receive a copy of the JCF
SERMON/MESSAGE tapes that are indicated) are Sermon Sampler, please contact me. If you have any
available for loan only. Send the name of the artist and questions about any tapes or would like some help in
title you would like to borrow, along with the cost of selecting one, please don't hesitate to contact me. I
postage. It may be easier to send stamps, but it's up to would be glad to help.
you. Postage is approximately as follows: 1=\190;
I look forward to hearing from you soon!
2=\270; 3=\270; 4=\390. You may borrow up to four
tapes at one time for two weeks, to allow the tapes to -JCF does not necessarily endorse all the views
circulate widely.
expressed in the tapes of this library.-
If you could let me know as soon as you can. THANK YOU!!!
Contact myself or Jenn Osteen:
Tara Lowe, 027-387-9578, tllaughalot@hotmail.com
Jenn Osteen, 0246-24-5437, osteenjennifer@hotmail.com
- Page Six -
- Page Seven -
FRUSTRATING JOYS
Jim Nesbitt, Missionary Liaison
JETs find life both tough and fun. You’ve been
challenged and stretched by living in a new
culture. Many things – cars, computers, the CD
players, much of the music, fashion and more –
are familiar shapes, sounds and brands; it’s just
like back home. But it isn’t home. These things
are just skin-deep.
There are MacDonald’s at
every eki exit, KFC, Starbucks and Mr. Donuts –
but there’s also natto, raw eggs, dried squid and
grilled eels. Roads are narrower than driveways,
and communication with almost everyone is a
battle. It’s like being a baby again – you can’t
speak, you’re on a steep learning curve in how
and what to eat, how to get about, how to take a
bath, even. You’re lonely in the crowded streets,
buses and trains and here are few friends, fewer
Christians with whom you can sit down and share
your frustrations, fears, discouragement and the
joys and encouragement. Just what has God done
in bringing you here?
You’ve found that Japanese are the same but
different. There’s loneliness, fear and rebellion.
There’s a longing for love and acceptance.
There’s anger and sensitivity. But how these are
expressed and shared is not what you expect.
And more different than anything are the ideas,
attitudes, values of Japanese colleagues, students
and friends. There are times when you even got
to share your faith in Jesus directly; but did you
connect? Did it register?
Back in last century (!), Mariana & I had 12 years
as OMF missionaries, 10 of them in Japan. We
went back to South Africa to lecture at a
theological college. I enjoyed it, but soon it came
to an end and the Lord very clearly gave me a job
back in business. It was hard leaving full-time
ministry. But in my new job, the next few years
were fun, exciting, great. Then things, people
changed and it became hard, unpleasant. Just
when I was looking for a change OMF wrote,
inviting us back to Japan. “Thank you Lord!”, we
said. In our time back here, I’ve found that every
responsibility, all the experiences I had in those
11 years out of OMF have very directly and
specifically equipped me for the role I have
fulfilled since returning to the mission and to
Japan. We didn’t realize it clearly at the time but
God had his hand on us in a very personal,
purposeful way. Your time in Japan as JETs is
limited – but you can be sure that our Lord is just
as lovingly committed to you.
In the meantime, what? Your experiences now
are uniquely equipping you for an important
ministry. The whole church of God has a
responsibility to be involved in missions. Some
of us are missionaries, but all churches, Christians
should share in the burden and support the
ministry. Because of your experience living in
another culture, you have a parallel experience to
missionaries.
Your battles with the food,
language, thought-patterns and life-styles are
theirs. Your prayers will be much more insightful
and specific than those of your family and
Christian friends, even than those of pastors, who
have never had the challenge of long-term living
overseas. They may have been tourists, but that
doesn’t cut it. It’s day-to-day, month-to-month
living that shows you where the pressure-points
are, that exposes the spiritual opposition and
hardness, that celebrates the successes in living
and sharing Christ.
your town or prefecture? Get their prayer letters,
pray for them. Dig deeper, email them, get
alongside them. And pray. God doesn’t see it as a
fringe activity, an optional extra. Why, we don’t
know, but he makes us his partners, and works with
and through us as we pray. How to pray? One
writer suggested a six-day week for missionary
praying. Maybe you could use it as a template to
structure your involvement:
•Monday: Inner life and growth. For spiritual
disciplines. For confidence in God’s sovereignty
when things go wrong. For God’s mighty touch in
relieving stress.
