MISSIONARIES

George & Ethel Beckman

Jenann Beckman
8-40 Kamizono-cho
Nishinomiya 662, Japan
/4'/f
sa^a QRrisiian ^Mission, Jlno,
(of tAmoriea )
,0
(Not-for-Profit Corporation)
^saSa ^iBle Seminartf
January 12, 1981
FORWARDING AGENTS
Roger & Beryl Johnson
3320 Westgate Parkway
Rockford, Illinois 61103
1-815-399-3690
Greetings to you during this New Year,
"If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; behold the old has passed away, behold the new
has come. " II Corinthians 5:17
"We want to thank each of you who have made it possible for us to continue throughout another
year in Japan, and especially those who remembered us in a special way during the Christmas
and New Year season. We look forward to this new year with new hope, anticipation of new oppor
tunities, and especially a new and deeper relationship with our Father and our Lord, Jesus Christ.
We pray that we may be used in a new and better way.
Some of the events and joys of the last three months we share with you:
November 2 8t 3 - Tanemaki Kai (preaching convention) at Osaka Bible Seminary. Theme - "This
is God's Will for You in Christ Jesus. " Three great messages by alumni - "Rejoice Always, "
"Pray Constantly, " "Give Thanks in All Circumstances" and a lecture by Ray Mings - "The Mean
ing of the Covenant. "
November 23 - Japanese Thanksgiving. Dave and Ruth came on Sunday to share the Thanksgiving
dinner with the Rokko Church.
November 28 - American Thanksgiving Dinner with the missionaries at the Ray Mings home at
our semi-monthly prayer meeting.
December 17 - Rokko Church Women's Fellowship and Wednesday Bible Class Christmas dinner
and program. The 90 year old mofber of Mrs. Oka attended, the Arst time in her life to be in a
Christian meeting and to hear a Christian message.
December 18 - Fnglish Bible Class Christmas dinner and program. Mr. Saito, preacher of the
Rokko Church, brought the message.
December 18 - Jenann's return to Japan for another term of service. Our thanks to all who so
generously helpedTier while in th^Stetes. She has taken ov^ the Sunday School and IfiTworking
on plans for handwork, etc.
December 21 - Christmas in Sunday School and church with candle service in the evening.
December 24-26 - Christmas with Ruth and David in Tenabe. We rejoiced to visit also with
"Vivian Lemmon and Mr. and Mrs. Ueyama, who work with her.
January 1 & 2 - Attended a special New Year's meeting in Osaka with Dr. Carl Henry as speaker.
Also helped Martin Clark celebrate his 67th birthday.
January 4 - After service a fellowship of games and dinner with the Rokko Church people.
January 5 - Special meeting with preachers and missionaries of the area for mutual encourage
ment. What a joy to see the growth of the preachers in Japan - their total commitment to preach
ing the Word and their feeling of working together with us.
January 6 - Beginning of the Winter term in Osaka Bible Seminary, George is teaching three
hours every morning and 1j hours two afternoons a week. Jenann will be working at least one
day a week in the Library.
January 8 - First Bible class of the New Year. Ethel was greatly encouraged to hear from mem
bers who had moved away that they are continuing in a Bible study or church meeting where they
now live.
May you feel the presence of God's love surrounding you, guiding and renewing each of you
throughout this year - 1981.
In Christ, -
The Beckmans
Jenann says:
Although I miss you and am sorry I will not see you again for a few years, I am glad to be
back home in Japan. It is good to see family, fellow zxiissionaries, and Christian leaders,
church members, and the Sunday school children again. I can hardly believe how some of them
have grown!
It is taking me a little while to settle back into a routine. I am registered at city hall and
am working on a Japanese driver's license. I have resumed teaching Sunday school and need to
review the list of all the things to prepare for a class and where they are stored. From next
week I get back to work in the Seminary library as well.
I thank God for all you have done for me while I was with you and your help in returning to
the place He has given me in which to serve Him.
