Reformed Church in Japan group visit (outreach) to South Africa, 17 – 26 August 2013
Message from the leader, Rev. Takayuki Ashida
We have three main purposes to visit SA this time. The first main purpose is to maintain and develop the Christian fellowship and relationship between you, the Dutch Reformed Church Family in SA and us, the Reformed Church in Japan. The second main purpose is to serve together in the diaconal ministries in SA. We would like to look for more relevant and effective ways to serve together for the people who need our help by our diaconal ministries in this country. We would like to show the love of our Lord in our diaconal ministries. The third main purpose is to develop and encourage the faith of our young people from Japan through the ministries for the kids at the Botshabelo AIDS orphanage, through the fellowship with many Christians in SA, and through a lot of cross cultural experiences in SA. I have been praying that our Lord may bless these three purposes more than I have been expecting. Finally I would like to express our sincere thanksgiving and gratitude to you, Mission Japan. Thank you for accepting us. Thank you for your deliberate and thoughtful planning, arrangement, and love. Looking forward to seeing you all soon.
REV. TAKAYUKI ASHIDA
The team leader for this mission trip and pastor of Shin Urayasu Tokyo Bay Reformed Church, he also serves as the secretary of the International Ecumenism and Mission Cooperation Committee in the Reformed Church in Japan (RCJ). He is married to Junko and has a daughter (age 25) and two sons (age 23 and 22), one of whom, Toru, is also part of this mission trip. This is his second visit to South Africa. His first visit was with his daughter, Kana, and this time he is traveling with six young people and four other colleagues from the RCJ (all introduced below). He thanks God for this opportunity.
MS. HANA AIBA
A 20-year-old university student studying audio technology, with a focus on acoustic mixing, she is a member of the RCJ Shin-Urayasu Congregation (Tokyo Bay) and serves as a worship leader at the church. She is especially looking forward to fellowship with the children and university students in South Africa.
MR. TORU ASHIDA
A 22-year-old taking a break from college and a member of the RCJ Shin-Urayasu Congregation in Tokyo, he has spent a couple of years studying in the USA and is currently working on entering a Japanese college. He would appreciate prayer support during this time. His hobbies include surfing, snowboarding, playing guitar and drums, and photography. He is excited to meet the children at the orphanage.
MS. SAYO NAKATA
A 30-year-old young adult and a member of the RCJ Okayama-West Congregation, she was born as the second of four children in a Christian home, with her father serving as the pastor of their congregation. She currently works as a cook at an elementary school, providing lunch for the students. She would appreciate prayer for the group's preparation, as well as for their physical and spiritual health.
MS. HARUKA SEKIYA
A 20-year-old second-year university student at an International Christian University and a member of the RCJ Shin-Urayasu Congregation, she and her mother were baptized as Christians in 2008. Her younger brother also attends church, but her father is not yet a Christian, though he respects their church lives. Haruka serves as a worship leader in their congregation. One of her many hobbies is Japanese traditional dance, and she would be delighted to showcase it, wearing traditional Japanese attire (Yukata), if given the opportunity in South Africa. She is also looking forward to engaging in conversations with young Christians in South Africa.
MRS. KYOKU KIMURA
A member of the Diaconal Action Committee in the RCJ, a member and a deacon of RCJ Kamifukuoka Congregation (close to Tokyo), and a lay evangelist. Since the big earthquake and subsequent tsunami on the east coast of Japan on March 11th, 2011, she has realized the significance of Christian fellowship through words and deeds of loving support. Her favorite words: “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13
REV. HIROFUMI KUBO
– The chairperson of the Mission Cooperation Committee in Shikoku Presbytery, the pastor of RCJ Kochi Congregation, and also a member of the International Ecumenism and Mission Cooperation Committee in the RCJ. Touched by the story of Zacchaeus as a child, and baptized as a high school student. His special skills include Traditional Japanese Art Calligraphy and one of his hobbies is historical studies. Read Rev. Kubo’s letter to Mission Japan by visiting http://www.missiejapan.co.za/algemeen/rcj-shikoku-presbyterys-letter-to-missio-japan-15-july-2013/
REV. KEN LEE
He was sent as a missionary to Japan by the Christian Reformed World Mission in 1999, specializing in young adult ministry and discipleship training. A Korean-American, he was born in Korea and moved to the United States at the age of twelve. He and his wife, Jeannie, are grateful to celebrate their 30th anniversary this November. They have three beautiful daughters—Christine, Nina, and Mona—who all live in Southern California. He looks forward with great anticipation to seeing how God will bless His children through these mission projects in the years ahead.
REV. HIROTSUGU MOCHIDA
He is the chairperson of the Diaconal Action Committee in the RCJ and pastor of the RCJ Misato Congregation. He is married with two children and has been actively involved in support work in the disaster areas since March 2011. He is interested in learning more about ministries for HIV orphans in South Africa and is eager to discuss the possibility of supporting this diaconal ministry in cooperation with the Dutch Reformed family of churches, fostering mutual Christian fellowship.
MR. YUTARO YAMAUCHI
A 20-year-old university student and a member of the RCJ Shin-Urayasu Congregation in Tokyo, he serves as the leader of the worship team. Raised in the United States, he was baptized at the age of 4, along with his parents. After returning to Japan, he experienced firsthand the challenges of living as a Christian in Japan. Despite this, he enjoys being with children and is excited to serve the children in South Africa.
MS. YURI NASU
A 19-year-old nursing school student and a member of the RCJ Okayama-Nishi (West) Congregation, her hobbies include playing the piano and tennis. She is very excited to participate in the mission trip and looks forward to reuniting with Rev. Tobie and Mrs. Annalie De Wet, who have occasionally served in their congregation. She was baptized recently, on August 4, 2013, and would greatly appreciate ongoing prayers for her growth as a Christian.
The group’s time in South Africa will include visits to:
- Pretoria – visit to the Reformed Church in Africa’s Charisma congregation
- Botshabelo – spending time in the local community and helping with renovations of Repholositswe Orphanage.
- Menuha (outside Bloemfontein) – meetings with Mission Japan Committee members, Moderature of Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) and students from University of the Free State (UFS), for a cultural exchange.
- Bloemfontein – visiting the UFS, Oliewen-house (art museum); “Women’s memorial”; sharing a Bible study with students from UFS in combination with an African drumming session: theme – “Different but in tune” (including Traditional South African “potjiekos”); attending Church Services in Bloemfontein.
- Hoopstad – meeting local supporters of Mission Japan (MJ) from the DRC etc.
In this time they will be accompanied by the chairperson Rev. Victor Pillay, and the secretary Dr. Gideon Van der Watt of Mission Japan, as well as former missionaries, Rev. Tobie and Mrs. Annalie de Wet.