•Tuesday: Relationships. With their partner and
children, with co-workers, with unbelievers, and
with authorities in the country.
•Wednesday: Special needs in a foreign culture.
Mastering the language. Defense against
loneliness, homesickness, frustration. Insights into
how to communicate the truth. God’s sovereign
working in government decisions and policies.
•Thursday: Ministry. For Christ to be manifested
through their lives day by day. For God to
empower them for their work. For His blessing on
their evangelism, discipling, and church
responsibilities. For their specific area of
service, such as administration, nursing,
doctoring.
•Friday: The nitty-gritty. Physical health.
Financial provision. Coping with red tape. Wise
use of time. For strength and faith in trials. That
they will take adequate time for exercise,
relaxation, sports, hobbies, vacation.
•Saturday: Victory. Against Satan as he seeks to
keep people blinded to the gospel and thwart the
growth of believers.
What’s next? The answer to that is not, “Who
knows?” but “God knows!” Maybe he has
already shown you whether you’re staying on in
Japan for another year, going for further study,
teaching or working wherever. Maybe you’re
considering options, plans. What is certain is
that God knows and guides very lovingly. In his
goodness, the past year has helped shape you as
his growing child. Because of it, you are better
equipped to show by your life how great he is.
And you are better able to partner with him in
building his church, both in direct ministry and
prayer for its growth. Wow!
(You can write to us at jim-mariana@omf.net)
Is your church at home supporting missionaries
elsewhere, maybe Asia, even Japan? Have you
met any in
NEEDED: National JCF Database Coordinator
*Maintains the JCF Database.
*Prints and sends mailing lists for newsletters, retreat information.
*Sends out information about JCF to those who are interested.
Except for Aug/Sept, when new JETS arrive, time commitment is minimal.
Access to a computer and printer is necessary. Access 97 is provided.
If you are interested, contact Kandace Shaw at (0857) 31-6230.
- Page Nine - Page Eight -
GOD, OPEN MY EYES TO SEE
By: Tara Lowe
I am a new Christian. I was baptized in February
2001. God has been working in me!! Since being in
Japan, God has opened my EYES to many wonders
of His plan. I guess I will start at the beginning of
how I came to Japan…
know how I am fully serving God at my schools,
I realize I have about 1000 staff and students that
I get to pray for each week! Praise God! Only
God can do the work, but it is exciting to be a
small part of the big plan. I am praying for God to
truly open my EYES to SEE how I can better
How did I end up in Japan? Well, interesting story.
serve Him on a daily basis and show love to my
For some reason God placed this desire on my
brothers and sisters around me.
heart to come to Japan to teach English, even
though at that time, I didn’t know it was from God. God has taught me many things in Japan so far.
So for the past three or four years, I have had it in God has served to use being in Japan to corner
my head that I wanted to come. I applied for the me and truly help me to HEAR His voice, to
JET program, and I was declined. I thought, ‘that’s change my heart and desires, to create desire in
it, I guess I am not going, God has told me.’ me to want MORE. I want MORE in my FAITH,
Despite persisting friends and family who insisted I in my relationship with GOD, in how I serve
should find any way to go to Japan (as they had God, in my relationship with others, in my life
heard me talking about Japan for years now), I and certainly my future. My desires are no longer
thought God told me to give it up to Him and mine…what I desire more than anything is to
accept that it was not in His plan to come. So I did serve God. Nothing else matters to me. My
that. I was just finishing university and I had no relationship with God has deepened and He has
idea what was next. I was praying a lot. I was also shown me many things.
unemployed. I waited on the Lord. Then I saw this
Golden week, I had the privilege and honor to be
sign at my university. I prayed about it, but I was
involved with God in a project. I went with a
not sure. Finally, I felt it was okay to look into this
team of other ALT’s with Habitat for Humanity
job opportunity. My interview was very brief and I
to Sri Lanka. As far as my knowledge before
got the job! I was amazed to see that God opened
leaving, I was the only Christian on the trip. I was
up the doors and now I see for some reason He
somewhat nervous before I left BUT God used
wanted me in Yoshii.