In Christ,
ujenann Beckman
(Bsa^a (BRrisiian dllission, ^no. jut^^
(of cflmorica)
(Not-for-Profit Corporation)
saKa JBiBh Seminartf
April 30, 1981
FORWARDING AGENTS
Roger b Beryl Johnson
3320 Westgate Parkway
Rockford, Illinois 61103
1-815-399-3690
Dear Christian Friends:
How welcome is the warmth of spring sunshine after a long, cold winter. There is a saying "When
the days begin to lengthen, the cold begins to strengthen. " This has certainly been true here this year for
we had our very coldest weather toward the end of February, a record. Innorthern Japan much damage
was done due to the severe cold and heavy snows.
We have many joys to brighten our days, as well as sorrows mingled in. On February 21, son John
and his wife arrived for a two week visit. It was the first either of them had been home for seven years.
I am sure Tsai's parents in Taiwan were as delighted to see them as we were.
On May 9, Ray and Mattie Mings left Japan to retire from thirty years of service here because of
Ray's health. We miss them much and pray God's richest blessings and guidance as they seek the place
He has for them to continue to serve Him.
I On March 27 four students gradu
ated from Osaka Bible Seminary. Miss
Tsuruta is ministering to a small congre
gation in the Osaka area while she works
as a nurse. Miss Ariki has found work
in her home city of Hiroshima and will
work in the church there. Miss Iwagami
is working in a hospital near her home
while she helps in the church at Noichi in
Kochi. Mr. & Mrs. Kimura have returned
to Sapporo where they will minister to the
church begun by Ernest and Neva Faber,
On April 14 two new Btudenta7 both
of them college graduates, enrolled in
Osaka Bible Seminary. Mr. Yokomizo
I Miss TsurU M'ss Ariki comes from the Yokosuka Church near
Mr. Kimura Miss Iwagami Andrewand Betty Patton
* ' minister. Mise Hosokawa comes from
Kochi where Mr. Hiroshi Saito ministers.
During spring vacation we kept busy. We went to spend two days with Ruth and her family the first
week. The second week we spent one day helping the Lonnie Mings family move over to Ray and Mattie's
house.
That weekend we enjoyed the company of Archie and Mozelle Jewell from Janesville, Wisconsin, and
their son Stanley and his wife Sally who are stationed at Camp Zama near Tokyo, Penny Boggs, who has
spent the year with the Harold Sims family in preparation to becoming a missionary to Japan, was here
also.
Even though one of Ethel's Bible students moved to Tokyo, another new member came in her place.
So the number stays about the same.
On May 20 we plan to go to the States for two months to attend John's graduation from Medical
School in Oklahoma City, We may be seeing some of you before this letter reaches you. John will move
to Augusta, Georgia, for his internship and we hope to see their new home and visit daughter Mary in New
York before we return to Japan.
In the meanwhile Jenann will carry on here. She will teach Ethel's English Bible Classes besides
her regular work. Please pray for her. Mrs. Miyake will teach the Japanese Bible Class.
W- ti.
m
Miss Ariki
Miss Iwagami
In Christ /
THE BECKMANS
Dear Friends;
I had to stop and think why the time has gone so quickly since I came home. I have played with my
nephew and neice, obtained a Japanese driver's license (but haven't driven very much because I don't en
joy it on these narrow streets), worked on my contribution to a writing project among the missionaries,
recorded the magazines that came while I was gone and begun cataloging the new books in the Seminary
library, and used an electric lawn mower for the first time in my life - at the Seminary; librarians try
to be helpful wherever they can! And I've had a cold that almost clears up and then the weather changes
again. I ask for your prayers (and if I owe- you a letter, your patience).
Love,
MISSIONARIES
George k Ethel Beckinan
Jenann Beckman
8-40 Kamizono-cho
Nishinomiya 662, Japan
sa^a (BRrisiian dKission, ^no.
(of %SLmorica)
(Not-for-profit Corporation)
iSsa^a <Si'l0 Sam/nar^
July 16, 1981
AUG 1
3 'i931
FORWARDING AGENTS
Roger & Beryl Johnson
3320 Westgate Parkway
Rockford, Illinois 61103
1-815-399-3690
Dear Christian Friends:
"How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of God
because of you. " I Thessalonians 3:9 (NIV)
Greetings just prior to our return to Japan to our fellow workers and loved ones. Since our
last letter from Japan was written a little late, this letter will cover only the two months of our
stay in the United States.
