March 2001

Dear Friends,

Lenten Greetings to you as we prepare for the first Easter celebration of the new century. My first Sunday in Lent, 2001, was spent in a different place than usual. A few weeks ago, I was invited to participate in an international forum on child-rearing. As the forum was in a nearby town, I attended worship in that town before going to the forum. There were over one hundred persons gathered to think about the problems of raising children in Japan, Russia, England, and the United States. I emphasized the importance of loving your children even if you do not approve of their behavior.

In less than three months I am planning to leave for an interpretation assignment in the United States. I expect to visit several congregations of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) during the months of June, July, and August. I hope to see many of you at that time. My base will be Austin, Texas, and later I will let you know the address and telephone number where I can be reached in Austin.

I have now been serving as chaplain at Izumi No Sono (Garden of the Spring) retirement center for twenty-one months. Sharing in the lives of these people, the great majority past eighty but none over a hundred years old, is encouraging to me as I near my own retirement age. The care workers at Izumi No Sono are really good, and there are many kinds of events for the residents throughout the year. My main work is leading the three chapel services each week at the center, but I also have opportunities to preach for Sunday worship in churches near and far. This month, for example, before attending a missionary conference near Mt. Fuji, I am planning to preach at a church near there which is pastored by one of my friends who was formerly a pastor in Kyushu.

Currently we have one hundred residents in the full-care center of Izumi No Sono and fifty in the assisted living apartments. There are several nurses serving full-time on the staff, but the doctors only come once or twice a week. In the near future we are planning to buy a large piece of land adjacent to our current property, and one of the dreams for that property is a small clinic with a doctor serving full-time. The first plan for this new land, however, is a group home for older adults who are emotionally challenged.

Izumi No Sono grew out of the local congregation of the United Church of Christ in Japan (Kyodan). Before that, Grace Nursery School had also been started by Nakatsu church, and the three organizations work closely together. Right now Grace Nursery School is planning to relocate and rebuild, since their current location is to become part of a city park. A suitable location seems to be working out, but raising enough money for the actual construction will be a challenge. I would appreciate your prayers for Izumi No Sono and Grace as they begin these building programs.

May you have a blessed Lent and Eastertide. I see by the calendar that I should be spending Pentecost Sunday in Austin, Texas, this year. Perhaps some later time in the summer, I will have a chance to visit with you also.

God bless you richly,

Priscilla Abbott

The 2001 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 185