me! It was amazing. I saw His wonderful work all
Since coming to Japan, I have faced a few around me for those 10 days. Everywhere I went,
obstacles with my staff at my schools. At this God blessed me with opportunities to share HIS
moment, I am not sure why God has brought me to LOVE, to share my testimony with my team and
Japan to teach English. I see how He has brought people in Sri Lanka. I also met wonderful
other things into my path and I may never know the Christians in Sri Lanka and God created deep,
whole story. I know God is good all the time and instant connections…I felt I met my brothers and
every little detail of our lives is part of His sisters in Sri Lanka. I was touched and moved by
wonderful plan. I am very thankful for the the people. Most people do not have much at all,
struggles, as I know God is working in me, sparse items in their houses, a few chairs if they
molding me, changing me into the woman He are fortunate, a table, no running water, few
intends me to be and possibly using me in ways I clothes, and yet they openly
am unaware of. Although I really don’t
invite you to their home, offer you tea, food even if
they had to borrow the food from their neighbor. The
people looked at you, not into your eyes, but into
your heart. They smiled at you, really smiled. Even
if we couldn’t speak English fluently, we would
sing, or dance together. The whole ten days, God
filled my heart with joy and His love poured out of
my mouth in songs. I was singing from morning to
night. When I first arrived, I turned to God and I said
‘this is for you LORD’. I don’t care if everyone on
this trip hates me or rejects me, I want to serve You
and I give this time to You. I was not prepared I
don’t know a lot of scripture to share along with my
testimony and I am a baby Christian! I don’t even
know all the words to many Christian songs to
sing…But God used my inadequacies. In my
weakness, He stepped in and through His wonderful
work; He created many opportunities to share His
love to people in Sri Lanka, and to the people on the
trip. Everywhere I went, people felt the presence of
the Holy Spirit. I am sure most didn’t understand and
wondered what was going on. There was so much
energy. And the way people looked at me…IT WAS
GOD. Not me of course.
One time we went to this Tamil community. A group
of Catholic high school girls went with us to see this
community. In Sri Lanka most of the population are
Sinalese and speak Sinhala, maybe twenty percent
are Tamil and speak Tamil. The fighting in this
country has been between these two cultures.
English is used as a bridge to communicate. These
people were the poor of the poor in this city. So,
needless to say, this group probably faces prejudice
among other issues. In this community there were
140 families. Before Habitat for Humanity started
working on this project, at this refugee type camp of
houses, for those 140 families, there were only five
toilets. Many of the ‘houses’ were made of mud, or
scrap materials, leaning up
against other ‘houses’. It was heart breaking
to see. This community lives by picking
through garbage; there are problems with child
prostitution, abuse, alcohol, and drugs. The
people were wearing shabby clothes, they
were dirty…there were mounds of garbage all
around. The instant we got there…my heart
went to the children. I didn’t do anything. God
looked through me to them…then before I
knew it a small crowd of children began
following me through the tour. We had only
went there to see this community, to see the
living conditions and maybe to serve to
encourage the people. All I did was smile at
them, I reached out and shook their hands,
many couldn’t speak much English, but they
could introduce themselves. They were so
thirsty for LOVE! There was such sadness in
their eyes. I felt God spoke to them through
my smile and touch. When we went to leave,
they were still crowded around me. As it
seemed everywhere I went my group had to
literally drag me back into the van. The
children were reaching into the window to
touch my hand. Some of them said, ‘Are you a
Christian?’ I said ‘YES!’ Some said, ‘I am
too!’ I was floored. I said nothing of my faith.
I did not do anything to initiate them to say
that, God brought them to me. Although my
time was brief with these children, I know they
experienced Gods love through my touch, and
God used me to look into their hearts. I did not
see their clothes, or dirty faces, I saw perfect,
beautiful children of God. God is amazing.
