My Second Osaka Missions Trip
Greetings from Kobe.
My work with Youth Harvest Church in Kobe will be coming to an end and I will be leaving Kobe on August 5th. I have an opportunity in Osaka for a two month trial period to see if I fit in the Osaka team's Mission strategy. If things go well, this will likely lead to a long term missions position for me, and even potentially an opportunity to officially join the IMB.
The ministry in Osaka that I will be working with is primarily focused on outreach toward international studies students from local universities in Osaka. Some of these students will be traveling abroad and want to learn more about what it is like in America. Some other students have already returned from their year abroad. While in America many students encountered the church for the first time and want to know more, others got involved in church while abroad and are looking for that same connection in Japan, and even a few have made professions of faith while abroad and want to learn more about the Bible and being Christian. We build relationships with these students and encourage them to seek Christ. We are also partnered with Japanese churches to help them connect to these students. And we have a street evangelism program. A popular evangelism tool we use is five minute English, a short English practice session (something that is popular among Japanese) which has a built in segway to a spiritual discussion.
But I need to raise some financial support for my stay in Osaka. I will need to cover lodging for this two month assessment period, plus a little more to help cover other needs like public transportation and food. I am budgeting my remaining salary from the school but I still need funding to cover lodging. My initial estimate for the cost of lodging is around $1,000 ~ $1,500 / month. So my goal is $3,000, going towards housing and any remainder for other living and ministry expenses.
As for long term support, I am not certain what my needs will be beyond September. It depends on what options are available and what additional support I will need. As soon as I find out what is needed, I will pass on that information.
Most importantly I also need prayer support. Please pray for this opportunity. First, pray for the ministry in Kobe. Please pray that they continue to grow and reach students for Christ in Kobe. Second, pray for the student in Osaka, they will be the ones we primarily minister to and they face similar stresses that American students face. Also pray for the other missionaries I will be working with and the ministry that they are already doing and the relationships they are building. Pray for wisdom as we evaluate if I am a good match for their ministry. And Lastly, pray for Japan. Less than 1% of Japan's 126 Million population is Christian, please pray that we continue to reach the Japanese people for Christ.
I will be posting updates on my blog, at least once a month, about how the ministry has been going during the trial period.
https://carlerbejapan.blogspot.com/
You can send your support to East Tucson Baptist Church, indicating it is for “Carl's Japan Missions Fund”. This is a tax deductible option.
Make checks out to:
East Tucson Baptist Church
9100 E Speedway Blvd
Tucson, AZ 85710
Phone: (520) 917-4233
Or send a check to my family to deposit for me:
Lynn Erbe
7326 E. Calle Lugo
Tucson, AZ 85710
Phone: (520) 298-6319
You may also send money directly through PayPal
PayPal.me/CarlErbe
My GoFundMe page for this trip:
https://www.gofundme.com/carls-second-osaka-missions-trip
Thank you for your prayers and support.
God bless,
Carl Erbe
Carl.E.Erbe@gmail.com
My work with Youth Harvest Church in Kobe will be coming to an end and I will be leaving Kobe on August 5th. I have an opportunity in Osaka for a two month trial period to see if I fit in the Osaka team's Mission strategy. If things go well, this will likely lead to a long term missions position for me, and even potentially an opportunity to officially join the IMB.
The ministry in Osaka that I will be working with is primarily focused on outreach toward international studies students from local universities in Osaka. Some of these students will be traveling abroad and want to learn more about what it is like in America. Some other students have already returned from their year abroad. While in America many students encountered the church for the first time and want to know more, others got involved in church while abroad and are looking for that same connection in Japan, and even a few have made professions of faith while abroad and want to learn more about the Bible and being Christian. We build relationships with these students and encourage them to seek Christ. We are also partnered with Japanese churches to help them connect to these students. And we have a street evangelism program. A popular evangelism tool we use is five minute English, a short English practice session (something that is popular among Japanese) which has a built in segway to a spiritual discussion.
But I need to raise some financial support for my stay in Osaka. I will need to cover lodging for this two month assessment period, plus a little more to help cover other needs like public transportation and food. I am budgeting my remaining salary from the school but I still need funding to cover lodging. My initial estimate for the cost of lodging is around $1,000 ~ $1,500 / month. So my goal is $3,000, going towards housing and any remainder for other living and ministry expenses.
As for long term support, I am not certain what my needs will be beyond September. It depends on what options are available and what additional support I will need. As soon as I find out what is needed, I will pass on that information.
Most importantly I also need prayer support. Please pray for this opportunity. First, pray for the ministry in Kobe. Please pray that they continue to grow and reach students for Christ in Kobe. Second, pray for the student in Osaka, they will be the ones we primarily minister to and they face similar stresses that American students face. Also pray for the other missionaries I will be working with and the ministry that they are already doing and the relationships they are building. Pray for wisdom as we evaluate if I am a good match for their ministry. And Lastly, pray for Japan. Less than 1% of Japan's 126 Million population is Christian, please pray that we continue to reach the Japanese people for Christ.
I will be posting updates on my blog, at least once a month, about how the ministry has been going during the trial period.
https://carlerbejapan.blogspot.com/
You can send your support to East Tucson Baptist Church, indicating it is for “Carl's Japan Missions Fund”. This is a tax deductible option.
Make checks out to:
East Tucson Baptist Church
9100 E Speedway Blvd
Tucson, AZ 85710
Phone: (520) 917-4233
Or send a check to my family to deposit for me:
Lynn Erbe
7326 E. Calle Lugo
Tucson, AZ 85710
Phone: (520) 298-6319
You may also send money directly through PayPal
PayPal.me/CarlErbe
My GoFundMe page for this trip:
https://www.gofundme.com/carls-second-osaka-missions-trip
Thank you for your prayers and support.
God bless,
Carl Erbe
Carl.E.Erbe@gmail.com
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