September 2006

Greetings Sister and Brothers in Christ.

News from the Goetzes in Sapporo is that we are back in Sapporo. Having spent a year in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on a sabbatical leave from Hokusei Gakuen University, we have settled back and settled down. While in Milwaukee, we attended two churches. One was very much in favor of inclusive theology while the other was more mainstream. We found the characters of both churches to have advantages but those advantages did not seem to balance each other; they were simply local expressions showing how the body of Christ takes shape given local neighborhood and financial culture. Given the current situation within the PC(USA) over the issue of ordaining gays and lesbians to church offices, it would be wonderful to see more members of local churches visit neighboring churches more often out of a desire and motivation to show the kind of neighborly love that Jesus teaches. Sit together, pray together, pray for each other and for the church local and worldwide.

Of the many targets for family level prayer that concerned us was how our two children, Asher, 16, and Heidi, 15, would do in school. Both children never attended an English language speaking school until September of 2005, although we regard our home in Sapporo as a bilingual home. The first quarter was hard for them. Hideko and I would stay up late at night helping them with their homework. Then, like cheerleaders, we would get them off to school. She was so careful to pack excellent, nutritious, and eye-catching lunches. Not so far into the quarter, both children made friends during lunch. Other boys and girls, who had never seen sushi or gyoza (commonly called “pot-stickers”) would eagerly offer what they had to trade. Sharing, trading, and chatting generated smiles and friendships. When did they “turn the corner?” Socially, quite early, midway  through the first quarter. Academically, in the second quarter. Within two weeks of each other, it could be seen that the children were sub-vocalizing while reading. Sub-vocalizing refers to whispering to yourself, often while plugging your ears, so you can hear yourself read the text before you. This is an essential step for becoming an independent reader. Praise the Lord!

Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me:
‘There! I am putting my words into your mouth (Jer. 1:9).

The second semester for both children was a wonderful time finding their place and getting into school life. By the end of school, Heidi’s yearbook was filled with well wishes from her classmates and teachers. Asher looks forward to receiving his yearbook sometime this fall.

Back in Japan we are pleased to say that the church where we attend, Atsubetsu Kyodan Church, has a morning worship service that is crowded! And there are more than a few babies too. Given the reality that less than one percent of Japan’s population is Christian, we feel that God has blessed the ministers (meaning all members) and the pastor with the Spirit. It is a joy to worship there and to be a part of the action. Atsubetsu Kyodan Church is a small wood frame building that can seat about seventy people in its multipurpose sanctuary. Adjoining it is a kindergarten of which the pastor serves as its headmaster. This is a winning combination for many churches in Japan.

As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack (II Cor. 8:15).

In time, the hallways of Hokusei Gakuen University will be crowded with students. Here is a trivia question for all of you reading.

Who founded the original school that in time became Hokusei Gakuen  University?

Please send me an email: Thomas Goetz.

God Bless,

Thomas H. Goetz