Just to let you know, up to date, Habitat for
Humanity has received enough funding to
build 70 houses. They were not finished those
houses yet, when I was there, but some of the
families finally were able to live in adequate
housing.
- Page Ten - Page Eleven -
GOD, OPEN MY EYES TO SEE
-continued from page twelve
In Sri Lanka, we were involved with many youth
groups in the area that came to volunteer with us
while we were building the houses. We worked
with a boy’s orphanage, Catholic and Anglican
youth groups and the Catholic girls school. I have
heard recent reports that the Catholic girls school
has gathered clothes to give to the Tamil
community and the boys orphanage. The
Anglican youth group has organized a talent night
to fund raise money to build three houses. Last
year the girl’s school fund raised all year and
collected enough money to build one house. As it
turned out, one of the girls in the group was in
need and Habitat for Humanity ended up issuing
the house to her family. I am amazed that these
servants have nothing, yet are willing to help
others in their community. I saw God working Sri
Lanka. This organization worked on building up
the community, not just building one house and
then leaving the family on their own. They also
served to involve others in the community to
volunteer and fund raise to help improve the
living conditions of their neighbors. We love
because He first loved us!
I have many other stories about Sri Lanka…at
Okutama I was able to share Gods work with
those there. I felt compelled to share with you as
well. The stories are God’s work; they are not my
stories to hold onto. I wanted to share also I am
praying about leading a team next year. I am
asking for your prayer support on this. I don’t
know why God brought this experience in Sri
Lanka across my path. All I know is I felt so
alive, my heart felt so touched and LOVED, most
of all, it felt so right to SERVE GOD in some
small way. All I desire to do is to share HIS
LOVE with our brothers and sisters in all nations.
I
don’t care what country, or what we do, but I just
desire to SERVE GOD MORE. I went to Sri
Lanka, thinking I would be bringing something to
the people there, yet I left with more blessings and
love than I could have imagined. Please pray about
a trip next year. I also ask you pray about the fall
retreat. We desire to help connect more Christians
in Japan. One way we felt may help is to find a
more convenient location, closer to Tokyo, so
perhaps traveling will be easier and also to find a
cheaper facility. Please pray God will provide a
location and God will bring those He wishes to be
there to build up Christian fellowship in Japan.
Well, so much for a short introduction! Just wait
until you hear my testimony!! (I’ll share at some
other time). All I have to say is Praise God! I pray
that you have a wonderful summer, whether you
are leaving Japan or staying here. I hope I get to
meet more of you this upcoming year. Please
contact me anytime with prayer requests, I am
always here to talk, listen, pray, laugh with or cry
with…just ask!! Please contact me if you feel God
is calling you to be involved in a trip next year. I
pray you may seek God’s face each day, dig into
the WORD, and place God’s words on your heart
so they may flow from your mouth in order to build
others up and share HIS GLORIOUS LOVE. May
you rest in the knowledge that His loving hand is
there in front of you, waiting to lead, guide and
direct you on this wonderful journey He has
planned for all of us, to take you each step of the
way—all you need to do is reach up and take it.
May God richly bless you.
- Page Twelve -
A RESPONSE TO THE BIBLE AND PACIFISM
Casey Carmical, Nagano City
the
Old
An article appeared in the May/June 2002 edition of Prophets...Throughout
JCF News written in response to my article about Testament...when necessary, He commanded
Christianity and Pacifism from a previous edition. them to war, but Christ came to bring a
There is an obvious
The authors presented their case against my teaching of love."
argument, and so I feel it would be appropriate to contradiction here which they have completely
offer a counter-rebuttal. One of the purposes of JCF missed. Namely, if Christ commanded the
News is to be a "forum for discussion and Israelites to go to war "when necessary," then
He cannot be a pacifist by any stretch of the
meditation."
word. I challenge the pacifist to come up with
The authors, Matthew Harrison and Catherine a biblically sound harmonization of the Old
Sinclair, put a lot of effort into their response, but I and New Testaments.
