I have recently returned from spending two weeks working alongside Brent and Sandy Rogers, and would like to make you aware of my own personal thoughts and feelings regarding their life work in ministry to the Japanese people.
I’ve known many full time, long-term missionaries over the decades of my life, and they are my heroes. Sandy and Brent are definitely right on par with all the hardest working, and most dedicated people I’m privileged to know; giving themselves fully to the work at hand for the purpose of expanding God’s kingdom. I believe that the Rogers’ have been thoroughly aware of their purpose in life since long before they ever reached Japan. Without being assured of their calling, they never would have been capable of remaining as devoted to the difficult daily tasks as they are. I sometimes in fact, wondered how they managed to keep moving consistently onward, with the many struggles they face along the way. Many of their struggles seem the same as yours and mine, but without the human contact that is often so needed when we run into hardships. This lacking element, in my opinion, elevates the struggle to the status of what I would consider a valid trial. They have few people who are on a level with them spiritually to encourage and uplift when the going gets tough, yet they do keep on walking through the tough times. Although they are a cohesive unit, life in general was given to us by God to be lived in community, and their community of believers is very small.
I remember praying before I left the states that there would be at least one or two brand new believers by the time I completed the two weeks on mission in Kojima. This prayer was a scaled back request of the larger request I’d had in mind before realizing how tremendously thick and strong the walls are in most every Japanese individual. I knew it was a major effort, given what is required to help them break down their fears of leaving the tradition of Buddhism and/or Shintoism that they’ve grown up with, but I had not absorbed the reality of just how tremendously fearful they are of ‘losing face’, and being potentially ostracized by family and friends because of embracing Jesus. I can’t help but view this fear on the part of the people as possibly their largest obstacle. The people’s resistance to the gospel is likely the hurdle which takes the highest toll on human inspiration; for both the missionary and the person Jesus is reaching out to, sometimes draining the pool of hope from which we all draw much of what our soul needs to keep on exerting the influence needed to help others catch the fire of the only living God.
A day in the life of Brent and Sandy includes getting up early to get to work, teaching English classes all day, and sometimes Bible, as well as into the evening. Many of these are taught in the school building, but Sandy teaches part time on another campus. So she must plan carefully, pack up her supplies and transport everything on her bike to the other location. Since they don’t own a car, almost all transportation is either walking or riding their bikes. Long trips to participate in their own Japanese classes must be taken by bus. Logos school is run entirely on their own, with just a few hours per week of help from an assistant, so they must handle the logistical management including payroll and bookkeeping, cleaning, and anything that may arise. After this, they go home to cook, eat, clean and take care of their own needs at home. At least once a week, Sandy also leads a student in a Bible study in the Rogers’ home – obviously a sacrifice of time and energy after already having worked all day. The self supporting facet of their ministry was one of the most impressive things I witnessed in their set of circumstances. Although I have no idea how much outside support they may receive from home, I was amazed at how much they provide of their own support.
I have written this letter only as an informative, objective view of people you must be more than happy to be associated with. I know it’s impossible for everyone
to go there to experience the life they live and the ways in which they serve, giving 100% of their talents and energies, belongings, time, and all that they are, to the worship of God. My desire is simply for any who are interested in another person’s view of their world, to hear this version of a recent ‘up close and personal’ view of all that Brent and Sandy mean to the people who benefit from the Rogers’ presence in their lives. Thanks for taking the time to read this.
No comments:
Post a Comment