pf n

sa^a QRristian dttission, ^no.

(of Jlm&rica)
(Not-for-Profit Corporation)
(BsaSa ^i6l& Seminary
MISSIOSARIES WOKWAnmSG AGENTS
George & Etbel Beckman Roger & Beryl Johnson
Jenann Beckman
January 18, 1980 3320 Westgate Parkway
8-40 Kamizono-cho Rockford, Illinois 61103
Nishinomiya 662, Japan 1-815-399-3690
Dear Christian Friends:
One of the greatest blessings we receive as we are onfurlough is the hospitality of Christians as they share
of themselves and their homes with us. We are grateful to the many who have thus shared with us. We are
grateful to the many, too, who have expressed their concern for us, especially to our living link churches for
their concern for our financial welfare in the unstable condition of the dollar and the continuing inflation. We
thank you who have Increased our support.
As many of you have already been told and you will notice on the letterhead, we have new Forwarding A-
gents since the first of November. We are eternally grateful to Richard and Margaret Saevre for their faith
fulness in taking care of this work for us, and we appreciate Roger and Beryl Johnson for their willingness
to take over.
In many ways this has been one of the busiest short furloughs we have had, and it seems it was certainly
God's dealing that we take it at this lime as Ethel was able to help her mother when she most needed her.
Ethel's youngest sister, Stella, who has been handicapped since birth, had become too much for her eighty-
four year old mother to care for her. Consequently, she has been admitted into a fine nursing home and Mom
has moved into a small, new apartment for the elderly in Janesville.
In addition, we had the joy of being with daughter Ruth and David at the birth of their second child, Miriam
Ruth, who arrived on her Daddy's birthday; and of being acquainted with our grandson, Levl, who will be two
on February 5th.
Our longest trip outside of the Wisconsin and Illinois area began November 16 when we made our first stop
with Velma Held in Davenport on our way to Omaha with Ken and Martha Enders and the Fort Street Christian
Church, who are supporting Jenann, From there we spent Thanksgiving week with son, John, -and his-wi-fe,
Tsai, on to Oden and Rema Brown's in Mountain Grove, Missouri, then to Manhattan, Kansas; Wymore,
Nebraska; and to Platte, South Dakota with George's family. Then Kimball, Minnesota, on December 9 and
Minnesota Bible College at Rochester on the 11th. After a week to pack up and move out of our apartment we
went to Ruth's for Christmas with them and John and Tsai. While there we helped Dave and Ruth pack and
move to Mowequa, Illinois.
Due to a problem in their eldest son's development, Larry and Joanie Lambdin have had to leave their work
in Tanabe, Japan. The Mowequa church, who have sponsored them, have asked Dave and Ruth to take their
place. Dave and Ruth plan to come to Japan to begin work near Tanabe by the end of this summer if they can
raise their support by then. We ask that you pray for them and for Larry and Joanie as they seek the new place
of service God has for them.
We rejoiced to see the progress that has been made here during our absence. Jenann had taken care of the
place well with the help of Sarah Eurney and the Christians. The English Bible Class continued to meet under
direction and expressed great appreciation for her teaching.
Mrs. Miyake, of the Rokko Church, taught the Wednesday Bible Class. Three of these women began at
tending church services on Sunday as well; and Mrs. Hotta, who had moved here from Sendai last year, placed
her membership in the church here.
The day after our return we went to Tanabe for the dedication of Lemmon House, a Christian Center for
young people, built by Vivian Lemmon. The land is owned by Mr. Taniyama, who had dedicated it to the Lord
several years ago. The center is the answer to Vivian's dream and desire to help troubled young people. We
pray God's blessing on this project.
We are looking forward with great hope and anticipation to this new year. May you also be blessed in the
joy of the Lord.
I n Christ, y
The Beckmans
Jenann says......
While my parents were in the United States I was glad to have Sarah Burney here to keep me company and
help me. Now that my parents are back I'm glad to give up the responsibilities they usually carry. Some of
the things I've done - for the first time in my life - these past few months are:
- moved the lawn
- replaced rooftile biowu off by a typhoon
- picked persimmons off our tree (even though I don't like climbing up ladders)
- watered my mother's house-plants
- taught her weekly English Bible Class
- shampooed the carpeting
- stuffed and baked a turkey.
Two weddings were held at the Bible Seminary this fall and I was an usherette at one. For the annual
Preaching Convention (Tanemakl-Kai) at the Seminary I was in charge of the children's program. We baked
cookies to give to the Sunday School children at the end of the Christmas program here and went caroling
Christmas Eve to the homes of church members who live near-by. Since my parents have come back I have
attended a gathering for the young people of the churches of Christ in this area. I pray that these meetings will
continue,
I hope to see you all this year. Christ,
Jenann Beckman
1^1']
sa^a QRrisiian dltission, ^no.