still disagree with them and would like to point out
in love the contradictions caused by their position. I believe that self-defense is justified. The
The non-pacifist easily harmonizes the Old and New authors say that Jesus rebuked Peter when He
Testaments, but the pacifist must harmonize them by said, "...for all who draw the sword die by the
coming to one of the following heretical sword" (Mat. 26:52). I do not see that as a
rebuke but a warning, because they were
conclusions:
outnumbered. Jesus' next comment was, "Do
1. The Old Testament God is not God
you think I cannot call on my Father, and he
will at once put at my disposal more than
2. God has changed or evolved into a God of love
twelve legions of angels?" In fact, just
3. Humans have evolved and can now be held to moments before Jesus had said, "But now if
God's law of love
you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if
The first is heresy, because Jesus claimed to be the you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and
God of the Old Testament. If the God of the OT is buy one..." The disciples said, "See, Lord, here
not God, then Jesus is not God and Christianity is not are two swords." "That is enough," he replied.
true. The second contradicts Scripture, because the Governments vs. Individuals
Bible says Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and
forevermore. Furthermore, a God that changes is The authors further attempt to hold the
unstable and unworthy of our trust. The final government to the same standards as
position eliminates the need for a Savior, because if individuals. On the other hand, Paul instructs
God ever accepted less than perfect, then He could people not to seek their own revenge, but to
do the same now. But God is holy and cannot even "give place to wrath." Paul then explains that
the proper channel for wrath is the "governing
look upon evil (Habakkuk 1:13).
authorities."
To their credit, Matthew and Catherine did not
appear to adhere to any of the above positions. I said before that the non-pacifist can
Instead, they simply ignored the issue all together harmonize the Old and New Testaments
(perhaps a fourth option). They say, "...no war is easily. This is because the principles of love
justifiable, except one where God has directly and forgiveness are found in the Old
Testament. To harmonize the two,
commanded us through his
- Page Thirteen -
A RESPONSE TO THE BIBLE AND PACIFISM
-continued from page thirteen
one need only realize the audience of each of the
commands. Jesus did not bring new teachings; He
only clarified the old ones. The command to not
avail oneself of "an-eye-for-an-eye" is not a strictly
New Testament concept. Many falsely presume
that this is a New Testament teaching which
opposes Old Testament teachings. However, the
command to avoid personal vengeance was just as
applicable to Old Testament believers as to us. "Do
not say, 'I will do to him just as he has done to me;
I will render to the man according to his work"
(Prov. 24:29).
Also, "You shall not take
vengeance, nor bear any grudge but you shall love
your neighbor as yourself "(Lev.19:18). The
government is the "place" for wrath and
vengeance:
Let every soul be subject to the governing
authorities... For rulers are not a terror to good
works, but to evil. Rom. 13:1, 3
themselves, the government does. Believers
forgive, governments execute. So, if the
governing authorities are to obey God, they
must not bear the sword in vain but execute
wrath on the criminal, for they are God's
minister to avenge and bring terror on him who
practices evil.
Sermon on the Mount
The Sermon on the Mount (Mat. 5-7) does not
lay down rules for governments but principles
for an upright heart. In this very sermon Jesus
made the distinction between individuals and
governments:
"Agree with your adversary quickly, while you
are on the way with him, lest your adversary
deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you
over to the officer, and you be thrown into
prison. Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no
means get out of there till you have paid the last
penny." Mat. 5:25-26
Godly rulers are a terror to evil doers. Note that
God's two witnesses in Revelation "tormented
those who dwell on the earth" (Rev. 11:10).
Jesus did not tell the judge or the officer to turn
the other cheek or to void the law. God wants
the governing authorities to uphold the law
without mercy (Heb. 10:28; Rom. 13:3-4).
God through Paul specifically commands earthly
governments to execute evildoers with the sword:
With the following words, did Jesus repeal
God's law that He referred to:
For [the governing authority] is God's minister to
you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he
does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's
minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who
practices evil. Rom. 13:4
"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an
eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you...
whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the
other to him also" (Mat. 5:38-39).
A sword is not used for scourging but for killing.
Paul instructs believers to "not avenge" themselves,
"but rather give place to wrath." Governments are
the place for wrath for they are "God's minister, an
avenger to execute wrath." Individuals have one
role, governments have another. Individuals do not
avenge
"You have heard that it was said to those of old,
'You shall not murder...' But I say to you..." Mat.