The joys of meeting with loved ones and the blessing of Christian hospitality and fellowship
have sustained us and given us the vitality and strength for the many miles we have covered in our
little Ford Maverick these two months. We thank God for each of you.
Our activities the last two months read like a travelogue, as perhaps the best way to write
this letter is in the form of one.
May 20 - Left Osaka Japan at 3 PM and arrived in Rockford at 9j30 PM, Spent the next three
days recovering from jet lag.
May 24 - Footville, Wisconsin at Church of Christ. Stayed with Ethel's brother, Roger
Brown.
May 31 - Rockford, Illinois at Central Christian Church,
JuneJ_- Drove to Omaha, Nebraska to visit Ken &Martha (Nielsen) Endere.
2 - Wymore, Nebraska at the home of Virgil and LaVerne Marshall.
June 3 - Manhattan, Kansas with Crestview Christian Church. Also enjoyed a short visit
with Dr. Wilford and Mrs, Lown,
June 4-7 - Midwest City, Oklahoma:
The big event for the reason of our visit. The graduation
of John from the College of Medicine, University of Okla
homa, Sunday afternoon, June 7. Paul &Marcia Nielsen,
our former co-workers in Japan and now in Oklahoma
City, attended the graduation with us,
J une 8 - Mountain Grove, Missouri to visit Odon &
Rema Brown, our former forwarding agents,
J une 9 - Waynesville, Illinois to visit Martin and
Evelyn Clark, Osaka Bible Seminary, and their son, Paul,,
and his family who plan to go to Japian as missionaries,
10 - Moweaqua, Illinois, First Christian Church.
Had a very good meeting with the elders &forwarding a-
gents for David & Ruth (Beckman) Hinson,
11 - Jacksonville, Illinois with Russell &Kay
Cosner,
June 14 - Beloit, Wisconsin, Central Christian
Church,
June 15-19 - To Platte, South Dakota to visit George's family and back,
21 - Waukegan, Illinois with Central Christian Church,
June 22 - Drove to Niagra Falls on our way to visit daughter Mary,
June 23-24 - Ithaca, New York
June 25 - Youngstown, Ohio with Larry and Joanie Lambdin.
26 - Lexington, Ohio with Claude and Evelyn Lekins,
- Indianapolis, Indiana. Trader's Point Christian Church for morning service;
Freetown, Indiana Church of Christ for evening service,
June 29 - Campbellsville, Kentucky overnight with Ray and Mattie Mings.
June 30-July 3 - Augusta, Georgia to visit John and Taai, John is in residency with Univer
sity Hospital, Augusta, Georgia.
..u againat Campbellsville, Kentucky with Ray Mings. Were delighted to see
Kentucky Tyler, Texas; and son Dale and his family from Hodgenville,
rh Lincoln Christian Church in the morning, and First Christian
Church in Linton in the evening.
to Rockford for final preparations to r eturn to Japan and a meeting with our
Living Link churches on July 14,
weekend with Ethel's neice. Lois and Alan Gardner and
to aU ofVon " ^ physically perhaps bat revitalized spiritually thanks
Ethe?"'r busy taking care of the house and yard, teaching one of
fwt iLk Ethel's other activities of hospitality, etc., besides her
there^^^ continue in your service for Him here and uphold us
Your co-workers in Japan,
y.-s B'caj-
saSa QRrisiian dltission, ^nc.
(of Jlmorica)
(Not-for-Profit Corporation)
MISSIONARIES &safia tSiSh Sominari/ forwarding agents
George &Ethel Beckman Roger & Beryl Johnson
Jenann Beckman 3320 Westgate Parkway
8-40 Kamizono-cho Rockford, Illinois 61103
Nishinomiya 662, Japan 1-815-399-3690
December 19, 1981
Dear Christian Friends:
We are thankful for the brief visit we could have in the States this summer and the blessing of fellowship we en
joyed with many of you. We are grateful for good health that has enabled us to continue the extra heavy schedule we
have had the last five months since our return home. We would like to share with you some of the blessings we have
received in those months.