(of fM/tnsrica)
%
MISSIONARIES
George tc Ethel Beckman
Jenann Beckman
8-40 Kamizono-cho
Nishinomiya 662, Japan
(Not-for-Profit Corporation)
(BsaRa ^iBlo Seminary
April 21, 1980
FOBWAtLDISG AGENTS
Roger & Beryl Johnson
3320 Westgate Parkway
Rockford, Illinois 61103
1-815-399-3690
Dear Christian Friends:
"Rejoice in the Lord always, " Philippians 4:4
In oar last letter we spoke of rejoicing over the progress that was made here while we were on furlough last
year. In the three months since our return in January we have had many things over which to rejoice and give
us great hope for the future of the church in Japan.
1. In January we spoke of the women of Ethel's Bible Class attending church. Since then their friends
have also come through their invitation,
2. We have seen the result of one woman's quiet testimony through her Christian living in the non-Christian
family of her son. Recently her daughter-in-law began attending church because as she told Ethel she
saw the difference in the attitude and way of thinking of her mother-in-law.
3. The Church here has begun regular support of a home missionary. Mr. Koji Ueyama, a 1979 gradu
ate of Osaka Bible Seminary, and his wife, Koto, moved in March to Tanabe City to work with Vivian
Lemmon in Lemmon House, The purpose of Lemmon House is to reach out to troubled young people
and lead them to Christ and into the church,
4. The new school year in Osaka Bible Seminary opened with three new students: Miss Sachiko Hashimoto
from the Sannobara Church near Yokohama, Mr. Kazuhisa Yoshida from the Yokosuka Church south of
Tokyo and Miss Kaori Niiro from the Daito Church east of Osaka. Miss Niiro is the daughter of Mr. &
Mrs. Kenji Niiro, alumni of Osaka Bible Seminary. She makes the second child of a alumnus to attend
_ _ the Seminary. Ethel teaches an Overview of the Old Testament to these three new students and George --
is teaching an exegesis of Romans and Corinthians this term which ends in July.
5. We continue to see the results of teaching Sunday School, not only in our own work as we have seen in
some of the women who are coming to Bible classes and church here, but in reports we receive from
our fellow missionaries. Carolyn Barricklow told of a young woman who was baptized in Hiroshima
recently as a result of going to Bible School as a child. On Easter Sunday, Audrey West told of three
young women baptized there who had been attending Mrs. Ohta's class throughout the years. Truly, as
we plant and water God will give the increase even though we may not always see it ourselves.
6. Jenann left for a furlough this month, leaving a big hole in the Sunday School and Seminary library here.
She hopes to study some library science while there and must raise more support to come back. We
ask that you keep her especially on your prayer list,
7. Please pray for the All Japan Convention to be held in Hokkaido, for the Rrst time. The dates are
August 1-3 for the Japanese section and the 4th and the 5th for the English speaking section.
Thank you and may God bless you.
Koji and
Koto Ueyama
Yours in Christ,
The Beckmans
Sachiko Hashimoto
Kazuhisa Yoshida
Kaori Niiro
.' XI
sa^a (BRrisiian emission, ^
(of Jlmerica)
(Not-for-Profit Corporation)
^saSa <Si6l0 Seminary
MISSIONARIES e 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
July 15, 1980
Dear Christian Friends,
We thank our God for all of you, and every lime we remember you in prayer,
we pray with joy, thankful for your partnership in the Gospel. (Paraphrased from
Philippians 1:3)
The first twelve week term of the Seminary ended July fourth. We rejoice over
the spirit of Christian love and joy that exists among the students and faculty. It is
a blessing to work with them, even though some of them have yet to learn how to ap
ply themselves to get the most out of their studies.
The rainy season has been longer than usual this year and for the most part the
days have been cooler. We are thankful for the abundance of rain.
On May 23-25, the Rokko church held a three day evangelistic meeting, showing
a Christian film each time and having one of the members give a testimony. The
meetings were not too well attended, partly because of the hour, and partly because
of the lack of real preparation, but valuable lessons were learned. i\t least one
person, brought by Mrs. Minami, has a real desire to continue to come though she
has some serious problems. Partly as a result of the meeting, Mr. Saito has been
able to begin a new class for persons interested in becoming Christians. He expected
two people the first meeting, but was happily surprised to have tive students. Three
women from Ethel's Bible class also came and wanted to study as much as possible.
When Jenann left for the States, Ethel wondered what they would do about the
children of the women while they were studying on Wednesday afternoon as there are
tan of them ran^ng In age from one to^six;; However, wben she mentioned it to~the~
women on Thursday, they volunteered to take turns coming and taking care of them
and it has worked out very well.
The first part of April, Mrs. Kitaguchi began attending the Thursday Bible class
after an absence of nine years. She has a new zeal for study and has begun attending
church on Sunday as well. We pray that her cozning on Sunday will encourage some of
the others to come. Several of them had made a confession of faith when younger,
but had married non-Christian men and have become separated from the church. Two
more new members began attending last month. One of them is a Roman Catholic and
the other not a Christian. Mrs. Sakai had lived in California and Canada for several
years. Pray that the message of the Gospel may truly reach the hearts of these wo
men.
