Niigata Christian Mission

^Wukde
Serving the RISEN SON
in the land of the rising sun.
Volume IV - Sept. 1987 - Issue 3

New Christians

Need Prayer

In I Thessalonians 5:17 we read, "Pray without ceasing."

How important

it is for us to use the prayer line of communication with God!

Soon after accepting Christ as their Savior, Tamie Kawasaki and Hideki
Miyazawa were sent away for training or schooling by their respective com
panies.
Both of them have remained faithful, yet not without difficulty.
They keep Bible diaries of things they learn from their reading or questions
they have.
Then they send the diaries to Bill so that he can answer their
questions and give them encouragement.
Tamie and Hideki are separated far from each other and are removed from
other Christians.
Perhaps their biggest problem is lonliness and lack of

fellowship and encouragement.

They are separated more by money (that is,

the cost to travel and visit) than by time.

Bill hopes to visit with them
monthly, if possible, to study, answer questions, and offer encouragement.
Please keep them in your prayers! Other Christians are continuing their
involvement in weekly Bible studies and are doing fine. Praise God!!

Akemi & Boys on Furlough

Ferh=ips the biggest news is that Akemi, Benji, and Micah are now in the
States!
They are with Mike & Debbie Bowers in New York and can be reached

through them for the time being,

Benji is attending kindergarten.

The separation is difficult on the Belew family. Bill says, "I really
miss my family. Being separated is by far the hardest thing we^ve had to do
since coming to Japan,

My boys are being exposed to American culture.

they don't have their father with them to guide them.

imagine my boys are growing and I can't be there to watch.

Akemi very much.

Yet,

It's hard for me to

Of course, I miss

She has never had to be in America "alone."

Being a Japan

ese national, it is not natural for her to be in America, and there are
things that are difficult for her to understand. Now is a most difficult
time for us. Please keep my family in your prayers,"

Bill plans to be in the States from December 22 until January 24.

During that time he will be reporting to the supporting churches and others
regarding

the

work

of

Niigata

Christian

Mission,

Please

contact

Debbie

Bowers as soon as possible to arrange a time for him to come and visit with

your congregation.

From December 22 until January 5 eight of Bill's Japanese

friends will be traveling with him.

If he visits with you during that time,

they will come with him.

The entire Belew family will return to Japan at the end of January,

Liklns on Brief Furlough

Joel and

Debi Likins also

returned

to America this summer

for a

brief

six-week furlough. They wanted to show off the new addition to their family
as well as take a short break from the work in Japan. They haven't had a
break since they went to Japan. By the time you receive this Update they
should be back in Japan, recharged and ready to go!

While they were away, Bill taught some of Joel's English classes and
the Niigata Bible study Joel usually teaches.

JAPANESE
MISSIONARY
CONVENTION
The All-Japan Church of Christ Mis
sionary Convention will be held in Niigata next year. Bill has already be
gun working on plans for the conven
tion.
Usually the convention is held
in the summer, but this year's will
be in the spring.
Summer months are
usually busy ones.
Spring seems to
be more compatible with the mission

aries' schedules.

Tom Friskney, pro

fessor at Cincinnati Bible College,

has agreed to be the speaker.
This
will be a new experience for Bill who
has never had the opportunity of plan
ning a convention!
Please keep him
in your prayers!

SPumme'i

^ene^icial
Summertime brings additional oppor
tunities
for
the
Bible
study
groups to get together. The Sanjo
Bible study went on an overnight
trip

to

lake

in

the

mountains

where they all tried water skiing.

Bill, who learned to ski at an
earlier age, says the fellas did
well, and the girls . , , well?
The Tsunan Bible study went on a

RECREATION

three-day mountain climbing trip.

It was Bill's first experience to
carry a tent plus three day's food

or

'WRECK' REATION??

on his back.
it

The first night when

stormedlots

of

thunder

and

To keep his mind off his lonliness for

Akemi and the boys, Bill has found a

lightningBill wondered if he
might be feeling the same thing

new diversion.

Moses did on Mt. Sinai!?!

"I could work all the

time," says Bill, "but I decided upon

an activity

triathlon!!"

that is a

challenge

Bill and another person

The Nagaoka Bible study group met

at Bill's house one

evening for

from their Bible study are training

for this swimming, biking, and running

waffles.

race.
Bill says he has lost about 25
pounds in about three months of train

These special outings are provid

ing a bind that helps to hold the

ing even though he is eating "like a

groups together.

horse" to keep up with training.

says the training has proven to be a

wonderful diversion, though not a com
plete one!
One positive benefit has

ly encouraged by our water skiing

trip," Bill commented, "because
the whole thing was initiated and
planned by a couple of members of

been the formation of a

the Bible study.

He

triathlon club

in Sanjo which presents Bill with op

portunities

to

with new friends.

share

the

Good

News

"I was especial

It was the first

time I didn't have to plan any

thing.
It may be a small step,
but it's an encouraging one!"

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03 8

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Aside

from missing my

family,

am getting along rather well.

cent

letter

from

Akemi

did

A re

indicate

they are healthy and gradually get

ting settled.

Micah seemed to have

more trouble adjusting than we an

ticipated. Benji seemed very excit
ed about attending kindergarten in
America.

When

talked

to

him

on

the phone, he spoke to me in senten

ces.

It was

the

first

time

he had

spoken in English sentences.

Akemi

wrote

prised the
worship in

that

Benji

was

sur

first time he went to

the States.
He said,

"Mama, why are there so many people

here?"

He

is

used

to

our

small

gatherings.
That was one reason we
wanted the boys to be in America,
so they could know there are other

adults and children who study God's

Word.

Akemi is a real champion. She may

not have an idea which grocery store
is the best or where a good place
is for buying clothes, etc., but she
is certainly making good efforts!
If you should happen to meet her,
please give her a nice hug from me.

Meanwhile,
to meet

I'll

continue

to

new people in order to

able to share Christ with them.

try
be
God

bless you.
Gone fishing,
BILL, AKEMI, BENJI, & MICAH

ftj