Um relatório: projeto missionário para Argentina (Hora H)

The following article was published this weekend in the Brazil Holiness denominational newsletter about the Argentina project in which Pastor John led a team of Brazilian young adults to serve in cities near Buenos Aires.  The link to the complete newsletter is HERE (in Portuguese, slow loading).     The article is on page 5.  

One correction:  the writer of the article identifies me as the President of JEMS.  I am, of course, the director of South America missions.

O artigo em baixo foi publicado no final de semana passada pela Igreja Evangélica Holiness do Brasil.  O jornal, chamado HORA H, falou sobre a viagem missionária para Argentina em janeiro.  Pastor John Katagi mobilizou e liderou uma equipe de jovens brasileiros para servir por 2 semanas em cidades em redor de Buenos Aires.  O link para o jornal completo da HORA H está AQUI.

Apenas uma pequena correção: o artigo me identifica como o presidente da JEMS. Sou atualmente o diretor de missões da América do Sul. 

Click here to link to an enlargeable version of  the page above.  

Clique aqui para conectar com tamanho atual.

Does JEMS only work with Japanese people?

People often ask me, "Does JEMS only work with Japanese people?"  

While it's true that our organizational mission statement is, "Jesus to every Japanese.  Jesus everyday," I would answer by saying "No.  We don't only work with Japanese people."  The evidence is in the practice of ministry in South America since the 1990s . . .

PJ in 1995, working with disadvantaged children in Brazil

This photo and below:  Serving the community in Argentina in 2013

 

It's not a strategy of exclusion, but a strategy of priority.  The Apostle Paul, who self-identifies as the apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13), would often make the local Jewish synagogue his first stop when coming into a new city.  "To the Jew first," may have been a practical strategy as well as a deeper theological conviction (Romans 1:16).  

The good news of the gospel is not for only one group.  2 Peter 3:9 tells us that "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance."  

That all should come to repentance is clear, yet at the same time as an organization, JEMS has a passion to reach the 98% of Japanese and Nikkei (Japanese descendants) worldwide who do not yet know Christ.  

There are groups that focus on the 10/40 window, on child trafficking, on prison ministries.  We would hardly call them exclusive.  We understand that the calling of those mission agencies is to reach a particular segment of the population that they somehow sense an affinity towards and a calling to reach.  So too with JEMS.  Our calling is to share Jesus Christ with an historically resistant, unreached people group. 

At the same time, we understand that the Japanese, and especially the Nikkei community outside of Japan, does not live in a vacuum.  We exist in communities, in relationships, as parts of networks, socially, academically and occupationally.  Our families and our churches are becoming more multi-cultural.  We desire that all might know the joy of a relationship with Jesus Christ.  And the invitation is extended to all.  

Like the Apostle Paul, JEMS exercises a specific intention to reach a people group loved by God, but a group, nonetheless, that is struggling and unaware for the most part of their lostness.  Please pray with us that in our efforts to reach people for Christ, that we would also find grace to reach our own community.  

As I read the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 9:1-4, I wonder if I possess that same depth of conviction.

"I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, the people of Israel."

Paul was intensely passionate about reaching his community for Christ.  May we be as passionate.

Missions Presentation at Mount Hermon

Typically, Tuesday night is Missions Night at Mount Hermon. This video was put together to highlight JEMS' ministry in South America. Even if you are not at Mt Hermon this week, you can see how faithful God has been to open doors in South America! 



Please support PJ's ministry at: http://www.jems.org/onlinegiving

Brazilian sashimi and killer fruit! (Discover Nikkei)

A repost of my most recent Discover Nikkei article on food challenges in Brazil.

The complete article can be found HERE.

The chino - cochino question

Photo Credit: www.flickr.com/photos/motoperu

My first official visit to Lima, Peru left me impressed with the many Chinese restaurants that were in the city. Known as "Chifa," many were quite humble while a few looked pretty extravagant.  

Photo Credit: www.flickr.com/photos/motoperu

Photo Credit:  http://middleofmydreams.wordpress.com/

Photo Credit:  http://newworldreview.com/

I wanted to give Peruvian Chinese food a try.  I live in Monterey Park, after all.  It was sort of a cultural and culinary experiment.  

My hosts and driver in Lima were Peruvian.  On my next-to-last evening they asked where I wanted to have dinner. Commenting on the number of Chinese restaurants I had seen in the city, I mentioned my interest in trying one of the "chifa."  It was at this point that I ran into something of a culture clash.  