On Sunday afternoon, July 6th, we drove to Tanabe so we could get an early start
Monday morning cutting the weeds around Ruth and Dave's house. We got there in
time to attend evening services at Lemmon House and hear Mr. Ueyama preach.
Since the weeds had not been cut at all this spring, they were nearly as tall as we
were. We cut all morning as fast as we could, and with Mr. Ueyama's help were
able to finish before it rained.
Wednesday George and Martin Clark drove to Hiroshima to pick up a load of
household items from the Lee Joneses. It was midnight Thursday night before they got
it all unloaded and George got home. Now we are trying to catch up on some of the
things here that we have had to postpone until school was out. Tuesday morning we
did some work in the house before returning.
Three things we are looking forward to this summer and ask for your special
prayers:
1) The all-Japan convention in Sapporo, Hokkaido, August 1-5. There will be
four women attending from the Rokko church.
2) Dave &Ruth Hinson's coming the latter part of August.
3) Vacation Bible School here August 26-28th.
May the Lord continue to bless each of you as you continue to serve Him.
In His Service,
If l-th/L
The Beckmans
(Bsa^a (BRrisiian dKission, ^nc.
(of Jlmorica)
(Not-for-Profit Corporation)
^saSa iSSiSlo Sominarg
October 13, 1980
FORWARDING AGENTS
Roger & Beryl Johnson
3320 Westgate Parkway
Rockford, Illinois 61103
1-815-399-3690
Dear Christian Friends:
After two months of almost steady rainy weather, October's bright blue weather is truly welcome.
The whole summer in Japan has been unseasonably cool and wet causing damage to a lot of crops and
high prices for fresh vegetable. Now, with the bright blue skies of October we are hoping for more
and cheaper winter vegetables.
Summer vacation from the Seminary began July 5. After church on July 6 we went to Tanabe to
cut the weeds around Ruth and Dave's house. After several weeks of monsoon season they were
pretty high and thick. The rest of the month was spent inpreparing SundaySchool materials and
work in the yard, getting out the annual financial statement and quarterly newsletter.
July 30 to August 7 - we made the trip to and from Hokkaido to attend the All Japan Convention. We
drove to the west coast of Honshu and took a car ferry to Hokkaido and on our return we took a car
ferry along the east coast to Nagoya, giving us a day's vacation each way. While the attendance was
down, especially for the missionary convention, because of the distance, we had a very good conven
tion and were richly blessed, thanks to Ernie and Neva Faber, our hosts. The next week was spent
in preparing hand work and materials for Vacation Bible School,
August 17 to 21 - we spent in Tanabe. With the help of Martin and Evelyn Clark and Mr. Ueyama
we were able to lay the floors upstairs in two bedrooms and the hall.
August 26 to conducted Vacation Bible
home in Tanabe. Martin &Evelyn Clark also'
came down and we finished the Hoors upstairs. Since the downstairs is Bnished enough to live in,
they can live downstairs while they finish the upstairs,
September 1 b 11 - Women's classes began after a month's vacation. The Thursday Bible Class
has increased by four new members during the summer, bringing the total to sixteen,
September 11 &: 12 - Work Days for repairs and clean up at Osaka Bible Seminary,
September 16 - Fall classes began. This term George is teaching Hebrews and Paul's minor
epistles in the morning and Introduction to the New Testament in the afternoon.
Since the middle of August we have had repairmen and painters working on the house. A new frame
had to be rebuilt around the bay window in the living room, A new roof was put on the garage. New
electric wiring was installed from the high line to the house. The house and garage were painted on
the outside. Total cost - nearly one million yen or about $4, 500 at the present exchange rate,
Jenann reported a busy summer with six vacation Bible schools: Rockford, Illinois; Footville,
Wisconsin; Ramsey, Illinois; Fort Street and Benson churches in Omaha, Nebraska; and Janesville,
Wisconsin; and two camps: Rock River Christian Camp in Illinois and Rising Sun Camp in Nebraska.
She is now attending the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh, taking four courses in library science
and hopes to be back in Japan by Christmas,
Thank God:
1. For the safe arrival of the Hinsons (Dave, Ruth & family).
2. That we were able to have all the necessary repair work done on the house and funds to pay for
it.
3. For our continued good health.
4. For the new members in the Bible classes.
Fray;
1. That Jenann may complete her studies and return to Japan with added support.
2. For the Tanemaki Kai, the annual preaching convention at OBS, November 2 & 3.
3. For Mrs. Hori of the Rokko Church who had a gall bladder operation August 19,
4. For Dave and Ruth as they begin their work in Tanabe, and especially for Dave as he studies
the language.
Thank you and may God bless you.
In Christ,
The Beckmans