What would you think and do if you were expecting about forty children for vacation Bible school and over seventy
came? Such was the blessing we received. It took some fast work to prepare the extra materials for so many, but
with the good help we had, each child was provided for.
God has blessed us with four wonderful, dedicated students in Osaka Bible Seminary. It is gratifying to have
students appreciate the study they are having, who express their appreciation of its value both in words of apprecia
tion, their dedication to the preparation of their lessons, and their application of what they are learning in their own
teaching. Because of our brief trip to the States, Ethel taught her class in an overview of the Old Testament from
September to December plus all the women's groups she teaches regularly. George taught his class in Romans and
Corinthians during the same period.
We are thankful for dedicated teachers and students in Osaka Bible Seminary. We believe we have some of the
best. We would ask you to pray especially that we may have more young people decide to give their lives in service
for Christ and come to the Seminary to study with us.
The annual Tanemaki Kai (a preaching convention) of Osaka Bible Seminary was well attended (133) and a real
blessing. The theme, "Co-workers with God, " was well developed by the four speakers, former students and grad
uates of Osaka Bible Seminary, and missionary, Mark Pratt. Lonnie Mings gave a special lecture on Palestine since
he spent time studying there on his last furlough.
We are grateful for the two students from Osaka Bible Seminary who are helping in the Bible school and youth
group every Sunday here in Nishinomiya. Under the teaching of Miss Hosokawa, the fifth and sixth grade girls are
beginning to think about becoming Christians. We ask your prayers especially for them as most of them come from
Buddhist homes. Please pray especially that they may demonstrate their faith by their love and thoughtfulness for
their parents to the extent that they may win their parents' approval and desire to know about the Christ in whom they
have come to believe.
A visit by friends from the States is always a blessing to us. In October Dr. John and Mabel Ross and three of
their friends spent three days with us on their way around the world. While John was in medical school, Mabel was
in school with us in Indianapolis. It had been over thirty years since last seeing them as they went to Africa as
missionaries about the time we came here. We helped them see some of the sights here, visit the Seminary, and
have fellowship at our fortnightly missionary prayer meeting.
We praise God for the love the Christians showed to the Miyake family when Mr, Miyake was hospitalized. Since
he is an independent tailor and had no income while hospitalized, the church members, though few in number, gave
them an offering of eighty thousand yen or about four hundred dollars.
Our son-in-law, David Hinson, is staying with us two nights a week so he can attend language school in Kobe.
Please pray for him that he may learn the language well. He and Ruthare busy teaching classes, helping in the
church in Tanabe, and working to get their house finished up. It is good to have them close enough to be able to get
This year completes thirty-three years for us in Japan. We are grateful for your prayers and support which has
so faithfully sustained us through these years. We look forward with hope and anticipation to the New Year.
Your co-workers in Christ,
THE BECKMANS
From Jenann....
While my folks were in the States I was chief cook and gardener. So I was the one to tie the onion harvest to the
beams of the back porch roof. AndI guess the two ladies who stayed with me got hungry for western-style cooking
(like hamburgers).
Soon after my parents' return I went to the EngUsh half of the national convention with my sister Ruthie and her
family. It was held in Kagoshima, Kyushu and the Mark Maxeys and Walter Maxeys were our hosts. We enjoyed
singing, praying, studying the Bible, laughing and talking in English,
Since September the pre-school through middler Sunday school classes have begun lessons in Genesis. As I
plan the curriculum I am typing bi-lingual titles on filing cards and recording all the visual aidr, and handwork we
have for each story.
I was on the committee in charge of the children's program for the Tanemakikai. Only ten children came, so
we were kind of lonely, but not a bit idle.
During the summer I didn't take more than a week vacation from the Bible Seminary library, but it is too cold in
there now to work during Christmas vacation.
May the glad tidings of your Savior's birth warm your hearts this Christmas.
JENANN