The driver, who spoke no English, shared a story with me related to this request.  The two words I picked out of the conversation were the words, "chino" and "cochino."  Chino was clear to me.  Most Asians in South America are misrepresented as being "Chino" (meaning someone of Chinese descent).  The other word I didn't understand was the word, "cochino."  Somehow it seemed to be the heart of his observation, comparing "Chino" and "cochino," like some play on words.  I would later find out the meaning of the word, and this could possibly explain my experience that evening.  

We ended up driving for close to an hour, many times passing some promising looking Chifa restaurants.  "Oh, that's a nice one," I would think.  And then we would pass it.  The driver and the hosts were talking to each other, evidently trying to decide what to do.  

After a long drive around the city, we ended up in an upscale shopping mall.  We parked the car and walked to what was essentially a Peruvian version of Panda Express for our dinner.  I thought, "What??"

It is my guess that my hosts had never eaten at an authentic Chinese restaurant.  They were unfamiliar with what restaurant would be a good choice.  But perhaps most telling was their perception that Chinese restaurants were unhygienic, and that the cooking style was unsanitary.  

And here it clicked.  The word, cochino in Spanish means "pig" and is descriptive of something that is filthy or dirty.  Unless I totally failed to piece together the conversation of the entire evening, the sense I got was that there are Peruvians who consider Chinese food as something dirty.  And that they being good hosts, did not want to expose me to anything that might create a health problem.

I would like to imagine that it wasn't a racist thing, but a socio-economic thing.  The church I had the most contact with was a native Peruvian, lower income group.  It was not likely that they would have much opportunity to interact with the Chinese Peruvian community nor to spend their money on restaurant food.  Especially food that would be considered "foreign."  That notwithstanding, a quick perusal of the internet reveals that this combination of words is considered extremely rude and not something spoken aloud in polite company.  

I'm going back to Lima in October.  I write this simply as a bookmarker, an opportunity to remember.  I may have been completely incorrect in my perception, but I want to go back and to give another try at understanding the Peruvian perspective as it relates to Chinese culture and cuisine.  

Mapping history: São Paulo state

I've had this map for some time.  If you are a cartophile (lover of maps), you should click HERE for a super huge image!!  (Once at the link, you can find the enlarge icon on the lower right corner. You'll have to click two times).  The limitations of this blog template don't allow me to enlarge it very much within the post.

Every now and then I pull it out to reflect on the patterns of immigration and settlement undertaken by Nikkei pioneers in Brazil.  Dated from the early 1900's (though I need some confirmation of the exact date of this document), the map shows the locations and populations of the various pre-war Japanese colonies in the state of São Paulo.  

It's also an interesting map strategically.  Though a number of the smaller colonies have disappeared with the movement away from the coffee and agricultural crops that were once the state's powerhouse, many Nikkei remain in interior cities and communities.  It was this map that influenced in great part my travels in Brazil in 2012 and 2013.  

JEMS' theme "Jesus to every Japanese.  Jesus every day" underscores the importance of sharing the message of the gospel to the historically resistant and under-reached Nikkei community.  Twenty-four years ago, the 10/40 window came into prominence as a missions strategy and vision.  And yet with less than 2% of the Japanese and Nikkei peoples reached worldwide, there is a need to redefine our ministry and redouble our efforts.  

Please pray with me as I outline my ministry plans for September in Brazil.

Thank you!

JEMS Summer ministry 2014

This summer holds some special blessings for the JEMS South America ministry.  While we danced around the dates of the World Cup to avoid many of the expected problems of over-crowding, security and just the plain distraction of one of the largest international events to hit the continent, we will be there later this summer.  Once the WC festivities are over, JEMS and Pastor John will be in South America to serve the Nikkei community in four countries, including Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Peru.

With my itinerary coming together, here are some highlights:

August in Asunción, Paraguay - 
While Asunción is the nation's capital, I can't say that I have been very successful in cultivating relationships with the Nikkei community there.  I am hoping that my month-long study of the Spanish language will afford the opportunity to establish contacts there.  

August - Summer teams serving South America  (all photos can be clicked to enlarge)

Team 1 (above) from August 3 to 21 in the cities of Pedro Juan Caballero, Paraguay and Sorocaba, Brazil.

Team 2 (solo worker, above): August at the Itaquera Holiness Church and September at the Sorocaba Free Methodist Church

August will also include Pastor John making a quick weekend visit to the JEMS team serving in the city of Pedro Juan Caballero.  This is part of my field supervisory function and involves a six-hour overnight bus ride from Asunción, one way.  

