May 2005

Dear Family and Friends,

Springtime has come to Japan, famous for their cherry blossoms. There are new leaves on the trees and beautiful vivid colors of flowers everywhere. Houses in Japan are not set back by large front, side or back yards as they are in the United States. Nevertheless, the Japanese have such a great love of nature that they hang flower pots from walls and windows and place planters on stairs and on the edges of the sidewalks—whereever they can fit. It is bright and colorful everywhere.

Graduation and entrance ceremonies take place in this beautiful time of year. In March, Tokyo Union Theological Seminary celebrated their graduation. Eighteen of the new graduates are now serving in churches throughout Japan, and one is teaching in a Christian school. Now the new school year has begun and for the first time ever, the entering women students outnumber the entering men. This is an exciting development, and we pray that the seminary would hasten the appointment of a full-time woman faculty member (for which plans are in progress).

Tom has been impressed with the abilities and devotion of the new students. One of them is a 66-year-old, retired businessman. For some years he attended the seminary's night school, which meets twice a year. He and his wife were so impressed by the need for pastors that they both decided that when he retired they would attend seminary—he first, and she the following year.

God is working in Japan. Last winter, the youth leaders of two churches in the ancient Buddhist capitals of Japan, Kyoto and Kamakura, met to sponsor a joint youth retreat. They asked Tom to talk about Christian identity using the newly translated PC(USA) catechisms. Recent changes in Japanese life tend to leave the individual to construct his or her own identity. This new situation may lend itself to a greater openness to the gospel. It is exciting to have opportunities for dialogue like this. We have heard that a number of people (from all over Japan) have come forward for baptism after studying these catechisms.

The highlight of our Christmas 2004 celebrations was the chance to participate as musicians in a worship service and party for some of the 600 foreign prisoners of Fuchu Prison (total of around 3000 prisoners) located just thirty minutes from our home. Partaking in Communion with these prisoners was a deeply moving experience. As a result of this encounter, Tom was asked to be the Protestant chaplain for these foreign men, a ministry that he has long had on his heart. He will go there once a month and be allowed fifteen minutes alone with whoever applies (and is approved) to talk and pray together. Japanese prisons are extremely bleak and regimented, and we thank God for this chance to bring hope and light into these men's lives. Tom's first day is May 23. Please pray for this new ministry opportunity.

Another interesting development has been our increasing involvement with Sri Lanka, a country we weren’t too familiar with until our son Paul spent a semester there during his senior year of college in the fall of 2003. A year later, we met Father Laksiri Peiris, an Anglican priest from Sri Lanka. He has been involved with the Asian Rural Institute (a self-sustaining, organic, teaching farm about two hours north of Tokyo) first as a participant and then as a teacher. One of the skills he brought back to his church community in Sri Lanka was nurturing small-business endeavors. He has helped the women from his village set up looms and started a weaving business to help supplement their income. They produce beautiful, colorful tablecloths. Laksiri sent us huge boxes full of cloths, and Carol has taken on the ministry of selling the cloths for them. After the devastating tsunami in Sri Lanka our mission has been even more imperative.

We will be on home assignment from September through December 2005. Carol will take another full semester of courses at Princeton Theological Seminary towards her M.A. in Christian education. Tom will visit as many churches as possible. Katie will enroll in the local school for the first half of fifth grade, but is very happy that she will be able to return to ASIJ for the second half. We are all looking forward to having some time with our three older children, Rose, Paul, and Sarah, in addition to Carol's mom. If you are interested in having Tom come to talk about our work in Japan, please get in touch with us as soon as possible. We hope to visit all of our supporting churches. Our contact number in the United States is Carol's mom at (609) 898-0851.

Peace and Blessings,

Tom and Carol Hastings

The 2005 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 251