5:21-22
"You have heard that it was said to those of old,
`You shall not commit adultery...' But I say to
you..." Mat. 5:27-28
The punishment side of God's criminal justice
system in the Mosaic Law is directed to
governments who were commanded to execute
the criminals, it was not directed to individuals.
Thus, individuals who used these laws to justify
their own lack of forgiveness were misapplying
the law. Jesus here repealed neither the
prohibitions against murder and adultery nor the
command to love your neighbor. Rather, He was
correcting misinterpretations. Thus, in the same
way Christ was not repealing "an eye for an
eye" but explaining the right heart attitude of a
believer.
Jesus did not, as Matthew and Catherine claim,
"defeat the old law." The Bible says that "Jesus
Christ is the same yesterday, today, and
forevermore" (Heb. 13:8). So why would He
come to defeat the law that He Himself gave?
That is certainly contrary to the Bible's
teachings, since Christ cannot change. In fact,
Jesus Himself said, "Do not think that I came to
destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come
to destroy but to fulfill" (Mat. 5:17).
Matthew and Catherine come to the conclusion
that the US government should turn the other
cheek, "whether or not the Taliban are interested
in war," and that this will "solve the conflict." But
the Bible says that showing mercy to the wicked
does not produce repentance. As Isaiah wrote:
Let grace be shown to the wicked, yet he will not
learn righteousness... Isa. 26:10
And as the proverb states:
A man of great wrath will suffer punishment; for
if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.
Prov. 19:19
How can we follow David's example and pray for
justice while at the same time following God's
command to love our enemies and pray for our
persecutors? The answer lies in the realization
that there is more to human life than this world.
We can pray for our enemies to be brought to
justice, but we must also pray for their eternal
salvation.
References
Harrison, Matthew and Catherine Sinclair. The
Bible and Pacifism, in JCF News, Volume 15,
Issue 6. May-June 2002, pp. 4-7.
New King James Bible. Thomas Nelson, Inc.,
1982.
If Christ here repealed "An eye for an eye," as
some suppose, did He at the same time repeal
the other Mosaic laws that He mentioned in the
exact same manner? Few would even begin to
argue that He did. Jesus used the words "You
have heard... But I say unto you..." to show the
personal application of the laws on murder and
adultery. He said:
Note from the Editor:
It is great that there is such diversity in the church of Christ. JCF has members from all different
backgrounds, churches and denominations. It’s certain that in such a diverse group there are going
to be many different outlooks and opinions. I’m glad that the newsletter can be a place for
discussion and thought. I hope also, that on some issues we can agree to disagree and let the Holy
Spirit guide the consciences of his followers.
- Page Fourteen -
- Page Fifteen -
PURIFICATION
Jean Byrne, Newsletter Editor
“Then he said to them all, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up
their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose
their life for my sake will save it.’” Luke 9:23-24 (NRSV)
At our core, all of us are inherently selfish, aren’t
we? The Christian life is really just a purification
process of God pulling the sin and selfishness out
of us and filling us with himself. I’ve found it to
be an often painful process. I would rather push
the sin down and suppress it, but God would rather
pull it out entirely – causing me to come face to
face with my sin and see how disgusting it is. But
the pain is good because as I trust God, he extracts
the sin and takes it away completely.
It took me a long time after realizing the
significance of Luke 9:23-24 to trust myself to
God’s lead. I was (and am) selfish, and I wanted
what was best for me. I thought I knew better than
anyone else what that was. God’s ideas didn’t
seem to match mine, so maybe he didn’t know or
want what was best for me? Did he truly love me?
And if he did, why? I knew deep inside that I
certainly wasn’t worthy of God’s love. I found
myself working so hard to please God, trying to
make myself worthy and still feeling that I fell
short. Of course I fell short! That was why Jesus
came in the first place. “…Through him (Jesus)
God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things,
whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace
through the blood of his cross (Colossians 1:20
NRSV).” God doesn’t love me because I am
worthy, but because it pleases him – he wants to!
