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December 1999
Dear Friends,
Greetings. I hope this finds you doing well and enjoying the
Christmas season. It’s hard for me to believe I’ve been
in language school for nearly four months already. Though I have
discovered I have a lot to learn, I am also enjoying being a student
again. The school I attend, Japan Missionary Language Institute
(JMLI), specializes in providing missionaries with language skills
for their work in Japan. We’re a small student body, but
represent an assortment of denominational and linguistic backgrounds.
Though we are primarily there to study, we also have chapel together
once a week and plan fun activities together to make student life
more enjoyable. This October, I became one of the student representatives
for JMLI. It has been fun, as I am given the opportunity to work
with the administration in planning special events for all of
us attending the school.
This summer, I had the privilege of attending the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.)’s orientation program for new mission personnel,
held in Chicago and Louisville, Kentucky, in conjunction with
several other denominations. We were a big group of about 120
people and I was surprised to find so many young people among
them. The focus of this orientation program was on cultural sensitivity
and the building of relationships among people within one’s
country of assignment. Part of this involved visits to various
religious groups as well as to churches involved in a variety
of ministry types to give us some exposure and understanding of
ministry in a cross-cultural situation. I enjoyed my time there,
particularly in getting to know people and sharing with them my
own experiences in cross-cultural mission in Japan.
I returned to Japan in September to start language school, as
well as to prepare for our own Japan-specific orientation program
for new mission personnel. Our group was much smaller, but among
us we represented four different countries and about seven different
cultural backgrounds. We were particularly happy this year to
have mission personnel from all of the mission boards working
with the United Church of Christ in Japan. Our orientation program
focused upon providing mission personnel with an understanding
of the history of the church in Japan as well as ways in which
Christians here are reaching out. One of our orientees later informed
me that she was so inspired upon learning of the variety of ways
people were making a difference in Japan that she and another
teacher at her school have now received approval to start a youth
group for students who are Christian, along with their friends.
This fall, I have also enjoyed helping with several Christian
publications put out by groups within the Interchurch Center,
where the United Church of Christ in Japan offices are located.
I learn a lot about the work of the church as a result of helping
with these publications. In editing The Center on Women’s
Concerns newsletter, I was able to learn about the growing acknowledgment
of abuse within Japanese homes and how the church is working to
address this need. In the CoC Missionary Bulletin, which I edit
for our missionary community, I was able to read a recent presentation
on outreach among youth in Japan, encouraging Japanese young people
to take on leadership roles in reaching out to peers. As a result
of helping with the Japan Christian Activity Newsletter put out
by the National Christian Council in Japan, I have also been able
to listen in on what young people in Japan today think about the
manner in which Christianity is presented in Japanese society.
Their comments and insights were an encouragement to us to continue
to reach out by offering acceptance and a non-threatening atmosphere
in which to learn about our faith.
The Christmas season is a particularly busy time at Shirogane
Church (the Japanese church I attend). This year, I am attempting
something new as a part of all of the festivities—that is,
to conduct a group of junior high school and high school students
in a handbell performance for our service on Christmas Eve. Though
I have no experience in this area, I enjoy music and find it an
easy way for me to mingle with people. At the moment, however,
I am simply hoping that the students are able to pull it off,
as I will likely be quite nervous!
Though life seems to be busy, I am also able to enjoy myself.
This summer, I put my parents to work driving me back-and-forth
to the airport (Thanks, Mom and Dad) as I traveled to speak at
churches, attend orientation, see family and friends. Back in
Japan, I have continued holding gatherings at my home every two
months for mission personnel and other Christian singles in the
Tokyo area who desire a place for fun and fellowship. I’ve
been enjoying it and find that we continue to grow in number.
Spending time one-on-one with friends continues to be a joy for
me as well, and I am thankful for each of the friends God has
given me both here in Japan and around the world.
May this Christmas season be a special time of hope and joy for
each of you.
Gail Beran
The 2000 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 173
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