Four days in Buenos Aires, end of August 
Given the absence of one of the key Nikkei pastors during my travel to Buenos Aires, my shortened visit will be primarily to touch base with contacts from Centro Nikkei Argentina, one of the principal community organizations in the country.  They have been very good to collaborate with us and we were able to benefit from our participation in the COPANI conference last September. 

September in Brazil
Time will be spent strengthening existing partnership as well as establishing new ministry relationships.  With a country larger than the continental US, it's not an easy task to move from place to place.  

My program will include participation in the regional General Conference of the Brazil Holiness Church in Panorama, a campground ten hours by bus from the city of São Paulo.  In the days around that conference, I will visit churches scattered through the interior of São Paulo state, which contains the highest population of Nikkei in Brazil.  Cities and churches have yet to be confirmed although I have a commitment to visit the Free Methodist Church in Marília.  

Another city I am scheduled to visit is the port city of Belém in the Amazon region (with a significant concentration of Nikkei).  I will spend a week with the ICEA (Igreja Cristã Evangélica da Amazônia).   

October in Lima, Peru with Pastor Rick
As a rule (or practical principal) of missions advancement and partnership, the role of the executive director is important in seeing the potential for ministry in the field.  As we begin our foray into Lima, it is hoped that Pastor Rick will assist in providing JEMS South America Department with some insights and wisdom as to next steps for partnership building.  Please pray for opportunities to meet with community friends and key ministry leaders during our weeklong stay there.   

Home again
I'm scheduled to arrive home (together with Pastor Rick) on October 13th.  

“Good thing I'm aging, otherwise I'd be dead.” ― Ana Monnar

I know that age is a state of mind, but somewhere along the line, my body didn't get the memo.  If aging only involved the graying or loss of hair, that would be wonderful.  Unfortunately, the last five years has been an increasing struggle with health and physical challenges.  

Thankfully, my kidney function remains stable at 12% (God's grace has enabled me to so far avoid hemodialysis), but the gradual degeneration of my lumbar disc (spinal stenosis) and accompanying sciatic pain have hobbled me, depending on the day.  Some days, it's an effort to walk even half a city block painfree.  It's this challenge that confronts me as I look ahead to three months in South America this summer.  

I take encouragement from the Apostle Paul who wrote the following in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18:

"Outwardly we are wasting away," he writes.  I can relate to that most days.  But I assure you that I am no masochist.  Rather, God has placed this passion in my heart for the people of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Peru.  It will be a great privilege to serve the Nikkei community there and to share with them the good news of the gospel.

Looking back at verse 16, he begins with the thought, "Therefore we do not lose heart."  The word "therefore" is key.  It provides the basis of what follows.  His effort, his passion, his desire to serve Jesus Christ comes from what precedes the "therefore."  Let's look at what he says in verse 15.

What is our desire?  That God's grace might reach, touch and transform more and more people.  The result will be GREAT thanksgiving and more GLORY will be directed to God.  

Thank you for your partnership in prayer and financial support!  It enables JEMS to reach a neglected and resistant Nikkei community for Christ.  Thank you for your prayers for my health and for my days to be welcomed with joy and not with a wince of pain.  

Blessings to you!

Remembering one World Cup

As the World Cup begins in Brazil, I remember one past World Cup experience from 1994. That recollection has been published at Discover Nikkei.


Go to this link to read the full story http://www.discovernikkei.org/en/journal/2014/6/10/world-cup/

Is Brazil as bad as they say?

As we prepare our 2014 JEMS teams for volunteer service in Brazil this summer, we recognize the need to prepare parents for the inevitable bad press that is coming out in advance of the World Cup. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/05/world/americas/the-world-cup-is-bad-for-brazil-many-brazilians-say.html

Sadly, Brazil is painted in a bad light with a magnifying glass focusing on crime, poverty, joblessness, failed infrastructure. What parent wants their child to go there? 

http://news.yahoo.com/protests-hit-brazil-eight-days-world-cup-005229845--sow.html

And yet, as I read just now about the mass shooting at Seattle Pacific University, one must ask, "Where is safe?" 

A Mashable article reports that there have been 74 school shootings in the United States since Sandy Hook (December 2012).

The map associated with the above article graphically depicts that school violence isn't limited to particular areas or known trouble spots. (click map to enlarge)

Whether at home or overseas, whether San Francisco or São Paulo, we are completely dependent on the grace of God to see us safely through our day.