A major change of plans

Dear friends and supporters,

Since the beginning of the year, my plan has been to end the summer with a fact-finding trip to Japan. It was to be my first visit to that country.  My purpose was to visit the ministries of the Brazil Holiness and Free Methodist churches and their work among the dekasegi (South American Nikkei workers in Japan). As optimistic as I have wanted to remain, the reality is that I am daily having to endure pain and take the necessary pain relievers to allow me to move from place to place here in South America.

I may have also been somewhat psyched out by a co-worker's comments about the amount of walking I would have to do in Japan, the rush to catch trains or other transportation, the multitude of stairs and lack of basic access. In anticipation of the time that I'll need to spend on my feet in Japan, at this point I find that upon serious prayer and reflection, I am less inclined to undertake this trip.

The difference for my service in South America is that I am blessed to have the networking here where long-time friends and pastors have kindly provided transportation. Being my first visit to Japan, conditions and relationships are not the same.

Please be assured that I am not afraid of any work, ministry-wise (I've been invited to preach and teach Bible in Portuguese, as well as provide English classes), but the simplest of tasks, such as walking, has become very difficult for me. I've spent this last week at a youth camp in the Amazon area. It's really a nice facility, but I have found it painful to walk even the shortest distances from place to place. As Clint Eastwood said in the movie "Magnum Force," 'A man's got to know his limitations.'

On the first full day in Belém, our team was treated to an Amazon River excursion. It included an unexpected hike of twenty minutes in the sand, in 90 degree weather, in 95 percent humidity, to arrive at an island restaurant. Needless to say, it was quite the chore to get from Point A to Point B. I mentioned to my hosts that because of my back issues, I would find it difficult to return to the excursion boat. As a result, he went off to find a resolution to my problem. By God's grace, this is what he came up with:



You know, I hated being a burden to those who traveled with me that day. As a result of my experience, I have spoken to JEMS Executive Director, Pastor Rick Chuman, and upon discussion have decided that I would not pursue this exploratory trip to Japan. I have subsequently written to the two pastors in Toyohashi and Eichizen with many apologies, describing my situation and they have agreed to permit me to withdraw from this ministry commitment in Japan at this time.

Rick is still researching the possibility of his continuing the trip in my absence. This contact with the Brazilian Nikkei in Japan is an important networking contact for JEMS. Please pray that doors that have been opened may provide good avenues of ministry. I also appreciate prayer for my own physical situation.

 

Tenho passado uma semana e meia na cidade de Benevides no Pará no norte do país. Durante esses dias eu fiquei consciente do estado da minha saúde. Tenho sofrido com problemas de coluna que estão causando dores em minhas costas e em minhas pernas. Tenho uma condição médica chamada "spinal stenosis" em inglês e a situação está piorando. Diariamente estou tomando remédios para aliviar o dor. 
 
Até agora tenho aguentado esses problemas em outras cidades do país por ajuda dos amigos que me leva pra qualquer lugar de carro. Mas aqui pela estrutura normal do acampamento eu não estou conseguindo andar nem mesmo nas distâncias curtas.   Estou descobrindo que estou sofrendo com mais e mais dores de costa e de perna.
 
Alguns dias atrás durante uma conversa com pastor Rick Chuman, eu falei sobre minhas dúvidas sobre uma viagem planejada para conhecer o Japão. Eu tenho o receio de ser uma carga para outros e não quero atrapalhar o ministério no Nihon. Por este motivo, estou achando melhor para desistir e não ir mais ao Japão em agosto. Não tenho nenhum problema com trabalho entre as igrejas (fui convidado pregar, ensinar a Bíblia e mais em português, e também ensinar aulas de inglês). Mas tenho bastante ansiedade andando e ficando muito tempo em pé. 

Estou pedindo mil desculpas porque eu sei que os pastores tem arrumado seus calendários para receber Pastor Rick e eu. Mas pra mim está ficando claro que eu não posso fazer viagens para lugares desconhecidos com essas problemas de saúde e dor.
 
Pastor Rick falou hoje que ele esta ainda disposto para visitar os ministérios entre os dekasegi. Pedimos suas orações pela orientação de Deus neste sentido.

Arrival in Brazil and John Lee

The final days of June marked my ministry transition to the country of Brazil. The transition of my Portuguese speaking ability was delayed as I struggled with the Spanish which refused to un-imbed itself from my brain.

The day after my arrival in São Paulo, I welcomed John Lee, JEMS newest staff member: Director of Sports Ministry.

Our partnership would continue for eleven days as we traveled through the length of São Paulo state. We visited seven cities in that very brief time period and covered over 700 miles.

Our team grew instantly and providentially on our second day of travel as we invited the participation of a volunteer interpreter to serve with us for the week of ministry. With my Portuguese delayed, I needed help with the English to Portuguese interpretation needed for John Lee's presentations. Sara Hakamada was a Godsend. She is a self-taught English speaker, who was initially discipled by one of our past JEMS workers, Justine.

This newly organized team traveled throughout the state to introduce John Lee and to explore potential sports ministry partnerships.






