Bethany Lutheran Church

Lindsborg Kansas




Pastor Aaron, Lynette and Cassidy Dale Albrecht
2-20-2 Tokiwadai
Itabashi-KU
Tokyo - 174
JAPAN



A letter from the Albrechts, dated 7/10/02

Dear Friends in Jesus,

I imagine many of you celebrated the Fourth recently with bottle rockets, sparklers and fireworks displays in the park. The paper here showed F-15 jets flying cover over America, so we are just glad you are all safe. For our Japanese students it seems strange that Americans celebrate with fireworks only once a year. Here in Japan there are fireworks displays all summer long.

On the other hand, you would probably find it peculiar to celebrate All Saints' Day in July but that is basically what we did last Sunday. Summer is the season for Obon, the festival when the spirits of the ancestors return. To counter this the churches here have their memorial services for the saints of the church in July or August. This past Sunday before the sermon Pastor Yasui read out the names of all those from Hongo Lutheran Church who have gone to be with Jesus from 1970 up to the present. We listened as the names of missionaries Philip Hyland and Morris Sorenson, early founders of the student center, were read. And we heard Richard Nelson, Lynette's father who worked at the center up until he passed away. I felt deeply touched and sad when our own little Noelle's name was read. We heard the names of the many faithful Japanese members who have worked for the church. Then Pastor Yasui preached his message telling us how we are all tied to Jesus by the strong bonds of his love and the facts of his death and resurrection. All Saints' Day in July is a wonderful reminder for you saints there in the churches in America too of the strong ties that hold us to Jesus our Saviour.

Our spring term has now come to an end at Hongo Student Center. Pastor Yasui and his wife Shizuka are doing wonderful work here. Keep them both in your prayers. Shizuka is our new receptionist. Pstor Yasui will soon be traveling to America to take some Japanese students to a church work camp. Pray for him as he travels. I am continuing to work as internship supervisor for our short term missionary. Keep me in your prayers as I work through the challenges of this new role. Pray for David, our intern, that he may grow in Christ and find his calling ministry. Pray for our family as well. Lynette and I are enjoying the joys of watching Cassidy grow. She's up and toddling now and can imitate all the animal noises daddy teaches her. Knows how to say "Amen" at the end of the table prayer too.

For those of you who would like a few laughs as well as some insights into the struggles we missionaries face in trying to get a handle on the Japanese language, I recommend a very funny book. Tom Dillon, my friend and former missionary at the student center, has written a book called "Japanese Made Funny." It is filled with mistakes foreigners make when speaking Japanese. Also, if you check it out on the Internet at www.amazon.com you can read a cogent and insightful review written by yours truly. Happy reading.

God bless you and yours this summer,

Yours in Christ



A letter from the Albrechts, dated 3/2/01

Dear Friends in Christ,

Our big news is that Cassidy Dale Albrecht came wailing into the world at 2 AM on Sunday, February 11th. At 9 pounds 3 ounces and 20 inches long she was the biggest (and, according to the nurses, loudest) baby in the hospital. Lynette got to stay with her in the hospital for a week, which is standard Japanese practice. Lynette says she really appreciated the extra time because the hospital staff was very helpful with all kinds of information. We are very thankful for all your prayers and good wishes. Mom and daughter are now home and Cassidy is working on that "twist dad around your little finger" thing. She had her first Japanese style bath last night and seemed to enjoy the experience. Overall she is being a pretty good baby in terms of fussiness. The dogs are checking her out somewhat tentatively, but they too seem to be tickled with the new addition to the family. We really feel blessed by her presence.

We recently completed Spring term at the student center. Our graduation party was a fine affair. We gave copies of the English/Japanese New Testament to nine graduates. Three of the new short term missionaries were able to come and participate in the worship and party.

This year will see changes coming to Hongo Lutheran Church. Pastor Nagaoka is taking a call to a church in Kyushu and due to the shortage of Japanese pastors, Hongo will have to wait a year for a regular pastor. A retired pastor in the congregation will fill in for that time. For the student center this also means that we must find a new receptionist as Mrs. Nagaoka did the job formerly. Right now we are considering a former student who is now a member of the church, Mrs. Yoshimi. We need someone who can make a connection with new students and convey the warm atmosphere at Hongo. Also, this new term (which is the beginning of the new school year in Japan) will see Dave Foster begin work, teaching at the student center. Dave is a student at Luther Seminary in Minnesota who took some time off to come, with his wife Christine, and do mission work here. Hopefully Dave's presence will have a great impact on bringing new students in to Hongo.

Please keep all of these things in your prayers, and especially that the Holy Spirit will be bustling as we enter this time of transition. Pray also for times of rest for the new parents.

God bless you all,