July 2008

Dear Friends and Family, 

After serving 20 years in Japan, the Hastings are moving back to the United States to take up a new call.

Greetings from Japan! After twenty years with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Japan, we have made the momentous decision to return to the United States. As you can imagine, this was not an easy or quick decision, although it did come about in a very surprising manner. It started on January 6, Epiphany Sunday. Tom and I were walking our dog in the park talking about a telephone call we had with my mother. We were remarking on how wonderful it would be to live closer to her. Tom suddenly turned to me and said, “I think God is calling us to return to the States this summer.” He felt absolutely certain of this call. However, like Abraham and Sarah, we had no idea where we would end up; we just had a strong sense that it was time to move on.

At first, we wondered whether it was really prudent to step out in faith so boldly without first securing a position in the States. However, we were once again overwhelmed by God’s goodness, abundant grace, and faithful providence. Just 12 days after making the decision to resign and consulting with the PC(USA), Tom was offered a position as the program director of research and development at the Center of Theological Inquiry in Princeton, an independent, non-profit research institute founded 30 years ago. We know the current director of CTI and Tom had written to him about our decision to return to the States. He also asked him if CTI might have a place available for a scholar in transition for the 2008-2009 academic year. He heard back almost immediately, and to our great joy and total surprise, Tom was offered this very exciting position, which builds on his mission, teaching, and administrative experience and training. He will begin at CTI on August 1. And Princeton is only a two-hour drive from Cape May, where my mom lives! Given all that has happened, we have a strong sense of confidence that this difficult and unexpected decision is the Lord’s will for our family. God works in mysterious ways!

While all this was going on, I finished up my final course this spring and graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary in May with my master’s in Christian Education. This seems to be a time of endings and new beginnings.

Another new beginning is our son Paul’s wedding with Debbie Wissel on August 23, 2008. He and Debbie met in Tokyo when she moved here from New York with her family during her senior year of high school. We are thrilled for both of them. The wedding will take place in Maine where they both went to college (and also, incidentally, where Tom and I first met 32 years ago).

Our daughter Sarah has also announced her engagement to Matt Churchill, a fellow graduate of St. Olaf College. Matt joined our family in Tokyo this past Christmas (Sarah was working at the American School in Japan for the year) and we celebrated with a double engagement party for the two couples. They plan on marrying next summer. We are so happy for both of these couples.

Our daughter Rose is also beginning a new adventure. She has begun working for H&M, a Swedish clothing retailer, who will be opening two new stores in Tokyo this fall. In preparation, they sent her and several others to Oslo, Norway, for six months of training in their H&M stores. She loved Norway, but is happy to be back in Tokyo. We’re sad to be leaving her so soon!

Katie, 13, is spending the month of July with her grandmother in Cape May, where we will soon be joining her. It was a very tearful goodbye for her on the last day of school. We pray that she will make many new friends in Princeton.

After 13 years at Tokyo Union Theological Seminary, Tom’s students and colleagues are very sad to see him go. One happy note is that the translation project and introduction of the Young Children and Worship program that Tom has been involved with is ready to “take off.” The translation is finished, and the book is now at the publishers. A new missionary from the Reformed Church of America arrived in Tokyo last year. She is certified to teach and train teachers in the Young Children and Worship method. We are thrilled with her arrival and are thankful that she will continue to advise and work with the growing group of Japanese church educators and pastors. We are all hopeful that this creative and meditative approach will touch many young children in Japan’s churches and Christian preschools.

We are so thankful to you and all of our supporting churches who have faithfully prayed for us and given so generously to the PC(USA) over the last 20 years. We have been blessed richly with many friends and wonderful experiences. Thank you also for continuing to support PC(USA) mission in Japan and around the world.

Although Tom begins his new position in August, I will be available for mission interpretation until the end of our term at the end of November. It would be my honor and pleasure to visit and thank you personally for your support of mission in Japan.

Peace and blessings,

Carol, Tom, Rose, Paul, Sarah and Katie Hastings

The 2006 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 104