PJ, Sara and John Lee in Bastos, SP

Returning to the city São Paulo and presentation of JEMS Sports Ministry:

Alessandra (pictured), came to faith in Christ through a JEMS English Camp in the 1990's



Throughout the state, opportunities were afforded to preach and teach from God's Word.




Sara returned to her home in Marília on July 8th after serving faithfully for a week of ministry with PJ and John Lee. John Lee returned to Los Angeles on July 11th after a fruitful ministry visit. Thank you for your prayers.

The next step for PJ is a camping ministry in the city of Belém in the Amazon rainforest.

Returning to Asunción, Paraguay

The ministry of JEMS began in Paraguay in 1992, with PJ visiting the border town of Pedro Juan Caballero. In 2008, in response to an invitation to visit the capital city, PJ went to Asunción for the first time.

Over the years, it has been a blessed time of relationship building with the community youth, the local church and with other mission organizations. In 2015, the Nikkei church in Asunción would face a big challenge as the missionaries serving there returned to their home in Japan. I wanted to see how the leadership transition was progressing.

Local church ministry: caring for the new church leadership.

Fellowshipping with the local church children and youth


Meeting with the family of my father's cousin. He immigrated to Paraguay in the 1960's


Networking with church and mission leadership in the city of Asunción, working to connect them together.




Fellowshipping with youth from the Asunción community

Argentine ministry and partnerships

It was both a blessed and busy week as my ministry began in Buenos Aires. I arrived in-country with much trepidation regarding my Spanish ability. But after spending the first three days with my non-English-speaking Nikkei pastor, I found that the Spanish I had learned in August of 2014 was able to flow much easier.

The week was spent reconnecting with churches and leaders as well as having evangelistic opportunities. I traveled from city to city speaking as the occasions arose.

An evangelistic Bible study in the city of Quilmes, Argentina:




Teaching the Bible in Burzaco, Argentina

Tutoring barrio children and working with camping staff in Moreno, Argentina




Dinner with youth from the Nikkei community of Buenos Aires


Preaching at the Megumi Christian Center in Buenos Aires.


Thank you Lord, for open doors and opportunities to share the good news of Jesus in Argentina. Please pray as plans are underway to field a JEMS team from Brazil to serve in Buenos Aires in January 2016.

WLA Holiness 60th Anniversary

June 14, 2015 - 60th Anniversary Celebration of the WLA Holiness Church

Worship and Celebration Service

Sunday, June 14, 2015; 10:00am

Joint Service (English and Japanese) with guest speaker, the Rev. Kenneth Ashitomi (First English Department pastor), and the Rev. Eiichi Paul Suzuki, former Nichigo-bu pastor.

Commemorating God's faithfulness over the years and to express appreciation to long-time members and friends of West Los Angeles Holiness Church

Celebration Luncheon to follow!

History 
 The origin of the West Los Angeles Church dates back to 1936 when home meetings were held in the Sawtelle area. Along with Kumaji Yoshimoto, Kamako Nakada took an active part in leading home Bible study groups. Unfortunately, due to the war and the relocation and incarceration of Japanese on the west coast, the group was forced to abruptly terminate their fellowship. 

After the war ended and the West Los Angeles residents returned, the mission commenced with renewed zeal. In 1949, the Los Angeles Holiness Church initiated a regular outreach into the area. Kyujo Nakada, husband of Kamako, was one of the converts baptized at the Los Angeles Holiness Church. A Bible study group began meeting once again at the Nakada home. This group later became the core of the West Los Angeles Holiness Church. 

Five years later, in the spring of 1955 with the purchase of some property on Iowa Avenue, the mission church was born. Eighteen Los Angeles Holiness Church members transferred to and became charter members of the newly organized West Los Angeles Church in June of 1955. 

All photos below may be clicked to be enlarged!

 
Dedication of the Iowa Street Building in 1955. Those in attendance included pastors and members from other southern California Holiness Churches. (Click photo to enlarge)

     
The dedication service was held in July 1955, and Kumaji Yoshimoto was appointed as lay evangelist. Kenneth Ashitomi was appointed as student pastor in September 1956. He organized and laid the foundation for the inception of the English-speaking Department. 

Upon his graduation from the Fuller Theological Seminary in June 1961, Ashitomi was appointed as the first full-time minister of the English Department. In 1962, David Hosomi came from Japan to enroll at Azusa College. He assisted in the ministry of the church.









 

2015 JEMS SA Pre-Mission Introduction

Previewing and asking prayer for the 2015 team ministries of JEMS South America Missions Department

JEMS 2015 Inspirational 12-day Tour of Brazil

Click to enlarge any photo

For more information, please visit:  http://www.jems.org/events/  Scroll down to Brazil Tour

Or call the JEMS Office to speak with Rev. Sam.

Sports Ministry Mission Exploration

JEMS South America Department is pleased to have the opportunity to introduce John H. Lee to pastors, churches and leaders in Brazil.  