That simple, yet startling revelation was one of the
most freeing moments of my life. I could be free
to be me and to fail at times. I could be free to
forgive myself because I was forgiven and loved
not based on my goodness or how much I punished
myself by feeling bad after I’d done something
wrong. I could be free to offer the
same grace to others. And I could be free to trust
God because he did, after all, love me and desire
the best for me.
What a ride it’s been, letting God lead my life
instead of trying to plan it myself! It has been
full of surprises. I went to college planning to go
to med school and then, hopefully, head to Africa
or some third world country to practice as a
medical missionary. I also thought it might be
nice to meet someone and get married soon after
college – perhaps a guy also planning to do
medical missions. But in April of my senior year
of college, I got my last rejection letter from med
school, had the door closed on two possible
relationships, and had no real idea of what to do
after I graduated. I read Luke 9:23-24 and after
much internal conflict, wrote on a notecard, “For
your man, your profession, your future, Lord, I
will wait.” (I still have that card in my Bible as a
reminder.)
Little by little God has been revealing his plans
for me. I went home after college and got a temp
job until God led me to grad school at OSU to
study Public Health. While I was in grad school,
I began corresponding more with a guy friend
from college, Dan Byrne, who was teaching
English in China. When he returned to the US,
we started courting and got married on July 7,
2001. Interestingly, he was one of the doors that
had been closed in college that I referred to
earlier. Three weeks after the wedding, we left
for a year teaching English in Japan (definitely
not a third world country) and around the same
time found out that we were going to have a
honeymoon baby! Elizabeth Aiko
was born on March 30, 2002 – exactly 39 weeks
from our wedding day! God is continuing to
purify me in my new role as a mother. There
never was a role that demanded more selflessness
and love than a parent. I have much to learn.
So, my life isn’t exactly how I planned it – but it
is good! I’ve stopped making plans for myself
now. When people ask when I’m coming back to
the States or what I’ll be doing then, I tell them,
when God lets me know, I’ll let you know. I used
to say this with a sigh and a bit of resentment (for
not being able to make my own plans for my life),
but now it is a bit exciting. What will God do
next? I don’t know. But I know that if I take up
my cross daily and follow him, he will lead me
beside still waters and restore my soul.
RUN WITH YOUR HEART!
I Corinthians 9: 24-27
Jennifer L. Osteen, Retreat Coordinator
What does it mean to run the race? To run the
race with all your might, to run the race with
perseverance?
Do you run the race weak, half-heartedly, or
aimlessly? Or do you run the race with all your
might, with all your heart, with perseverance?
I am a runner and for me I Corinthians 9: 24-27
describes perfectly the way we should strive to
live our life for Him.
It takes a dedicated and disciplined person to run
a flawless race. And even then a flawless race
may never happen. Like races where we may
stumble and fall, we all have obstacles that we
must overcome. There are times when we are
hurting and in such pain, that we barely have the
strength to carry on, let alone breathe. But deep
inside, we pull through; we push forward with
perseverance because we know that our brothers
and sisters in Japan and all over the world are
doing the same (1 Peter 5:9). And let us not forget
the crown, which awaits us at the finish line.
I remember I first heard this passage back in high
school on my Cross Country (XC) team. I was
just finding my faith then. I thought it was “cool”
that the Bible made reference to racing. There
was something special about that phrase. From
that moment, I made a commitment to myself to
run every practice and every race in such a way
as to get the prize.
That commitment carried on through college.
Every practice and every race I would run in such
a way as to get the prize.
It was only after my XC competitions were over
that I realized there was something more to this
passage. Before, I was running for the crown, the
crown that I could take home and put on my
shelf. It was now time to run the race to get the
crown that would last forever. Everyone is in this
race. Everyone runs the race.
So run your life in such a way as to get the prize.
“Live each day to do your part to make one
difference, to touch one heart. And through each
day may it be your goal to encourage one mind
and inspire one soul. Spend your days wisely in
all that you do – caring and living for Him.”
(Anonymous)
Do this so that when you do cross that finish line
you will get that crown…the one that lasts
forever.
But it is up to you on HOW you run the race.
- Page Sixteen -
- Page Seventeen -