As part of Pastor John Katagi's mission this summer, he will spend about 12 days with John Lee, acquainting him with ministries which may have interest in partnering with JEMS Sports Ministry in the future.  
Pastor John Katagi gostaria de apresentar o novo diretor de ministério esportivo da JEMS, John Lee, para nosso parceiros no ministério no Brasil.  John Lee está viajando com Pastor John para conhecer o Brasil e pesquisar a possibilidade de levar uma equipe esportiva da JEMS no futuro.  

Due to time constraints of John Lee's seminary schedule, his time in Brazil will be limited to June 30th to July 11th.  It is hoped that our itinerary will include meetings with leaders in the city of São Paulo as well as with pastors in the interior cities of São Paulo state.  
John Lee vai estar no Brasil por apenas 12 dias, de 30 de junho até 11 de julho.  Nós esperamos que nosso itinerário possa incluir encontros e reuniões com a liderança na cidade de São Paulo e também com pastores e líderes no interior do estado de São Paulo.  

Our schedule/Nosso itinerário:

June 29 - Pastor John K arrives in São Paulo from Asunción, Paraguay

June 30 - John Lee arrives in São Paulo from LAX

Atenção:  1 de julho até 8 de julho - viagem nas cidades interiores do estado de São Paulo

July 1 - PJ and John Lee travel by air to the city of Marília.
(VCP - MII  Azul 4414; Partida 16:04 hs, Chegada 17:15 hs.)

From July 1 to July 8, we will be traveling to the cities of Pompéia, Presidente Prudente, Bastos and Marília.

July 8 - PJ and John Lee return to São Paulo city.
(MII - VCP  Azul 4417;  Partida 10:55 hs, Chegada 11:56 hs)

We will meet with sports ministry and other contacts from July 8 to 11 around São Paulo city (including, possibly Sorocaba and São José dos Campos).  Nós estamos disponiveis na cidade de São Paulo entre dias 8 e 11 de julho para conversar sobre o ministério esportivo.  Gostariamos de fazer visitas até Sorocaba e São José dos Campos.

July 11 - John Lee returns to Los Angeles

July 11 to 15  - PJ remains in greater São Paulo.

July 15 to August 2 - PJ in Belém do Pará.

August 2 to 5 - PJ back in São Paulo

August 5 - PJ returns to Los Angeles

Please pray for the entire ministry trip, but especially for John Lee's intensive segment!

First and Lasting Impressions

During a missions conference in San Diego, a few of us took advantage of a free afternoon to go sightseeing in Point Loma. One of the attractions is the lighthouse with a spectacular view of San Diego, Coronado and on a clear day, Tijuana. While hanging out there, we observed a small group of people chatting together. As we passed by, we thought we heard a smattering of Portuguese. Stopping and covertly eavesdropping, we heard the distinct lilt of that language.

Approaching the group, I asked, "São brasileiros?" (Are you Brazilians?). "Sim. Somos" (Yes we are), they answered with some surprise. Then one turns to the others and says, "Puxa, tudo mundo fala português aqui nos Estados Unidos." (Wow! Everyone in the United States speaks Portuguese!) Well, not exactly. But it was nice to make this group feel welcome.

I've always felt that interactions with other cultures require respect, humor and the expression of warmth. My first experience in Brazil was certainly a welcoming one. However I still distinctly remember the large handpainted graffitti spread across a stone wall in Rio de Janeiro: "Yanqui Go Home!"

It's certainly understandable that the sentiment exists. Not only for the economic realities of a nation suffering from hyperinflation and being seriously indebted to US and world banks (to the tune of gazillions), but also in the way that Americans conduct themselves overseas.

I've been on the São Paulo metro and city buses when groups of Americans have come on board. Loud, ill-mannered and oblivious to those around them. Young people rushing to beat older passengers to seats - in sections reserved for the disabled and elderly. 

Loudly commenting to each other, "What a dump! This country sucks big time!" without a sense that there might be people who understood their English and could be offended by their rude opinions.

Respect and courtesy. It turns out that you have to teach it. There's a certain insularity that seems to happen to Americans in groups in foreign countries. It's like they're in a bubble that somehow shields them from their surroundings, and they feel that no one can see or hear them. It's unfortunate that public behaviors can result in private opinions about Americans in general. Of course, this is what I'm doing right now.

It may have been insulting to the young people recruited to serve on our ministry teams, but it was important to instruct them, not only about spiritual or cultural realities, but also about giving people respect and dignity. Perhaps it's due to the fact that many of our teams were composed of bi-cultural people who had experienced the lack of consideration by the majority culture in the US, that they understood and picked it up right away.

The title of the 1958 classic novel The Ugly American coined the phrase that now is used universally to describe the stereotypical bad behavior displayed by some Americans when dealing with other cultures. 

It was good that I saw that "Yanqui Go Home" graffitti on my first trip to Brazil. I think that subliminally and later, consciously, it would impact the training and instruction that would be provided to our groups who represented not only Christ, but the USA.

2015 JEMS SoAmerica Mission Workers

Please pray for us!  Encourage us! Support us financially!

Thank you!